Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1802-08-30
for t1ic Ga5gttc.
TIE REFORM.

~ lent PERIOD and which IN proportion as pre-
4MFails threatens TO delolate fociety. AS extreme
liberslity in political sentiments leads 10 general
N, ronfufion, 70 relaxed principles of religion
H. fhe dired road TO in6delity. From the fynem
s4 which has lately occupied great place both in
hAXbooks and converiatIon, we take but a few
g Reps before reach the total rejection of
IT, Chrifianity. 1t is deirable obiea to return
- LIN fome meafure to former maxims and habits,
ur Einaead OF nventi0g new ones, merely TO crafty
u abe love of experiment. Curiofty is every
I'll where lefs hazardous, than in morals and hap
ss1 pirefs Here it proves falfe guide, which,
s% after amuGng the mind with tnouland pleaf
I. ing images, at length fports its followers into
ls.F deGrudion This fatal and growing principle.
4 i teonneaed with indifference to great objects,
a Na favifh difference to cufom, will be found the
y great fources of thofe mfchiefs which we with
10 have eSpoied, 10 order TO their being COR
~ treaed.
A. n The dts9s of eAsati0n are among the mott
pr Gonipicuoos evils which threaten the PROPERTY
M and glory OF our country. recent event. to be
Ementoned aferward, has turned my thoughts
'a,ss more directly toward the female world. The
=, kdaushtsrs of the prefent generation, in fome
reip.ts, epjoy advantages hyperion to thoie OF
p~a her anceitry. They are taught 10 read with
r., greater oonsasels and can write letter with
nd wer errors 10 orthography. They are initial
q l. I'd in grammar and geography. But thefe
paththirgs will not alone infpire either reaefing
e mind, or devotional heart. This ought to
i Y. doe, while tbs other not left uadone. The
Nan Jefnsle undertaking need rot be cultivated at
aasc, dc expenfe of wading through fyGem of
ID a. 3ogc. There ere other methods better iuited
q fp their genius and talk. Where is conyerla
lion This IS IN exercife for which Nature has
y, r1nuali6ed them in an eminent degree. Shall 1t
- be waited upon triAles ? How great, in this
rae, niua be the facri6ce of time how great
YES 1he lois of opportunity for acquiring knowledge
% the mott vain and ufeleis ohj4as, inaead of
Ss5s 4.pughts, foaI along your ordinary communi
kssions to what fource fha we trace this fault,
but TO the negligence of thole, who are charged
1, III, Fth The frlf cultures Of mind Teach your
na N .dren, ia their Grl ilpngs to b. wife, and
tvl aey. will falin love with wfdom. without ever
saaS Mersard wiibing 10 be looted from her EN-
braces.
= IL Hnt what Dea(ures are ufei in cultvatng
he tender and movable heart Of females They
b.utn kegin with reading JT7ws books which teach
mHntheln vanity, and end with aovsif, which create
ahEsp kind Of fenhbility that has 10 foundation
u ~ n nature, and raiie fuch hopes and de!res as
ers fure OF difappointment fhefe mingle with
Me earef feelings (uch fenfations as are built
Zppon falfe views of life which of coHrle, be
= come equally fpring of error and unhappi
asnds. Ii is true, the ule of books bearing Iheie
names is not wholly 10 be dlcounteRapced !;
net great care and confidence fhould be employ
~ in their choice otherwi(e. inftead of ailifting,
AZ they will poGoa the bet affections of the heart.
ON Learn your fair pupils to read life, inltead OF
sm lite ming merely to the fabulous descriptions OF
poets, and writer's Of romanees. 1t was an
-akr <ngagieg initance ofvirtue, in young female
A 10 mkho plunged into the daant and unknown
hi z1nanfion of woe, who expofed its miieries 70
'rs NE Gay, who had courage TO fue for the relief
80 Which hs was herfelf unable to beltow, who,
by every e1prefiion Of fympathy attached others
,s',s 20 her caue. and thus, by uuiting fevera com
,rsa paGions. faved numerous and deierving family
4 FRS rom want. There was more than pity IN this
sd Srania6tion there was piety TOO. He who
takes pains TO publih feeret fufferings, in order
ua 10 fave and blels fellow mortal, NUT feel the
ss'' ove of thoie commands which have been given
a asvs BY Being Of conluminate mercy
! GEO. lengthy dilcufon was not intended in this
y sfM PAPER. The remarks juR made are proper
sFD mtroduaion TO fome hints, drawn from late
<feding death Nothing can be added to the
'S rompreheoiive beauty Of the character Of Miis
~ w. which has already appeared. Yet a life 70
.ssnStncommen, death 70 full ledon, ought not
s~5h 70 Pafs without particular effort for moral
4, ID I'm rovement. Many an obfcure and humble
p}ollowsr O. Jefus is every day gliding into
death, where the limits ofacquainiance are 100
a harrow TO admit Of general ule. But when
.rs We Zee one fall from place which is fubet to
: ~ obervasion, when he falls 700, frrrounded by
ats sll the glories Of the Cbriaian, the deGre to
M T. 81 cad fu, fcene tul before the heart becomes
~ hreGaible- A mildneis of diipoGtion marked
..e3Hc character before as which prevented the
81 ,neceiity cf great cultivation or control But
4 rs this no dependence upon education! Do
IL &c not Gud TIA. nciinations to virtue or vice,