Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-09-06


and we repea, ii again that these amusements
are not decent and should not be permitted
among those who claim moral dignity %
character, or profess TO lead virinols life.
And we trust that hereafter all gentlemen con
Decied with The Press will raise their united
voices against it if they fully comprehend
their duty and appreciate the responsibility of
their situation, they certainy will not hesitate.
The influence of The Press is potent indeed,
and when it speaks a strong, clear language,
II rons through every avenue Of life, every de-
partment Of society, and its force is felt. 1t
goes where The voice of the moralist proper
cannot reach-it goes where the preachers
voice is seldom or never heard and hence
its agency for good ct evil is unequaled.-
These matters should not be lett alone for re-
ligious journals to attend to, because they, as
a general thing, are only read by those who
are interested in Church matters ; it is through
the secular Press that something is to be
accomplished, because this class of papers is
read by all, and especially those who never
look at paper that is exclusively devoted to
subjects for which they have but an Indifferent
feeling. And if the editors Of secular news
papers desire 10 discharge their whole duty,
let them speak ont boldly and manfully against
'hese crying evils of the age.
During the last few days, in conversation
with different persons, we have heard it said
that the "Waltz and Polka are countenanced
by such and such an one, and they certainly
are eminent in life and their opinions ought to
give tone and characte, to amusen.ents, as
worthy the indulgence of ALL" This is a
grossly mistaken idea. No mans elevated
position in any department of life can give
character and respect to a custom that the
commonest instincts of our nature tell US are
dcmoralisng and improper Hume lolls
commanding position as an able historian, and
Paine is allowed to have been an. earnest laborer
in the cause of Freedom during the struggle
for American independence: and yet, will
any one pretend to say, because these men
"''' "'''oe'' ~ 'o'e'ie' ie'e'o"' "no iii
pious re''iers OF HE uod VINO made u.s. ua'
'hey consequently give "eigh' 10 inhdel doc
trines, and character for moral beauty to-
atheism NO. Such an assertion would be
preposterous,-an yet, It's entitled to Just US
much consideration as the argument in the
other case.
1t cou'd with equal propriety be said
- That mere dancing girl, who shows herself,
Nightly, half naked, on the stage for money.
And with volurtuous motions fires the blood
Ofinconsiderate outb, is TO be held
model for her vi.tue"
4 mans opinion, on any subject, is only en-
titled TO credit and considered worthy OF imita-
ton, in proportion as it is in consonance with
truth and the well-reeulated laws of reason
1t is natural element OF the human heart,
and one of the strongest evidences of its weak
ness, to seek what are considered elevated ex-
amples as a palliation Of its sins and an excuse
for its iollies. This shows that the more emi-
ncnt man becomes, the more dangerous and
responsible is his position, and the greater
must be his accountability hereafter. A man
may work earnestly and long IN ascending the
emirence that his ambition urges him to reach
The summit of,-but when he attains 1t, If he
correctly comprehends himself and he duties,
the imperative duties Of life, and the require
men,s OF God, he has but just commenced his
really ardnous labor when The majority sup
pose that he has completed 1t, and has nothing
to do but lepose on his laurels and ENJOY his
reputation While struggling for this post
ION, he had al manner o' obstacles 10 contend
wi'h' receiving ou' &c" s'n'eS anu many
'fownS envy Jea'ousy anu na''eo e"'o''PaSS
eu MS a'"' anu WIZ" 'noS' "e "''"eu
Vigorously Ills n'''o was 'nen naun'eu VIII"
ou' one ioea' anu 'ha' perhaps se'''Sh o"e'-
'"0 ~ .o o"'p''''"' ."''I. -" 10 'o0
fe"' " "''' ,;. '"~ ~ e,',h",. w ' hapa,'.s a =;
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