The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-24
MASONIC TEMPLE.


MORAL INFLUENCE OF THE sTAGE--sERMoN BY
Mr.. o. b. FRoTHINGHAM.
The moral influence Of the stage was discussed by
Mr.. .. ID. rockingham In his morning sermon ut
Masonic Temple Among other things he said that.
In considering the forces of society the stage il not
TO be sighted dcspised SGT aside of no account
for it holds high place in the controlling agencies
of humanity. 1t is among the agitators and the
reansrs of mankind. 1t must. therefore, be evident
that the time has arrived whom the old quarrel be-
tween the stage and tho pulpit should cease as its
cause no longer exists. No person knowing the
needs of society will ever advisedly allow himself to
speak slightingly OF popular institution o. the
stage. Religion and the stage have both changed for
the better. Religion is no longer what 1t was two
hundred years ago. The world has become enlarged
In every sense. the interests of mankind have in
creased in proportion to 'the spread Of civilization
and pulpit dogmatism, like many things of the past
has become discrcdited. 1t is credit now
Tor doctor of divinity to tell his congrc-
cation that Christendom has united to put its
loot upon the stage. Religion now speaks gently;
moreover the character OF the stage is altered from
what IL was. Now there is no longer the shadow OF
sught remaining in any respectable play house to
wound the most tender susceptiDilities. Gentlemen
and ladies go there without forgetting that they arc
gentlemen and ladies' and no word will be spoken or
The old obnoxious plays are not used. Doctors OF
divinity have been seen in the play houses OF New
York, well in those of London and Paris.
and the "Litlc Church Around the Corner" which
Ia so delightfully."- well rs beautifully. associated
with players In this city, breaches strictly Ep SEQ
palan faith. Actors who 90 there mingle IN society
like the members OF other professions and they and
the Church took each other by tho hand out Of
mutual respect
GOOD BAD ARGUMENTS.
The time has now come when argument not do
nunciaion. must be used by religion well other
theories if IL would convince. We are all actors
actresses under one form another and our part is
assigned Ia us by the manager that is superior to
every controlling influence and II IL part take
our part without complaining. Is it an
gument against the stage for any one TO
say that IL superior TO tho pulpit because 10 draws
immensely larger nousesY Certainly not. The low
est things often draw together the greatest crowds
because they can be comprchonded by the vulgar
There must have been more money taken In last
week at dilmore's Garden, where people went to wit
ness pedestrian struggle than at all the theatres in
the city during the same time. This In not strange
when we come to reflect that twelve years elapsed
before the first edition, comprising 500 copies, of
Enersons grand essay nature exhausted
and this too In the face OF tho fact that novels could
be named which have sold at the rate Of 900 volumes
In q fortnight. As further illustration of want OF
good taste among the multitude IL must be remein-
bcred that for musician who ntcrprcts Richard
wagncrs "Tannhauser' or 'Lohengrin" there are