DEONTOLOGY. 295 
this kind of folly, it exerts no adequate deterring influence. 
Indeed, whatever be the sins, and the avenging tribulations 
that may be reasonably expected in their wake, it has in this 
respect but little power, still less to rescue victims from whom 
hope has fled. Utilitarianism classes with the virtues it 
acknowledges charity, as well as prudence, moderation, and 
the like ; it may, for instance, give attention to the horrifying’ 
fact that in congested centres of population there are many 
homes which overcrowding has converted into teeming 
hotbeds, reeking with ali kinds of moral abominations. But 
if it should utter what it knows,it speaks not with a voice 
that can disturb the blissful apathy which has been exempted 
from sach dire experiences ; it has no burning words which 
may arouse in those who live in decency and comfort the 
conviction that the inmates of the dens of misery are their 
brothers and their sisters. Evils and miseries innumerable, 
and ever bearing witness to resistance on the part of an 
antagonistic world, still tax the patient and enduring energy 
of a world-conquermg Love. But this can never dwell 
apart from Faith and Hope. The obligations which it 
recognizes are imperceptible, unless regarded from the 
highest point of view which human thought has power to 
reach ; nor can they be fulfilled, except by those who seek 
persistently the needful help from Him who, speaking in our 
consciousness of duty, thereby plainly tells us that it is to 
Him we have to render our account. 
The Cuarrman (Puitip Vernon Samiti, Esq., M.A., LL.M.).—I am 
sure all will agree that our heartiest thanks are due to Mr. Clarke, 
for his valuable paper. Perhaps you will excuse me if, in my position 
as Chairman, I venture to begin the discussion myself. I do not 
‘suppose it is possible to imagine a more comprehensive and abstract 
idea than that of duty. In the words of, perhaps, the most eloquent 
of present orators,* “ Duty is a power which rises with us in the morn- 
ing and goes to rest with us at night. Itis co-extensive with the 
action of our intelligence. It is the shadow which cleaves to us, go 
where we will, and which only leaves us when we leave the light of 
* Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P. (on the Vatican Decrees, 1874). 
