IT must be evident to every sobe diced mind, that the sentiments of and enlightened persons, on the co ence, and the fatal amusements, of the the most serious and attentive consi to some minds, it is apprehended, th to be solid and awakening reflections If it be true, that many profane, in religious sentiments are to be found dramatic writers, and these sentiments the softest names, and recommende by the most captivating characters an the senses and imagination are so cha elegance of the scenery, the richness the power of the music, the address o ers, and the gaiety and splendour of rounding scene, as to deprive the min flection, and agitate it too much for re fit from moral and rational instructi passionate and fascinating exhibition delicacy of our best feelings, and grac our abhorrence of immoral indulgen frequently break down the ramparts and lov only indispose, but give us a disgust to every position that is not much refined, and especially e Holy Scriptures, and those sober and relis studies and engagements, which form the great es of life, and promote our happiness here and after;-if the persons who attend these places iversion, do neither look for, nor receive, any ous impressions from them, but, on the contrary n find their minds enervated and accompanied na vain and romantic spirit ;-if they occupy, in perusal and exhibition, in the preparation for m, and langour after them, so much of our preis time, as to prevent us from attending to necesy and important concerns; and thus also superuce habits of indolence and dissipation ;-if they und with flattering pictures of the world, and sent, to the youthful mind especially, such highly shed and captivating views of human life and ppiness, as are seldom or never realized; and nce, besides an aversion or indifference to the dinary duties and affairs of mankind, not unfreently produce deep anxiety, disappointment, and scontent, through time;-if it be of importance preserve the principles and manners of the rising neration pure and untainted, to prevent them from eing governed by their imagination and passions, d to encourage in them modesty, humility, moeration, and a reverence for piety and virtue ;-if eligion and goodness must be supported by con ant care and vigilance, and our preservation from vil depends on our avoiding temptations, and pray. ng daily for Divine assistance against it ;—if many great and good men have borne pu against the pernicious tendency of ments; and if numbers of serious and acters of all denominations, have b of the evils connected with them, their duty to avoid and discourage and support of them ;-if Christianity consider ourselves as strangers and p ling towards a better country; and not to love the world, nor to be co vain customs and fashions, but to be t the renewing of our minds, and to ma self-denial against the lust of the fle the eyes, and the pride of life :-if common effects and consequences o tertainments, and truths which cannot troverted, can we hesitate to acknowle are of the highest moment, and that i upon us not to expose our principles the influence of temptations, which dangerous, as they are highly pleasi pected, and seldom opposed? What advantages can they yield us, pensate the loss or hazard of interests All the pleasures, and all the refine their warmest votaries have ever foun indeed a poor recompense for the c travagance, and misery, which they quently sown the seeds of, and produ life. It becomes us then, as rational bein tians, who are called to renounce th this transient, precarious state, and wh manent and better world in view, to a nity of our nature, and to act confor importance of our destination. A few the , a most lamentable abuse of that precious time talent with which we have been intrusted, for great purpose of working out our souls' salvation. hat solemn period, the great business of reli, a pious and virtuous life, dedicated to the love service of God, will appear of inestimable vaand, in the highest degree, worthy of the conand pursuit of reasonable beings. Happy will e for us, if we become wise in time, take up s to all insnaring pleasures, for the few remaindays of our lives, and steadily persevere, under Divine aid, in fulfilling the various duties assignus, and in making suitable returns to the Author ll good, for the unmerited blessings which he h bountifully bestowed upon us. In these exaltemployments we shall experience the noblest asures, and feel no want of empty and injurious ertainments, to occupy our minds, or to fill up - time. In the scenes and productions of nature, in the useful works of art; in the faithful narves of human life, and the descriptions of interng objects; in the endearments of social and mestic intercourse; in acts of charity and benevoce; and in the pleasing reflections of an upright d self-approving mind, we shall perceive also andant sources of innocent refreshment and true eerfulness, as well as the means of enlarging our derstandings and improving our hearts. May those persons, therefore, who have doubts specting the propriety of indulging themselves in eatrical amusements, and indeed, may all who ad these lines, seriously consider the hazard of ch indulgences, and give the subject that attention which its importance demands. M cially who are convinced of their da and tendency, reject with abhorrend tions of appetite and pleasure, and the sonings, which are often adduced in May we never be imposed on by the delusive sentiments, that moral and provement is to be acquired from su tures; and that the literary merit, knowledge of the human heart, which in many parts of dramatic works, wil fatal wounds which innocence, delicac too frequently suffer from these perfo being convinced that depraved natur lect what is most congenial to itself pleasures derived from refined compo exhibitions of taste and elegance, maj at too dear a rate, let us resolutely oppose what we believe to be evil, h be arrayed; and do our utmost to our example and influence, those po tructive engines of dissipation, pro corruption. |