CONSCIENCE by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 7, 1859

CONSCIENCE.

By A. S. Hutchins

It is not uncommon to hear conscience spoken of at the present time, as approving of a course which we think the word of God condemns. It is also frequently spoken of as some unerring or infallible faculty or power of the mind, which always keeps a close and untiring watch over all our actions, and never allows us to move wrong without a timely reproof or admonition. Hence it is not an easy matter to convince those entertaining such a high respect for their consciences, of any wrong practice, except they first feel the smilings of this monitor.

I have, says one, a monitor within my breast, which approves when I do right, and disapproves when I do wrong; and as I feel no condemnation for pursuing this or that course, therefore it cannot be wrong.

But we apprehend that, with many, the difficulty lies here: they do not consider that our conscience is dependent upon our education, and that it may be quick and active, or stupid and inactive. The man who desires to enjoy the approbation of his divine Master, will find his conscience approving when he does what he has been made to believe is right, and disapproving when doing that which he was educated to believe is wrong. Hence if his education has been right, his conscience will naturally lead him in the right direction, and so vice versa.

Says Covel, "A conscience well informed, and possessed of sensibility, is the best security for virtue, and the most awful avenger of wicked deeds; an ill-informed conscience is the most powerful instrument of mischief."

"The rule of conscience is the will of God, so far as it is made known to us, either by the light of nature, or by that of revelation. With respect to the knowledge of this rule, conscience is said to be rightly informed, or mistaken; firm, or wavering, or scrupulous, &c. With respect to the conformity of our actions to this rule when known, conscience is said to be good or evil. In a moral view, it is of the greatest importance that the understanding be well informed, in order to render the judgment or verdict of conscience a safe directory of conduct, and a proper source of satisfaction."

Says another writer, speaking of conscience, "It may be weakened, perverted, stupefied, defiled, and hardened, in various ways; and its decisions are more or less clear, just, and imperative, according to the degree of improvement in the understanding and heart, and especially according to the degree in which its purity and sensitiveness have been preserved and cultivated."

I have often been surprised while conversing with our First-day friends on the claims of the fourth commandment, to find so many of them apparently perfectly contented with the observance of the First-day Sabbath, simply because they do not feel the reprovings of conscience. Now we ask, Is this a safe course to pursue? Here is the word of God blazing before us, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." But conscience says the first day is the Sabbath, and you will be safe to keep it.

This course reminds us of the Apostle's question respecting the unbelieving Jews [Rom. iii, 3, 4.], "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar."

But let us come to the word of God, and see if we can find license there for holding conscience as an infallible guide.

"Thy word the choicest rules imparts, To keep the conscience clean."

Says Paul, "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." Acts xxiii, 1. See also chap. xxiv, 16; Rom. ix, 1; 2 Cor. iv, 2; 1 Tim. i, 5, 19; iii, 9; 1 Pet. iii, 16. In these quotations the Apostle speaks of a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. Also of a "good" conscience, and a "pure" conscience, &c. And well would it be if conscience were always kept thus.

But this is not so, for we hear the same Apostle speaking in Titus i. 15, of a defiled conscience. Says Cruden on this text, the conscience becomes defiled "when it is blinded and perverted, so that it cannot judge of its own actions. This evil conscience is sometimes quiet, sometimes stirring and troubled. It accuseth when it should excuse, and excuseth when it should accuse. The conscience also even of the best, is now and then erroneous and doubtful."

Again, we read of an "evil" conscience, [Heb. x, 22.] and again of a class in the last days, "speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." 1 Tim. iv, 2. A seared conscience we understand to be, "quite extinct and cut off, or utterly hardened, which has lost all sense of feeling."

From the facts thus far gathered from the word of God on this subject, the conclusion is undeniable that conscience is by no means a safe guide at all times.

We would say then to all desirous of a conscience "void of offense toward God, and toward men," earnestly and perseveringly seek for the light and truth from the word of God, educate and regulate conscience by the Bible, and not the Bible by conscience. Be sure that it is kept good, and pure, and then act in accordance with your sober and honest convictions of duty. Otherwise the conscience that would lead one to do right to-day, may become defiled and seared and excuse him for doing wrong in the future.

In further demonstrating this fact, we shall perhaps be allowed to insert here the Indian's figure bearing on this point. He said that conscience might be represented by a three-cornered instrument in the breast, having sharp points, and capable of a revolution. The first time one does wrong a revolution is produced, which scrapes and hurts severely; and so on, the revolution continuing with each succeeding wrong. But said he, some men's conscience has turned over so many times that the corners are rounded and smooth, so that he is not hurt though it revolve again and again.

Is not this actually a solemn fact with some at the present time? Has not conscience often urged them forward to duties which they have continued to neglect, till they suppose it is a good conscience that justifies them in their disobedience? "EXAMINE YOURSELVES." A. S. HUTCHINS.