The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-19

Artist ExhIbition-Lecture by the Rev.
Charles Il. smyth, at the Cooper Insti-
tute-Over Three Thousand Persons
Present-A ScathIng Rebuke'
IRON the NeD York Herald Of to-dey.
UPWARDS of three thousand persons assembled
yesterday afternoon at the Cooper institute, to
listen to q discourse by the Rev. Charles b.
smJth on THE Nulsances OF New York. Partl-
seat wos occupied, and numerous chairs were
also brought INTO requistiOn to accommodate
one OF the largest audiences ever assembled In
the ball, while large numbers we're compelled
to leave, being unable TO obtain, standing room.
A large proportion OF the audience we're
ladies, many OF whom, IL is 10 be presumed,
took this opportunity of learning from an eye
witness the nature OF an obscene exhibition
taking place nightly at one of the Broadway
theatres before going TO see tor themselves. The
lecture was preioced by prayer and the read
ing OF the siXtieth chapter OF lsalah after which
the lecturer read some extracts from letters
which he had received, the majority of which
commended him for the stand he had taken in
matters OF social and moral reformation. After
few Introductory remarks, he proceeded 10
the main subject announced and spoke as fol-
lowe:-
Whether therefore 20 eat or drink, or whatso'
ever ye do do all to the glory OF God" Cor, X, 81
This is a much perverted text. l do not re-
member having either seen OF heard 1t expounded
truly or applied properly. The connection in
which these words stand teaches their slgnihca-
tioE. TO the glory OF God" means in expressed
tlanklulness to God 9s the author of that for
which We thank Him, in contradistinction from
an idol. This text contains great principle,
which lies at the foundation of relgion-the
recognition of the providence of God, and the
cOnt'Aual effort to secure praise TO HIM in every
th.ns.
THE SUBJECT ANNOUNCED
AS TO dancings and theatrical representations
III general shall throW them all into one pile
ana oonsIgn them all alike to the flames of the
netbermOst regions? May not discrimination
be used with reference to these as well as other
m nj in Ie n a
little lambs to sport in the pasture or the inno-
cent kids 10 indulge in their funny, free, froic-
some gambols? If not, is 1t a crime for the
juvenile members OF human family to gaily,
gracefully move their figures on the eight fan
tastic Ioe," thus yielding to the innocent
impulse OF cheerful hearts to manifest,
piness with which the goodness of boun-
tiiul Providence hath enriched their homes, any
more than it is tor the bloooming bud on its
thorny stem to wave in the gentle zephyr and
breathe its fragrance up to heaven? And If not
q crime for them, can 1t be for children OF
larger growth ?n When my heart bounds with
gladness and gratitude 70 God for His blessings,
is il a SIN for my feet tor Joy to leap? And If
my tongue may shout His praise, may not my
limos beat time and my hands play in merry
movements on the flute, fageolet, pipe, or even
the violin? What, then, more should do than
David when ne danced before the ark, or than
he exhorts in the last of the Psalms but one?
Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord new
Let Israel rejoice In Him that made him; let the
children OF ZIon be joyful in their King. Let them
fSse aith p t6e N n jmbreI and harp For tSe Lord
taketh pleasure IN HIS people, "-Psalms, cxx, to 4.
When it is considered that dancing is eXempli-
fed by saints Of old, and enlolned in Scrip
ture, that Christ himself was present at a He
brew marriage, and that it was usual at every
testivity of the kind, people feel at loss to
reconcile the teaching of the clergy on this
point with that Of the clergy's Master. The
fact is the clergy must allow TO their people
liberty OF conscience in this matter; but II
they will not, the common sense OF the people
representations q similar rule must be
applied. / can conceive how the apostle
Paul, who says OF himself, have lived
in all good conscience before God until
this day. could witness with a clear conscience
the wrestle and the foot race, in which the
youths of Greece acquired the development of
nerve and muscle, the agility, the hardness, and
the daring, by which they prepared themselves
TO become patriotic defenders of their hearths
and homes, and from whose exercises ne ire
quently drew his Illustrations OF the Christian
lie. | know not II he witnessed any other the
atrical performances. But | can conceive of
representations which might exhibit human
nature in its true light, educe an important
moral, and teach some impressive lessons.
Yea, | know, that case may occur, wherein
one may obtain as soulstirring, as deep and
lasting lessons from chaste and serious per-
formance as from a sermon. And as TO this
matter, too the people must be left By the
clergy TO the exercise of their own discretion
and liberty of conscience; and II not, their COM
mon sense VIII take the same DuI our cnicl
concern to-day is with the
DANCING THEATRICAL REPRESENTATIONS, ETC.,
of a particular establishment which has lately
attracted u great deal of attention. know not
what may have been the motive that impeiled
the gentlemen to whom 1t belongs to get up Its
sights. They may have been Rctuated by the
purest motive imaginable. Who knows but they
thought 1t would improve the health OF the
PdrlslenneS 10 give them a sail across the
Atlantic, and that in so doing they were phtan-
thropically delivering them from the peculiar
temptations of life in the yoiuptuous city OF
Paris, and, like guardian angels, protecting
them from its consequences by Transferring
them to the famously virtuous city of New York!
Or, who can tell but their love of human
nature in general is such that from the most
generous impulses they have gotten up an eX-
penslye and dazzling entertainment purely for
the purpose of tightening the cares of life of the
busy and care-worn, by giving the latter an op'
porfunity on as low terms almost as the most
eYtrayaGant places of amusement, OF seeing by
paslight and hell flame light, and in the bronzed
fight of his Satanic majesty's countenance anc
in the red glare OF the recordng demon, the
beautiful countenauces, regular Dusts, trunks,
and limbs chiseled out from mead 10 loot Oy
Natures own hand with an eXqulslteness oil per-
fectiOn far suIpassing any tnat Tue nnest
art of man has ever wrought In ParIan marble
with charms most bewitching, aud aultuues OIL
soitness and luxury most fascinating, uAuhS as
with the magic power OF that creature Ot an
cient origin represented in green and gold which
Iures the bird from the bush, like 1t hXlng the
owe of the spectator and the double eyes OF opera,
t;c use IN absorbing attention OF soul ana spirit!
Poor dear darling, charming, enchan(lng crea'
tnrel who could help loving them fernaps
another generous motive was 10 Drlng them
anS nIaoe them where they would be appre'
ciated az course, we must not suspect any one
cnncsrned Iof having such a vulgar motive az