The sun., 1881-12-11
The Relation OF the Clergy to Amuse.
ments.

The Rev. Dr. RICHARD 8. SToRRs of the
Church Of tho Pilgrims in Brooklyn is q
clergyman who does not appear to bs afraid
to crafty taste for harmless recreation
because to do 30 Is unconventional, or what
might even be termed unclerical. "a very
interesting affair."" according to our es-
teemcd contemporary the Brooklyn Daily
Eagle "took place Mt the residence Of Mr..
FRANKLIN WOODRUFF" on Thursday even
ing, and among the invited guests present
was the Rev. DR.. SToRRs.
The event was nothing less than a private
match OF billiards between Mr.. WILLIAM
SEXTON and Mr.. JOSEPH DION, tho we'll
known experts In this fascinating game. A
regular thrce-ball game OF five hundred
points was played In the presence Of a dis
tinguished company. Then the players in
dulged in some flno fancy shots, and subse-
Quently everybody indulged in refresh
ments. The occasion was one OF innocent
and agreeable enjoyment throughout.
Tho presence OF prominent minister OF
religion ut such an entertainment not only
shows strong good sense on his part, but is
Indicative, we think, OF n change In the atti
tude Of tho clergy generally toward all
amusements not evil in themselves.
A pronounced expression uf tho changing
sentiment In this respect Is found in tho
BoHLEN lectures for 1881. delivered at Phil
adelphia by Bishop DUDLEY OF Kentucky.
This fearless writer advocates q wise dis
elimination as the great present need of tho
Church. In reference to popular amusc-
ments, he declares that tho clergy are stand
ing on ground that is wh lily untcnable.
i believe" he says. that the indiscrm-
inate condemnation Of one whole class Of
Amuscments and the indiscriminatc mp
proval OF another has produced the effect
upon the mass OF Christian people to destroy
tho value of all such Judgment" He cannot
sec why clergy and laity may rightiuly 30
hand in hand TO the concert hall OF reading
hall, there to hear the prima donna or
tragedian, and yet must be forbidden to
attend the opera or theatre. The actor who
refused to read Shakespeare before q Young
Mems Christian Association is pronounced
worthy OF admiration for his rebuke to
Christian inconsistency in telling the young
men that it could not be right for them
to hear him read while seated in a chair
the language they deemed 1t unlawful to
listen to II spoken by tho same person
dressed in character.
In games, the same unreasonable distinc-
tions arc shown by Bishop DUDLEY TO
exist, and cards are taboucd in households
where dominoes and backgammon are
sources OF constant amusement The con-
trasts OF this Sort might be carried much
further. An; the Bishop Is right in regard
lnx the enforced separation Of the clergy
from their people in hours OF recreation as
. mighty evil. In tho bowling alley, the
Rev. DR.. SToRRs is a formidable rival OF any
member OF his congregation. Why should
he not be permitted to become equally in
vincible at the billiard table?
"We!l will it be for the Church when it
shall be fully recognized that what Is law
full for People is lawful for Priest, and that
what the Priest may not do because IL Is
sinful, his People too must forego." Every
step toward the fuller recognition of this
truth is in the direction OF true religious
progress.