Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-08-24
For the Alexandra Gazette.
.Notandi stunt tibi uoreS.
Note well the manners.
Iior. frs Poet-c. l5b.

.NiOtandi su7t tlbt uloTeSs
Note well the manners.
Iior. frs Poet--c. 156.
No. 1.
Mr.. SNowBEN,
1t was the devout prayer of Socrates.
that the time might come, when there
should be an order OF men set apart,
whose business it shonId be, to teach pub
|licly. morality and righteousness to the
people. Had he lived at a later period.
he would have seen with joy his wish re-
allied, in the institution of the Christian
ministry. BY this mode, security is
given Tor perpetual course OF sound ad
monition and instruction to mankind, up
on subjects lelating to their moral, reli-
gious and eternal welfare.
The pulpit" says Cowper,
is Must stand acknowledged, while the
world shall stand,
Z. Tie most important y effectual guard,
50 support G. ornament OF viftuous cause.
Next to this method of instruction,
there IS, perhaps, more more efiectual than
a well regulated press. The increasing
dissemination of newspapers, particularly
afording SO great facilities tor extending
summary views OF the most momentOrs
subjects, renders this department Of sccl
ETY. one of the most interesting and re
sponsible. The vast and widely extend
ed influence which it possesses over tie
public character, demands with awlul
claims, that thew who undertake to MA
mage these moral laberatori,s should send
forth nothing but sound and wholesome
diiiHsions of sentiment.
Having with much pleasure, in com
mon with many of your readers, witness
ed your readiness 10 admit into your pa
per essays tending to the moral improve
.ment of society, l am encouraged to send
YOU fur publication, few thoughts on The
nature and moral influence of theatrical
performances Believing, as | do most
iirmly. that they are criminal in their na-
ture, and mischevous in then effects ;
that they are directly hostile TO The pre-
cepts and the whole spirit Of the Gospel.
and utterly improper to be attended of
etur;-"@nced by those who profess to be
the disciples Of Christ, Or even he friends
.cf morality, | deem it my duty, as a
friend to virtue and religion. to make
known the reasons which confirm to my
.can mind and conscience. this conviction.
The reasons are founded upon the
truth of the following propositions
/. I'he t.eatre i now, and Away las
been, a school Of false sentiment a"d IL
cph|,oas practice.
Q. Theatrical exhibitors involve cTi-
ninal acaste Of time and money.
s. Those who attend the thsatre. sup
port and encourage set o.! performers in
life OF liccntous prohIgacy.
4. Theatrical performances are hostile
to the sririt and precepts Of the Gospel
| will cndeagor to compress the re-
,naks ] have to make upon these propo-
sitons into as small space as possible y
The theatre is no" and ever has
been school Of false sentiment and Of
licentious practice, 1t had its birth IN
the bosom OF tumuItucus pleasures, and
the extravaeauces of intoxication and
under all is notifications, has proved,
that, in order to its being a popular a
.muscment, it must be adapted TO The cor
!rupt passions OF human nature. Hence,
lit IS in vain TO talk of reforming the stage,
since BY ref .rming It, you rob it OF its
hover to please. 1t has, Indeed, III
IS me ages been more corrupt than in o.
'thers. as. for instance. in Che days of the
second Charles; but in every age. it has
preserved ore uniform feature OF false
Principle and Icentious practice. In this
,couutry, we have nat attained To all
The reiinemcnts in corruption which are
,dispIaved in European theatres, bur. whe-
|ther we Judge by the character Of the
PLAYS themselves, Or by tie personages.
scenery, and outer court circumstances,
Of on, representations, re shall perceive
lawful demonstrations of their demOfaliZ-
ing iahaeNce.
White even the few plays which nay
lie called decent have a tendency to
;mpart to the mind vain and dissipaiing
Influence a much larger lumber produce
a more deep and extensive mischief. BY
far the greater part OF the most popu
Jar dramas are profane, obscene, 4 call
cuIa;ed 10 pollute the Imagination, to in
fame the passions, to recommend p'inci-
pies the most pernicious, and practices
the most corrupt. How common is it to
find in the language of the theatre, the
most unqualified profaneness, and even
blasphemy! How often are mock pray