A LETTER ΤΟ A YOUNG CLERGYMAN ON THE SUBJECT OF FASHIONABLE AMUSEMENTS. PRIVATE IMPRESSION. DUBLIN.- MDCCCVIII. REPRINTED. LONDON.MDCCCXXX. 267 A LETTER, &c. MY DEAR SIR, Cashel, Feb. 8, 1808. I CANNOT remove from this place, without taking leave of you on paper, though prevented from doing so in person; particularly, as I have matters to talk about, of no slight importance, and which have occasioned me no little thought. It has given me deep concern, that you were present at Mrs.'s ball. I had indulged expectations, too sanguine, as the event proves, that you possessed sufficient steadiness and resolution, to act upon, what, I know, must be your inward conviction, respecting the common amusements of the world. The utter incompatibility of such tumultuous gaieties, with Christian seriousness, you should be, at least, as well aware of, as I can possibly be. For such scenes, you can have no relish; they must be to you as a strange and unnatural element. Why, then, should you sanction them, by your presence? Why should you, thus, do violence to your principles, and your feelings? And why, thus, contradict, by your practice, without even the shadow of rational inducement, the general tenour of your doctrine from the pulpit? Perhaps, my dear Sir, you have never distinctly adverted to the fact, that what constituted the essential guilt of idolatry, in the earlier periods of the world, is fully implied, in attachment to the amusements of the present day. The grossest idolatry, did not, more effectually, defraud the one true God, of the worship that was due to Him, as a providential and moral governor, than attachment to such amusements, precludes devotedness of heart to the same gracious being, as the source and centre of all true happiness. This will appear, upon very brief consideration. That natural thirst after some undefined good, that irksomeness of life, that craving void of soul, under which half the world is labouring, are all so many indications, that something is wanting, which the world cannot give; are all kindly meant, to impel us to the blessed fountain of goodness, of enjoyment, of full and complete bliss. On the other hand, can it be doubted, that diversions are the chief engines of a diabolical counter-scheme, by which, people are enabled, at least for a time, to get rid of themselves; and are, thus, kept from earnestly, and devotedly, betaking themselves to God, as their light, their life, and the very joy of their heart? Now, if these things be so, it inevitably follows, that common amusements contain the very essence of spiritual idolatry; and, for my own part, I have no doubt, that the great enemy can hardly be more deeply gratified, or the interests of his dark kingdom more essentially promoted, than when souls capable of God, are seduced to prop up a frail and feverish being,' by those wretched shifts, and expedients, which are miscalled the innocent pleasures of life. And, Observe, that I presume not, in this matter, to judge the mass of society. Before a far different tribunal, it must stand or fall. Great multitudes unquestionably err, through ignorance. as God mercifully winked at the gross idolatry of the Gentiles, it is highly probable, that He now winks at the subtler idolatry of mere professing, or of imperfectly informed Christians. is, however, a most instructive fact, that, against the idolatry of His own people, of those who had been taught to know, and trained to adore Him, His denunciations and inflictions were tremendously severe. A most instructive fact: for it follows, by inevitable consequence, that It |