, and where it lies, and the
extent (if he will only look at the historical instances cited) to which
it may proceed, and its infallible prevention or its cure.

[Footnote 56: This argument is usually applied to grown up people, but
may be applicable to youth, when we consider the ingenious inventions of
modern times, such as maps of dissected geography, historical and other
games, which, while they afford pleasure, promote improvement.]

The next subject which offers itself to our view, is music, and this
comes before us in two forms, either as it is instrumental or vocal.

With respect to instrumental, it is no where insisted upon that its
origin is evil, or that it is not productive of a natural delight, or
that it does not soothe and tranquilize the passions, or that it may not
be innocently used, or that it may not be made, under limitations, a
cheerful companion in solitude. But it is urged against it, that it does
not tend, like many other studies, to the improvement of the mind; that
it affords no solid ground of comfort either in solitude or affliction;
that it is a sensual gratification; and that sensual gratifications, if
indulged in leisure hours, take up the time which should be devoted to
those of a higher nature, that is, intellectual and moral pursuits. It
is urged against it again, that, if abused, it is chargeable with a
criminal waste of time, and a criminal impairing of health; that this
abuse, in consequence of proficiency being insisted upon (without which
it ceases to be delightful) is at the present day almost inseparable
from its use; and that where the abuse of a thing, either in consequence
of fashion, or its own seductive nature, or any other cause, is either
necessarily or very generally connected with the use of it, watchfulness
to avoid it is as much a duty in Christian morals, as it is a duty
against the common dangers of life.

On vocal again we observe a proper distinction attempted. We find, that
the singing is no more criminal than the reading of a song, being but
another mode of expressing it, and that, the morality of it therefore
will depend upon the words and sentiments it contains. If these are
indelicate, or unchaste, or hold out false and corruptive ideas, as has
been shewn to be the case with a variety of songs, then singing may from
an innocent become a vicious amusement. But it has been observed, that
youth seldom make any discrimination or selection with respect to songs,