Accordingly we find him protesting publicly against all
such spectacles. In this protest, he was joined by Robert Barclay and
William Penn, two of the greatest men of those times, who in their
respective publications attacked them with great spirit. These
publications shewed the sentiments of the Quakers, as a religious body,
upon this subject. It was understood that no Quaker could be present at
amusements of this sort. And this idea was confirmed by the sentiments
and advices of several of the most religious members, which were
delivered on public occasions. By means of these publications and
advices the subject was kept alive, till it became at length
incorporated into the religious discipline of the Quakers. The theatre
was then specifically forbidden; and an inquiry was annually to be made
from thenceforward, whether any of the members of the society had been
found violating the prohibition.
Since the time of Charles the second, when George Fox entered his
protest against exhibitions of this sort, it must certainly be
confessed, that an alteration has taken place for the better in the
constitution of our plays, and that poison is not diffused into morals,
by means of them, to an equal extent, as at that period. The mischief
has been considerably circumscribed by legal inspection, and, it is to
be hoped, by the improved civilization of the times.
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