of devotion, however splendid, will not in the divine sight.

When love to God, and love and g wards men, have been early impressed doctrines of christianity, and the mi taught to approve itself, by its consciou ing performed its duty: young people life to act for themselves, who have in principles, will not commonly, it is a deviate widely from rectitude of condu

May parents, therefore, not suffer t son, when the hearts of their children and their love ardent, to pass by, witho by example and precept, those principl their happiness in time and eternity dep

In closing these hints, permit me whatever may be the event of a pious the child, it is very important to parent quitted themselves of the incumbent duty their child in the way he should go." though mourning over a prodigal child to the Searcher of hearts, for having to the best of their knowledge, to lead path of rectitude, must have feelings a widely different from those parents, who lamenting the evil course of their o their own neglected duty of seasonable struction, greatly increasing the bitter

sorrows.

Introduction.

IN this age of extreme refinement and pleasurable ursuits, it appears to be almost hopeless, and may, by ome, be deemed presumptuous, to attempt to draw the public attention to any strictures, or to the sentiments of any persons whatever, against the favourite and much Frequented Entertainments of the Stage.-But, as we ive in times of free inquiry, and when candid examinaions of all opinions, decently advanced, are recommended, perhaps the following sentiments of several great and good characters, on the dangerous nature and tendency of Dramatic Amusements, may be perused with some degree of patience and attention. As, from the weakness of the human mind, its attachment to ancient opinion, and reverence for authority, there is wisdom in freely investigating some long established notions; and the result has often been a dissipation of error, and an establishment of truth; so it is of equal, if not of superior importance, to examine, with impartiality and care, many f our modes of practice, and established indulgences in ife.

There is the greater necessity for thi conduct, because action, more than speculat character; and because our passions, d love of the world, peculiarly dispose us to c to pernicious and pleasurable habits, supp authority and practice of numbers around

Encouraged by these considerations, the ventured to introduce the sentiments and te few virtuous characters, against some indu at present meet with too general approbatic ject is far from being here largely disc only of the most interesting views of it are before the reader; yet, it is presumed that lineated, they are of such importance as to serious attention. To such an examina readily submitted; under a hope that, if their propriety should be the result, no former conduct, or present pleasure, will against the dictates of conscience, and mind, which is, beyond all comparison, a ment than the most refined amusements of t bestow.