The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-08-24

lies, and directing towards them the pub.
lie eye, wonld result. in fnr more hnrm than
good. Therefore, imagine series Of acts.
from causes in tho mind, introducing ac-
tors Of course, and carryin them OH through
= variety Of scenes, all lcgitimatcly result
ing from the principles that govern them.
Now. in doing this, | nm careful to show
the difference between good md evil, and
as carefully refrain from presenting vice
in any attractive form, but rather mike il
repulsivo rs II really is; am ! guilty Of
hearing false witness against nv ncighbor?
Am guilty 81 moral wrongr
You are guilty Of having given uitcrance
TO what is not true; md you can't make
ANYTHING else ONT Of il argue as YOU WILL
replied Deacon Prescott, dogma,icnlIy.
Pardon mo for disagrceing with Won,
said the person. I'll have presented false
views Of life; i'll have made my story un.
natural md improbable, and given il at the
same time. power To mislcad tho mind
and deceive il in regard to tho legitimate
tendency 81! either true or false principles,
then have been guilty of uttcring whot is
untrue: but not otherwise. There is no
attempt TO deceive on my part. No one
doubts that INV history Of life, or my rep
rescntntion Of a passage in life is
composed history, and not literal de-
tail Of what Inns taken place.
VERY ingenious but mere sophistry,' re-
turned the Deacon. And ns To tho good
these things do, | always had my doubts
on that head; the harm starcs rs in the
face nj every turn. Reading Of this kind en-
crvates the mind, and makes il unfit for So
Der reflection, or active duties
TO that will bv no means assent ~ a
general principle was answered to this
declaration. ~ bad novel or tale will do
more hnrm in the world than bad book Of
philosophy; and, on the other hand, good
novel or tale will accomplish more goo,l
than a grave, moral dsqnisition. | care not
how true mny be its teachings
'Preposterous! Such . position is an
insult to tho human rcsson,' said Deacon
Prescott.
oh no! Not bv any mems. The moral
ESSAY is cold cnunciation of truths, hut
the fictitious history not ouly declares tho
same principles, but shows us their power
Of action. |, takcs hold Of onr sympathies
1t makes our understandings clear by
warming our affections
'Prccious few such histories are there =
saiJ the Deacon.
'lthink have something said the strsn.
ger, resumiDg, that will illustrate what
have said. ] met with a touching little
story to-day; md ns /. fortunately, have il
with me, ] will, with the permission Of the
company, read il. |, will take but few
Minutes
All nsked Cor the story, but the Deacon,
and he did not object to lis being read
The story WINS brief but earnest. Singu-
lar enough, for the individual who rcnd il
knew nothing. ms we have already intimo-
ted, Of tho affairs Of Deacon Prescott, il
was the history Of . parents cs,rangcmen,
from his child, in consequence Of her mar
rving in direct opposition to his wishes.
The struggles IN the fathers mind between
pride and affection. between tho stern rem
soning with which ho sustained himself,
and tho tender appeals that bis heart made
for his child, were finely portrayed; and
the Deacon was stnrtled Mt the picture Of
himself so suddenly and Unexpectedly con.
iured up before him. lie sat and listened
with the most intense interest. To him j.
was no fiction, but vcritnblc history, for
no recognized lis truth in every line.
From n description ii the fathers IN.
bending spirit, the writer turned TO the low
ing child he had thrown from him with 40
rude hand that she bad fallen In the earth.
lie opened the door Of her heart. and show
ed the fathers imnge still there. lie pic.
iured her rs sho really was; true to her
husband. vet snd for the loss Of parents
love, md ycarning 10 lilo again upon the
bosom where her head had rested in conf
ding love since the early dawn of childhood
lie took the render into the chamber where
she sat alone, bloi,ing with tears the paper
on which she WAS writing on earnest mp
peal to her father to he taken hack into his
affections; and then he showed him the IN
rclcntinc md uniorgiving old man, NJ he
spurncd the tcar-s.aincd missivc, and sent
il hack unopened.
But the writer's end in composing this
history, was 20 I'll the heart with the blcs-
sed spirit of forgiveness; and in the con.
clusion Of his history. he introduced 1T.
ting combination Of circumstances to pro-
dnce the effect desired-thnt is reconcil-
iatIon Of the father and daughter.
Now said the individual who had read
the finely told story, addressing Dcscon
Prescott. do YOU not see that picture like
this would have double the power over the
heart Of father who stood in such rela-
ton TO his child, than any appeals 10 his
reason that cold didac,ics could make! DO
you not