45 8
ESSAYS ON LIBERTY
take so little account of present inconvenience and manifest danger are perilous and novel, though they may seern to spring from a more unquestioning faith, a more absolute confidence in truth, and a more perfect submission to the general laws of morality. There is no articulate theory, and no distinct vie\v, but there is long habit, and there are strong inducements of another kind which support this sentiment. To understand the certainty of scientific truth, a man must have deeply studied scientific method; to understand the obligation of political principle requires a similar mental discipline. A man who is suddenly introduced frorn \vithout into a society \vhere this certainty and obliga- tion are currently acknowledged is naturally bewildered. He cannot distinguish between the dubious impressions of his second-hand knowledge and the certainty of that primary direct information which those who possess it have no po\ver to deny. To accept a criterion which may condemn some cherished opinion has hitherto seemed to him a mean surrender and a sacrifice of position. He feels it simple loss to give up an idea; and even if he is prepared to surrender it when compelled by controversy, still he thinks it quite unnecessary and gratuitous to engage voluntarily in researches which may lead to such an issue. To enter thus upon the discussion of questions which have been mixed up with religion, and made to contribute their support to piety, seems to the idle spectator, or to the person who is absorbed in defending religion, a mere useless and troublesome meddling, dictated by the pride of intellectual triumph, or by the moral cowardice which seeks unworthily to propitiate enemies. , Great consideration is due to those whose minds are not prepared for the full light of truth and the grave responsibilities of knowledge; \\Tho have not learned to distinguish \vhat is divine from \vhat is human-defined dogma from the atmosphere of opinion which surrounds it,-and who honour both with the same a\vful reverence. Great allo\vances are also due to those who are con- stantly labouring to nourish the spark of belief in minds
