It is owing to this fact that most of the language of life assumes that all violations of law are blamably wrong, and are to be punished here or hereafter. In the most common use of the term, “sin is the transgression of law.” At the same time men recognize the distinction between sins of ignorance and willful sin. Sin and Holiness. The preceding, then, warrants the definition of _sin_ as “_the transgression of law_,” whether known or unknown. The question of the rectitude of penalties _added_ to the natural consequences of violated laws, is confined to those sins which are attended by a knowledge of law and ability to understand and obey. These distinctions and definitions are important because a large class of theologians maintain that sin is the voluntary transgression of _known_ law, and make this definition the foundation of their assertion that all men have power to be perfect in conformity to all law, meaning by this all the laws of God that they _know_ and _believe_. On this theory _sin_ is the transgression of _known_ law, and not of that which is unknown. And on this theory one way to keep children from sin would be to keep them in ignorance of God’s laws. The writer maintains that this limited use is not the common meaning. Mankind do not stop to settle the question whether men were ignorant of what was right, before they decide that they sin. Often such ignorance results from an unwillingness or indolence that prevents attention, and few can decide how far our ignorance of law results from guilty neglect. It is true that when a perfect and innocent inability to know law is proved, the _added_ penalties of statute law are remitted. But still the _natural_ penalties are unremitted. The word _holy_ in its original use signifies _set apart_ or _consecrate to the special service_ of some deity. Thus the vessels of a temple, the priests and the building are called holy in this sense. In reference to moral acts or choices, this term is used as recognizing the fact that a mind may be voluntarily consecrated or devoted to the service of God by right action, or obedience to his laws. God himself is called holy on the supposition that there are rules of right and wrong in the nature of things, independent of his will, and that his will is conformed to these rules, while men are called holy in reference chiefly to the will or service of their Creator. In the Creator holiness signifies perfect voluntary conformity to that which is _for the best_ according to the eternal nature of things. In men perfect holiness is perfect conformity of will to the laws or _will_ of God, both absolutely and in motive or intention. A mind is consecrated to God when its _ruling purpose_ is to obey him in all things. In this use of the term holiness in man, is what can not be _created_, as it is a voluntary act of his own mind.