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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1785-1837] Romantic Age » Henry Tuke

Henry Tuke

Principles of Religion, Society of Christians, called Quakers

On Amusements

[1805] Henry Tuke, "On Amusements," in The Principles of Religion, As Professed by the Society of Christians, Usually Called Quakers, Written for the Instruction of their Youth, and for the Information of Strangers (London, 1805; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks).

On Amusements

The little benefit, and great injury, which attend most of those enjoyments, that go under the name of amusements, have induced us to bring them into less compass, than the generality of Christians do: not that we are averse to such relaxations from bodily or mental exercise, as become rational beings, and true Christians: but the repugnancy of a great part of those pleasure to religion and virtue; and the avidity with which they are pursued, are causes of sorrow to those who have a heart the real interests, temporal and spiritual, of their fellow creatures.

There are three rules relating to amusements, by which are conduct should be regulated.

1.—To avoid all those which tend needlessly to oppress and injure any part of the animal creation. Of this class are cock-fighting and horse-racing: also hunting, &c. when engaged in for diversion and pleasure.

2.—To abstain from such as are connected with a spirit of hazardous enterprise; by which the property and temporal happiness of individuals and families, are often made to depend on the most precarious circumstance; and the gain of one, frequently entails miserly on many. Of this class are all games in which property is staked.

3.—To avoid such as expose us to unnecessary temptations, with respect to our virtue; or, which dissipate the mind, so as to render a return to civil and religious duties ungrateful. Of this kind, stage entertainments are peculiarly to be avoided, with various other places of public amusement, which have a tendency to corrupt the heart, or to alienate it from the love and fear of God."