53 
included," said 
" the study of the Fme arts, for 
h es 
we see them applied only to embellish pleasures, 
and to strengthen our inducements to gratify the 
senses at the expense of our immortal claims. 
But, "because we have seen painting put to this 
derogatory use, and have, in consequence, prohi- 
bited the cultivation 
of 
it among 
are we 
S11l'8 
that 
it 
is 
not 
one 
of 
those 
gracious 
which 
gifts 
the World, not to add to the 
bestowed on 
God has 
sensual pleasures of man, but to facilitate his im- 
provement as a social and a moral being? The 
line arts are called the offspring and the emblems 
of peace. The Christian religion itself is the 
doctrine of good will to man. Can those things 
which only prosper in peace be contrary to the 
Christian religion P But, it is said, that the fine 
arts soften and emasculate the mind. In What 
Way? is it by withdrawing those who study them 
from the robust exercises which enable nations and 
people to make war with success P Is it by lessen- 
ing the disposition of mankind to destroy one an- 
other, and by taming the audacity of their animal 
fierceness P Is it for such a reason as this, that We 
who profess to live in unison and friendship, not 
only among ourselves, but with all the w0rld--