Henry Tuke, in his " Principles of Religion," chap. 9, says; "There are three rules relating to amusements, by which our conduct should be regulated. "1. To avoid all those which tend needlessly to oppress and injure any part of the animal creation. Of this class are cock-fighting and horse-racing: also hunting, &c. when engaged in for diversion and pleasure. "2. To abstain from such as are connected with a spirit of hazardous enterprise; by which the property and temporal happiness of individuals and families, are often made to depend on the most precarious circumstances; and the gain of one frequently entails misery on many. Of this class are all games in which property is staked. "3.-To avoid such as expose us to unnecessary temptations, with respect to our virtue; or which dissipate the mind, so as to render a return to civil and religious duties ungrateful. Of this kind, stage enter tainments are peculiarly to be avoided, with various other places of public amusement, which have a tendency to corrupt the heart, or to alienate it from the love and fear of God." The two first species of Amusements, mentioned in the first description, are so generally acknowledged by the different religious societies, to be immoral, and even reproachful, that it seems unnecessary to say much, to prove their inconsistency with the Christian character. The practice of hunting, however, does not appear to have excited so much attention, or drawn forth such a concurrent sentiment against it. So far as this practice is pursued for amusement, it cannot bear the test of cool examination. The brute creation, however we may be elevated above them, have their rights, as well as we. He who created us, and endued us with exalted faculties, and capacities for superior enjoyments, created them also, and gave them the capacities of enjoyment which they possess. And though He has given us power over them, that our wants might be supplied, and our happiness promoted, He never could have designed that they should be sacrificed to our depraved passions. There certainly is something very revolting to our best feelings, to think of deriving amusement and gratification from the agonies and death of animated beings. And though this idea may be disclaimed, yet it is extremely difficult to divest the amusement of hunting of this character. There are many circumstances connected with it, which have a powerful and fascinating effect on the youthful mind; but cruelty and a violation of the rights of the animal creation are inseparably connected with it. "We clearly rank the practice of hunting and shooting for diversion, with vain sports; and we believe the awakened mind may see, that even the leisure of those whom Providence hath permitted to have a competence of worldly goods, is but ill filled up with these amusements. Therefore, being not only accountable for our substance, but also for our time, let our leisure be employed in serving our neighbour, and not in distressing the creatures of God for our amusement." London Book of Extracts, p. 25. Cruelty to the brute creation, though not in connexion with motives of amusement, is clearly incompatible with Christian feelings. Several cases have recently occurred in the United States, in which cruelty to brutes has The demoralizing effects of gaming are so generally admitted by the various denominations of Christians, that it will not be necessary to say much in proof of its pernicious tendency. The beginnings of vice are often clothed with specious pretences; and imaginary barriers are set up against unrestrained indulgence: but these very restrictions, which the adventurers in dissipation propose to themselves, increase the danger. For, by this delusive idea, they are armed against the dread of consequences, until the taste for such indulgences becomes not only confirmed, but too powerful for their resolutions: and thus they become the victims of an ungovernable infatuation. How many of those miserable beings who crowd our penitentiaries, and furnish the awful spectacles of public executions, date the commencement of their wicked and unhappy career, at the period when they first sat down as partners at the gaming table! The pernicious consequences of gaming, have been frequently described in the strongest terms, and illustrated by the most strik, ing examples. been adjudged to be a violation of the civil law. It must ever be revolting to the benevolent mind, to see animals which are employed in our service, and contribute to our comfort and advantage, made the victims of passion, of avarice, or of wanton cruelty. "A man of kindness to his beast is kind; But brutal actions show a brutal mind. Remember, He who made thee, made the brute! Beholds thy cruelty;-He hears his cry. “The amusements of Dancing and Music we think also come within this class. It may be alleged, that these might be practised in such a manner as not to accord with the description given. Our Society, however, thinks it right to abstain from those amusements; both because of their frequent connexion with places and circumstances which are highly objectionable, and because we conceive they can scarcely be entered into, without an improper employment of that time which we are required not to waste, but to pass in fear, and to redeem." Tuke's Principles, pp. 151, 152. "John Thirlwell, in a pamphlet reprobating some of the favourite dramas of the London theatres, says; 'They are calculated to corrupt the morals, and instil the most dangerous and criminal maxims. Did we wish to root up every religious and moral principle of the heart; did we wish our children to become familiar with crime to blunt and deaden those delicate sensibilities which shrink at the touch of vice; did we wish to harden them to scenes of blasphemy, cruelty, and revenge; we would invite them to the sight of the most popular plays which are now performed on our stage; we would send them for instruction to those schools, where, by the most subtle and malicious contrivance, vice is decked out in the air of virtue, and the deluded youth is seduced to the road of ruin, while he believes that he indulges in the noblest feelings of his nature; where the casual act of generosity is applauded, whilst obvious and commanded duties are trampled on; and a fit of charity is made the sponge of every sin, and the substitute of every virtue." "Burder's Lecture. When we consider the shortness and uncertainty of time, and the momentous concerns of eternity, to which we are rapidly approaching, we shall reasonably conclude that we have ample employment for the little time we have. The idea that religion is all gloomy and melancholy in its features and feelings, is intimately connected with the thirst for amusement and recreation. Hence, while the latter are desired with increasing avidity, the former is shunned as something incompatible with happiness in this life. And even some who believe in the necessity of religion, consider that the fashionable amusements and recreations of the world, are still necessary to give sprightliness and variety to religious enjoyments. These ideas have been extremely prejudicial to the real happiness and religious improvement of mankind. Although it has been expressly declared, that we "cannot serve two masters," thousands are pursuing a course of reasoning and practice, as if the thing were still practicable. But the result still proves the declaration of our Lord-they "hold to the one and despise the other." Matt. vi. 24. It is true that religion casts a shade over the vanities of the world, and exhibits vice in all its disgusting deformity. It represents this life, with all its enjoyments, as transitory and precarious. It does more.-It shows the insignificance of pride, and humbles the mind under a sense of its own weakness and unworthiness, and the awful responsibility in which it is placed. But this is only a small portion of the views it unfolds. The renovated mind "is introduced into a field of observation, which, like its Divine author, is altogether unlimited." The wisdom, power, and goodness of God, afford an in |