The New York herald., 1874-11-30
What the Divines Say About
the Stage.
TALMAGE DISSECTED.
MI. Beecher Takes a Broad View of
Sabbath Enjoyment.
The Grand Sacred Concerts of
Yesterday.
MR. TALMAGE ON THE DRAMA.

the Rev. Mr.. Taimage delivered yesterday MS
promised sermon on the drama to q densey
crowded audience. He took for hfs text Judges
XVI. 25:-"wnen their hearts were merry they
said, call for Samson that he may make us sport;
and they called Tor Samson out Of the prison
house, and he made them sport; and they set him
between the pilars.n
have received, he said, several letters asking
me 70 postpone my sermon on the evils and cor
rupting influences OF the drama, in consequence
OF the heavy rain, but viii not permit any climatic
causes TO interfere with a promise l have made.
Those who not present Will have many
opportunities OF hearing me as l intend. One
morning there were two vesses-ofwar
lying in the bay. They looked still
and peaceful, and friendly boats passed between
them, when suddenly one OF the war vessels sent
. Droadside into the other one, snivering and
shaking her, and was at once answered by the
guns OF the other vessel from all along her side.
That broadside was my first sermon on the drama,
and intend to give the devil few more shots.
] don't mean to say, nor have said. that there
are not good men and good women who attend
the theatre. l don't mean to say, though have
been represented as saying that there are not
gOod plays and good actors and actresses. But
DO say that the American stage as it Is numbers
In Its ranks more harlots and debauchees than all
the other professions. She Is the mother OF
harlots II not why crown Miss Cushman Why
did every one hail her with rapturous plaudits
Because she had preserved her virtue through
al the temptations that beset her. In
answer TO the charge that musicians had been
employed by the Church he said The devil
never invented sweet sound We have a right
and determined henceIortn to gather together
al that in art is beautiful, all that IN music
ennobles and attracts to the house Of God, that
tions OF the sink OF lniquity. / am warned
that what l may say will have no effect,
and the warning comes in notes that are full
OF bad spelling and full of the smell OF tobacco
and bad whiskey. told my secretary to show me
only pleasant letters, and not let the filthy emana-
tions OF vile actors come near me. 1 am asked why
ldenounce the stage when my profession keeps me
from entering the theatre. l answer that the
service OF Christ puts no men on the limits. 90
where any man here may go. What is wrong for
him Is wrong for ME. Ihave been the theatre but
three times one of these times to see Forrest, and
that in my earlier manhood. But is it necessary
to be constant attendant to understand It's work
lngs and denounce the evil 1t works ? / have
never been IN gambling house, yet shall hesitate
to warn the young men OF my congregation
from entering its portals. have never entered
house OF shame, yet shall be slow to denounce
the pathway that leads to death and he'll lam
not constant visitor at the theatre, and, there
FORE know nothing OF the drama. Why, the Book
Of Job Is drama in itself; and venture to say |
know more oil the theatre than any man in this
house. 1 have been invited to the Park and Old
Bowery, and intend TO accept the invitation; but
Intend to carry the torch OF salvation into the
midst OF the abomination. Two Sundays
ago an old actor said to me, .'You have
told the truth and l know It," Numbers OF
thanking me for the warning. Young men and
women have assured me that they would never
attend the theatre again. II / save but one soul
Is not my reward certan9 Moan preached for los
years and saved but eight. When sodom was
doomed to destruction two angels left heaven to
save single soul. / am asked II the stage can be
reormedf l answer, no, 1t is impossible.
i am pointed to the stage OF the present in con-
trast with that OF the past, and say that it as
indecent panderer TO the lecherous tastes OF
depraved pubic as the "Black Crook,n which
shocked old theatre goers upon It's first repre-.
sentation, and finally brought ladies and gentle
men to witness it. Ask me which theatre win be
the loser and answer that which sticks closest
to the legitimate drama. Ask me which will be
the gamer, and say that play and theatre which
ministers to the depraved and vitiated public
taste. What is good intend to take and apply to
walls. Her orchestra shall delight my congrega-
Mons with the choicest music, and II there be
any in whom any grace is lett Will admit them
into the ministry. am not at all harsh. like
fun. am a child Of nature and follow the bent OF
my own fancy and say iearlessly whatever think
right. / nave had notice that was to be assas-
nnated; but don't Iear. go home every night
by Lafayette avenue, and dare any man to put
hand on nee. only say what many actors have said
TO me in private and what one OF the greatest OF
actors MacreadD wrote previous to his death.
He said In that letter, which have seen in his
works. II desire child OF mine ever to en- er a
theatre or to associate IN any way with any actor
or actress" / say the same to the young men
and women OF this congregation, and vita their
Aid do not ear but can crush out this devil's
institution. No amusement, theatrical, operate,
BIOLOGICAL or aught else, should be permitted.
All of the reverend gentleman's hits were re-
ceived with loud applause and his more jocular
remarks with peals Of laughter.