Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-14
THE PULPIT AND THE STAGE.

OF the question:
Its no doubt true, that in the early strlg-
oles of Christianity, the destinations of the
Pagan Theatre caused much anxiety TO the
bishops and fathers, and that many petitions
were sent TO the Emperor to suppress drama
tic exhibitions, at least upon the sacred days
of the Church. But we should be careful to
remember that in those days, Christianity
and Paganism were in direct antagonism !;
that each was struggling for existence; that
Pagan Theatres were based upon Pagan
ideas and Mythology; but above all that
the chief exhibitions in Theatres were glad
iatorial combats, SO repugnant 10 decency
and humanity, as to deserve and receive the
condemnation of the civilized world.
Yet the early fathers, DESTROYS Of making
the drama useful, and not regarding it "es-
sentially corrupt" wrote plays themselves
for public representation.
Gregory Nanzeanzen, who was bishop CT
Constantinople in the latter part Of the fourth
century, wrote and introduced plays, one Of
which is still extsnt.
Appollinaris, bishop Of Laodicea, wrote
tragedies after the style of Euripides and
comedies in imitation of Menander.
And Theophylact, patriarch Of CONSTANT
nople in the tenth cent dy, introduced his
trionic farces, with singing and dancing into
the churches and houses Of religious worship.
In later days mysteries and moralities
were enacted, and were a mode Of divine
worship.
But now let us come down to more modern
days; confirming ourselves to the practice
and preaching Of the Church or its minis
tiers. ] shall divide this portion into two
parts-in the first, including the prominent
divines who have 'uitten plays for the stage;
and in the second giving the opinions of
eminent churchmen upon the morality Of
Theatres.
II is stated in Bakers Biographia ORA
matica that over 200 English clergymen
heve been dramatic authors. Be this as it
may, quite number Of distinguished cler-
gymen and christians have written for the
stage.
DR.. Young, author of Night Thoughts,
wrote the tragedies of Revenge, Busiris and
the Brothers the last being acted for the
express purpose of adding TO the fund for
the propagation of the gospel.
Rev. G. Maturn is the author Of Bertram,
Manuel, Osmyn the Renegade, and Fro
dolfo.
Rev. DIR. Croly wrote Cateline, and COM
edy entitled Pride Shall Have Fall.
Rev. DIR. Milman, author Of the history
of Christianity, wrote Fazio, The Fall of
Jerusalem, The Martyr Of Antioch, and
Belshazzar's Feast.
Rev. DIR. Home wrote the splendid tragedy
Of Douglas. And here let me add a piece
of history in this connection. This magnifi-
cent performance threw Scotland into costa
CIV. The Theatre was crowded TO hear and
see Il. The author and many Of the clergy
were present at its first representation. The
Presbyterians, taking fire, denounced the
passion for the stage as a delusion of Sa-
tan" The General Assembly meeting soon
after, the matter was called up there. Sew
eral of the preachers made apologies, and
were let off with reprimand. Then came
up the question as TO the propriety of visi-
ting the Theater. An act was proposed sub
jectins TO ecclesiastical censure all members
Of the Church, male or female, lay or clerical
who should be present at any theatrical ex-
hibition. This act iods defeated and chiefly
by the efforts of the famous DR.. Robertson
and the extent of the action of the General
Assembly was a recommendation TO Presby
teries TO take care that none of the ministers
attend the theatre.
shall now proceed TO give the opinions
Of distinguished divines and preachers.
Crabbe, poet and preacher, in his poem
"The Library" says:
"Yst rirtse the tragic muse friend
Fabls her means-.morality her end
She makes the vile TO virtue yield applause,
And own her sceptre while they break her laws.
For vice In others Is abhorred of all.
And villains triumph, when the worthless fall.
DIR. Isaac Watts, the author of Divine
Hymns, thus alludes 10 the fitness of Scrip
tural subjects for dramatic exposition:
a. ,...,.t,. -. a.. e.,,;yA
tne ulnlhg anu 10 i PAU -,
put .Ineeay sIc 81 an y al nnr - 80;
ampn over our anGcsOns ana .nana a our s cnrs
guest que might be obtained Over wide world. and
reduce II at least 20 sonne,y, y tne same eapPy
telent were enployeo IN uIessE scenes VI leii
glon INTO Inelr proper ngurcs ~ nIH;SesSi h"s w
mes ana 'enG 9s ans ala sh;ns br;,h,i1 IL
sIence y nv ~ ooine' "'"'u s"i'0 W e"' :"
dramauc dcscripuon'
Martin Luther saws:
II n.;or. ,,,,,o. ,ho s-a-n.,;e nv, bos haen bon.
urea p. oe,ns sh os cnIn anu
1 r sie ~ ne a. Gas.a LIZ s,
=. M ~ ~ Srsm.,;c na,,r. 81 ~ 5ia
leu ny w "a p S..c ,n,ss hsn ,i vi at.taa
sa so, I'M nss nav i.sy Conceive he Sres;
hern, ~ ms,ie nos,yy iction l. The time en-
o. oS iig. s ~ ses The Sreai tru,hs
~ nent ~ nv ny ~ u go ~ -; 49,, ~ ~;
% mankl M a.e. ..nen I'm EN-. .nsd nsad ,;,hi
.1r ~ nnsra,ons ~ ~
ISrsSr, H. ,bsafrs q he mos, roEfobie for there
see actions TaSR eS1%S1 sss
picture Of life, compendium Of whatever is ami
mated and interesting n human existence, Inc Inc
us,E;epoe solhtn snds snh;es, tor ne
s pnIosos az s,.,r & ~. IN
Of mar" '''-' '" '''' "'''''' 'N
In another Mace he saws:
..Ana i,de.tl CHRISTIANS ougbt NOT altogether 10
aly and abstain from comedies. because now and
therein: for then II will follow. that by reason
,h.roaT Nc .konia alec abstain from reading the
Bihie' Therefore h Is az no value that some al-
iSve s,,.b and ths lte thinrs and for these causes
~ " v, ~ $3.50. - -,
Kew. Dr. honx, IN his Essays, says:
There seema 20 me 10 he no method more efFec-
,uai az soflering the feroeity and improying the
minds Of the lower classes ofa great capitnl than
The freouent Exhibition oftragical pieees in which
,he a;sfress 4 carr;ed "a he birbet eytrcmr md
az ,norsi Is al once seIf ex;dcnt asf.tn ana In.
str,c,;ss The mnl,itudos NJ those who ranno,
cad or n thew could have neither time nor
S.ii,,;os C. darix;ns ,s,ch sAvantasc from, rosS
~ s,,snressed thron,h fba me
tnt, ~ to"e..ss 'S.si sh' - ~ .t,
um OF tne W a.. asu - I ns i an
Iu.hs wnl0n, ~ns,e A ,,,,,e .ha hsert pencvo
isnce. Justice. heroism. and The wisdom Of mod,
Grating tne passions ste bialniy poln.eu Gu, anu
lorcioy recomnenuca " tnose sas SUI ~
eui1Natcu hatue. "no a.e ~ ~ PP..s II
ann s. esr, ;.elT ~ ~ form az ael;gbt
instrncuoh'
n. n.as.o.,. q, h. al oc,acx IN b;s nanoh
II NieSVi's ." ms e">' "
ter, says:
rknov If mn .;nmontvtbat rive. such
an, ~ nerson ~ arnt;ment or bumor as
Ne ,has,re
'"s e"e"e
Dr. Blair, one OF the most eminent Oh