The New York herald., 1874-11-15
DIR. ]. H. RYLANCE.

DR.. Rylance, pastor OF st. Marks Episcopal
Churcn, is known in this city for hts broad and
liberal views In all church matters, and more par
ticularly Ior his determined stand In the Church
Congress, winch Bishop Potter so strongly op-
posed.
On being questioned by the HERALD reporter as
to his views Of theatrical entertainments DeIng
given on Sunday. the Doctor expressed some sur
prise at the interrogation, and said he was not
aware that sucn amusement was on foot. Being
informed that Mr.. Strakosch gave opera PERFORM
ances on Sunday evenings. and that his example
was being followed oy some theatres he said:-
"You astonish me, but was not aware that 1t
aa sSme 20 at ys mas my
movement would be made, though was hardy
prepared for ~ SO soon. In the constantly widen.
Ing breach between processing and non-proiessing
CHRISTIANS the respect ior what cali the Lords
Day and what Is xenerallY known as the Sabbath
Is growing less and less among portion OF the
community, and this l regret 70 see, because
wmle | 40 not believe IN too strong an
should take more steps than 1t does toward
the people, yet the general morality Of the
visltatlon Of the theatres on Sunday evening.
do mol by any means believe IN observing the
day OF rest as the Jews were taught oy their Mo-
salc law, nor do have any confidence Ia the stern
ascetclsm wt.h winch IL was observed Dy the Puri-
tan; pus from .nis TO making It day ike any
mons nave spoken upon this question OF tue OBJ
servance OF the Lords bay, aud nave advised the
the day SO hat many might OBTAIN aonest reiaxa-
ton and innocent pseasure. In great city hike
is pons At wnicn n thus Should s,op ana itnins
that anything which roos the churches Of their
influence upon the people At large ls something
wnicn snould be deprecated by Any sincere lover
OF public morality will not look at tins ques-
tion as clergyman out as moral philosopher.
significance In the respect ana veneration which
has been felt for the Lord's Day even by those VINO
are not protesting Christians. Anything which
/ lessons that respect iessens the influence OF
moral power upOn the people did know that
sne c ey snS ap son o 1o ha
! thought there were enough to make an actual the.
atncsl or operatic performance tnin9 worth
giving; and do you think that the more respecta-
Bile theatres Will follow the exampe?"
.'You must know, Doctor" said she reporter,
who do not attend church tnan there are OF those
who do. These would as soon pay their money Ior
theatre and drink Deer And N as 10 % the respeeta.
bhty OF the entertainment tue opera Is considered
as more respectable than anything Ia tnat line"
"very true but spoke more particularly OF all
! tneatres-sucn as wallack's, Tor lnstance-Dut
suppose rivalry viii induce them all to gradually
sorry to tuinK 80. OF course 1t has been done in
Paris Tor years; Dut then what 10 the state
an cSuroS there @
| nve years, and remember distinctly coming home
nom service ana nnding my coacdeg0e playing
evening all the theatres were open, and Il was,
indeed, ike any Ordinary week day to the people.
Its being introduced here. | supposed that the
furthest they dare 60 here was 70 give wnat are
kind to regular theatrical or operatic perform
ance In costume cannot put injure the morals OF
the people. At the same TIME agree that our OBJ.
/ servance OF SUNDAY Is Q matter simply OF custom
brought about oy our innate respect Tor the DAY.
recognize that in the New Testament there Is ab.
solutely nothing said ABOUT u, and that wnat IS
said OF the sabbath there Is mainly TO disparage IT,
and Know equally well tnat our own observance
OF TINS one day IN the week as period o. rest ana
| devotion has crown out Of the babtt OF the
early Christians to celebrate one day IN the
s ae T. Ds Is w.
objections to this innovation are mainly that the
morals OF the people viii be injured, and that IN
Church Is losing ground. do not argue Tor the
| strict observance OF the one day IN seven com.
mon TO the Middle Ages and which the historical
| research OF the present age has proved to be
wrong. ] do not even deprecate innocent amuse.
mens ana instruction on ,nat Gay, on. ~ y hara
going. Sucn y step as the one We SPEAK Oh VIII
have an enormous influence IN alternating masses
tue respect for the Lords Day."
.Are you opposed 10 theatres and theatrical
representations as general thing ~
i'No, | am not, for 1t would be absurd Tor me TO
put myself in opposition 10 the existence OF
theatres where so many persons, whose Christi.
autty cannot be DOUBTED, patronize and help them.
member OF my church met Inc lew nignss
since and told he that at Waiack's that night st.
Marks church was VOL represented. On going
over the names Iouna that some OF the most de-
yout ana Cnrlstian OF the families who attend my
cHurcn Nau Ueeu tneTe. CaunOt lbke ~ upOH NY
sell TO say they were wrong. But, on the same
ground, what need is there VI artlncia distinu.
ior them to 90 v ny should II ue wrong lor their
pastors. One has AS gOod right as the Otner 10
go to theatre. do not speak ior myself, because
my lie Is too busy Tor theatregolng anu my taste -
not LII tnat direction. Tney would not interest,"
me. one night went TO the opera, With Dr. Wash.
burn, TO hear the Last Rose OF sumner and
found the Ell entertainment supremely dulL Yet DO
not consiuer II my province 10 dissuade others
from going who may 1nd healtnlul recreation
there and be nowise morally damageo by listening
I'm rtaodI M olu