GUIDED BY FEELINGS by S. S. Times

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 23, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 49.

GUIDED BY FEELINGS.

By S. S. Times

Because we recognize the truth that "feeling [is] deeper than all thought," and because the having of "feelings" is an indication of a sensitive, refined, and higher nature, we are liable to believe that our feelings are to be our guide and master. If a person writes to another: "I am never tranquilly sure whether I shall gratify or offend you, but whichever it be, I would not vary my writing if I knew, because I must write what I feel," that correspondent doubtlessly considered himself as exhibiting a loyal spirit toward what was regarded as his rightful master—his feeling. But if one must write and speak what one feels, simply because one feels so, then one's feelings must be always right; for no one ever must do anything but the right thing. Must one scold because he is cross and ill-tempered? Must one indulge in backbitings, in slanders, in insults, because he feels like it? If one feels like sulking, must he sulk? If one feels like stabbing with cold steel or hot words, must he wound or kill? There are right feelings and there are wrong feelings; and it is because feeling is so deep that it is so necessary to distinguish one from the other. It is only half the problem to ask whether you feel like saying this or doing that. The other and more important half is, Ought you to feel so, or ought you not? —S. S. Times.