They endeavour,
regardless of the question, whether their own cause be a right or a
wrong one, to excite joy at the events, it is their aim frequently to
rouse the soul to the performance of martial exploits, as to exploits
the fullest of human glory. They frequently threaten enemies with new
chastisements, and new victories, and breathe the spirit of revenge. But
the Quakers consider all wars, whether offensive or defensive, as
against the spirit of the christian religion. They cannot contemplate
scenes of victory but with the eye of pity, and the tear of compassion,
for the sufferings of their fellow-creatures, whether countrymen or
enemies, and for the devastation of the human race. They allow no glory
to attach, nor do they give any thing like an honourable reputation, to
the Alexanders, the Caesars, or the heroes either of ancient or modern
date. They cannot therefore approve of songs of this class, because they
conceive them to inculcate sentiments, totally contrary to the mild and
peaceful spirit of the christian religion.
If we were to examine the collection farther, we might pick out other
songs, which might be reckoned of the class of the impure. Among these
will be found ideas, so indelicate, that notwithstanding the gloss,
which wit and humour had put over them, the chaste ear could not but be
offended by their recital.
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