New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-17
TIE THEATER md THE CHURCH.

LECTURE ny THE REV. DIR. G. d. PORTEOUs.
The Rev. c. b. PorteOus lectured in the
Academy OF Musc in BROOKLYN, last evening. upon Tho
Attitude OF the Church toward Amuscmens." Ho began
his lecture by speaking of the spiritual and animal
natures OF man, both which had their surround
ing and atmosphere. Out OF the animal nature
came all questions OF social life which arc 80 dear 10
man. IL may be popular TO say that this animal man
should not DO encouraged. but that will not DO
the avowal OF any man who knows his nature. 1t
must beDr0ught upon a healthy platform, on which the
moral and spiritual be upborne. The qualification OF
the lower man ia imperative desire and this should
not be ignored by tho CHURCH II olergymen would be
fair they must allow that animal, has dis
tinct claims upon amusements and demands enjoyment
aud pleasure and social satisfaction The attitude OF tho
orthodox church aSagouistlc to amusemcnts and
enoyments IT. opposed this from the notion
that they In themselves vicious that they have ton
denotes TO draw away from higher life. that they
do not help but postpone tho better culture OF man
take distinct issue, he said, this point We find
that tho eDoymens demanded is not OniyIallowable
but necessary The theater is said by to be bad.
vicious, and terribly wicked thing Acting Is an instinct
OF human nature. This instinct has gathered around it
literature which is impershable, and its influence has
been equal with human progress IL Is one Oh the nne
arts is achievement paint on canvas repre-
sonations of the emotions, how much hotter II when
II takes living fOrmsi small body Of tho clergymen
believe that the theater miserable and wrong thing
teaches moral inouicates high standard OF pcrec
tion and OF the devices of the devil larger body
believe 1t Is a good thing In Itself, but that
II ia surrounded with such vicious atmosphere that
would be unwise and hazardous Ia go near IT, But this
good should be taken up aud expanded until the evil
surroundings vanquiscd There - very small sec
OF the Church that believes the theater Is good
place. that IL ought TO be patropized by all healthy,
strong manly men; That rs 1t was meant to be school
Of culture the Church should not stand BY crtCslng
H. but say here is material that we can WORK up INTO
healthy adaptation To the people" The English Clergy
had fine opportunity TO do this when the Prince Con
sort tried 10 make tho legitimate drama popular but
they hung back and the stage Is worse than before
An experiments uUon a smaller scale has been tred IN
New-YOrk. gentleman there has tried with his wealth
and labor TO improve the theaeT; Ihe Churoh papers
said he has not succeeded they say Is VAS not the
vicious surroundings but the total dep,ayy OF tue poo
pie which defeated the object don't believe that is
true. | believe Nsw-YJIk theaters are like OTHER
theaters. and not more vicious than others That ~
not The secret the secret Is int tne whoe attitude Oh
| the New-York clergy has boen In Opposition to IT,
40 We are good church people , ara Tans 10
bad for u.s. will do good Cor MS to stay
at home That We will sat bad example Now, who Is
to DO the Judge OF tins materf 81 Paul says We arc
not be udgcd In eating or drinking: We are to
JH6ar ~ rrctiinde There are come Catholic clergy
men recognize That IL Is now Time for them To be
positive instead Of negative IN tLis matter .,
The wonan's revolution in tho West Is negative
movement 1t il attacking gigantic foe, and is
all before the fire on tne prairie sweeps up tue
pras, what then IL takes away old satisfaction.
inc Old pleasure the old adaptation animal man.
wrong in itself but wrong in its excess. What are
you going ve poor creatures Tor what you have
tlseD awayl When the reaction o1mes YOU will sec
there mischief in good WORK as well AS good Tue
clergy must supply something this, and Tor the de-
m,nds of tho 10 ser man FOR amusement. So it
Of churches are s0metlmos thrown open
for faIs and Jucn enjDymeDts 49,
A fair Is now smil tnoater, by THE way splendid
far lately supported % rector ana oongrogation
which had u very the4t,lcal tngo, ami to orowna
Punch aud Judy were aided nave heard. also. OF an
enormity winch cannot approach without trepidation.
Churches s wink 1t t. Many ceTgyncn dance Asso
ciatious under the dirrct patronage Of the church
open their doors to dancing. nave not no
ucod any irrel-IOD come from IL. Young people
more healthy in soul AS tuoy DO body. have
awakened fact that love TO dance aud ought
hiltory policy has had its day Things were made 10
oe wrong which rgnt-nseess which were useful
Dancing Is better than dUmlebil IL makes our com
portmont betio Ii people dance badly Or lndeceny.
are 10 orsike the good there Is Ia III 81 might
40 the whole round oi pubIe miseinentI
low snal Y0 pJntroi these lhigasf We must 90 II by
lniuslDg hea;tuy ttOuInt in them, oy patron,
ahected tnat for several following days vas
OF religious ecstacy 50 realistic was the drama
tz.tion or lille Of tue great WonderwOrker LIT men
In earnest men culture. take hold of the theaer, aud
II they ~ make t wnat should be- lot IL DO cast
as dc. The experiment mas not been Tried ANA III must
be tried before Judgment can DO passed Lot us Try
small theater Ow1 houses IL VIII Keep tue BOYS
al nome 1t viii suDdue the enthusiasm OF the girls Tor
the opera and dress IL VIII unito iatner anu
mo her the homo center. In many parts OF America We
are ystazng home INTO home. making father father
aud mother mother in truth suggest 10 you 70 ty
the experiment. Ii you would have your nome made
sWeeer will he b. the lengCh OF your prayers but
10y the OF your household means To tho edu
cation aud amusement or your household people. 1
would 40 further l would nave tho Young Mems
Chr stan Associations to the verge Of the allowable
i'm proydlug for the grathcatiOn Of the young men.
La the treatment of TINS nave boon impeed
BY my desire good Of tho community to the state
mont by seeing reforms OF tho present day are
negative They say, "tbOu sDdlt not" Unless We do
not supply any Lhu1 the place Of that We take away,
n YOU only say, stop drinking" and then leave MN,
supported Tor moment only by the fascination OIL your
stsements the serpent still III MS pain, and his latter
end Will Do worse than the beginning. Humanity
must be converted by works; the day or
wnris IA gone. II this temperance move
msDt COMES into the midst OF you. do not
DO betrayed any sentmentay JON IT, put see that
,omething IS provided for the poor fellow In place OF
what You nave taken away. Positive adaptation vi pub
he amusement wanted and failing to got THIS men wall
Ibeir The theatre be reformed
without doubt and thus you can drive away tue ele-
mems of yciOusness which surrounds that ana other
pleasures; and then you * on IN progress owarus
That perfection In body aud nina anu heart, winch III
their totally constitute perfect manhood and perfect
wOnannO0d