The New York herald., 1871-03-20
CHURCH OF TIE M2SsAa.

Legitimate nnd nlegiiinlaie Amusemeuts--
Advice 10 Ministers aud Others Who Decry
Observation-Disclosures OF she Rev. Mr..
Eepworth.
The pastor or this elegant Church OF the Mes
siah has acquired such popularity on account OF his
erude and eloquent yet tcrse and practical style Of
speaking thai his congregation rs at all times large
ana his hearers from among the best families OF
the metropolis The beautiful weather of yesterday
and last evening may have helped 10 induce mem.
bers TO attend nc this church who might not other
wise have gone, ana those who attended the evening
service must have gone away feeling better and
happier from the words OF wisdom. OF homelY phi
losophy great good nature and common sense with
which they had been regaled.
Mr. Hepworth's text was taken rom Proverbs
xvii, PA merry heart doelh good like medi-
cine" He said the necessity OF merrinent as an
important element IN life is recognized by all rell-
gions. The Hebrew people, though on the whole a
serious and sober, II not sombre people, mad their
seasons devoted TO feasting and amusement. Their
religion 10 have been enjoyable, and their en-
joymenrs seem to have been religious. When they
from all parts OF the country 10 Jerusalem, as
they did several times year, they devoted part OF
the time TO the religious ceremonies of the Temple
and part TO those amusements which always attend
great gatherings; and after the return OF the Prod-
gal Son, as described by Christ, We find the whole
company given over TO
AN oLD.FAsHIoNED MERRYMAgISG.
wish tonight 20 look at the general subject Of
popular amusemcnfs. So far as can will lay
aside all my eccesiastca notions on the subject and
look the problem sauarely In the face. The great
trouble with most OF ministers IS that form
judgment concerning theatres from bearsay only.
We seldom go TO any place OF public amuse.
ment and have lingering about feeling
that good. round. hearty laugh is not
exactly compatible with our mission. My
impression Is that the clergy OF New York would
talk more effectively on this subject If they knew
more about It practically. The ministry may hope
to create o pubic opinion which shah eliminate
from the amusements of people most of their
Objectionable features and there rs no DENYING that
Objectionable features exist but We shall never be
able to bolt the doors Of the theatre or the
cert hall and 1 thank God that We nave no such
powey. My principle is 10
CONTROL, But NOT ABOLISH.
The tendency TO enjoyment Is q very Important
part OF mans nature. II cannot aud ought not to
be suppressed, II keeps one young ald keeps the
cobwebs OF care from the ceiling oi nfe. Laugh as
long "a you can ana enjoy as much aS you can. II
! IS religious duty. See The pratting child. Hear
/ him scream with glee Watch HIM as he plays with
his ball. his top. or climbs on your back 10 pinch
/ your checks or pull your hair. Ought he TO be
/ checked and made solemn and sad God forbid.
Wen liiil grown man Is only a large child, ana
needs 10 laugh as well As cry. The old philosopher
tence wnen he said ''ine man who IS not a
| tool nall OF the time Is fool all OF the
4 tlue.f NOW. this love Of meirmCuE not 10
! be suppressed. The grayest have seasons whea
they delight to he CAV, ana the gayest nave times
wnen they are grave. IL pleascs me aud jet, after
all, II Is sad thing 10 note the strategies grown
people III order not 10 be deprived or their en-
! joyment. ] have seen iathsr, mother aud
| several middle-aged FANNY relations all go to the
circus Of saturday AFTERNOONS simply to protect
little boy OF six eight years OF Not that
they for trivial things themselves. but then t
was necessary to see tnat the citild was properly
taken care ci. On Saturday morning, at home the
nurse could 40 TINS very easily, but at the circus III
required the Offices OF the entire family. Wnv not
| say that you enjoy 1t and done with it. Ii 1t is
wrong. never go agaln; ii it Is right,
WHENEVER Yor PLEASE
The Americans arc a haraworkipg and over-cere-
| brated people. Tnev are not exactly an unhappy
people, but they get as little ENJOY men out OF lie as
possible. WHAT we need Is more national holidays,
| with less inoxcation Attending them. The English,
! seasons III which business ceases for while; but
| the American works ali tie week and then grnm-
| bes because he cannot open his shop on Sunday.
| And now i0riorn and old ana worn he gets To look
| when he should pe IN the very prime Of lifei
Is IT WRONG TO GO 10 TIE THEATRE
] answer, under ordinary circumstances, no.
Theatres are built Tor the purpose Of making money.
They must cater TO the tastes OF their audiences II
only low class OF people frequent them you will
| find sensational plays. low illusions and o great
many Objectionable things. II, on the other hand,
, 4 correct and high:oDed public opinion takes hold
| or the matter the character oi theatres will be
found 10 be rs sensitive As mercury Is to heat and
| cold. appeal to the religious sense or the commu-
nifty. You may depend upon 1t as a matter OF GER
tainty that your boys WIN 90 to these places OF
| what they ought to be, or Will you Simply
STAND on TIE OUTSIDE AND scoLD?
There is The whole question IN nutshell. Tf l
| had boys ] would infinitely rather have innocent
games of cards and billiards YES, and dancing too,
| In my own house, where ] could lie the companion
| and guide Of MY children. than TO turn a cold
shoulder TO all these things, and compel them 10
find their recreation out Of my sight and beyond my
| influence. ] think the solid religious people are
waking up to this fact. Our religion must recog-
| nize the legitimacy Of laugh Let us be serious
aud sober, for life is solemn thing, bat let
forge; that even heaven there Is rejoicing. We
| may pe very happy and not be irrelgous, ana we
| may be very solemn and yet not a bit religious.
| Happiness and true religion 90 hand III hand