SCIENCE OF RECTITUDE AS DISTINCT FROM EXPEDIENCE. 139 
shall keep out of the paradise which Mr. Herbert Spencer’s im- 
agination has so glowingly depicted the enemy of all happiness 
and peace. 
The principal weakness of this system is seen in this—that it 
makes no provision whatever for the suppression of pride and self- 
will, and all those naturally anti-altruistic sentiments which these 
are liable to generate. The necessity for self-purification within is 
altogether ignored. As a matter of course, all religious hopes and 
fears, as being relatively to this science superfluous, are discarded 
—they are to be regarded as superstitions, the survival of 
antiquated cults that had their origin in what is called the ‘ ghost 
theory,” and it is calmly and complacently taken for granted that 
when men have altogether ceased to look up, in aspiration after 
holiness, to an invisible searcher of hearts, when God is no longer 
in any of their thoughts, then there will be a Heaven upor Earth. 
And, in accordance with this view, no essential distinction is 
recognised between mere animal characteristics and high moral 
qualities, or between enfeeblement of animal energy and the sort 
of injury that is sustained when an unconscientious act is done, or 
an opportunity of doing good is selfishly neglected. Even a good 
action, if it should cause pain to the doer, is regarded by Mr. 
Herbert Spencer as being, not absolutely right, but the least 
wrong possible under the circumstances. The good effect which 
is wrought upon character by faith and hope when, engaged in 
noble undertakings, they persevere through painful and dishearten- 
ing experiences, is simply overlooked—no notice whatever is 
taken of the scores which virtue thereby makes; and as regards 
the life to come, and the voluntary surrender of the present life 
for righteousness’ sake, not a word is said. Such questions as 
“Whither are we going?” and ‘‘ What is to become of us?” are 
altogether ignored; and thus, although in a certain respect the 
system of Mr. Herbert Spencer is an improvement upon the 
ethical system of Mr. Bain, although it is certainly a little more 
scientific, yet it is no trne substitute for the science of Rectitude. 
It professes to be a science of Rectitude; but, after all, it is the 
science of an indeterminate experience and, therefore, as I main- 
tain, it is no science at all. 
The meeting was then adjourned. 
) 
hi 
Lae 
