The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-29
aofolng Star and Catholic MESSENGER.
wuw ORLEANS SUNDAY. NOVEMBER 20. is74.
THE GOSPEL VS.. THE WORLD.
Translated from the Frouch.l

Translated from the Frouchl
As Christians we attend to the school
of the world and at the same time to that of
Jesus Christi Can we blend the maxims OF
the theatre with the moral of the Gospel
They are incompatible; 80 great is the differ |
ence between Light aud Darkness, SO great 10 |
that between the spirit of the stage and that
of o true Christian. To die to the world and
its folies that is to say, Gas speaks the beloved
disciple of the most holy aed most amable OF
Masters,) to all that fatters in man the concu- |
piscense of the flesh, that of the eyes and the |
pride of life; this is the spirit of Christianity.
To nourish in our soul the love of the world
and of it's unruly appetites, such Is, If not the
object, at least the fruit of going to the thea
tire. In the Gospel, every where, Jesus Christ
mathematics the world; on the stage, we find
the world in all that we see, in all that we
hear and our heart absorbs its poison unaware.
Is it at the foot of the Of Jesus crucified
that we expect to be instructed or is it at
the school of the world and it's passionsf OF
these two teachers. so entirely opposed, which
enc shall we choosef And under what pre-
tense should we 60 to the spectacle Of intrigues
of love, of ambition, of revenge and hatred
to hear ON the stage language OF passion
which no one with religion conld listen to
privately without reproach; TO see there ex-
posed false principles of honor, and lessons of
pleasure and luxury. But, you will say, one
might select the best of the plays, which would
not be incompatible with the spirit of Christi
anity. Th"re are scarcely any suoh, and even
then, all that accompanies them is as danger
ous as ever; the character Of the actors them
selves, in general, renders it ridiculous for
them to attempt to portray virtue, and the
moro pius and Christian you are, the moro will
your presence at theatre be O subject of
scandal to others. We must respect ourselves
il we wish to be respected.
But somewill say We do not pretend to 60
there every day, only from time to times and but
once, perhaps, to satisfy our curiosity" And
where would we be in morals if the Same argu-
rnent were used and If under this pretext all
had to be seen and tasted No, II the theatre is
bad in itself-it is wrong to 60 there once for
being attractive of its nature, it would only
create desires to return.
"But 1t is allowed to recreate ourselves some-
times and there must be amusements," others
will reply. Do not fear that, with q spirit of
austere reform, in preaching to you the morti-
fcation of the Gospel, should dare to inter-
dict all innocent pleasures that are permitted,
but yet.must it be proven that they are permit
ted and do not offend piety and morality, that
their contagion do not inspire the love of false
pleasures, the spirit of dissipation by taking MS
too much out of ourselves to attach us to vain
Actions and to throw rs into transports, which
virtue and reason condemn. And are there
NO other means to recreate ourselves. When
st. Louis of France thought it his duty to
Danish from his skingdom the plays of the
theatre, were there no amusements LETT to those
to those who needed themf All for beauti-
full soul, there are pleasures more pure, and
sweeter tears to shed, than those drawn from o
mere show. Are there not enough Of real I'M
Eortunates around us to excite our compassion,
and what pursr emotions than those felt in 70
lieving them; and the family-oircle and the
joys Of the Preside, have they become 30 dull
and unsatisfactory that there needs be 30 much
diversion from themf Even if this homo hap
piness is not granted to you, If this earth offers
you it's thorns and none of it's roses, there is NO
healthy glow of heart In the feverish heat of o
ball or D theatre to satisfy you. Those who gen.
orally frequent theatres are those who seek ex-
citement; and the plays are ingeniously made to
Aatter the strongest passions and to paint
morals in such q color as to blind or at least
dim the true light of conscience; those who
90 there wish to be strongly affected, but not
by remorse or by being made to feel terror and
pity on their own miseries. Oh! no, their
pride is cunningly spared. So we see in the
pieces represented on the stage, violent pas
sions, ennobled with art love, which is the
most universal and to be feared, rears it's head
on the ruin of all the virtues, claims all the
interest, and arouses all the feelings; all the
weaknesses and crimes that follow in it's wake
are disguised and palliated. There the young
will learn the language and maneuvering of
intrigues of love, and will adopt its pretexts
and repeat its excuses. Other ardent and most
dangerous passions, which bring so much mis-
fortune to humanity-the spirit of retaliation
of pride, thirst for revenge, will take an air of
nobility and of elevation that will fain make
them resemble true courage and greatness of
soul On the stage scheming and duplicity