The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-01-02

g. A time to weep, and time to laugh time TO
mourn, aud tune 70 dance.
oIhe stage ~ supplement 10 the Pulpit, whore
virtue according 10 Plaios sublime ga, moves our
Iovo and affection when made visible TO the eye
tD'IAAElI)
have the temerity to undertakes brief
reply to DIR. THoMAs' 'sermouagainst Thea
tiers, recently published in the Dayton
Journal, and now issued In pamphlet FORM
The purpose to do so did not occur to me
until Friday last, and have prepared this
answer amidst other occupations of an en-
crossing nature. mention this fact not AS
an apology for my own shortcoming; but
to let your readers know how much may
be gathered up, in 20 short time, In refuta-
tion of the reverend gentleman's plausible
argument. Much more is ready at hand for
use by the industrious searcher after truth.
This article is dictated by no disrespect
for the person against whom 1t is directed; (;
nor for the sacred calling which he has so
long filled 1t Is prompted by u love of
truth, of intelligence, refinement, and culti-
vated enjoyment; and by dislike, hearty
and innate, of everything like austcrity
bigotry or narrow minded Christianity.
Yet must be allowed to say, in this connec-
tion, that the argument of DIR. THOMAS
sounds more like the plea of an advocate
than the impartial exposition of truth and
| cannot help expressing my surprise that
one so learned as he is reputed to be, should
have fallen into SO many errors of logic,
history aud of fact However, we are all
human; and liable to errors; whether our
early dramatic education has been neglected,
or not.
Not having the honor of being a clergy
man, have thought it my privilege TO
take u secular as well rs u religious text.
have adopted the text from EcCLEsIAsTEs
as a fair offset to the one heading the SER
mon of the reverend gentleman. The ex-
tract from the elder D'IsRAELI expresses 20
nearly my own views of theaters, when
properly conducted, that have chosen II
as what might be termed my secular text.
shall not attempt defense of the stage
upon any plan of my own; but will follow
the order and the argument which is un-
der consideration.
The origin of theatrical amusements has
but little bearing upon their present moral
ity or immortality. The Introductory part
of the sermon may therefore be passed over
in silence.
The Doctors proposition, in his own
language, is az follows;
''The wisest and best men Of every age
Ileathen and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Phi
l0sophcrs Divines-the Christian Church.
ancient and modern-have, with one voice
....sl. L..
demned, opposed and denounced theatrical
exhibitions as essentially corrupt and de-
moralzing both to individuals and So
ciety."
lie then adduces the evidence. First, ol
eminent and deserving pagans; second, OF
legislation, ancient and modern against the
theater; third, of the preccpts and practice
of the church, ancient and modern; and
lastly of eminent persons of different
characters and stations in life, whether re-
ligious or not. After producing his testi-
mony, he winds up his discourse with q
repetition of his proposition in still broader
language.
II have thus presented to you, my friends
some evidence of the proposition have I'M
dertaken to establish; that the wise and
good of every age since the birth of drama
Pagans as well rs Christians, Sages, Moral
lists, Philosophers Legislators, Divines with
the whole body of the church acting in It's
ecclesiastical capacity, have ,Hitediy ana
uRiJOTBliy condemned theatrical exhibitions
as dangerous to morals, debasing 10 actors
and audience, demOralizing TO society, es-
sentially corrupt and eorrupting.
Upon these propositions take.issue viii
him. Admitting that some of the wise and
great, Heathcn and Christian, have con.
demned the drama, totally deny the state
ment that all have done so. On the con-
trary, disputing the facts of our preacher
allege that in all ages and among all men
Heather or Christian, the drama has found
illustrious advocates not only of its inno-
cence, but of its honorable and useful ten
denotes; and that its most illustrious fol-
lowers have been the companions and inti-
mate friends of Kings, Statesmen, PhllOso-
pliers and Poets. Let us examine the
opinions and conduct of the ancients, OF
Pagans, first.
SoLoN was not an enemy to the drama
On the contrary PLUTARcH tells us: "SoLoN
who was always willing to hear and To
learn, and in his old age more inclined Ia
any thing that might divert and entertain,
particularly to music and good fellowship,
went to see THEsPIs himself exhibit, as the
custom of the ancient poets was" He did
not like the play because ofits useless fab
rications." Hence he made the remark at
tributed to him. -
PHYRSIcUs, of Athens, came next to
4