The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-03

The Subject Discussed Yesterday Mt the
Conference OF tho Protestant Episcopal
Church-Fho Theatres Of tho Present
Day Not Endorsed.
The nineteenth regular conference Of the Prot
estant Episcopal Church was held yesterday after
noon in the chapel Of the Church Of the Incarna-
ton, Madison avenue and Thrty-hfth street.
There was lair attendance OF clergymen both old
and young. The Rev. Dr. Osgo0d was called to the
chair, who advised the Conference that the subject
for discussion was "The position OF the Church
with regard to popular amusements," and that in
the absence of the Rev. c. 4. Hale selected to read
an essay upon the occasion, the question was open
for consideration. 1t was subject of vast pub
lie concern, and should have thoughtful treat
ment.
AT this juncture the Rev. DR.. Montgomery,
rector of the Church OF the Incarnation, bitterly
complained that he had been misrepresented in
some Of the daily journals in reporting the pro-
ceedings Of the February conference. He de-
manded that 1t was only justice and right that he
and his brethren should be fairly treated In this
wise and not have his utterances turned upside
down..
committee appointed at the hast conference
to consider the matter submitted that their meet
tngs had become OF so much Importance 1t was
thought better TO increase the machinery and so
unoer discussion be confined to ten
subject no person should be entitled to a second
hearing until every member deslrOus OF speaking
shall be heard; third. that a committee OF three
De selecteu W no Shall have power to select subjects
tor discussion, essays and essayists; fourth that
1t oe the duty OF this committee to select speak
ers not exceeding three, to follow the essaylst In
discussing the subject All these were put in the
form OF resolutions and passed, though the latter
excited some opposition, on the ground That it
InfnrmAfV
the meetings and tnat II was not democratic The
committee appointed by the Char consists OF the
Rev. DrS. Gallaudet, Holland and Cornwall.
In calling lor volunteers to speak upon the sub
ject set down Tor discussion the Rev. DR.. Corn wall
SAID, 10 open it, that amuSementS OF the kind must
be de ended on other than Christian grounds, and
thus they do not have many defenders among
men moan aad & aae sn en at
nounced on scriptural grounds. He did not like
the Introduction OF operate songs In churches,
and tney should be abated at once as a nu !sance,
and the passion plays, representing The lie and
sufferings and death of the Redeemer, were in
The Chairman thought the issue should not be
confined to the consideration OF the theatre alone
as popular amusement There were many otner
ways to please men, and, perhaps, draw them
away from spirits and tobacco, the two greatest
scourges Of the age. Public gardens snd music IN
where illustrated papers and Journals may be had
and where hot conee could be obtained at a low
Potter that Of aad the latter rI nad py I
$4,000 to the church for the maintenance OF rooms
where the intelligent poor could ind recreation
The Rev. DR.. Wise combated the ideas advanced
by the Rev. DR.. Cornwall that the actor should be
denounced on scriptural grounds and trusted such
expression should not be allowed TO 20 forth as
the sentiment Of the Conference. He thought
that Christianity does not educate unto judg.
merits, and we should not detSrmlne precisely who
are Christians by assent aud assent only.
The Rev. Mr.. Cowley supposed that there is vast
on the stage and such plays as the BLACK Crook"
He did not belteve that those who prOessed to
have any Christian manhood about them would
amusement He believed that when man IS
exhausted with labor-when he could not be OF any
service to himself or friends at home-a visit
10 some place OF amusement with his vile, for In.
stance, would be beneficial. The speaker had seen
the representation OF Charles l. IN London, aud
was recommended to go and see IL by Presbyte-
rian minister. who was indeed cody man.
The Rev. DIR. Washburne followed in words OF
advice about what constituted the authority OF the
Church. when the Secretary said he hoped the
discussion would be more practical. The theatre
OF toaay SHOULD pe rederred TO- ARC they suGh
thought not as 1t was impossible Tor any Christian
man or woman to attend theatre at the present
day without bringing blush to his or her cheek.
The Rev. DR.. Cornell thought there was great
difference IN one oil Shakespeare's old plays one
of the old English comedies aud tho French trash
now going around the cities. While we are in the
world we must take II as it is. The ministry, it
seemed to the speaker, were In fault in many in
stances In not treating subjects Of this character
with more liberality. He thought that 1t would
be easy to make proper use OF public amuse-
ment.
member said that he had come from his quiet
parish with the hope that, after listening to the
discussion he could go back and tell his people
something new In presenting the opinions OF the
clergymen present upon the important question
OF popular amusements; but he did not think that
he had gained much additional knowledge py the
visit. Perhaps he should not denounce the theatres
OF to-day because he Was unacquainted with
them. Yet there are forms Of sins which should be
denounced without being familiar with their
workings.
The discussion terminated with the Chairman,
who said tnat, while they in general did not hold
hard views OF Life, he thought 1t wrong TO advise
their friends to attend the theatres as they are