Jenks' Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1803-1805, 1804-12-03
Ebe 1srgrir. No. XVI.
FAIL enim oitian lpefic vi,tatis ct unfya."
Vice off d.oaiTes in virtus's fair dfguife.
-. Iuy. SAr


Vice off d.oaves in vrtuss fair dfguife.
JUv. SAT- Ia.
NO INTAKES are more dangerous, than
tnofe which location wrong conceptions of viz
tue and vice for none are 70 difficult to be re-
moved, or 70 fatal in their consequences. He
who is convinced that he has wandered from his
way, may be perfuaded to iften to the directions
of guide i~it he who from erroneous ideas
of what is right, fanciss himfelf already in the
path of reaitude, will pay little attention to the
innru6tions that are offered him; and will prob
ably continue his couric, 'till it is too late
trace his feps.
That fuch INTAKES are by no means uncom-
mon, flight acquaintance with prevailing o.
pinions may ferye to convince us. The boun-
daries of virtoe and vice, which ought ever TO
be plainly and ditinttIy marked, appear TO be
70 i'll defined in the minds of a large majority of
mankind, that confnlion mutt u,iavoidaby en-
fue Especially fnce fafe and pernicoas re-
fnement in language has rendered it unfaihon-
able, to deignate things by their true names
This refinement is BY no means accidental,
but has been dehgnedly introduced to anfwer
important purpofes. The difciples Of the new
fchool are not ignorant of the efficacy of names
IN mifleading thesmind They are fen6ble that,
sS " Vice to be hated, needs bnt 70 be Teen,
and are therefore fol;ctous to conceal her native
defornity, under borrowed names, and arti6-
cial difguifes. ! In purfuance Of this defgn, diff
Epation is foftened into gaiety, fedu6tion into
gallantry, and extravaganza into generoGty |;
while debauchery, intemperance, and profanity
are Ryled youthful follies Nay to fuch pitch
has it been carried, that we" dare not give e.
ven the devil his due, but itroke him down
the back, and call him poor mifaken angel )"
and were it not for fome ancient writers, and a
few itupid beings who Fiji retain their antigua
ted notions, the riGng generation might remain
totally ignorant Of the name of vice, though
fufficient care is taken. that they fhall be no
ftransers to its nature and effects IS
The confequence Of thefe and many fimilar IN
5iovations, is general relaxation of the ffri6t-
ncfs of ancient principles Peculiar ftrefs is
laid on the neceflity Of candor and liberality of
fentiment BY which is meant, unlimited in
diligence TO every fpecies OF immortality. 1t is
favorite maxim with thoie who inculcate the
practice Of thefe virtues, " that good heart is a
fufficient execute for all errors in conduct" So
much ftrefs is laid on this qualification, that
have endeavored, bue in vain, to afcertain its
meaning. lean only difcoyer, that it is not in
confident with the practice, of almof every
vice which can degrade humanity +; and that
"good hearted mar" is nearly anonymous with
q man of honor"
1t might reafonably be expected, tina. thofe
who boat 70 loualyof their impartiality, fhould
flow iome indulgence to fuch as entertain DIFF
fcrent opinions, yet none are more cenforious
# clergyman be rather more than ufually en-
gagged in the duties of his protection, they are
the fra to charge him with enthuiiafn and hY-
poorly. Isa lady ATTAINED ofdevoting her whole
time and attention to the decoration of her per-
fon and deGrous of Improving her intellectual
faculties, by literary purfuts, ihe is ttigmatized
as queer odd fort of a MORTAL" and is ex-
pofed to the malicious fneers of thole, who
confder her conduct as fatire on their own.
In fine, virtue and religion are the only crimes,
which are expoted to cenfure in this liberal and
enlightened age !; and he who regulates his
conduct by their precepts, mutt expeeta torrent
Of ridicule and reproach.