The influence of legislation on public morals / Friends' Association for Abolishing the State Regulation of Vice.

Date:
[1873?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The influence of legislation on public morals / Friends' Association for Abolishing the State Regulation of Vice. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    Their disciples, comprising among them equally well meaning men, may be thus described :— 1, Those who believe in Expediency, or a human estimate of Right and Wrooig founded on ex'periment;— and 2. Those who acknowledge the supremacy of Divine Law'. The former say,— Shew us results :—if results satisfy us, their verdict is final: we do not admit your ascertained moral laws, human or Divine. The latter say,— Just as we believe in God, we believe in His laws : they are our final appeal. Whatever violates these laws, in-volves physical or moral evil, or both. It is of the very essence of a Divine Law, that it cannot be broken with imjDunity. With opinions so diametrically opposite, there can be no common basis of legislation. If it is held allowable for the sake of a supposed benefit, to legalize and regulate vice, and to provide beforehand for safety in vicious indulgence, then there is nothing binding in what is taught through every Christian land as Divine Law ; and the law of God may be set aside, whenever human wisdom pronounces it inapplicable or defective. These considerations indicate the character of the struggle which from its very nature cannot terminate, till one of the two principles has asserted its supremacy, not only in individual conscience, but in public enactment. Although the advocates of Expediency have never shrunk, when called upon, to avow their principles, they were early impressed with the importance of concealing the real nature of the law in contemplation. A leader in favour of the Acts replies to a question, I am afraid we must be very careful how we run counter to the religious feeling of this country. [See Ans. 961, Lords' Committee, 1868.] Another [489, 490] thinks it very important that any-