but as the supreme authority to which all his actions should bend. The highest truth conceivable by him he will fearlessly utter; and will endeavour to get embodied in fact his purest idealisms: knowing that, let what may come of it, he is thus playing his appointed part in the world-knowing that, if he can get done the thing he aims at-well: if not-well also; though not so well. $ 8. And thus, in teaching a uniform unquestioning obedience, does an entirely abstract philosophy become one with all true religion. Fidelity to conscience—this is the essential precept inculcated by both. No hesitation, no paltering about probable results, but an implicit submission to what is believed to be the law laid down for us. We are not to pay lip homage to principles which our conduct wilfully transgresses. We are not to follow the example of those who, taking "Domine dirige nos" for their motto, yet disregard the directions given, and prefer to direct themselves. We are not to be guilty of that practical atheism, which, seeing no guidance for human affairs but its own limited foresight, endeavours itself to play the god, and decide what will be good for mankind, and what had. But, on the contrary, we are to search out with a genuine humility the rules ordained for us-are to do unfalteringly, without speculating as to con sequences, whatsoever these require; and we are to do this in the belief that then, when there is perfect sinceritywhen each man is true to himself-when every one strives to realize what he thinks the highest rectitude--then must all things prosper. INDEX. Character right of property in, 161 Claim to maintenance, 843. Chinese notion of education, 364. Colonization, effect upon the abori- Conditions to greatest happiness, 82. Conduct, false judgment of, 253. Construction of public works, 443. Cruel propensities, common root of, Culture of self-restraint, 887. Currency system of Scotland, 435. Earth, right to the, 182. of the sympathies, 203. - ideal of, with the English higher - the problem of, 370. and crime, 879. will not cure crime, 383. Effect of making justice accessible, Effects of trade-restrictions, 327. Equality of rights, faith in, 108. in what it consists, 73. F Faculties, the, exercise of, 92. 423. Feelings, necessary and incidental, 103. Ideas, right of property in, 154. and moral economy, 501. Poor laws, 341. Popular government, is it practi- Sanitary supervision, 406. cable? 269. Scientific morality, office of, 87. - Selfishness and power-worship, 465. 323. Self-restraint, cultivation of, 387. of nature's discipline, 413. Social modifiability of man, 77. - contract, doctrine of, 223. development, tendency of, 497. Smith, Adam, 114. Sphere of woman, 189. State-education, denial of the right - what shall determine its limit? |