New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-07-08
THE TRIBUNE E..
mr.. Reecher's ScrMon in the fremont
Theatre.

3l3cOtrc,
Correspondence of The Tribune
Bosrox July G, 1913
The public ear is already familiar with Inc i"c'
.bo, the fremont Theatre was a short time since
sold to the First Free Baptist Church. by "iio'' |,
is TO be fitted up and used hereafter as mouse u
,yorsh;n. AS this was the finest Theatre IN tlc
Ifn;ted States. and was moreover the thrd polio-
ING of its class in this city winch had undergone
similar Transformation within lc" years, u'e c-
constance naturally excited good deaI Of interest,"
hero and elsewhere Ofcoursc, the owners sofa tie
hu;Id;no only because il had become Improbable
n them and from CONVICTION that ITS future use
&C T,,catrc was not Likely TO afford any pecuniary
advantage. in such circumstances, II was quite
natur;l that those who regard the Theatre only
,.;+b adherence, as an institution which TENTS 10
corrun, the public morals. should show some signs
of eyuI,ation. and signalizc what they considered
. trinmDb of Virtue and Religion over Vice and
Denravity. in a manner which would challenge
public attention. Immediately after the building
passed into the hands Of ITS ne" propllctorS, the
Learned Blacksmith ELlHu BrRnITT, Of NoT
cester.l was employed to deliver within It's walls
Course of Lectures. II was expected that the
sale of tickets would dclray expenses and y!cid an
income which would materially aid III making the
repairs necessary TO render 1t suitable place tcr
public worship. The Lectures, though worthy Of
an audience as numerous as the friends OF the en-
terprise could have hoped TO bring together, were
but poorly attended. 4 ew DAYS since, it was
announced that the Rev. LYMAN BEEcHEH, d. y.
of Cincinnati, formerly OF this city would preach
the first Sermon on the stage OF the lrcTont, and
that the public would be admitted free Of charge.
The fame of the Preacher and the novely Of the
scene it was supposed would draw full house;
and tic result has more than realized the eXpecta-
tons Of the managers. Al an early hour last eve
ming the house was packed from Pit 10 Gallery by
an audience such as no theatrical Star ever en-
ced within its walls. The pulpit was placed on
The front of the stage, the audience completely
filing up the rear. The passages around the
Boxes were also throngcd with people intent
upon seeing as much of the novel sight as posi-
bic. while hundrcds-perhaps tfousands-sought
in vain for an entrance on any terms. The scene
was one of great subimty and thrilling interest.
After singing and prayer DR.. BEEcuER rose
and announced for his text the following words of
the Apostle Paul: "Loycrs of pleasure more than
lovers OF God" could give you but poor re-
port oflis sermon, for my position was such that
| could not take notes. 1t was bold and pow
erful expose of the evils Of theatrical amuscmcnts
IN all ages. ""d in some parts eXceedlngi y clio.
onent The Doctor was evidently IN fine epirits,
and although time has impaired his powers in
some degree since he left New England, his per-
formance was not unworthy the day when he
stood conftssedly at the head of the preachers Of
his denomination in this City. Never have seen
an audience listen with more profound and solemn
attention. He maintained that the Theatre had
always been and was still, a school of vice and
immortality; and this position he fortified by the
testimony Of PLATz, ROUSSEAU, and other writers
ofpast times and finally by that Of the late DR..
CnAyNlNc. The common arguments by which
Theatres are defended were answered III the Dr.s
peculiar style of logic and sarcasm.
1t is curious coincidence that DR.. Beccher,
while in THIS city more than ten years ago, uttered
public prediction that at some future time the
fremont Theatre would be transformed INTO
Church. and that he should live to preach IN II.
Abiding to this prediction in his sermon last
night, the Doctor said, am not more certain of
It's fulfIment now than | at the time |
made It"
On the conclusion of the Discourse, Deacon
Grant came forward aud moved the appointment
of Committee to request copy for the press.
The motion was adopted by acc!amation. \ con-
tribu,ion was taken to aid the Church in repair.
ing the building, after which The audience united
IN singing hymn TO the tune Of Old Hundred,
and then dispersed Yours, truly,