New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-14
DANGERS OF TIE THEATRE.
The Rsr w. r. Ha1astG at The Washington Square MhOdist
Episc0p1t Church.

EItgcOpdt ChtTch
The Rev. w. +. Hatfield, OF the Washington
Square Methodist Episcopal Church. delivered last night
the rst OF series OF lectures young pers in
the city The title ~ his lecture was Popular AmusC
ments" but he confined bis remarks TO the theatre. He
spoke first OF the pers 10 which young men were cx
posed In large ciiios
/ am not opposed to amusement, the speaker con
tnued but they ought TO be ecvating In their Character
not degrading. Young men, when out
Oy the cares Of business, try to secure IN
their amusements the greatest amount OF pleasure
they can, and they resort 10 the theatre HereIt Is that
mans dramatic element Is most gracd. 1t Is not tie
bighOned theatres or we have any that they 20 to-
They attend rather such plays The Black Crook"
"The Black Venus" The Devirs Auction" six De-
grees OF Crime" Tho Devil in Paris" 1.-THE Devil
Pay" "Box and Cox" and tho Loan OF II Lover"
The testimony Of tho wisest aud best men, however Is
conclusive against the declaration that tho theatre Is
worthy of the patronage of the best casses Let pre-
sent few reasons why the theatre should not receive
the snd support OF young FIRST very
few Of those HhO earning their living afford
to parOnizc the theatre regular theatre gocr would
be surprised II lie should reckon up what this pleasure
costs him each year. do not mean simply what the
prices for admission but also that which
for refreshments between the acts, for "wetng the
whistle" for treating friends to wine and cigars
The education OF the theatre is fatal u successful
life. 1t has been urged III its defence that
more can 30 learned there OF human nature
than In any other school. The drama does indeed
disclose in human lite that too often men
do not care to look into II is true that selfish man
does want TO selfsnness the stage
nor a wicked man wlckcdness; but docs
the presentation OF the dark deeds OF human
nature the mysteries and miseries of the
Fortunate the vices than virtues OF humanity,
help In the building up OF manhood or IN the education
OF the moral powers What permanent good Ia derived
from such anusements DO they develop Hwceter
charity, more perfect SYMPATHY with or deeper love
for humanity DO they teach young man how 10 bat
tic with temptations DO they give blIn higher ideal
OF life Inave noticed that more young men who be-
come enanOured OF theatrical amusemcntS 10 look
upon dull ana nspid. They Indulge In castles in
air. they the clouds. aud dream OF large for
tunes OF becoming heroes.
The theatre has been pronounced by Its defenders TO
be q scnou OF morale Blu; i this sol II makes the
vices OF mon prominent than the virtues have
never heard that religion aud tho church were made
conspicuous staAe exoeD TO show up the hypo-
crte the and believes the other The
church and tho theatre have never been on good
terms and they never run things anke
Brother Talmage recommended that spectacular
drama be introduced that Christians and non-Chrieans
take part. and that play should be performed that
was not strictly moral. This might do very well for
certain casd OF people, but II would never do for the ma
ority II would be TOO tame. There would not DC Diood