Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-30
ADJUSTMENTS OF LIFE.

Moderate participation in the amusements of life
has seldom been more ecquently justified than in
the following passage of sermon lately pubishd in
LoND0N;-"' Again, according to the Pharisac system
all those pleasures and reaxations WHICH are regard
Ell by the generality of men innocent, are to be
feIinquished rs incompatible with pure religion.
Why VIII men try TO incumber the light woke and
easy burden of the Gospel, by additions OF their own
invention 70 describe Christianity as a foe to the
innocent eniovments OF life, Is high treason against
religion. To portray it as blight which withers all
the flowers which the hand OF a mercf Providence
has literally scattered round us, is destroying the
harmony that subslss beteen the word and the works
% the Almighty. That some relaxations are needed
TO refresh the spirit and restore the elasticity Of the
mind after application to business or study, is as
certain that nutriment is required renova;e the
powers o. the body. That the desire of amusement
'aay be niulgcd imoderately is certain and may
Sire cravings of hunger Of thirst and in both cases
a Of moderation will be follow ed BY most in
r'us results; but nothing, except the most ntatua
20 timdity, would counsel tho adoption Of total ab
s.nence reacdy against the peril OF excess. In
III one case the exhausted f1cutics of the body
would pey sh of nanon; in the other similar want
- energy wogld accrue to the exhausted powers of
30 mInC. in both cases tenpeis is the rule pre-
'rlbef hv The Gosncl. There Is one particular in
c Ph7r'-aic mode Of dealing with this subject,
Dish - quite inccmPrehensblc to the majority Of
lose VINO ALLOW themselves to share in the common
:'nusawcu,s Of if and that is the extraordinary i'm
o"r.ancs s'Iuch these G!nusements seem to hold in
'ho estimation of the persons who make il n point
~ c0ns- rnce To abstain from them themselves. and
. dePrcCate such an indulgence in others. With !
10 man whouscs the world az not abusing it. such
matters are numbered among the most irconsiderabe
rife. as things entertaining in their way; which
present agreeable change TO the rcaxations of his
accent hours; but which, perhaps, except in early
gou!h, have never occupied single moment of ser-
ons considerations. They afford him light subject
OF intellectual interest, on which the mind unb :nds
without Incidence, and is at the same time employed
and uniatgued They supply him with themes of
general conversation, less likely irritate than po-
tios-less stimulating to the sordid feelings than
topics connected with his business or his profession
less perlous to charity than the discussion of the
aiiaIrs and characters of neighbours. --They are
often perhaps forgotten for months togther till acct
dent recalls them to his attention; and are then in
debted for their principal attraction TO the pleasure
winch they communicate TO the child or the stranger
whom he . solcitous 10 enLertain. But when bo
hears these matters, which hc las been accustomed
10 regard go lightly, treated Of by the severe reli
gohSt' there is portentous vGlue,a fearful dignity
mysterious Importance ascTibed To them, Of which !
no bnds 1t impossible to comprehend the meannp !
tic cannon connect the argument with the subject
ne bcWldcrcd in every attempt IN discover any
'hneXlop between the slender theme and the yapouf
ng declaration which TO be "A discussion of
,'a iners, and when all that can be said is uttered
''' conscience and his coincide in ASSURING
Hn th'i D." has mo- gresscd the letter or shirt
e. hs reli ion.'