This  imperative  is  subjective,  simple,  immutable,  universal,  legislating  for,
obliging,  judging,  rewarding  alike,  all  personalities.  It  is  grounded  in,
and  springs  from,  the  consciousness  of  worth,  giving  worthiness  above
all  pleasure  or  pain;  worthiness,  not  of  use  as  means  to  something  else,
but  for  which  all  things  else  become  means.  This  imperative  is  ultimate
law  to  conscience;  tile  authoritative  determiner  of  how  activity  in  freedom
should  be,  from  whose  approval  or  disapproval  there  is  no  appeal.  It
likewise  awakens  motive  for  resisting  and  overcoming  all  opposing  and
baffling  influences,  and  making  all  wants,  utilities,  and  lower  good  amen-


SERMONS.  347

able  to  its  behests.  Obedience  to  its  mandates  exalts  the  spirit  more  and
more  into  the  divine  perfections,  thereby  securing  spiritual  complacency
or  blessedness,  and  the  divine  approval,  with  that  of  all  like  motived
spirits.  The  imperative  to  act  worthy  of  the  spirit's  worth  is  law  to  all,
and  holds  all  responsible  to  likewise  act  worthy  of  the  worthiness  of  all,
to  the  end  of  the  holiness  and  consequent  blessedness  of  all.  This  gives
an  ethical  system,  every  way  complete  and  inclusive  of  all  duties  under
its  universal  and  reciprocal  law;  do  that  and  that  only  which  is  due  to
self  and  all  other  personalities,  without  infringement  upon  the  freedom  of
others  in  their  compliance  with  the  same  law.  By  obedience  to  this  law
each  sustains  his  own  and  contributes  to  universal  personal  worthiness.
All  things  else  were  created  with  the  design  of  working  together  for  the
good  of  spirit,  and  to  be  in  perpetual  allegiance  to  its  sovereignty,  and
controlled  and  guided  by  and  for  it.
