REASONING TO A POINT by J. H. W.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1858

REASONING TO A POINT.

By J. H. W.

When we say that one is more exclusive than another, we can only mean that they judge by different standards; the most exclusive receives all whom he considers approved by the standard which he has adopted, and the most liberal does no more. People must differ in regard to moral character just as widely as they differ in their views of the principles which are the basis of character. As long as we claim the right to our own opinions of moral principles, so long shall we maintain our right to place our own estimate on actions and actors in the light of those principles. That which we could not conscientiously do ourselves, we are bound to condemn in others.

Application — We would say to Henry Collings and his endorsers, that certificates, to be admissible, must relate to facts, and not to principles. When a fact comes under our own observation, wherein a principle is involved, they cannot change our opinion of its nature, till they first reason us out of our faith in the principle. They are welcome to differ from us, but not to “certify” us out of our senses.

Our convictions are very strong in regard to the existence of that which we have seen; but if “certificates of character” tend to make men better, we could wish in charity that Mr. C. had got twice as many names appended to his paper. J. H. W.