The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-03-06
COMMUNICATIONS.
Green Mount school.


paper in the discussion of = subject that the
public may feel but little Interested in, than is
necessary: but standing. IS do. in the respoa-
s.ble position as proprietor OF school that
has some reputation al home and abroad; and
as was generally known, that | belonged to
one OF the branches of the Society of Friends,
known as the Hiclsl.e division. and lately a
decree of communicated has gone forth against
me, l concluded that brief statement Of the
cause which led to such conclusion, ought,
in Justice 70 myself and the school, be made
public.
Il is well known fact that tie Society of
Friends. from It's origin, has borne testinlo-
ny against music as a diversion; being aware OF
that, WAS coUtious about the introduction Of
it; but situated as was, having the control OF
a school made up OF students, as well IS teach.
ers Of various ACKNOWLEDGEMENT having
established sal! school upon scale Of liber-
Atty aud freedom from all sec;arian bias,
adopting no religious formula, il was my de-
tern1ini. ion, so long IS had the control, to
exercise No arbitrary authority over any. but 10
make the highest standard of morality our
guide. IL thus carrying on. these princi-
pies, one Of the professors Of our school had
piano " hich he wished TO bring with him.
when he came into our employ; and the sub
ject being considered. no valid reason
why that liberty should no. be granted. as
that kind of music is Introduced into some of
the christian churches, As religious ordi-
nance His wife wished TO employ teacher,
that she might finish her study, and asked
leave to enquire among our female students
If any among them desired to take lessons. !
consented. with the understanding that such
students obtained leave OF their parents; in
this way the practice WAS introduced. under
their own control, and within a room in my
house il is truc) which they occupied exclu
sively as their own. they receiving all benefits
from it entirely, and no part or portion of the
profits have entered into my accounts, and
disconnected from our ordinary school exerci-
ses a. distinctly as il II were IN an adjoining
house in a town OF village. and certainly there
has been no immortality in any way connect
ed with It's practice | having consc;en
tious scru pies against 1t, have thus allowed it,
believing il as a matter of n yht TO allow the
inmates OF the house the inestmable privi
le.,e OF worshiplng their Creator according 70
the dictates of their own conscience. well
as our Teachers such privileges as are regarded
as upright and moral. by the christian world.
do no more 10 this respect than | would ask
under similar circumstances myself. and in so
doing, cannot see that | have violated any
christian precept, nor any portion Of the re z
The rules laid down in their book OF disci
rline, pertaining to the subject, readsa follows,
VIZ:
Friends are fervently exhorted t. watch
carefully the youth and others of our
ciety, " no may be so inclined TO prevent them
by aiTectiona.e counsel an / bFotherly admon-
ton. from freqnenting stage plays. horse ra-
ces. music, dancing and other vain sports and
a1usements. DC.
Now | believe that this is the only written
regulation upon the subject Of music contain
Ell in the book of discipline. and think they
have placed = construction upon that language
in my case. winch is most extraordinary and
unwarrana able. Tha. | have .'frequented"
music in Tie reSsiisn there stated. in the con
nec;ion Of ''stage playing. horse races" &c
any person Of common discernment outside
Of tho society. would at once decide had
motif my P,evious statement he true. which
| presume will be admitted-that their con
struction is forced out of its legitimate mean
ing, end made TO apply in cases not designed
by those who famed the discipline.
Far be it from ME to crmina.e or raise up
an accusation against this society of wilfully
doing wrong. The society Of Friends, as a
society, aim to do right. There are members
of the several divisions of Friends that stand
far above all suspicion--ther acts and deeds
are unimpe schable. This class would rather
loose their ri4,h. hand than to do a fellow
creature any injury, or to deprive any one Of
his ust ii hts. whilst there are some Others
that may be little less scrupulous. Their
zeal to defend their peculiar views may run
httle faster than the light by whici. they pro- /
feSs be guided. and then they are liab.e t.
become, Ike Saul OF Tarsus. disposed to do +
that which they would not do, after they had
receis ei the true light; OF this. however, they ,
must Judge. | am about TO be cut of from I
the church, for the cause stated. because | /
have allowed the tone Of the piano to be heard
IN my house, though sounded in a private /
room. III the occupancy OF one Of the profess
ors. when | had. las L conceived, no just
right to interpose any authority, urless acts
of inlpiety or immortality had been committed. i
and no: thai | had fTeguented music in the
relation and connection with horse racing. DC.
or. indeed, in any other connection. | be-
lieve in allowing all persons their just rights,
whether religious civil, in order that l may
have the same privileges guaranteed 10 me.
After many and repeated visits from the
agents Of the meeting. well as many other
kind friends, who felt DESTROYS that should
retain my right Of membership. was assured
that il would oaly condescend so much as
TO prevail upon that instructor TO suspend the
seacnlng OF music, tha9 All proceeding "ould
be suspended, and l restored to unity in the {
church. l did So after the fall session had
ended. and in subsequent visit Of the com
mittee who came TO see me- TO know the
truth of the matter, they expressed a great
deal Of satisfaction to hear thai the teaching
had been discontinued. and stated that pro-
ceedingS would undoubtedly be suspended. and ;
the case dismissed they wished me to prepare a B,
Statement. Of that fact in writing. which was
donesad a: the following Monthly Meeting | :
that they reported. that they had