The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-04-29

Rsy. De- Bellows 70 TDx CsuRca AID rur
AcroRs.-The Reverend DR.. Bellows gave his
long promised address on the relation OF psb,ic
ADJUSTMENTS With public morality al he Assde-
my Of Music Last evening. II Is reported in full
in another part Of to-dsy's paper.
The reverend gentleman proceeded to divide
his audience into two elasees-the religious elaSs
and toe play-golng class, the latter including the
actors lie then gave a smoothly written de-
fence OF amusemcnta Ia general, on The usual and
safs ground that relaxation l. necessary 10 the
mental and bodily hedth-ihencs tie logical
conclusion that the want Of anus nenls i q pub.
lie calamity. The s.ee is bcid 10 be tbe most
complete and interesting Of all anusencnts. bat
a. people do not 20 TO the theatre Tor educational
pupOses, the instruction 70 be gained from IL Is
altogether incidental Tia tone Is directed by
the character OF the sudieace, and he church by
separating fsh from the stage has lowered
the character Of the sadience and. by
consequence, asi Of The actors aid the
plays The position taken BY Or. Bellows
plainly Is, that The church Wy quietly eonsigning
the theatres to pcriiuon. h4s mAds itself re-
sponsble for the sins Of Tie theatres m a.
verely exceristes pay o. he character Of Ca
mile" mentioning that drama "a Lhe type Of a
class, and taking the same position With re.
gard to IL tendency that has often been assumed
In these columns The religious people were
plainly told that the reform Of this Aba-e was 10
their own hands, and that their narrow views hal
lessencd the Influence Of To church In general
society. II there Wa 70 h. great gulf of spa
ration between the world aud the church. the
reverend gentleman, being . minister OF Chris.
and knowing that Chris Wa not the light Of the
church alone but OF The world. would prefer 10
labor In the vcfii The ven eloquent percrs-
ton was addressed 20 tbe .ctorS and the
Managers The lecturer elaimed fot thc ar-s
class an equal position in society With
other pfofessionS, and complete re-tofA-
ton TO the common right and common pro
lection Of society. He urged the members OF
the profession 10 30 regulate their conduct a. 70
BE- worthy such rights and such protection. lie
called upon The managers to use their great
power for the COED OF the stag, aod said truly
that If The directors Of hs theatre. win On Mac.
Themselves 90 the level Of pimps they would |
continue to quote the pubic taste as nn excuse |
for the production of immoral plays The rrve-
rnd gentleman oostgss.ed tao Notwithstanding
tone Of the religious press In speaking Of nj.
position, with tie liberal sen'irecto Of the ocular
journals, and hoped that 10th would occupy
themselves with calm and temperate discussou
Of the Fundamental principles involved IN the
subject.
The position taken by the Rev. Mr.. Bellows IL
not only safe ono, but il Is emincntly Christian
Ike. The clergy have too hong been wrapped IN
In their own cliques and their own petty Affairs
they have too long neglected The real interests
Of the souls committed to their charge. Here Is
one Of their number who finds the theatre -four
thins In spite of The sssaalts Of the church. and
Ssi'esing tia, the sA-siss Cssstot would not o.