Year: 1867




We have lately read an article in the
New York Round Table, headed Gun
conscious Hypocrites," and after ask
ing if there can be such n thing as un-
conscious hypocrisy, the writer con-
cludes that, despite the contradiction in
terms, such thing not only may be,
but that it is one Of the most common
things encountered in daily life. TO get
at his theory the writer considers one
of the most common and offensive
forms Of the vice, namely, the hypocri-
sy of religion, and, with this consider
alton alone, we think he proves the po-
sition he assumes, and we have been in
duced thereby to indulge ourself in a
few remarks thereupon iii the Home
journal.


We all know certain people who are
continually turning up the whites of
their eyes and affecting to be q little
more moral, little more conscientious,
and a little more faithful to christiani,
ty, than are the majority of their fel-
]ow-men. In youth, says the writer,
we are very apt to be imposed upon by
such pretensions, and imposed upon to
our cost, as we could illustrate if we
were to bring before the public trans
action wherein we were most wolully
euchrcd by the meek cant Of a man OF
God, so-called, But we intend to make
different application of the argument,
and leave to abstract thinkers to deduce
conclusions from the fact that your
"unco guide" people are the very ones
who are hardest in driving bargains and
least scrupulous Of Misrepresentation
when it may aid them in carrying Il
point. 1t is not prejudice, says the
Round Table, which makes wise men
chary of their confidence when dealing
with folk of this stamp, but legitimate
caution fairly bought by experience
1t is found in the journey through life
that those who affect to possess al un-
usual share Of religious, or perhaps we
should say Of theological, conviction
are exceedingly apt practically to as
sumo that the interests of others should
give way to their own, They are the
elect, the salt of the earth, and their re-
ward, they very obviously intend, shall
not be exclusively heavenly one
Now, this state of mind Of most such
persons is, to our thinking, that of I'M
conscious hypocrisy. The notion Of
deceit is by no means ever present in
their minds, for the very reason that self
deceit shuts out the idea. They have
contemplated their own ideal selves
until, like Narcissus, their intoXication
is complete and all true self-eXamina-
ton is precluded by the intensity of
their devotion to an unreal image
Hence come the greed, the intolerance,
and the sclf-seeking which have ever
been, and which still are, reproach to
certain portion oil the Professors OF
Christianity. They, also, work them
selves into the belief that the wishes Of
their own hearts, tut0rcd in the ways
of the world, and influenced by popular
and fanatical opinions, are the workings
ofGod's spirit, and like Mahomct and
his Caliphs after him, would carry their
faith at the point of the sword.


Now, do not understand us as as.
scrting that unconscious hypocrtes are
alone religious ones far from it We
only take them as an example because
The Round Table did SO, and because
VIC hare to sit under the lash of the
minister, and professors of religion,
and in turn they will not object to
hearing us in our department. Nor
are we influenced in what we say by the
estimate We place upon the pastors of
our churches in Winchester, for, hon
estly, we think them men worthy to be
our guides, and would to God all were
like them. We cannot say ~ much for
all who listen to their words of wis
dom and partakc of sacrament, then
90 out into the world and walk in the
path that the veriest sinners walk in,
and have as many sins to ask forgive
ness for as those who have made no
profession, and we often wonder they
are to he forgiven more readily by Our
Father than those who are not regis
tered on the church book. Are they
not unconscious hypOcrites2 That Il
the mildest excuse We can offer.


A man gives an amount of money to
some charitable purpose, calculating
upon positive chances, that he will reoI
twice the amount in the future. The
incorrigiblc firt learns in time to sol
ace herself over the spectacle of woun
ded hearts by the reflection that TO hel
innocent charms is due the ruin hel
votition would have spared. The pol
'heian or journalist with.holds til,