New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-26
THE cHURcH And THE THEATRE.
THEIR REIAuoNs-THE THEATRE NOT ALTOGETHER
BAD.

THEIR REIAIIuNs-THE THEATRE NOT ALTOGETHER
BAD.
% the Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The paper on "Thc Church and the
Theatre read by the Rev. W. W. Newton at the recent
Church Congress, gives announcement TO many who
Ike himself. deplorc the theoretical attitude Of the
church toward the stage Reading between the lines OF
that paper Gnd myself in u accord with its general
spirit and purpose. But III ITS literal wording there
expressions which reveal of the difficulties in the
way that "IcOrl," which i necessary on the part OF
the church ITSELF wei the condition Of the stage
There r. the assumpuon-confcsseGy untOunded IN per
soua nycstigatcn-that The theatre OF today is pre-
yailmgly corrupt, and unworthy The encouragement by
the presence counsel OF the Christian munster and
therefore Of the Christian layman. Its necessity is ad
uitted It's possibilities hopefully considered II Is
spoken Of III the hndest of tones; but there pity
and caution too-such might De used speaking
Of some one o. prcsumpuycy able and admirable quail
ties who is rs yet far astray Discrimination is
mcH3ed But how discriminate, II one is not to goi
They VINO have so far overcome the piudces Of train
ing and the fear Of prescription, as TO 90, without the
blush OF shame to the theatre have found there
alton much like that afforded. say by VISIT to all acad
envy Of the fine arts the in the other they
have found much that beautiful and pure much
that was Indifferent yet unobiccdonable and some
times things that they would rather not have found.
But they have gone to the theatre not expecting to find
It formal teacher religion morals, but temple OF
acted aria place Of diversion.
They demanded Observance OF the propretcs Of all
civilized procedures They found them, ordinarily, As
little violated, In the common OF business Or
social intercourse They have not been surprised at
casona coarse outcrOppings because they find coarse
ness in So many OF the forms and ways Of life.
You aud have been sometimes disappointed in the
tone OF something in our favOnte newspaper maya
zine aud we have come home from the lecture. more
than Disappointed and, once in a while. have been
little less than amiabe after a church and
Ould give quarter to veness and quarter
to the money sping spirit that feeds vleness but
would not turn my back forever upon "A respectable
stage aud uuOn good play because actor
should see lit 10 introduce expleye that for the
meut oncnds good taste. would that, aud let
my Censlre be known but should be neither Reason
able nor just In considering that the central motive 0fhe
play The notion that the prevailing tone of the average
theatre II positively and aggTessyoy immoral that II Is
chiefly and drsgncdy drprayed, exists only because OF
] the exclusive wall which people have placed
around IT, and the side OF which their consceuccs
keep them. Treat the theatre you treat fictitious lit
erature a. that which in some shape will be had by
ninetenths OF mankind aud think of u like fiction
presenting itself too often In repusiye FORM but lust
! often IN heathul, helpful form. JCsTITIA.
| hCN York, Nov. 10, 1877.