fermented liquors. In civilized society, intoxication is
universally known to be opposed to the fitnesses of body and mind, an
abuse of alcoholic liquors, and an abuse of the drinker's own personality;
and it is therefore condemned by all consciences, by none more heartily
than by those of its victims. But there still remains open the question
whether entire abstinence from fermented liquors be a duty, and this is a
question of fact. Says one party, "Alcohol, in every form, and in the
least quantity, is a virulent poison, and therefore unfit for body and
mind." Says the other party, "Wine, moderately used, is healthful,
salutary, restorative, and therefore fitted to body and mind." Change the
opinion of the latter party, their consciences would at once take the
other side; and if they retained in precept and practice their present
position, they would retain it self-condemned. Change the opinion of the
former party, their consciences would assume the ground which they now
assail. Demonstrate to the whole community--as it is to be hoped physiology
will do at no distant day--the precise truth in this matter, there would
remain no difference of conscientious judgment, whatever difference of
practice might still continue.

*Conscience*, like all the perceptive faculties, *prompts to action in
accordance with its perceptions*. In this respect it differs not in the
least from sight, hearing, taste. Our natural proclivity is to direct our
movements with reference to the objects within the field of our vision, to
govern our conduct by what we hear, to take into our mouths only
substances that are pleasing to the taste. Yet fright, temerity, or
courage may impel us to incur dangers which we clearly see; opiniativeness
or obstinacy may make us inwardly deaf to counsels or warnings which we
hear; and motives of health may induce us to swallow the most nauseous
drugs. In like manner, our inevitable tendency is to govern our conduct by
the fitness of things when clearly perceived; but intense and unrestrained
appetite, desire, or affection may lead us to violate that fitness, though
distinctly seen and acknowledged.

*Men act in opposition to conscience only under immediate and strong
temptation.* The great majority of the acts of bad men are conscientious,
but not therefore meritorious; for merit consists not in doing right when
there is no temptation to evil, but in resisting temptation. But, as has
been said, it is as natural, wh