Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-04-21
The Warrington Presbytery and
Chief IuAllc4 Dc6ke,& ReSOluttOm.

The Warrington Presbytery and
Chief Justice brakes Resolutions
In order to get at the true version OF the dis
cussion upon Judge brakes resolution to dis
cipline the members of the church for attend
ing the theater, a reporter of THE STAR caiieo
upon DR.. David Wills, one of the clergy "ho
took an active part in the discussion OF the
same, when the following colloquy took place.:
Star Repoyter.-DoctOr. have noticed con
trarietylof:Statement I'm the.presS respecting tne
discussion had the other day on Judge Drake Ike,
paper requiring all members OF the cnuTcn VIII
attend theaters to be disciplined ..,,.-
DR.. WiHs-Yes; the members OF the preSoy-
terry could not see the sublecI IN Inc gnC LIZ, one
GOOD and generally approved of. Indeed. I
wanted it adopted with the disciplinary clause
left out: but the 10 is supeflof WIS
special committee, to report on it at its next
meeting in the fall.
star Reporter.-What particular part do you
Dr. Wus-That part which makes 1t obliga-
tory on our church sessions to discipline church
nothing In the Bible, from Genesis to Revela-
lions, which pronounces the mere attendance
on the theater as sin per sc. And there Is
nothing In the constitution or government OF the
Presby terrain Church which makes it an offence
In the sense OF our dlSciplne-that Is, an offence
for which member may be tried and censured
You are not to infer, however, by this that l
am by any means an advocate of the theater As
constituted ard conducted, think it has been
school OF dissipation TO the world and ought
Lot TO be patronized by Christian people. Bur
deem all legislation OF the church on this sub
ject as unwise and inexpedient. Some Of our
best people occasionally drop in at the theater,
and tOattempt to discipline them would only
stir up old Adam within them, and, perhaps
drive them into some other denomination where
they could exercise more liberty of conscience
The truth is. the whole subject of popular
amusements Is very difficult and delicate one
for the church to handle, and to deal with it
wisely calls for the utmost wisdom and prudence
We know that the church must protest in
trumpet tones against the sins and foliies OF
the world; but there are many questions of
doubtful expediency, which. at last. must he
left to the individual Christian conscience The
right OF private Judgment must not be interfered
with. The drama aud the dance have always
been the favorite amusements of refined and
fashionable people. They involve the very
structure of our modern society, and cannot be
put down by prescription. We must offer men
something better. This was Christ's plan, and
should be ours
Star Reporter.-I am not, then, to understand
that you condemn the legitimate drama?
we regard 1t as marking the highest type of
civilization of the ages, and true patron of
genius and art. Hamlet is gem of peerless
excellence, and 1t seems to us that there Is
more good sense and good taste displayed in
witnessing fine performance Of this play than
in reading sensational novels, which are ca
rcature or the sober realities OF life, or In at
tending masquerades to promote pioS objects
My impression is, that II ministers would gen
orally dip deeper into Shakespeare there would
be more salt In their sermons and fewer Sleep
ers In the pewS.
Star Repcrter.-I understand you to say that
The theater, as now constituted, Is school of
dissipation, and at the same tine that the
church members ought not to be disciplined
Tor attending 1t. Is there not an Inconsistency
IN these two statements?
. DR., HHis.-NOt a particle. Our position is
mat church members cannot be disciplined for
an act which cannot be proven TO besinrul from
he word Of God; and no deliverances OF our
church courts apart from this authority can be
Din01ng. You must prore. not conjecture, a
nan to be guilty of beresy or immortality be-
ore you can touch him with the rod of disci-
)line.
Star Reporter.-What remedy. then, do you
propose?
Dir. WnIs.-Just the same remedy we propose
or all other evils OF society, namely: higher |
ulture. Raise the standard OF piety in the |
,hurch, and there Will be but little trouble on
MS subject. In proportion, as you build no the |
lealIh OF the body OF Christians you break
lOWn It's diseases. Fill the bushel with wheat. |
mo tnen you may pile on as much chan as you
hOOse. 'ON
Star Reporter.-Are these views generally con-
urre0 In Oy your ministers?
IN: Wlus.-l think 50, though am not al
lSi,ae 10 speak Tor them. nuuw that Drs.
,unueriald, Paxton and Bittinger. OF this cttT'
ioio substantially tie same views.