The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-12-31
CHTRCH aND STaGE

break down the bearrier that has al.
ways existed between the Church and
the Stage, aud by mutual discussion
try to clear away erroneous imprcs.
sions in the minds Of many well.mean.
ing but misiniormed Christian people
with regard 10 the theatre, and to
bring the two great factors Of ciyili-
zation into a closer bond OF sympathy.
The meetings Of this Guild have at
tracied considerable attention in Eng.
land and in America already, for at
these meetings some startling speech.
Is have been made by notable clergy.
men, which. although often Quixotic
in their character, clearly indicate the
growth Of liberal views in regard TO
theatre among those who have general.
ly bitterly opposed it. The London
limes has devoted considerable space
to the report Of recent meeting Of
this Guild, at which the Bishop Of
Carlisle presided. In the coIrse OF
the debate the Rev. H. G. Shuttle
worth delivered a speech upon popu.
lar amusements characterized by a
candor and a Justice seldom found
among the enemies Of the stage. A
few extracts may be made from that
speech as indicative II the spirit Of
the meeting "Of all the influences
which act upon society,"" said Mr..
Shuitleworth, "the drama has ever
been one Of the most powerful. The
dramatic instinct j. natural 20 man
kind, and the stage viii never cease to
be an instrument Of tremendous power
for good or evil. Church and Stage
should 20 hand in hand. That they
are rather rivals than fellow.workers
is to my mind one OF the saddest facts
OF modern life. Aud | cannot pre-.
tend to conceal my strong feeling that
IN a great measure this is the Church's
fault. We have scolded, we have de.
nounced, we have condemned the the
atre from pulpit aud platform. The
clergy have refused to attend theatres
themselves, and have done their ut
most to prevent Christian people from
doing so. We have despised the actor
and the actress, and refused TO recog-
nize their profession as an bic
calling. We have adopted toward
the stage the most fatal polIcy-the
policy Of isolation. Is it surprising,
then. that the modern stage is not all
it might be y After dwelling upon
the beneticent influences exercised up.
on society by the standard drama, the
speaker went on to say that, Ito the
town workman especially, the theatre
or the music hall affords temporary
escape from the terribly crushing
dullness Of his lite, from its hideous
and most brutalizing surroundings.
| claim for the lighter drama, even
for genuine burlesque and Tor stage
dancing, if modest. tree from silly vul-
garity and true TO art, their place
among helpful and wholesome amuse.
ments; and for those who act upon the
I lighter stage-for the comedian, the
singer, the dancer claim the res.
pect due to members Of useful and
honorable proiessisn-that of public
amusers. ! desire to enter my pro
teet, with all the indignant emphasis
of which words are capable, against
the too common opinion that such per
sons are almost necessarily Of question
able moral character. There are plen-
ty of black sheep, no doubt, in the
theatrical as in other professions; but
there are numbers among them who
would do honor to the best Of US in
their acquaintance While, howev.
err, granting all this, he believed that
there was very much about the mod
ern stage which called loudly for I'M
provement. To aid in the improve
ment, which he considered the theatre
needs, he submitted that the Church
"must remember that the stage is th,
mirror of life. and that the corruption,
Of the theatre are the index Of the vi
!, ces ola corrupt society. What the
l tastes of audiences demands the man
i ayers will provide. Aud if it is de
; based, it points to the imperfect full
= iillment by the Church Of her work Of
] regenera;ing society. We can do some
e thing, then, TO create the demand fol
pure and healthy stage amusements
a and TO arouse just indignation agains
$ all that degrades them. When goo,
1 and evil are mixed together, the wises
way to battle with the evil is to recog
n nize and uphold the good. But VI
G shall not do much to this end by stand
Il ing at distance We should surel,
u counsel earnest Christian people +
! give the support of their presence {
II theatres which are conducted on higI
!. principles; and, further, confess tina
y can not see why the clergyman is {
1t have another standard than the lay
70 man-why we should cut ourselves o
IT from the tremendous lessons of N
Is tragic stage; or, when we need it. tn