The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-19
THIRTY-THRD STREET PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH.

NOrthrOp- PerniciOus Anausements, and ThoiI
Effects Upon tho Young.
Rev. II. d. Northrop, pastor, last evening deliv
cred an interesting dscourse-the first OF series
on "The Vices OF New York" The subject last
evening was "Pernicious ADJUSTMENTS" He took
for his text H. Timothy. ILL.,, 4-"Lovers OF
pleasure more than lovers OF G0d.D It Is espe-
cially important rllt should deal with the sub
ject in all candOr and fairness; OF one thing be
assured, this question touches the very
NARROW OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE
and example-reason enough for its being con-
sidered In the pulpit; not for effect but for counsel
admonition and profit First, we are all Of US con-
stantly In need OF something in the way of amuse-
ment and recreation; it is no sin to be hap
py; 1t Is sin to ne perpetually mserable II a
man ever gets over his childhoca 30 much
the worse for the man; those men can
work best who play best; and II 1t L.
all work and no amusement life grows mono
tonous and weary. Harmless entertainment is the
very oil which fabricated the machinery, makes 1t
run easier and last great deal longer.
A MAN IN THE HOT PURSUIT OF MONEY
dies In middle life, and people say. "whaf an ex-
ample Of industry and energy p Better say,
"Wnat an example OF fool p His need OF recrea.
tlon and innocent enjoyment Is law OF human
nature. You could not find q civilized nation on
the globe which has not its legal holidays, or If you
could mud one It would be sale to say that Its
civilization woDld bear improvement Bad amuse.
ments there have always been; but this is only the
perversion OF want as deep as human nature Itself.
all harmless pleasure. Robert SOuthey understood
this law wnen ne used to have three kinds OF work
divert his mind. Those three ministers whom
knew In Glasgow understood 1t, when, after the
brain work or the morning, they walked together
People said they were wasting time; but there were
no churches more prosperous than theirs and no
men stronger than they, or VINO had
so POOR PROSPECT OF CONSUMPTION.
Your disposition needs sweetenng, needs brighten.
ing up. This Is one method OF doing II. In the
next place 1t becomes an important question what
Kind OF amusements We shall have. How shall we
we
ments concerning the vleness OF which there can
be but one opinion. NOBODY pretends to defend
them upon the ground Of morality. In fact,
THEIR VERY BADNESS Is THEIR CAPITAL,
the reason why they are patronized, the secret Of
their success, the very thing which makes them
pay and II they should turn respectable they would
die: some men say they are not injured bv ire
auenting sacn places believe II; 1t Is because
take any more In. Now reverse the picture. There
are some amusements or entertainments concern
Ing the purity and innocence OF which there can be
put one opinion. Tney damage no one; no evil
thought Is suggested,
For instance, no house Is recK0ned complete with
out music; you get together on winters even
ing happy family circle; you are going
to have little music; the young folks will
never make professionals but they eau sing;
the Youngest don't pretend to keep time, but he
makes up and carries his part; the old folks not
being 80 spry as they once were come out a good
ways behind. You would not pay fifty cents to near
sucn concert the second time but 1t makes that
home brighter and happier They miss some one
from the little circle, one voice Is wanting, and yet
for all the sorrowful memories how much more
pleasant is that home by reason OF those sweet
voices and musical sounds on, wish there were
more happy homes We should not
HAVE TO GO so OFTEN TO THE FAR COUNTRY
to bring our prodigals back. Thus, SONS pleasures
may be set down as good and others as bad; now,
n IRON In fho tnfA
amusements are OF doubtful character; things may
be said both for and against them. Some persons
Pariuan license. Remember one or two things and
one Is that to be mere pleasure seeker s about the
you simply 10 be amused,
THEN THE BIBLE IS A LIE,
your soul Is nonentity and eternity Is Joke You
might chisel upon the gravestone OF many man,
fool" Remember another thing. There are many
amusements which are not sinful In themselves but
which become sinful when carried TO excess. Be.
meath them there turks DANGER The
FLOWERS IN THE BASKET OF CLEOPATRA,
white ana pure as the robes OF the gon..
OF heaven: For all that there was viper
in the flowers that stung the lair queen
qhired sometimes TO give up that which is lawful in
Itself II 1t Is going 10 cause another to Offend We
may be able 70 guide ourselves In forming an
THE THEATRE AND THE DANCE.
TO be a lover oil any pleasure more than lover Of
God whether that pleasure consists In games or So
clety or dancing or theatre going Is plainly mad
mlssible. Now, does the theatre innict any injury
upon those who patronize IT. l believe that o
theatre could De SO constructed as 10 damage no
one any more than 1t would TO listen to dialogue
recited by Sunday school children. But tnat the
theatre, as whole, Is 80 constructed deny out
and out There are theatres In this city In which
man cannot set and keep
THE PURITY OF us MIND,
nor be removed from bad society, nor be free from
evil Influences. His morals wl decay, and he VIII
be one step nearer perditIon every time he enters
the place. Late hours, money which might be bet
Ter spent, entertainment aud drink, mental disso-
luli0n uniting one for the nigh duties and enjoy
ments OF llfe. This has been and Is the meaning or
the theatre. Is there any excepuOn2 don't sup.
pose IL could uncnristanlze you to witness a
ohakspearian play. don't believe II would do me
any harm III some things 1t might benefit me. But II
! were 10 go haoitually to such place, and II you
were 10 40 tue same we might lead others there
VINO could not stop until they mad gone down
49,. INTO THE LOWEST PIT ~ THE CITY.
WINE hold mat II would not be SIN for you 20
witness certain plays, you must remember that you
can make II "A SIN by neglectlng important duties
becoming fascinated with IT, leading others into the
| current of pleasure VINO would not know when TO
| stop and apparently countenance the whole system