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SPECIAL PUBLIC EVILS.

[Part VI.

6. We may read in this transaction still another instructivelesson. We see a man adorned with every natural and acquiredaccomplishment which can well be ascribed to human nature, ac-knowledging that he is held to a particular line of conduct bythe supreme consideration of his religion, his morals, and the lawof his country, and yet writhing and struggling to determine howhe shall conduct himself on an occasion of no very extraordinaryemergency. A spell seems to be thrown around him, he seemsto be deprived of his vigorous sense, and of his strong and manlyreason, as if by the touch of enchantment. In deed and intruth, the lion seems fast bound in the meshes of the spider’sweb. How instantly would the decisions of his conscience, ifhe had been willing to be counselled by its Divine guidance,have swept away the flimsy sophistry of public opinion, or “ pub-lic prejudice,” as he more justly calls it, to which he appealsin extenuation, if not in justification of his conduct.

CHAPTER VI.

THEATRICAL AMUSEMENTS.

In thus ranking theatrical entertainments among the publicevils,* of which it is proper for a writer on morals to take notice, Ibegin, by saying, that I do not condemn the reading of the standard

* A resolution of the Revolutionary Congress, passed the 12th of October,1778, says, “ Whereas true religion and good morals are the only solid foun-dations of public liberty and happiness, — Resolved, that it be, and it hereby is,earnestly recommended to the several States, to take the most effectual meas-ures for the encouragement thereof, and for the suppressing of theatrical enter-tainments, horse-racing, gaming, and such other diversions as are productiveof idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of manners.” Again, on the16th of October, they say, “ Whereas frequenting play-houses and theatricalentertainments has a fatal tendency to divert the minds of the people from adue attention to the means necessary for the defence of their country, and thepreservation of their liberties; Resolved, that any person holding an office underthe United States, who shall act, promote , encourage , or attend such plays , shallbe deemed unworthy to hold such office, and shall be accordingly dismissed.”