III _Vocal music forbidden--singing in itself no more immoral than reading -- but as vocal music articulates ideas, it may convey poison to the mind -- some ideas in songs contrary to Quaker notions of morality--as in hunting songs--or in baccanalian--or in martial--youth make no selection -- but learn off that fall in their way._ It is an observation of Lactantius, that the "pleasures we receive through the organ of the ears, may be as injurious as those we receive, through the organ of the eyes." He does not, however, consider the effect of instrumental music as much to be regarded, "because sounds, which proceed from air, are soon gone, and they give birth to no sentiments that can be recorded.

Songs, on the other hand, or sounds from the voice, may have an injurious influence on the mind." The Quakers, in their view of this subject, make the same distinction as this ancient father of the church.

They have a stronger objection, if it be possible, to vocal, than to instrumental music.

Instrumental music, though it is considered to be productive of sensual delight, is yet considered as incapable, on account of its inability to articulate, or its inability to express complex ideas, of conveying either unjust or impure sentiments to the mind.

Vocal, on the other hand, is capable of conveying to it poison of this sort.