Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-02-20

in theatres, be at an end? And yet the exam>
ME of those who attend the theatre, for the pur.
pose Of listening 10 VIVA, is said, and probing
by the moral to be deduced, is pernicious in its
tendency. s,he example is Injurious. let US,
for moment, imagine an instance where atien.
lion was given, by all indiscrimina'eiy, to lie
moral of the piay-no one would contend, sure
", ,ha, the spectators, however great their pro-
pensi,y 10 vice, would return to their homes,
from the effects of such an exercise, more con-
Such would be contrary 10 every principle oil
reason; for, as we hav Z before remarked, they
nor only behold in the most cen,em ptible light,
the enormity Of crimes similar 10 those Of which
some of their own number may be guilty-bu,
scenes, al whose contemplation even the mos.
vitious are softened into pity. It,hereiore pro-
duces good feelings, and is consequently favor
able to virtue. But it may be justly enquired
Of those who depreoalr these amus.ments, whe-
Their such as are in the habi, offrequen,ing thea
tres, would prof, equally were they to rema in at
home? Some argue that their domestic occupa-
tons ough, to have stronger claims upon them;
others, their religious duties, SC. sc. Now all
this is well enough for those religious enthusi-
as,s, who advocate system Of privaion as In
dispensabe to religion and true piety. With
such, however, as admi, the influence Of reason,
doubts OF this nature, in regard to the proprie>
~ of these amusemenls, would soon be dis
perssd. The Creator, we fine, has set apart a
day for his own worship. 1t does not follow,
i, is true, as mater Of course, that more will not
be r. quired, in order % secure our future hap
piness, than what is performed on the Sabbath:
yet, i, is evident, that, by such an appropr:a-
lion, he intended TO convey an idea, that there
were many acts, about which he wished US to
, consult our own sehse Of propre'y and 1iscre-
ton. There are laws positive and negative
Whatever these may include, we are strictly
~ acts, which are neither recommended or for>
hidden: such must, therefore, rest with our
selves, and we are free from ara blame, whea
we are convinced that they are innocent, and in
conformity with the divine law. That we are
re- sIrcted as to every amusement, is absurd;
and reference to any rational view Of the sub
iec,, viii sufficiently determine the fact 1t was
not designed BY our Creator, that our whole
hives should b. but continued scene OF devo-
f Fft9ThfT euF aGiT
therefore, even should ii be a general habit. :"
far from being incompatible with our duties of
religion: provided we make such disposition
OF our time as TO proven, any alteration in our
religious concerns. Nor is this amusement
incompatible with what would come, more
sric ,ly, under he head Of domestic duties; for
they, too, ought 10 b. So arranged, as to have
no claims a,eyer on that portion OF our time
usually appropriated to rest. But how many
spend rhri, evenings in conversation, capable
| OF yielding TO monner Of benefit! Yet, we find,
that such an appropriation of time is not dis
approved of-.And why? Simply because we
are engaged al home. doubt. Go to a party,
a camp-meeting, a concert, and you will find
the result, the same--it is not disapproved of;
but put your foot sinner, into the >estibulr OF
a Tbeatre-that Cloaca of all vice and dissi-
patton and you are lost. morally lost! Now
is it possible tina, any rational man can SUBJ
scribe 10 doctrine SD palpably absurd? Few
amusemen,s that could possibly BE- ENJOYED at
home, would afford either as much pleasure or
improvement, as may be BIZ gained at a Thea
ire We may read, i, is ,rue-we may avail
ourselves Of the very Identical plays that would
be represented; yet, when we should come to
consider, the difference would be very percepi-
ble'between what is simply reod, and that which
has, in every respect, The semblance Of real life.
What, then, is there, that produces this demos
ralizing effect? Is it the sigh, OF SO large an
assembage Of individuals Oh no! this is bv
no means novel. 1t is seen frequentiy--at
church, a, concerts, al camp 'mrelings-every
where. Are there accommodations for gamb-
LEI s?-No. For drunkards? You answer This