The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-12-06
FARMERS AND MECHANICS ADVOCATE.

Ma. EprroR-I have no idea that tho Thea
,re or Circus or any Of their connexions will ever
be snnihilated ss long as they ioSered by men
who estesm themselves above mediocriiy in point
of tas,o and mo rails. Neither do l wish 10 coL-
demn others bee ause they do no, think exactly rs
do. but it is my object and God grant il may ov-
er be my aim, 10 s0t forth, in as clear u light as
is possible for me TO do, the advantages and disad-
>antages which might accrue to society from the
Indulgence Of certain practices which il persisted
in soon become fixed habits, many ofwhic at the
commencement appear harmless and tritling, and
from which too few exempt even among pro-
fessed christians IL am therefore constrained to
offer few more serious thoughts upon subjects
which deem sufficiently important TO nteres, the
feelings Of every philanlhropist. i have hereto
fore touched upon the corrupt effects Of theatrical
performances. The Theatre from its earliest
days has been the favorte haunt Of iniquity. II
is the place where men and women Of almost ev-
cry character mix indiscriminatcly from the most
respectable down TO the most lewd and profit
gate. 1t is here that the pretended morasts sils
20 absorbed in the scenes that are passing before
j. secrei, AT work robbing him Of his thousands
1t has been maintained by honest well-meanng
men tina. this sink ofdepravity if conducted prop
erly might be made the means Of doing good /
shall not dispute this perhaps it might but it
never has been, and we have no grousei on which
10 build hope that this reformation will take
place. Not now and every has been the fos-
or to,,n Ioa
transacted here which would make the arch-fend
himself hang his head for very shame. Those
that have the good Of mankind at hear, cannot pass
such places without trembling US they walk. The
dangers which are connected with habitual in
iercourse with scenes Of this description, muy be
considered by some (who would rather connYe Il,
the creates. evils by which they are surrounded
than TO advance one step towards checking their
Progress) TO be the creatures of distempered i'm
aglnation. But if what we receive through the
medium Of our senses be any evidence Of the ex-
istence Of thing, then we know that every per-
formanco that has the least ion with Theat-
rical amusements is injurious to the real interest
both ofindividuaIs and society at large {; nothing
can he more clear; we see, feel, and hear it, But
a few days since we received the painful inelli-
gence that one Of tho actors belonging to the cir
Gus had sacrificed his life upon the blood-stained
altar ofhuman folly. Yes, in his foolish cndeay-
ors to gratiiy the idle curiosity of others, he has
been the means of putting an end to his existence,
uRd thus hurried himself before the judgment sea,
Of Christ II is true this same might have
astonishcd thousands by the wonderful exhibitions
OF his acquired strength but would all the up
Ilause, together with every other acquisition
which might arise from such pursuit, have in the
least compensated for the great amount Of prec-
ious time which must be necessary in order to
prepare q man 10 perform such acts What part
of society has ever been proGled by this waste OF
time and labor ! Can it be said that tha;e is a
being on earth that can possibly derive the eas,
benefit from q knowledge that one man JUMP
farther than another or lift larger piece Of iron
Then is all this time which can never be recalled
spent TO a very bad purpose it certainly is, fo
none reap any advantages but very many are in
lured. Could the labours Of all that are engaged
in this high way to prohgacy and ruin be turne,
to good account, what change we should sc,
taking place in the moral condition Of men bu, N
long as they have the least patronage from tn,
respectable part ofthe community, we have bu
little encouragement to expect such change.
the mos, grovelIing amusements ure to be sough
after by those whose influence should be thrown
into the opposite scale, such theatres, circus
horse-races, shooting matches, &C., all of whicl
have direct tendency TO poison the minds Of tn,
rising generation and make head against all the eff
forts that Christians can make for the spread O
Light and truth, instead Of such as are calculated tt
improve and elevate the mind, the progress of mo-
rality and virtue will be very slow. What can b,
more detrimental to the best interests of people
than 10 be periodically infested by shootiny-n,atch
es, horse-races and the like Such sports seldom
or never pass by without more or less ntemper
ance, which naturally generates envy, MALICE, ha
tred' quarre'ling, fighting, baspheny and man,
other evils which are calculated TO DESTROY In
harmony OF society. How can sober in,elliueu
citizens pass by these things with SO much anna
rent indifference, which are knawing upon III
very vtals Of the public interest Nwould be "a
better ifthey always did pass them by, but on Il,
contrary they too often dwell with seeming delipt
IN their very midst, und give them an encouragn
wink on he one hand, and grin on the o,her,-b,
more than MS, they actually lend their aid
forming habl,sCor others which too frequently en-
in the utter destruction of both body and SOUL
Those who ho| out inducements TO their fello
beings to allure then. into sinful ndulgences q
almost entirely independent Of the openly yicio,
and incorporate, especially those that hold the cuy
that nourishes the worm ,ha, never dies, to h
neighbor's mouth, as they depend upon such
call themselves moderate drinkers. 1t is for the,