Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-03-14
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the discussion Of subject that the
public may feel but little interest in,
than Is necessary; but standing as / do
in the responsiblel position Of proprie-
tor of q school that has some reputa-
ton at home and abroad. and as was
generally known that I belonged to
one OF the branches Of the Society oI
Friends known as the Hicksite divis-
ion. and lately decree Of excommu.
nication has gone forth against me,
concluded that a brief statement OF the
cause which led to such conclusion
should be made public. in justice to
myself as well as the school.
tits well Fnown fact that this So
ciety, from its origin. has borne a tes-
limony against music. as diversion.
Being aware Of that. / was cautious
about the Introduction ofit. but situa-
ted as was. having the control OF a
school. made up Of students, as well as
teachers Of various denominations,
and having established said school up
on a scale Of liberality. and freedom
from all sectarian bias. and adopting
no religious formula, il was my deter.
mination, so long as / had the control,
to exercise no arbitrary authority over
any. bat to make the highest standard
ofmorality my guide; In thus carry.
ing out these principles, one OF the
professors Of our school had piano,
which he wished to bring with him
when he came into our employ, and
the subject being considered. Isaw no
valid reason why that liberty should
not be granted. as that kind Of music
is introduced into some ofthe christian
churches, as a religious ordinance,
his wife wished to employ teacher
so that she might finish her study and
asked leave 10 enquire among our 70.
male students. II any among them de-
sired to take lessons. consented,
with the understanding that such stu.
dents obtained Leave OF their parents,
In this way the practice was introduc.
ed, under their own control, and with
in room (iu my own house IL Is true
which they occupied exclusively as
their own. they receiving all benefits
from !! entirely, and no part or por.
ton OF the profits have entered into
my account. and disconnected from
onr ordinary exercises as distinctly as
ifit were in an adjoining house In a
town or village. and certainly there
has been no immortality Ia any way
connected with It's practice. l. having
no Conscientious scruples against Ii, in
this way have allowed IL: believing II
rs q matter Of right to allow the In.
mates Of the house, the inestimable
privilege Of worshiping their Creator
according to the dictates Of their own
conscience. as well as such privileges
as are regarded as upright ard moral
by the Christian world. do no more
in this respect than would ask under
similar circumstances myself. and In
so doing. cannot see that I had viola.
ted any Christian prccept. nor any
portion Of the regulations which the
society have established. by the rule
laid down In their Book Of Discipline,
pertaining TO the subject. which reads
rs follows. viz: "FriendsTare fervent.
" cxhorted to watch carefully over
the youth. and others Of our society
who may be so inclined. to prevent
them by Adectionats council and
brotherly admonition. from frequent.
ing stage-plays. hono-rscss. music.
dancing. and other vain sports and
amusements. &o."
Now. l believe that this is the only
written regulation that they have had
upon the subject Of muiio Ia their
Book OF DIscIpllns. and I think shey
have placed n construction upon that
language, In my case. which is most
extraordinary and unwarrantable: tha,
1 have "frequented'' music In the 70.
ton there stated. In tho connection
Of "stage-plays. horse-rsces. de-
Any person Of common dlsoerumcnt.
outside Of the soeIo,y. would vi once
decide had not. ifmy previous state.
ment and quotation be true. which
presume Il admitted. that their con.
struction IL forced out OF its Legitimate
meaning. and made 10 apply IN cases
not designed by those who framed the
discipline.
Far DO II from me to criminatc OF
raise up an accusation against this
people, for willfuIly doing wrong The
society Of friends, a. Q society, aim 10
do right: there are members OF the
several divisions Of friends that stand
far above oil suspicion. These acts
and deeds are unimpeachable; this
class would rather lose their right
hand, than 10 do u fellow creature
any injury. OF to deprive any one oI
his Just right; whilst there are some
others that may be a little less scru-
pulous. their seal to defend their pc
culiar views. may run q little faster
than the light by which they profess
TO be- guided. and then they are liable
10 become like Saul Of Tarsus. dispos.
cd 10 do that which they would MOI
otherwise do. after they had received
the true light. of;his. however. they
must Judge. I am about TO be cut of