Chap. VII.] GUARDING AGAINST PREJUDICES.

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Besides these, there are professional prejudices; and whatmay be termed prejudices of authority. Men often adopt un-sound opinions, merely because they are proposed by writers ofgreat celebrity. The writings of Aristotle had such authorityin Europe, during many centuries, that nothing more was neces-sary to sustain any opinion or sentiment, than to cite them in itsfavor. There are, too, prejudices arising from personal friend-ship and dislike. But, of all the classes of prejudices which may-blind and mislead us, none more require to be understood byevery good man, that he may guard against their influence, thanthose which spring from sects and parties. There are parties inscience, in politics, in religion, and on every other subject in-volving -important interests. The spirit which animates all par-ties and all sects, although it differs much in intensity and viru-lence according to circumstances, is still essentially the same.It is not many centuries, since the controversies between thephilosophical sects of the Realists and Nominalists ran so high,that the parties, after a public disputation of some days’ continu-ance between their respective champions, drew themselves up inbattle array, and an abstract metaphysical discussion was termi-nated by the use of fists, clubs, and swords, — by the killing ofsome and the wounding of many. The virulence of politicalprejudice and antipathy is too familiar to us all, to require morethan a single illustration. “Political charity,” says GouverneurMorris, “ is puss’s velvet paw, soft so long as she purrs withpleasure; but, let the meanest little mouse of an opposite partypeep at the veriest paring of an office, away jumps the cat, herclaws extended, her eyes flashing fire.” * It is due to the sub-ject of religious party prejudice to say, that the bitterness, withwhich its controversies were once waged, has been greatlysoftened, as public opinion has become enlightened, as knowledgehas advanced, and as the claims of toleration and Christian char-ity have been more generally understood and acknowledged.Most religious controversies are now conducted with a degreeof moderation, decorum, and good temper, well becoming theirsacred subject.

Life and Correspondence, by J. Sparks, Vol. III. p. 305.