Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-12-01


only. / think, say that 90 far as the opera
IL concerned, any one who objects TO Il
on moral grounds must either be ignorant
OF it'll think. for the most part, that
those who object TO the opera are-or
there certainly must be moral weak
ness In the nature OF such directors. To
say that the opera 10 corrupiing 10 10 say
the most irrational and foolish thing that
the human lips are capable OF. Many Of
our finest minds 90 10 the opera and
come away feeling il was waste Of time,
AID we who can enjoy il in any wise, be
il ever so little, ought TO feel profound
sorrow for such people, because they do
not know the infnite delights and JOYS
Of which, by their lack Of musical cui-
ture, they are deprived. But u is their
duty simply TO say they do not like II.
IL is sorry religion that rejects u on
the sour-grape principle; because they
cannot they won't let any body else. The
music of the opera is the principal
thing With people that attend. The
score is nothing, with many u IS aoso'
lu.ely nothing, il they can catch tbs pas
sion of the music. And as to the dress
In the drama and in the opera, let me
say. once for all, that all dressing is con
yentioual. IL IL had the sanction oil
long usage, the dress OF the EXTREMIST
dancer would in no wise be considered
indecent; or il the gown had been tne
fashion for men, the present attire would
be considered vulgar. Let me relate
what the gentlemanly manager oil WOODS
Museum said to me within the past s'I
months. Speaking Of the depraving ten,
dency and the downward tendency OF
tragedy and comedy, he said ~ could
not bring upon my stage single piece
that was played before the ellie OF Lon.
don fifty and sixty years ago could
not bring to my place an audience that
would not hiss it of the stage" l really
don't know but that it would be a very
sensible thing il our congregations
would make il stipulation, when they
engage their ministers, that they would
accept season ticket to the opera, 10
cultivate their taste in musical matters.
= The speaker then went on to speak OF
the abuse Of pleaSure, saying that 1t
might be argued that we ought to refrain
from all amusements because they were
liable to be abused, but replying to this
at is no logic with which to meet a young
man starting out in life, who has ideas OF
his own, and wants reasons for everything
that be does Let US meet him tonight
and say, Sir, you are to use the drama,
you are to use the opera, you are to use
the cards, you are to use dancing, you
are TO use everything; but you are to
abuse nothing. Because you can 60 to
the legitimate drama, it is no license for
you to feast your eyes upon vulgarities
anywhere; and because you can play
cards in your house, it is no reason that
you have license to 60 to the gaming
table, and play for other peoples money,
without returning values anywhere.
This is the lesson. Let us teach our
youth that these things can be used, and
when abused the penalties of sin will just
as surely follow them as God has said :
Whatsoever man soweth that shall he
also reap. If he SOW to the spirit, of the
spirit he shall reap everlasting life; and
if be SOW to the flesh, Of the flesh he shall
reap damnation.