I am fully aware that these statements have been, and are, and will be disputed. They may be boldly contradicted by some, whose own hearts will convict them of resisting the truth; they may be sophistically evaded by others, who will not hazard a direct denial; they may be charitably doubted by the ignorant and the uninformed; but I feel the fullest assurance that what has now been said will commend itself to the consciences, and obtain the voluntary or involuntary consent of all those, who, by actual experience and personal observation, are qualified to judge and to decide; unless, indeed, the moral sense be lost in them, and they are past feeling, and their conscience is become callous, "seared with a hot iron."

"Evil communication" then constitutes the essential nature and true character of Theatrical Amusements. The Theatre exhibits moral evil— all manner of moral evil; and, moreover, with all those auxiliary contrivances, which are best calculated to give to the exhibition a powerful and permanent effect upon the heart and life. And thus by means of the Theatre, the mind is more fully initiated into the knowledge of evil, and more thoroughly familiarized with vice.

Let us now follow out the principle laid down in the text; and trace the consequences of "evil communications" in the pernicious influence of Theatrical exhibitions upon the moral character and conduct;-"Evil communications corrupt good manners."

The heart of the sons of men, is indeed by nature full of evil. "The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth." Man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil. This is a truth fully established by the Word of God,-by the observation of mankind,-by the uniform testimony of all those who have watched the workings of their own hearts, and especially by the painful experience of those who have been effectually taught of God, and truly turned to him, and who make it their heart's desire and prayer, and purpose, and the daily and diligent endeavour of their lives to have always a conscience void of offence, to keep the heart right with God, and to do his perfect will.

But while the principles of evil and a proneness to sin exist, in all, and in all by nature, and in all equally and alike; yet the developement of these evil principles, and the outward and practical manifestation of this proneness to sin, in the actions and habits of the life, vary according to circumstances. In none, perhaps, does the innate depravity operate to the fullest possible extent. There never probably existed an individual, out of hell, who became as completely wicked and profligate, and depraved, as he might and could have been. Human depravity in all its fearful effects, is only to be seen in that final receptacle of every thing that defileth and worketh abomination, "where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

The malignity of man's inborn depravity, however, may be fearfully increased, and his sinful propensities called forth into fuller act and exercise by the exhibition of moral evil. And the more impressive the exhibition is made, the more sure and fatal the effect. The wrong bias within may be strengthened by outward temptations and enticements; and the hearts of the sons of men be thereby more fully set in them to do evil.Communications of a demoralizing nature and tendency will of necessity operate in producing a more complete corruption of morals, and more vicious excesses, in those who are already of themselves immorally and viciously inclined, and to whom evil is inherent and congenial. The internal principle will gather strength to prevail over external restraints, and to break down every salutary barrier, and add the profligacy of the life to the depravity of the heart. This is what is meant in the text when it is said "Evil communications corrupt good manners.” And this is the direct tendency and practical effect of Theatrical Amusements.

On the Stage sinful passions, and those hurtful lusts which war against the soul, are represented with all the aid of living imitation; and evil sentiments are inculcated with all the advantages which force of expression, or power of utterance can give them. Indelicate állusions are made with look and language which cannot

be forgotten. Wanton and dissolute songs are accompanied with suitable music. Loose maxims and profane jests are thrown out, with the most seductive gaiety, by the votaries of criminal pleasure. All this is heard and seen, and by numbers greedily imbibed. It makes its way directly to the evil heart; and the evil heart responds with congenial and consenting emotions. It clings to the memory with tenacious hold. It recurs again and again to the recollection with pleasurable sensations. It fills the mind with vain and sinful thoughts. It is often present to the imagination, and gives a licentious and polluting tone to many of its future flights and reveries. It furnishes a frequent subject of after conversation, which spreads the moral infection farfar beyond the limits of the place where it was first communicated. And in proportion to the extent of this evil influence, its consequences are felt in private families, and in general society, in a more entire depravation of manners ;—in more open irreligion and profaneness;—in the greater prevalence of immoral and vicious habits;-and in not a few instances, as I can have no doubt, in the more frequent commission of those acts of fraud and robbery which are resorted to as the dernier means of supporting a course of profligate expense and criminal indulgence.

General experience would abundantly confirm these views and statements could its voice be

heard, and its testimony adduced. Such cases have sometimes come to my own knowledge, on the most credible authority; and I doubt not to the knowledge of most persons who have had the opportunity of information and observation. And often have we read in the confessions of those who have forfeited their lives to the violated laws of their country, that the career which thus ended in ruin began at the Theatre, and was encouraged and furthered by its pernicious and corrupting exhibitions, and by the temptations and enticements of evil which they found within its fatal walls. And far oftener have the confessions of the death bed borne their unequivocal and unfeigned testimony to the evil and danger of Theatrical Amusements; and many a warning voice has been heard from the very confines of eternity, from those who had been ensnared in these destructive ways, and whose hearts have been then wrung with remorse at the stinging recollections of these sinful pleasures. But I will bring a conclusive testimony of a different kind.

The following passage is taken from a publication, entitled, "A Rational Enquiry concerning the operation of the Stage on the Morals of Society," "by David M'Nicoll;" and which I cannot mention without recommending it to the serious perusal, and careful consideration of every person who may be disposed to countenance, or be willing to palliate the evils of the Stage. The