Eclectic moral philosophy

Front matter

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Preface

The work now offered to the public owes its pro¬ duction to the idea that it was needed by instructors in their educational labors ; at the same time the wants of the general reader have been duly regarded. It is well known, by those who have some experience in the branch of moral instruction, that there are few works indeed that are suitable to the wants of a large proportion of youth at school. The treatise of Dr. Paley, while it contains some admirable chapters, abounds in others that are erroneous, defective, and pernicious ; so that it cannot be safely studied without an able and discriminating commentator at hand, to point out the existing errors, and to supply defects. Beside, much of the matter contained in it is of little interest or practical utility.

It was because he dissented from many of the prin¬ ciples contained in Paley, and was obliged to offer on many points a different course of instruction, that Dr. Wayland, as he informs us, found it convenient to prepare, for the use of his collegiate classes, a system of his own ; and this has been regularly advancing in public favor, and has deservedly supplanted, in not a few institutions, the defective and erroneous, though generally popular, work of Paley.

The inquiry will now naturally arise. Why still another text-book is urged upon public notice, ac¬ ceptance, use, since the work of Dr. Wayland stands

IV

PREFACE.

among the ablest, if it is not the ablest, treatise on moral science extant?

The compiler is here most happy to acknowledge the distinguished talent of Dr. Wayland, his former instructor, and the surpassing excellence of the work he has prepared, and also its full adaptation to the class of scholars for whom it was specially intended (those in an advanced stage of collegiate training), provided that it is used by an instructor so able as its accomplished author. The account which Dr. Wayland has himself given of the character of his own work, together with some experience of the compiler in the use of that work with students in an academic course, forms a sufficient apology for the preparation of the work now offered, which will be found, it is hoped, better adapted than the former to the capacities of the great mass of instructors and students, because more full and explicit in its delineations of moral duties. It is intended to supply a deficiency which they would find in Dr. Wayland’s work, and which is noticed by himself, in the following terms, in the preface : —

“ I have rarely gone into extended discussion, but have contented myself with the attempt to state the moral law, and the reason of it, in as few and as com¬ prehensive terms as possible. The illustration of the principles, and the application of them to cases in ordinary life, I have generally left to the instructor, or to the student himself.”

The compiler is persuaded that, for most academic institutions and union district-schools, a work is needed on moral science, which, while it expounds the great principles of the theory of morals in a full and explicit

PREFACE.

V manner, shall also exhibit in detail the greater and the lesser moralities of life, since in most cases, with teach¬ ers and students, the text-book must furnish nearly all that is thought of on the subject.

The compiler would not have ventured to prepare what might be denominated an original work — the product of the original investigations of his own mind, — because he must in that case have offered to the public a work much inferior to many now in use ; but he does venture to present a work that combines, in a connected form, what he considers the best thoughts of not a few of the most gifted moral writers of the present century, not of those only who have wnatten a Moral Philosophy, but of others.

The work is almost strictly a compilation ; yet it has cost the labor of extensive reading, of an anxious, and often perplexing comparison of various authors, of the preparation of a new arrangement of topics, and of a somewhat novel mode of treatment.

The leading questions that have been prepared for each article ; the prominent and specific scriptural sources whence the duties of man have been derived ; the ample exposition of the Ten Commandments ; the moral lessons derived from the biography of Christ : the numerous illustrations of duty by anecdote ; the introduction of some of the most convincing arguments for the truth of Christianity, and the removal of many popular objections and misrepresentations in respect to the moral teachings of the Bible ; the freedom from abstruseness of style, and the omission of many topics, which, though often introduced in works of this sort, are not particularly important or interesting ; the high moral standard to which the student is continually

VI

PREFACE.

referred ; the light thrown upon the preceptive parts of the sacred volume ; and the intended adaptation of the work to form, after the purest rules, the char¬ acter and conduct of the young ; — all these properties, which, it is humbly believed, the work will bo allowed to possess, seem to commend it to the acceptance, not only of instructors, but of all who feel interested in learning the various duties of man — the modes also in which the law of the Supreme Governor is violated, and the motives which should influence to obedience, together with the good effects of it upon individuals and the world at large.

“ When the obligations of morality are taught,” says Dr. Johnson, “let the sanctions of Christianity never be forgotten ; by which it will be shown that they give strength and luster to each other : religion will appear to be the voice of reason, and morality will be the will of God.” The following work is constructed upon this important and fundamental principle.

Let it not be supposed, however, that the following work, because it goes to the Scriptures as the best of the sources of information with respect to our duty, is, in any proper sense, a theological or sectarian work. The morals found in the Book of Divine Revelation are here exhibited, while the doctrines of that book, however interesting and important, have been left to the province of the theologian.

It will be observed that the compiler has generally given credit at the close of each chapter, or at the end, sometimes, of a paragraph, to the author whose sentiments or language is employed. In many cases the thoughts have been condensed ; in others they appear in the exact language of the original authors.

PREFACE.

Vll although the marks of quotation are generally omitted. The compiler has labored to make the best text-book in his power, with the best helps before him, availing himself freely, when he judged best, of their language as well as their thoughts. This remark applies only to foreign authors. When the language of American authors is used, the marks of quotation are uniformly employed.

To inspire confidence in the character of this work, and in its adaptation to general usefulness, particularly in academies, if not also in colleges, the compiler begs leave to append a list of the authors to whom, princi¬ pally, he has been indebted for what appears upon the following pages.

Dugald Stewart’s Philosophy of the Active and Moral Powers of Man. Works, vol. v.

Dr. Abercrombie on the Moral Powers.

Dr. Beattie’s Moral Science.

Dr. Whewell’s Elements of Morality, 2 vols.

Dr. Chalmers’ Natural Theology and Moral Philosophy

Dr. John Dick’s Lectures.

Dr. Thomas Dick’s Philosophy of Religion.

Bishop Wilson’s Evidences of Christianity, vol. ii.

Paley’s Moral Philosophy.

Archbishop Seeker on the Commandments.

Dr. Dewar’s Moral Philosophy, 2 vols.

Dymond’s Essays on Morality.

John Angell James’s Help to Domestic Happiness.

John Angell James’s Christian Charity.

Barnes on Slavery.

Channing on Slavery.

Wardlaw’s Christian Ethics.

Winslow on Civil and Social Duties.

Bishop Butler’s Sermons on Human Nature.

Bishop Butler’s Analogy of Natural and Revealed Religion.

Dr. Wayland’s Moral Science.

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THE ACTIVE AND MORAL POWERS OF MAN, AND REMARKS UPON THEIR

DUE REGULATION.

CHAPTER I. General Preliminary View of the Character and Condition of Man 29

I. A Rational Being . 29

II. An Immortal Being . 30

HI. Free Agency and Accountability of Man . 33

IV. Happiness of Man in his Present State . 35

V. State of Discipline and Probation . 35

CHAPTER H.

The Voluntary Principle . 36

Section I. This Principle described . 30

“ II. Influence and Office of Motives . 37

“ III. Influence exerted on the Will by Knowledge, Atten¬ tion, and Moral Habits . 40

X

Contents

CHAPTER HI.

Page

The Appetites . 47

Book III. The Principles And Rule Of Moral Action And Obligation

CHAPTER I.

The Distinctions of Right and Wrong, immutable and eternal . 84

CHAPTER H.

Rule, or Law, of Moral Obligation ... ... 87

CHAPTER HI.

Origin, or Ultimate Ground, of Moral Rectitude and Obligation . 89

CHAPTER IV.

Moral Qualities of Human Action . 97

CONTENTS.

XI

Chapter VI

Duty of Prudence, or a suitable Regard to our own Happiness . 14.3

Section I. Nature of the Duty of Prudence, and Manner of Per¬ forming it . 143

“ II. Systems of Grecian Schools in relation to Happiness 145

“ III. Influence of Temper upon Happiness . . . 147

“ IV. Influence of Imagination upon Happiness . . . 149

“ V. Influence of Opinions upon Happiness . . . 151

“ VI. Influence of Habits upon Happiness .... 154

“ VII. Comparison of different Classes of Enjoyments . 155

“ VIII. Injustice to Providence in computing our Pleasures

and Pains . 159

BOOK VI.— Part II.

OF THE DUTIES WHICH RESPECT OTHER BEINGS.

CHAPTER I. The Two Great Laws of Revealed Morality . 161

Section I. Love to God . 161

“ II. Love to our Neighbor . 167

“ III. Law of Reciprocity ; or, the Golden Rule . . . 171

“ IV. Love to our Neighbor, distinguished from a spurious

Philanthropy . . . 174

CHAPTER II. The Apostle Paul’s Description of Love to our Neighbor . . 174

Section I. The Meekness of Love . 175

“ II. The Kindness of Love . 179

“ III. The Contentment of Love . 180

“ IV. The Humility of Love . 181

“ V. The Decorum of Love . 182

“ VI. The Disinterestedness of Love , . . . . 184

“ VII. The Unsuspiciousness of Love . 186

“ VHI. The Joy of Love . 188

“ IX. The Candor of Love . • . 188

“ X. The Self-Denial of Love . . , • .192

CHAPTER III. Love to Man viewed under certain general Relations . . . 194

CONTENTS.

XUl

CHAPTER IV. Pago

The Ten Revealed Precepts of Human Duty . 198

Section I. Circumstances in which the Moral Law was deliver¬ ed at Mount Sinai . 199

“ II. Rules for the right Interpretation of the Ten Com¬ mandments . 201

“ III. Perfection of the Moral Law delivered at Sinai , 203

“ IV. Obligation and Perpetuity of the Moral Law . . 211

“ V. Exposition of the Moral Law. Preliminary Remarks 212

FIRST TABLE OF THE LAW.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.

I. The Prohibitions involved . 213

(1.) Atheism, Explicit, Constructive, and Practical . . 213

(2.) Polytheism of Heathen Lands . 214

(3.) Polytheism of Christian Lands . 218

(4.) Worship of Saints and Angels . 220

II. Requirements involved in this Precept . 221

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.

I. The Prohibitions . 223

II. The Requirements . 227

III. Particular Sanction of this Precept . 228

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT.

I. The Nature and Lawfulness of Oaths . 230

Manner of Administering and Taking an Oath . . . 232

II. Prohibitions . 233

(a.) Perjury . 233

(b.) Other Methods of Violating this Precept with respect

to Swearing under Oath . 235

(c.) Needless Swearing, embracing (1.) rash and inconsider¬ ate Vows ; (2.) Oaths in common Discourse, or Pro¬ fane Swearing . 235

(d.) Imprecations, or Curses . 238

(e.) Other Offenses against the Spirit of this Precept — the Profanation or Abuse of those Things by which God

has made himself known . 238

(/.) Irreverent Treatment of Christianity by its Opposers . 238

III. Beneficial Effects of Observing the Third Precept . . . 243

THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

I. Its Nature and Importance . 244

II. Origin and Date of the Sabbatical Institution . . . 245

III. Universal Obligation of the Law of the Sabbath . . . 247

IV. Objections considered . 248

V. Change of the Sabbath from the Seventh to the First Day of

the Week . 251

VI. Manner of Observing the Sabbath . 252

VII. Classes particularly addressed in the Fourth Commandment 259

VIII. Consequences of a Universal Violation of this Precept . 261

IX. Duty and Efficacy of Prayer . 262

X. Objections to the Duty of Prayer . 263

XI. What Prayers are acceptable . 268

XII. Duty of supporting and encouraging Public Worship . . 269

XIV

CONTENTS.

SECOND TABLE OF THE LAW.

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.

Pa^e

I. General Design of this Precept . 271

II. Duties of Children to Parents . 272

Duty of Honor to Parents . 272

Duty of Love to Parents . 272

Duty of Reverence to Parents . 273

Duty with respect to Regulations of the Family . . 273 Duty in relation to Misconduct of Parents . . . 274

Duty of Kindness, illustrated . 275

Duty of Obedience . 277

Duty of Submission to Discipline . 278

Motives to Performance of Filial Duties .... 278

III. Duties of Parents to their Children . 280

General View of them . 280

Prerequisites to the proper Discharge of Parental Duty . 281

Duty of Maintenance . 282

Duty of Scholastic Instruction . 282

Duty of Regard to Health . 283

Duty of Educating them to right Sentiments and Habits . 283

Duties in relation to Religious Character and Future Wel¬ fare . 285

Duty of Family Prayer . 289

IV. Duties of Instructors and Scholars . 290

V. Duties of Masters, or Employers, to their Family Servants . 292

Duty of Justice to Servants . 293

Duty of Kindness to Servants . 293

Duty of Religion to Servants . 294

VI. Duties of Family Servants to their Employers . . . 295

VII. Duties of Magistrates and Subjects ; or, of OfScers of Gov¬

ernment and Citizens . 296

(a.) Preliminary Discussion . 296

Nature and proper Authority of Civil Government . 296

Submission to its Authority — how far this Duty ex¬ tends . 297

How far Government has a Right to interfere in Mat¬ ters of Religion . 298

(b.) Duties of Rulers in view of these Preliminary Discus¬ sions . 300

(c.) Correlative Duties of Subjects, or Citizens . . . 301

(1.) Obedience, Respect, and Support . . . 301

(2.) Duty at the Ballot-Box . 303

(3.) Critical Circumstances of our Country . . 304

(4.) Particular Duties connected with the Support of

Government and Order . 305

(5.) Prayer for Rulers . 305

(6.) Prayer for Fellow-Citizens . 305

VIII. Duties of Patriotism . 306

IX. Duties of Ministers of the Gospel, and of the People of their

Charge . 308

X. Duties connected with the various Stages of Human Life . 309

(a.) Duties of the Young . 309

(6.) Duties of the Middle-Aged . 310

(c.) Duties of the Aged . 311

XI. Effects of the Universal Violation of the Fifth Precept . . 312

CONTENTS. XV

THE SIXTH COMxHANDMENT.

Paga

I. The Killing of Animals . 315

II. Capital Punishment . 316

III. Taking of Life in Self-Defense . 319

IV. Wars . 320

V. Suicide . 326

VI. Dueling . 327

VII. Other Prohibitions of this Precept . 328

Vin. Drunkenness . 331

IX. Duties involved in the Sixth Precept . 334

X. Consequences of a Universal Violation of it . . . . 334

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

I. Design and Extent of this Precept . 336

II. Marriage . 338

III. Duties of the Married State . 340

IV. Benefits of the Marriage Institution . 344

V. Subjects collateral to Marriage . 345

(a.) Polygamy . 345

VI. Counsels to aid in keeping this Commandment . . , 349

VII. Tendency of a Universal Violation of it . 350

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.

I. General Design of this Commandment . 352

II. Right of Property . 353

III. Nature of the Act prohibited . 353

IV. Various Classes of Theft prohibited . 354

V. American Slavery . 364

Reasons for considering Slavery as a Breach of this Precept 364 A prominent Defense of Slavery overthrown . . . 366

Slavery violates not only the Eighth Commandment, but

other Portions of Scripture . 367

Morally wrong to hold Slaves, though by Inheritance . . 368

Method of palliating the Practice of holding Men as Prop¬ erty . 369

Scripture Argument against Slavery . 370

Why Slaveholding is not Condemned in express Terms in

Scripture . 371

Circumstances in which the Relation of a Slaveholder may

not be Sinful . 373

Duty of Masters to Slaves . 374

Duty of Slaves to Masters . 375

VI. Duties implied in the Eighth Commandment .... 376

VII. Benefits to Society from its Universal Observance . . . 377

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT.'

I. Nature and Extent of the Prohibition , , 379

(a.) False Testimony in Courts of Justice .... 379

II. Design and Importance of the Ninth Commandment . . 382

III. Falsehood — various Kinds . 384

IV. Nature and Obligation of a Promise . . . . . . 394

V. Effects of a Universal Observance of the Ninth Commandment 397

XVI

CONTENTS.

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT.

PflgO

I. Meaning of the word “ Covet” . 399

II. Design of the Precept . 399

III. Law of the Desires . 400

IV. Forms of Covetousness, or Irregular Desire .... 402

1. Avarice . 402

2. Ambition . 404

V. The Opposite of Covetousness, Contentment .... 405

Moral Lessons of Biography . 407

Moral Duty learned from the Character of Jesus Christ . . . 409

CHAPTER VI. Tendency of Revelation to promote Human Happiness . . . 420

MORAL PHILOSOPHY.

INTRODUCTION.

NATURE, SOURCES, AND OBJECTS OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY.

1. Dr. Wayland defines Moral Philosophy to be the science of Moral Law.

Dr. Paley describes it as that science which teaches men their duty, and the reasons of it.

Dr. Spring represents it to be the science which treats of the nature of human actions, of the motives and laws which govern them, and of the ends to which they ought to he directed.

2. As a science, Moral Philosophy must be founded upon just views of our moral constitution, and of the various relations which we sustain toward other beings and things.

3. While to some extent the study of man and his rela¬ tions may enable a philosopher to construct an accurate system of morals, all experience has shown that no phi¬ losopher has adequately succeeded, without resorting for aid to the perfect system of duty contained in the holy scriptures.

If, therefore, our object be, not to test the ingenuity and superiority of human reason, but to supply ourselves with a correct, explicit, comprehensive, and reliable exposition of human duty, also with the reasons upon which it is founded, and the highest motives for its performance, we should apply ourselves not to the researches of human reason only, but to those infallible instructions which our benevolent Creator has kindly furnished, in condescen¬ sion to our ignorance, perverseness, and errors. Indeed, it is too late in the day for educated men in Christian lands, to be able to ascertain how far the unassisted faculties of man can go, in acquiring a knowledge of the

A

2 MORAL PHILOSOPHY AND CHRISTIANITY INSEPARABLE.

foundation and the rules of moral action ; for the promi¬ nent principles of Christian morality are so interwoven into the opinions, intercourse, and practices of modeiii civilized society, and so familiar to the mind of every man educated in a Christian land, that it is impossible to eradicate the ideas of them from the mind, when it attempts to trace the duty of man solely on the principles of reason.

When the true principles of morality are once commu¬ nicated and understood through the medium of revela¬ tion, reason can demonstrate their utility and their con¬ formity to the character of God, to the oi’der of the uni¬ verse, and to the relations which subsist among intel¬ ligent agents. But we are by no means in a situation to determine whether they could ever have been dis¬ covered and clearly established by the investigations of the unassisted powers of the human mind. This point will come under review again, and be more fully discussed.

4. Moral philosophers have justly been described by Foster, as for the most part seeming anxious to avoid everything that might subject them to the appellation of Christian divines. They have regarded their department as a science complete in itself; and they investigate the foundation of morality, define its laws, and affix its sanc¬ tions, in n. manner generally so distinct from Christianity, that the reader would almost conclude that religion to be another science complete in itself.

5. An entire separation of Moral Philosophy from Christianity it is hardly possible to maintain ; since the latter has decided some moral questions on which reason was dubious or silent ; and since that final retribution which the New Testament has so luminously foreshown, is evidently the gi-eatest of sanctions. To make no refer¬ ence, while inculcating moral principles, to a judgment to come, on what has been confessed to be divine authority, W'ould look like systematic irreligion. But still it is stinking to- observe how small a portion of the ideas which distin¬ guish the New Testament from other books many moral philosophers have thought indispensable to a theory in which they professed to include the sum of the duty and interests of man. A serious reader is constrained to feel either that there is too much in that book, or too little in theirs. On the whole it must be concluded that there

MORAL CODE OF THE BIBLE.

cannot but be something very defective in the theory of morality which but slightly acknowledges the religion of Christ, and takes so little of its peculiar cnaracter.

[Foster’s Essays.]

6. The general path of duty has been made plain, in the Bible, to every one who is inclined to walk in it ; and whoever wishes to be assisted and directed in his prog¬ ress toward moral perfection will find, in the precepts of Moses, the proverbs of Solomon, the discourses of J esus Christ, and the practical parts of the apostolic epistles, maxims and precepts and motives inculcated infinitely superior, in regard both to their authority and their ex¬ cellence, to those of all other systems of moral philoso¬ phy, whether ancient or modern. There is a simplicity, a warmth, a soul-stirring energy in the precepts of Scripture which is adapted to interest, and control, and benefit the mind, to a degree far beyond what is met wdth in the works of moralists, from which have been excluded as far as possible the light and power of the Scriptures.

7. A laborious effoit to discover moral rules, by research

into the moral constitution of man, could it be fully suc¬ cessful, which it cannot, is no longer needed ; since we have a code of moral law established by divine authority, and therefore adapted to the nature and relations ^f men, — the very code, consequently, which would be deduced from a complete and perfectly accurate analysis of human nature, if the philosopher could be found, competent to make it. [Dick’s Philosophy of Religion.]

There is also a great advantage, in respect to moral effect, to employ the precepts of a moral code that is recog¬ nized as supremely authoritative and obviously infallible.

Accordingly it is well remarked by some writer in a recent number of the Princeton Review, that it seems to be little better than waste of time and labor to analyze the moral nature of man for the purpose of deriving from that nature the laws by which it should be governed, or, in other words, a natural morality, when we have a moral code resting upon divine authority, embracing everything that pertains to practical ethics, pointing out as well the proper motive of action as the proper rule. Favored as we are with “ the law of the Lord which is perfect,” what possible reason can we have for endeavoring (according to an article in the Encyc. Brit.) to determine what man’s

OBJECTS OF MORAL SCIENCE.

business is, or what conduct he is obliged to pursue, by inspecting hrs constitution, taking every part to pieces, examining- their mutual relations one to the other, and the common effect or tendency of the whole ]

8. In the words of the reviewer, just referred to, ilie 2n'opcr business of Moral Philosophy, is not to discover Laws, but adaptations; not to find out rules of conduct, but to show the perfect fitness which exists between those moral la-vv's which God has enacted and that moral nature which He has given to man, the subject of those Laws.

The advantage of this will consist in causing us the more highly to appreciate the rules of duty laid down in the sacred scriptures, and to feel deeply our obligation to yield them a cordial and constant regard.

9. A system derived, in a good measure, from the sacred scriptures, is not needless, as may erroneously have been inferred from some of the preceding remarks, but is re¬ quired for several purposes.

It classifies the rules that are dispersed through the sacred volume, and condenses the light which is there scattered : it expounds general precepts, and traces them out in all their prominent bearings and ramifications : it applies the principles of Moral Law to particular circum¬ stances in private or public life : it exposes the mistakes into which men have fallen, and sets forth the various ob¬ jects to which duty requires their attention to be directed.

We trust it will appear on the study of this work, that some valuable purposes have been answered in its prepa¬ ration.

10. It is desirable that a work on moral science should be constructed in such a manner as to move, while it in¬ structs ; to interest in the practice, while it furnishes the knowledge, of duty ; and that it should enter into the detail of duties in all the relations and more prominent circumstances in which the student can be placed, and not deal, as most systems do, in generalities which exert no practical moral influence. Illustrative examples are useful also, in securing the proper influence of the study of morals.

This study should be directed, not primarily, as it too frequently has been, to the sharpening and invigorating of the intellectual powers, in teaching us to make accurate analysis and subtle distinctions ; but its particular aim

METHOD ADOPTED.

should be, to cultivate, as well as to expand the moral powers — to make the student moral, as well as to teach him what morality is.

11. Authors have pursued various methods : that which has been adopted in this work, seems to be natural, and adapted to the ends specified above.

I. As Ethics cannot be properly understood without some knowledge of Natural Religion, that is, without some knowledge of the character, providence, and govern¬ ment of God, the first Book is occupied with a brief ex¬ position of these topics.

II. Having examined these topics — the grand basis of all sound morality — it has been judged useful to take in the next place a cursory survey of the Active and Moral Powers, and of the moral condition of man.

III. The principles and rules of Moral Action and Obligation are next considered.

IV. The Rights of Man growing out of the relations of human society.

V. The relative importance of Natural and Revealed Morality.

VI. The various branches of Human Duty. This Book will embrace (1.) a consideration of xhe Duties which respect ourselves, and which may be learned in a great measure from an investigation of our Active and Moral Powers.

(2.) It defines the Duty of Man, chiefly toward other beings, as it may be learned, from the tw'o fundamen¬ tal Laws of Love to God, and to our Neighbor; from the Law delivered by our Savior — “All things whatso¬ ever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them from St. Paul’s description of love to our neighbor ; from a view of man under certain general re¬ lations ; from the Ten Commandments; and from the biography of Christ and of his followers.

12. Compared with other branches of an academic or collegiate course. Moral Philosophy deserves to take pre¬ cedence of all others ; and yet, especially in academies and common schools, it is of all others most neglected, or imperfectly taught.

It must be conceded that our happiness is more closely connected with a correct knowledge and faithful perform¬ ance of our various duties, than with the highest attain¬ ments in literature or science apart from this : it will also

IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY.

be conceded that the young, of all others, stand most in need of being made familiar with the rightful claims of other beings, and of their own moral nature : it will also be conceded that the highest interests of society are de¬ pendent on the proper moral culture and behavior of those who are in a course of school education : it will also be granted, that Moral Philosophy, to be w'ell understood, deeply felt, and regularly practiced, must be carefully studied and inculcated in seminaries of instruction, even though for the sake of this, some other branch of learning be neglected, or receive less than the usual share of the student’s and instructor’s time.