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Untitled Article
deavoured to point out , the remark of Hartley is true and important * and is very judiciously introduced by him as a forcible argument in support of his position . It may be added . as a sort of corollary to this argument , that as in those more limited relations of a social nature to which the greater part of most men ' s attention is naturally directed , and in which their exertions will commonly be most really and extensively useful , they will endeavour as much as possible to cultivate an enlargement and comprehension of mind
which shall enable them to follow out as far as it is permitted * and to take a lively interest in , the measures of Divine Providence for the greatest good of the whole . By endeavouring in this manner to take a general view of the whole , ( at least of all that falls in any degree under our observation , ) we should obtain the most effectual support and consolation amidst the perplexities occasioned by partial and temporary distresses , which we shall sometimes see , and may always devoutly believe to be the necessary instruments of much greater and universal good . We might thus also be enabled
to guard against the evils and dangers which . might otherwise arise to our own moral welfare , from the undue prevalence of those more confined affections of the social kind towards our families , our friends , our country , which are too apt , when not thus checked , to lead men astray and prompt them to seek the attainment of their objects by means very far indeed removed from the path of rectitude . Such principles of action , when thus perverted from
the semblance and false show of benevolence which they assume , are peculiarly dangerous , even more so than undisguised selfishness ; since men are less upon their guard against them , and are often impelled by them to commit , without compunction or remorse , actions which they would have shrunk from , if proposed merely for the promotion of their own personal interests .
It ought not , however , to be concealed , that there is a caution necessary on the opposite hand , when we proceed practically to apply the preceding remarks in the regulation of our benevolent affections . We ought , above all things , to be on our guard against an habitually cold and unfeeling disposition , regardless of the welfare of those about us . Those who are called upon by their station and office to take a leading part in affairs extensively affecting the welfare of great numbers , in the direction of measures on the whole highly conducive to the public good , find it necessary sometimes to sacrifice
the minor interests of individuals . In such cases , reason teaches us that the smaller interest must give way to the greater , but the sacrifice is not on that account the less an evil . The limited nature , however , of the human faculties obliges men so circumstanced to confine their attention to general results , and if these appear to be favourable , to shut their eyes against the incidental mischief . But in shutting their eyes , they are apt also to shut their hearts , and thus is too often produced a degree of callousness to individual suffering , which is one of the many moral evils incident to high and prominent station * And even with respect to persons in private life , it is
possible that the habit of referring every thing to general principles , looking away from and beyond the particular consequence in our regard for the general rule , may occasionally be carried to a dangerous extent by beings whose views and knowledge are necessarily , after all , exceedingly limited and imperfect And when this is the case , there is reason to fear that our own characters may suffer more harm from the neglect with which we are tempted to treat particular evils , than they derive advantage from the cultivation of that comprehension of mind which enables us to look beyond these evils to the ultimate and possibly more important good . The proper effect of a familiarity with sound general principles should
Untitled Article
600 Hartley ' s Rufe of Ltft \
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1828, page 600, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2564/page/16/
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