conscience may
also be reminded of the remarkable differences which are admitted to
exist in different men, and the manner in which moral feeling is
gradually obscured or overpowered by a course of personal depravity. The
facts are universally admitted respecting the contest with moral
principle which attends the first stages of vice, and the remorse which
follows. But after each departure from virtue, this opposing influence
is progressively weakened, and at length destroyed. In this progress,
then, we must admit two distinct conditions of the moral feelings,--one
in which conscience distinctly points at what is right, however its
warnings may be disregarded,--and another in which its warning influence
is weakened or lost. In the former condition, I think we may affirm that
it asserts its right and its authority, though its strength and its
power are departed; and it does not appear to be saying too much, if we
say in the striking language of Butler, "had it strength as it had
right,--had it power as it had manifest authority, it would absolutely
govern the world."

Sec. II.--OF THE HARMONY OF THE MORAL FEELINGS.

On whatever system we may consider the moral feelings, we perceive that
there are various classes of them,--each answering a special purpose in
our relations as accountable beings. Some of them, we have seen, refer
to objects of desire, the attainment of which appears likely to bring
satisfaction. Others lead us to those relations which we bear to our
fellow-men. A third class, which remains to be considered, calls our
attention to the relation in which we stand to the moral Governor of the
universe, and to a certain regulation of the moral feelings arising out
of this relation. But this is still another inquiry of the deepest
interest, connected with this subject, namely, regarding the harmony or
principle of arrangement, which these various classes of moral emotions
ought to bear towards each other. They all form parts of our
constitution, and deserve a certain degree of attention, which must be
carefully adapted to the relative importance of each; and the correct
adjustment of this harmony is one of the objects to be answered by the
moral principle, combined with a sound exercise of judgment. The rules
which apply to it may be stated in the following manner.

When we consider man as an immortal being, passing through a course of
discipline to another state of existence, it is obvious that his hig