Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-06-17

(. New SCHOOL PREsBYTRRIAS ASSEMBLY
ON THEATRES AND CARD, PLAYIsG An
overture was received from I. b. Ware,
and others, in regard to theatres and
theatre-goers, and the practice of card
playing, asking an expression Of the
Assembly on the subject, to which the
Committee prepared the following as the
views of the Assembly: + so
In regard to SO much Of the overture
as referred 10 theatres and theatre-goers,
this Assembly re-afIirms the action OF the
General Assembly of 1918. e
In this action the Assembly declared
the theatre to be q school of immorali-
ty. This Assembly seeing no occasion
to modify the opinion. given,- earnestly
exhorts all members of the Church
in their practice TO avoid, and by their
influence to disoonntenance all such
dangerous amusements, as being incon-
sistent with the spirit of the Gospel, and
detrimental to the best interests Of piety
in the heart. 81 49,. sss5a tsi i
In respect to the custom Of fashiona-
Bile card playing referred to by the me-
morialists and represented as being
countenanced in many of our Christiin
house holds, and also participated in by
members Of the Presbyterian Church,
this Assembly would affeetionstely ex,
| hort all the members of the Church to
practice the most careful watchfalness
| in avoiding all reereations and amuse-
ments, whether in form specified in
the memorial or otherwise, which are
calculated 10 impair spirituality, lessen
! Christian influence or bring diseredit
upon them in their profession as men,
bers of Christian Church.
4 A writer in A0ore's Rural NeR Fork.
ar, in an article on dancing, says: "A
truly Christian heart is the. best guide
for the conduct Of the individual :" Aud
what does that heart say2 If am no,
mistaken the feeling 10 that IL has no
shrelish for, these passtimes. And Why
should il not have ,snch a relish
! lf dancing and the love Of God have
mutual affinity for each ether, why
should feeling Of disrelish be engen-
dered 2 Certainly Il Christian goes
10 ball and finds that the edge of his
religious enjoyment is blnnted before il
is over, he may fairly conclude thai
something is wrong
When the love Of Christ becomes the
motive power of the world, and every
heart is conformahle to It's teachings
then the Church may dance, bat until
that time its practice and prayer mus
sdll be, Lead as not into temptation.
This is not only true in regard to dane
ing, but in regard to, every other worldly
amusement When q person once be
comes really converted, be win no longeI
take pleasure in the fashionable way
and amusements Of the world. Thea
tres, eard-playing, dancing, and similal
sinful and worldly amusements, viii nj
longer have any pleasure for him, ant
be -will-instantly see higher, purer sn'
nobler enjoyments.s sTfTu
The practice that many protesting
Christians have accustomed themse .se
to, has a very chilling effect upon Chris
tianity, and protesting Christians shoul'
be very guarded in regard 10 the partici
!, patton IN them, such as. Sabbath travel
! ing-leaving home on Saturday whel
: they know it is impossible to reach thei
destination before Sabbath - Sabbatl
: visiting, carriage riding on the Sabbath
, visiting the Post 0ffce on the Sabbath
and many. similar practices, which ar
looked upon hy many IS innocent an
> perfectly in, accordance with their pro
. fessions. Yet they have a very DELFT,
rious effect upon the cause Of religion
aud the world looks upon them as incor
sistent Our prayer should be, Lea
Us not into temptation" 3