New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-08-08
Preaching In Theatres.

building houses for the Lord. Millions o
dollars in all large cities have been collect
ed and scattered to erect temples of divine
worship. These houses are in every way
adapted to the conveniences and tastes O.
present day worshipers. They have theil
altars and their organs. arched windows
with stained and softened glass, kneeline
stools and prayer book racks, and for bap
tisms they have water tanks beneath the
pulpit, which obviate the necessity Of
going down into q stream like Jordan and
being baptized. as was the custom in the
rude days Of John the Baptist. The church
buildings have bells to call together such
as have no timepieces, and they have tall
steeples. which crafty the pride of pilgrims
and point the way above. The church
! buildings are marks Of civilization; they
are an ornament to villages, and credit to
| the people. It is true some of them are
mortgaged property, for many societies will
build beyond their means; but that detracts
| nothing from the lessons of economy. the
| warnings to pay what you owe, and the folly
| Of extravaganza taught within. The church
! building is the proper home OF the modern
gospel. People 60 in to get the gos-
pei, and want and expect to get nothing
| else. The habits of men are strong upon
| them. and going to church is habit
| learned in youth and lasting lifetime.
The child is taken up the broad aisles and
receives name. is christened to be known
of all men thereafter. The remains of white
haired fathers and mothers are borne up
the same route, when still in death, that the
last sad words may be said before those we
| have loved come to be known no more.
Parents give their children in marriage be-
fore the holy altar. On the chu rch floor is
seen the beginning Of life. the united and
developing life, the end OF life; and from
the sacred desk is taught the oest wisdom
for this world, and hope for better world
to come. One Of the arguments advanced
for building fine church edifces is that
they inspire q reverence for religion that
could not be obtained in ordinary halls
The poor faborer goes from his howell to the
Cathedral, and feeling Of awe comes over
him. He notes how much better Off is the
oUuCA CuNn ulWoChe DULUTH LILO u0N0 OI
Shoddy. humble persons respected man
for his brown stone 'front.'. Savings banks
and insurance companies build most ex-
pensive buildings for occupancy with the
idea that the people who invest in stock
will somehow connect the solidity of iron
and stone with tho strength Of the institu-
tions. Nothing is too good for Him who
created the world. and when men cheer
fully yield money enough to pay for church
property. and are willing it should be taxed
like other property. nothing much can be
said against elegant churches. The hand
somer they are the better, when free from
debt.
But when religion is Aken from a church
and put il . playhouse next door. tho gos.
pei is all at sea. There is in a city like this,
welt supplied with churches, 10 necessity
for such change. No battle is won. IF
preaching should take the place of acting
on Sunday nights we should all be glad
even then it would be better for the actor to
close his playhouse, and visit the church on
Sabbath evenings-but such thing is not
thought OF. and Sunday amusements are
not preached against. The services held at
the Academy Of Music are only occupying
of nights. as it were. When the good man
ageg-who has kindly placed the use of his
theatre at the disposal Of the Evangelical
out his variety com.
pany. he will bill his stars tor Sun
day nights. lave the clog dance and
comic song on the stage where the
pulpit now stands, and tho preachers
will 60 back to their churches, having
gained nothing by the crusade. Actors have
their rights and privileges, and SO have
pre- achers; the one ciass equal with the
other. Eloquent and instructive preaching
is good thing, 80 is the intellectual drama.
They help make up the salads of life, but
they are oil and water 90 far as trying to
mix them is concerned. We often hear |
songs, cantatas, dialogues. recitatione, and !
see tahleaux. which are subdued concerts, |
operas, comedies and pantomimes, in |
but always for the benefit of the /
church. and never to help an actor. If it is
light and proper for the preacher to preach |
n the playhouse, it is right and proper for
he actor to act in a church. That is the
'ather irreverant logic of putting ones self |
n other peoples places.
We are told that it is lawful to DO good in
my place: and then we come to look for
he good done. Preaching is not a novelty,
hough preaching in theatre is. People
more familiar with the interior of theatre |
han of a church will stay away until the
layers come. The novelty of the religious
ervice in the theatre seems most novel to
he non-theatre goer, and such could be
reached to in churches. Several congre-
ations unite to worship in q theatre; in
tead of six meetings on the same evening
here is but one under the new plan, and
ne serman instead Of half . dozen on the
anne night. We are told that it breaks up
lines, that such services
rake church unity. Such compromises
bould be made in churches, nor wait for
layhouses. The Presbyterian and Metho-
ist may meet and sit down together in q
leatre, and going out refuse to associate
'gether in churches. This fraternal stub
ornness certainly makes an impression on
le sinner, but the impression made is not
good one, and 10 permanent good has
ben accomplished by the exhibition.
verything sensational. or out of the usual
'urse, connected with q religion which
langes not, is questionable. The temper
ice crusaders of Ohio, who took the gos-
u of total abstinence into the saloons and
arrooms, where Christian ladies sang