Cylchgronau Cymru

A REPERTORY OF CHRISTIAN THOUGHT & A RECORD OF CHRISTIAN WORK AMONG THE CALY1NISTIC METHODISTS or PRESBYTERIANS of WALES. Vol. V. No. 2.] FEBRUARY, 1889. Price One Penny. ©f^ics anb @J)ristianitp. Lectures delivered to the Students in the year 1865, by the late Rev. L. Edwards, 3d.A., D.D„ Principal of Bala College. Lecture II. By the words Ethics and Christianity I do not mean Christian Ethics. It is, undoubtedly, true that we consider the subject under the aspect of Christian Ethics; for, as I said before, Christianity has exalted and purified our notions of duty and morality ; but the question is whether there may not be a system of Ethics considered entirely by itself, but not separated from Christianity. And thus I distinguish between Christian Ethics and what we call Ethics and Christianity. The two are related, inasmuch as Ethics when rightly treated must necessarily lead us to the doctrines of the Christian religion. "What I contend for is that they should be united, but not mingled together. To take an illustiation : Every science ought to lead us up unto God. Astronomy onght to teach us the wisdom and greatness of the Creator. Still this does not prove that there may not be a science of astronomy apart al¬ together from religion. Or to take a nearer instance : Our duties as mem¬ bers of the civil government presuppose the existence of a governor—a supreme and rightful governor ; still there is no need to decide the question, whether the government under which we live is a rightful government before we can form correct views of cur rights and duties as members of that government. Just so even with the heathen who have no adequate views of the Supreme Being. They may have correct views of morals, for they are a law to themselves, and show the works of the law written in their hearts. And this seems to give us a great advantage, as it affords us the elements of a proof of the truth of Christianity. If you say there can be no Ethics apart from the Bible, you have nothing to appeal to in the heart and conscience of men to prove the divinity of the Bible. And for this reason it is better to confine ourselves, in the first place, to simple and pure Ethics, as these are taught by the reason of every human being ; and from this view we shall be constrained to see the necessity of a divine revelation. ETHICS. The first to deliver anything like a system of Ethics was Socrates. All the philosophers who preceded him entangled themselves in metaphysical