I shall pass over her vehement argument in favour of the eternity
of future punishments, because I blush to think that a human
being should ever argue vehemently in such a cause, and only make
a few remarks on her absurd manner of making the parental
authority supplant reason. For every where does she inculcate not
only blind submission to parents; but to the opinion of
the world.*
* A person is not to act in this or that way, though convinced
they are right in so doing, because some equivocal circumstances
may lead the world to suspect that they acted from different
motives.- This is sacrificing the substance for a shadow. Let
people but watch their own hearts, and act rightly, as far as
they can judge, and they may patiently wait till the opinion of
the world comes round. It is best to be directed by a simple
motive -- for justice has too often been sacrificed to propriety;
-- another word for convenience.
