Uncaring consequences.”
The universality of a moral sense has been questioned by many; yet the idea of duty is felt by all. When enlightened as well as sincere, and carried out to its legitimate extent, it exalts and dignifies human nature. This may be called the great conservative law of creation. It is the reflection of this principle in the material world that we see binding the spheres to their central sun, and preventing them dashing from their orbits in wild and disastrous confusion. The sense of moral accountableness alone has power to conquer the “lusts of the flesh and the lusts of the mind,” and hold them in subjection. The poet of our age has apostrophized duty in words which you should make your own.
“To humble function’s awful power
I call thee. I myself commend
Unto thy guidance from this hour;
Oh, let my weakness have an end.
Give unto me, made lowly, wise,
The spirit of self-sacrifice;
The confidence of reason give,
And in the light of Truth, thy bondslave let me live.”