"As to the _reading of plays_, or any part of them, to your young people, I must own, it does not appear to me to be expedient; it may be productive of bad consequences, and the _good_ arising from it is, at most, uncertain. It is, no doubt, very desirable to enlarge young people's minds and improve their taste as well as their persons; but such is the state of things in this world, that to attain this to the degree wished for by every person of refined taste, some things must be sacrificed of much greater value: for example, a girl cannot acquire the smart, polished air of a person of fashion, without imbibing too much of the spirit of the world. _Vanity_ and _emulation_ must be awakened and cultivated in the heart, before she will apply herself with diligence to outward accomplishments; nor can her mind and taste be much improved in _polite_ literature, without losing its relish for simple truth. I grant you, there are a few Christians in the world who have acquired the outward accomplishments of it, and have, by grace, been enabled to turn these to good account--who, like the Israelites, having spoiled the Egyptians, have made use of _their_ jewels in adorning the tabernacle; but this can never serve as an argument on your side of the question. If the Lord sees fit to manifest his power and grace by plucking a brand from the burning, this is no reason why children should be initiated into the ways of sin and folly, in hopes that some time or other he will bring them out. We are never to do evil that good may come; and this brings the question to a short issue. "Do you think it lawful for Christians to attend public places, or to spend their time in reading plays? Do you think these things tend, either immediately or remotely, to promote the glory of God? If you do not, I cannot see how you, _as a Christian_, can have any hand in introducing young ladies to the one or in giving them a taste for the other. "This, dear madam, is _my_ view of the matter; but I do not wish _you_ to walk by _my_ light. I believe all the children of God are _taught by him_, and ought to follow the dictates of their own consciences: I therefore pretend not _to advise_ you, but shall endeavor to _pray_ that the great _unerring_ Counsellor may give you divine wisdom to be your teacher, to lead you into all truth, and to keep you from every thing inconsistent with his holy will. "I have met with so many interruptions since I began this letter, that I fear that it is hardly intelligible. I shall be sorry if I have said any thing that gives you uneasiness; your spirits seem low, and your business does not succeed so well as could be wished: perhaps I ought to have employed my pen in the way of consolation and encouragement, than by throwing in fresh matter of perplexity. Sure I am, I do not _mean_ to add affliction to the afflicted; but rather have been impelled, from a regard to truth, to write my real sentiments, as you desired.