The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-12-18
For the p. C. Advertiser

For the P. c. Advertiser.
Mr.. EDITOR There are individuals in this place
among the professed followers, of Him who said ssbe
not conformed to this world, - who feel that the church
give some occasion for the reproachful taunts that
have been thrown out against its members, eg s'Do
they pray first or romp frst.' But they are not the
"class'' who are found at places Of fashionable resort,
where g dancing is the signal for them to rise at once
and depart, . thus, in eject, saying that folly we
subscribe to-this we don't.
1t has been said sc the young must have amuse-
ment.' Were the gentlemen and ladies, instead of
sc talking collars and hoped skirts-thew weather and
rate of whalers' exchange, &C., - to engage in intelli-
gent conversation, would not the young find ample en-
tertainment, even only as respectful listeners? Can
there not be something ~effectual done to advance the
social improvement and enjoyment of the young (?
Surely there must be talent enough among the gentle
men and ladies of this place to devise and prosecute
perseveringly some plan that shall combine instruc-
ton and that shall awaken
among our youth a desire for general Information, In
the qualification of which their minds will improve
their social feelings and the talent of conversation be
cultivated, and thereby that enaui, so much dreaded,
be better avoided than by a resort to idle chit chat or
improbable amusements.
On the subject of amusements, which has been
brought SO prominently before the public of late, if
we cannot listen with patience to a thought from the
pen of the living, perhaps we can to a few pointed
questions and stirring thoughts from lips now sealed
in death. They were uttered by q young lady a few
days before her departure to the esprit land,'' at
the early age Of seventeen. She had developed a high
order of talent. In her earliest years she exhibited a
strong repugnancet to popular amusements and turned
with disgust from the dancing school. In after years
she was reluctantly drawn into places of amusement,
but previous to her last illness and while yet in health,
she took o decided stand against them all, and conse-
Grated her entire being to the service of her Creator.
Five days after her illness commenced she earnestly
desired to know that she was accepted of God, and
engaged in mighty prayer, like Jacob of old, until she
prevailed, when the Holy Spirit took possession of
her soul, and
"Her tongue broke out in unknown strains,
And sung surprising grace"
To an expression of surprise at the extraordinary
powers which she exhibited, she replied: s My mental
powers are exceedingly enlarged the Holy Spirit is
my teacher of myself could do nothing ; but a new
tongue hath been given me, and a new spirit put
within me. Give God the praise for he hath said
6 Out of the mouths of babes and Stockings I will
perfect praise
In speaking on the subject of worldly amusements
to some friends, she said, Let no person endowed
with rational powers call them innocent Or harmless.
How can that be innocent which leads to a prodigal
waste Of precious time? How can that thing be
called harmless which leads to an unnecessary ex-
posture of health , How can that amusement be inno-
cent which has not the glory of God for its object?
How can that amusement be harmless which has a
direct tendency to unfit the mind for devotional ex-
ercises? We are such frail creatures that we con-
stantly require some excitement to lead us to God,
and not to estrange US from him. Will any venture
to say that they have been brought to love the Lord
Jesus better by having attended a theater or a ball
room ? l can say that L never derived solid improve
ment or real pleasure from either. From neither of
them have l ever derived any thing that could afford
my mind the least satisfaction in hours devoted to
nor any thing to strengthen the soul
against the terrors of death and Judgment. CONSIDER
them worse than vanity they are exceedingly SIN
full" DIseIpnr