THE PEDALTO INSTITUTION FOR INCORPORATED ART

 
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BUREAU OF BUREAUCRATIC RESPONSIVENESS

DIRECTOR   Arbhar Madra

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It is an observation of frequent occurrence that practices, once introduced, often continue long after the occasion from which they arose has passed away. This is particularly observable in the forms and proceedings of law. The indentation of the parchment or paper on which deeds are written, and the seal of a bond, are now destitute of meaning, though they were formerly important. Innocent absurdities may be tolerated, provided they are not too burdensome, but when a practice is of questionable morality, and attended with considerable inconvenience, there can be liltle doubt of the propriety of changing it. That the use of legal oalhs is at best of questionable morality may be safely asserted without casting any censure on those who believe Uvey can conscientiously take or administer them. An oath, says Cruden, is a solemn action, whereby we call upon God the searcher of hearts, to witness the truth of what we affirm, for the ending of strifes and controversies. " Whatever be the form of an oath," says Paley, " the signification is the same, it is the calling upon God to witness, i. e. to take notice of what we say, and invoking his vengeance, or renouncing his favour, if what we eay be false, or what we promise be not performed." " The forms of oaths have been always various; but consisting for (he most part of some bodily action, and of a prescribed ibrm of words. Amongst the Jews, the juror held up his right hand towards heaven, which explains a passage in the hundred and forty fourth psalm, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. The same form is still retained in Scotland, amongst the same Jews. Amongst the Greeks and Romans, the form varied with the subject and occasion of the oath.