As far as the
curiosity, which is natural to man, would instigate him to look into
things forbidden, which he could not always do in the particular
situation of the Quakers, without the admission of intrigue, or
hypocrisy, or deceit, prohibitions would be to be considered as evils,
though they would always be necessary evils. But the Quakers would
apprehend that the same number of youth would not be lost by passing
through the ordeal of prohibitory education, as through the ordeal of
the system, which attempts to fill the mind with virtue, by inuring it
to scenes, which may be dangerous to its morality; for if tastes are to
be cultivated, and knowledge to be had, by adopting the amusements
prohibited by the Quakers, many would be lost, though some might be
advanced to virtue. For parents cannot always accompany their children
to such places, nor, if they could, can they prevent these from
fascinating. If these should fascinate, they will suggest repetitions.
But frequent repetitions, where you accustom youth to see, to hear, and
to think, what ought never to be heard, seen, or thought of by
Christians, cannot but have the effect of tinging the character in time.
This mode of education would be considered by the Quakers as answering
to that of "dear bought experience.
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