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portant objection urged against the Theatre, in the different authorities I have proposed to notice, I shall conclude by a few general observations on extreme or intolerant doctrines; and as, in doing so, I shall avail myself of more impressive words than my own, I strongly recommend them to the consideration of our reverend opponents.

DR. VAN MILDERT, Bishop of Durham, after pointing out the crime of excess in any indulgence, says, "If, on the other hand, in our intercourse with society, and in our participation of its various modes and customs, its diversity of recreations and lighter pursuits, calculated rather to embellish and enliven social life, than to render it substantially beneficial and improving, we so far keep clear of its corruptions as not to conform to any maxims or practices in opposition to the known rule of Christian conduct;-if we allow no pleasure by that rule forbidden, nor suffer pleasure of any kind, forbidden or not forbidden, to gain the ascendancy over us; then need we not disquiet ourselves with distressing and painful scruples, with fears grounded on our falling short of unattainable perfection, or with vain and presumptuous attempts to render ourselves more acceptable to God, by habits incompatible with our condition as men.'

DR. BLAIR, in his sermon " On Extremes in religious and moral Conduct," says, "We must next

*Sermons by W. Van Mildert, D. D., now Bishop of Durham, vol. ii. sermon 20, › P. 415.

guard against either too great severity, or too great facility of manners. He who leans to the side of severity, is harsh in his censures and narrow in his opinions. He cannot condescend to others in things indifferent. He has no allowance to make for human frailty; or for the difference of age, rank, or temper, among mankind. With him, all gaiety is sinful levity; and every amusement is a crime. To this extreme the admonition of Solomon may be understood to belong: be not righteous over-much; neither make thyself over wise. Why shouldest thou destroy thyself? When the severity of manners is hypocritical, and assumed as a cloak to secret indulgence, it is one of the worst prostitutions of religion."*

Moderation in all things is more compatible with the condition of man and his relative duties, more suited to his nature and attributes, than any extreme whatever. This doctrine, as applied to the affairs of human life, breathes through every line and precept of Christianity, which forms in its true exercise the most social and indulgent code ever promulgated for the happiness of the world. The severe opinions now disseminating, the harsh reprobation of every gay pursuit or cheerful employment, the constant demand for unintermitted devotion, the attempt to mysticize what in itself is simple and intelligible; all these proceedings tend

* Blair's Sermons, vol. ii. sermon 47, pp. 332-3.

to check the progress of active virtue, to stop the current of practical benevolence, to elevate fanaticism and superstition to the throne of reason, and to reduce the business of this life exclusively to prayer and religious speculation.

"If opinions of this kind," to use the words of an eloquent divine,* " once come to prevail amongst us; like an unkindly damp, they must chill all the powers of the mind. Farewell, then, all efforts of genius, all generous emulation in the race of glory! farewell all thirst of knowledge, all culture of polite literature or useful science, all that can adorn or improve the mind, farewell; and welcome, in their stead, monkish ignorance and barbarism! The mind, abandoned to the guidance of a fancied inspiration, runs into all the wilds of enthusiasm: there, all neglected and melancholy, it wanders, haunted by dark and gloomy visions; deserted by itself, and lost to every thing that is rational, manly, and truly noble. All human learning will be reckoned profane and heathenish, and will be supposed to vitiate and debauch the mind, instead of improving it. Reason itself will be regarded with a jealous eye, as the rival of true religion : and Learning, that sacred pledge of faith, will be considered as a vain idol, and all our studies idolatry."

* The Rev. John Rotheram, M. A. Essay on Faith.

THE END.

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