Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-21

men, Of the a6'rnati-s. Yet our blessed
Lord mentions both datc,.ie and music IN a
ballroom, in his beautiful parable of the
prodigal son. Asto Christ's appreciation
of temperate festivity, find proof that he
regarded itwith indulgence, ifnotcompla-
cency. alludc to the second chapter of
81. John, the Evangelist, \ to those verses
at IFS commencement, which record the
miracle wrought at the marriage feast i'm
Cana, of Gallilee. AT this feast, to which
were invited Jesus, his mother, and the
Disciples; six Jars of water, containing
about three frkus a piece, were miracu-
lousy converted into wlIe. From the
remark in the speech which the Governor
Of the Feast addressed on this occasion
10 the Bride gro ON, in which he eStols the
quality OF the wine, II is clear that ccn-
vivial parties were then fashionable in
Palestine. Yet Jesus, the Oaiy perfect
pattern s.ld n,odef If morai parity, rebUkei
neither the fashion nor Me Governor.
Again II oar Saviour had altogether re
prObated festivity, as he did hypocrisy,
is it probable tS0t he i0ko diScerned effects a.,
their causes, occomprniedby the t,oeice Ipos-
ties aud ae Holy FGmiiy. pomi9 haze accepted
of an limitation to large party, or hare
cont'ttn.ed5y his primaimiraets 10 animate j.
Sanct:1y its conrirsahty!
Upon the whole, ifthen, (aSwe presume
To asSeyerate) Il serious searcher OF the
pure word ofGots, may conscisntiouSly
question. whether all dancing assemblies,
convirial meetings, Npublic anuscments
are positively Inhibited TO christian law
men as sia5iti, may not such meek cnqui-
rer, without mourning clerical rebuke for
presumption, proceed and say, az coneln-
SION let rs IN this, as i'll ali other cases
OF christian controversy, guard against
too much austerity on the one hand-or
too nue.. iaxity on the other. An eX-
FOUNDER o. the Gospel, who would win
souls and become permanently useful IN
this Commonwealth, should never forget
that he who leans TO the side OF austerity,
is apt to be harsh in his ccnsures, and mar
row in his opinions. Refusing to condo
scend 10 others i'll things the most indif-
terent, he makes 10 allowances for diver
sites in age. condition, temper, or habits
among mankind. With him, all gaycty is
sinful, every amusement crime. Solo
mon, however, rcbukes him for such in
discretion" BE not righteous orerna,ch,
neither make thyself ouerUiSe: why
"shouldst thou destroy thyself?' Such
is the natural effect of severity Of temper
and narrow maxinl5 of conduct, that their
influence upon the daSterc Maii M0seT, Is 10
render him sour and gloomy upon others,
10 remove them from MS society q coun-
sells; and upon religion, to set it forth as
a morose and for6idding principle. have
known such Il teacher, prone 10 inveigh,
attaching himself TO particular sect,
vehementiy deciaiming against certain
practices and fashions, until he lad work
ed himself up into belief, that he was
little Saint! Meanwhile, perhaps, his
heart and temporary, even his conduct,
has been less exemplary than that ofsome
of those whose polite amuseEients and
temperate enjoy ments he had reprobated.
But most of the true friends Of sound
christianity, concur with us i'll thinking.
that the quiet, humble, modest, and
peaceable teacher, who is in practice, what
the other is in profession vino breaches
not against the elements Of blan.e!ess and pc
Hshed mannsTs-but against the rank taapi-
faic Of palpa6leuices who meekly performs
pastoral uties,-nether marking mere
amusement for mGiediction, or Symbols Of So
ciatefaiiDeSs, for the Substance OF dcadly sin,
will do most good in this cheerful and in
Guisitive community, and stand highest
in the estimation, both Of God and
man.