others to a danger of moral contamination. If any kind of food were found, by frequent experiments, to be generally, if not universally injurious to the human constitution, it would be my duty and interest to avoid that species of aliment, even though the whole college of physicians had declared that they could discover no unwholesome properties in it. MRS. DORMER. Whatever may be said about balls and assemblies, the same objections cannot be raised against a quiet and friendly GAME OF CARDS. MISS NEWMAN. Not exactly the same in all respects; but I apprehend that others, equally cogent, may without difficulty be started. In the mere act of shuffling, cutting, and distributing a set of square papers, differently spotted and distinguished, there is certainly no moral evil. 1 But 1 How much more rational would be the introduction In the is there no contrariety in it to the precept which we have received to redeem the time? desire of winning, is there no breach of the commandment not to covet any thing that is our neighbours'? 2 From the success of a game, won by superior skill, is there no danger of the mind's being inflated with pride, while the less of a book, or a philosophical apparatus, at our social meetings; if among persons called Christians, or persons of any liberal education, conversation can be supposed to fail of affording profit and amusement. "Where is that thrift, that avarice of TIME, (O glorious avarice!) thought of death inspires, O Time! than gold more sacred; more a load Fast binds, and vengeance claims the full arrear." 2 See note I. in Appendix. Young, 1 skilful or less fortunate opponent is subjected to irritation by a mortification of his vanity? The interest in the game, necessary to render it an amusement, and the fondness which is too generally discovered for it, will afford proof that these questions are not futile, nor the dangers to which they relate chimerical. Is there no temptation to emulation, wrath, or strife, the proscribed works of the flesh, in a game of cards? Let the countenances of its amateurs, while engaged in what is frequently by a misnomer called amusement, answer the question. Can it conduce to the improvement either of the body or mind? Is there nothing degrading to the character of one who professes to have his treasure in heaven, and his heart there also, as every Christian does, in such an employment of time and talents? Above all, is there any man living who would consent to be arrested by death, at an unexpected and unguarded hour, with the cards in his hands? 2 1 Gal. v. 20. James iii. 14—16. Where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 2 See note K. in Appendix. MRS. DORMER. But unless the evil consequences which you have described as resulting from the practices of dancing and playing cards are necessarily produced by them, your argument against them will not be conclusive. MISS NEWMAN. I cannot, my dear Mrs. Dormer, allow the truth of your inference for it is to be observed that, in our examination of the lawfulness of dancing and card-playing (with which many other vain amusements may be connected as implicating the same kind of guilt), we reason on the axiom that man is a fallen and corrupted creature; that in his natural or unconverted state, EVERY imagination of the thoughts of his heart is ONLY evil CONTINUALLY;' and that This infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated, whereby the lust of the flesh 1 Gen. vi. 5. is not subject to the law of God; and that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.1 From hence it appears that the seed of every vile affection is in the heart of every one; which needs only to be watered by temptation, in order to occasion the production of its baneful fruits. That man has no proper acquaintance with his own heart, nor with the doctrines of the Bible, who does not know by painful experience that his fallen heart is as inflammable as tinder, when it is brought into contact with the weakest spark of temptation. And, if this be admitted, the unlawfulness of those scenes of vanity which have been mentioned, will be incontrovertible; for to run needlessly into temptation (and there can be no necessary call to visit the ball-room or the card-table) is directly contrary to the gracious command of our blessed Lord, Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; 2 and to that of St. Paul, See that ye walk circumspectly or warily. The people of the world, indeed, are like persons 1 IXth Article of the Church of England. 3 Eph. v. 15. |