It is unnecessary to proceed farther upon this subject.  For the reader must be aware that, while the Quakers hold such sentiments, they can never patronise such songs; and that if those who are taught or allowed to sing, generally lay hold of all the songs that come into their way, that is, promiscuously and without selection.  The Quakers will have a strong ground as a Christian society, or as a society, who hold it necessary to be watchful over their words as well as their actions, for the rejection of vocal music.

SECT.  IV.

The preceding are the arguments of the early Quakers—­new state of music has produced new ones—­instrumental now censurable for a waste of time—­for leading into company—­for its connection with vocal.

The arguments which have hitherto appeared against the admission of music into education, are those which were nearly coeval with the society itself.  The incapability of music to answer moral ends, the sensuality of the gratification, the impediments it might throw in the way of religious retirement, the impurity it might convey to the mind, were in the mouths of the early Quakers.  Music at that time was principally in the hands of those, who made a livelihood of the art.  Those who followed it as an accomplishment, or a recreation, were few and these followed it with moderation.  But since those days, its progress has been immense.  It has traversed the whole kingdom.  It has got into almost all the families of rank and fortune.  Many of the middle classes, in imitation of the higher, have received it; and, as it has undergone a revolution in the extent, so it has undergone another in the object of its practice.  It is learned now, not as a source of occasional recreation, but as a complicated science, where perfection is insisted upon to make it worthy of pursuit.  In this new state therefore of music new arguments have arisen on the part of the Quakers, which I shall now concisely detail.

The Quakers, in the first place, are of opinion, that the learning of music, as it is now learned, cannot be admitted by them as a christian society, because, proficiency being now the object of it, as has been before observed, it would keep them longer employed, than is consistent with people, who are commanded to redeem their time.

They believe also that music in its present state, has an immediate tendency to leading into the company of the world.  In former tunes, when music was followed with moderation, it was esteemed as a companion, or as a friend:  it afforded relaxation after fatigue, and amusement in solitary hours.  It drew a young person to his home, and hindered him from following many of the idle diversions of the times.  But now, or since it has been practised with a new object, it produces a different effect.  It leads into company.  It leads to trials of skill.  It leads to the making up of festive parties.