University of Virginia Library

“The well known candour of your disposition,
and your apparent zeal for the promotion
of religion and virtue, embolden us to flatter
ourselves, that you will pardon this method of
conveying to you our sincere and united thanks
for your very seasonable, judicious, and useful
discourse, delivered last Sunday morning, at our
meeting.

“It is much to be lamented, that the depravity
of the age is such, as to render sermons of this
nature just and necessary; and it is almost matter
of equal regret, that we have so seldom opportunities
of being benefited by them.

“That we oftener hear than receive instruction,
is a truth which can neither be denied, nor
evaded; and can only be accounted for, by that

passionate fondness for pleasure, which prevails
to such a degree of enthusiasm, as to precipitate
its votaries into whatever presents itself under
this deluding aspect, without considering whether
it be durable, or fleeting.

“It is certainly a most humiliating reflection,
that our sex (which is the female) should ever take
more pains to gain the qualifications of agreeable
triflers than of rational friends; or be more
anxious to become amufing, than useful companions.
But, Sir, does not such conduct in ladies
too often receive the most flattering encouragement
from the gentlemen? How seldom
is intrinsic merit distinguished; and the serious,
prudent female preserred, even by those who
style themselves men of sense and penetration,
to the airy flaunting coquette!

“The constant attention which is paid to those
who make the gayest appearance, and the applause
which is lavished upon her who has the
largest portion of external graces and fashionable
embellishments, induce many who entertain the
good-natured desire of pleasing, to bestow more
of their time and care on the cultivation of those
supersicial accomplishments, which they find
necessary to render them acceptable to most circles
into which they fall, than upon the acquisition
of those substantial virtues, which they daily see
neglected and ridiculed; though, at the same
time, perhaps, they are convinced of the superior
satisfaction which the latter would afford.

“But it is needless for one sex to criminate the
other. We allow, that, generally speaking, they
are equally to blame. In this instance, however,
as the male assume the prerogative of superior
judgment and intellectual abilities, they ought
to prove the justice of their claim by setting nobler
examples, and by endeavouring to reform
whatever tends to vitiate the taste and corrupt
the morals of society.

“Yet, after all, the evil cannot be effectually
remedied, but by the concurrent exertions of both:
and we are humbly of opinion, that if this reformation
were more frequently inculcated from the
pulpit, in the delicate, engaging, and pious manner
of the discourse which now excites our gratitude
to you, and our resolutions to conduct accordingly,
it would be efficacious in bringing
about so desirable an event.

“We entreat your pardon, Reverend Sir, for
the freedom, prolixity, and errors of this epistle.

“Though personally unknown to you, we
doubt not you will readily grant it, when we assure
you, that we are actuated by a sincere regard to the
interests of religion and morality, and by a grateful
sense of your exertions in the glorious cause.

“The united sentiments of a number of young
ladies, who heard and admired your sermon, last
Sunday morning, are expressed above.