The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-08
"a Plain Talk About the Thea
treD

"A Plain Talk About the Thea
ire"
The Rev. Herrick Johnson, D. D., delivered
in Chicago discourse, afterwards published
with the above title This Plain Talk" dis
closed, as far as it proper, the seductive i'm
moralities of the stage in Chicago, and elsewhere
as well, its positions being sustained by large
array of facts and testimonies, ancient and mod
ern, Christian and heather. AS might have
been expected, this alarm. sounded to awaken
his own people, and others, to the moral dangers
to which attendants at the theatre are exposed,
aroused the advocates and apologsts of this
form of amusement; and they charged that Dr.
johnson had dealt unfairly, by exaggerating
the evils denounced. In response he published
ga Palmer Talk about the Theatre, in which he
sustained every position he had taken by quo
tations from theatrical reviewers in the secular
press. The following paragraphs from The In
terror show that the ministers of Chicago, Pres
byterian and Others are heartily in accord with
DR.. johnson. That Professor David Swing is
" on the other si1e" will surprise no one.
The Presbyterian Ministers Associa-
ton on Monday February 29th,) re-
ceived, discussed, and unanimously adopt
ed the report of their committee, con-
sisting of Revs. Burrows, Ray, and
Wright, on the theatres of Chicago, as fol-
lows The present public discussion of
the moral character of theatrical repre-
sensations in Chicago appears to cali for
a reatfirmation of those convictions with
regard to the theatre which the Presby-
terrain Church has uniformly announced.
The bold, vigorous, and mastery attack
which has been made by the Rev. Her.
rick Johnson, D. d., on the dramatic in.
decencies of Chicago meets our most cor
dial and earnest approval, and we re-
Jolce In the force with which he has met
the arguments which has been brought
forward in defense of an institution which
the General Assembly in 1918 and in
1865 justly pronounced a school of i'm
morality. We believe that the theatre
as managed in Chicago is an open gate
way of perdition, and is in effect if not
IN intention persistently dangerous at
tack on the sacredness of family life.
While occasionally plays and actors have
been free from moral reproach, the play
house as an institution remains what it
always has been by the confession of
many OF its own Notwithstanding and
corrupting We are glad the Christian
conscience of this city is being quickened
to perceive the manifest improperly OF
yielding any patronage to an institution
whose influences are inimical to the
Christian family, and which insolently
desecrates the Christian Sabbath, and
thus undermines two of the chief defenses
OF Christian civilization. Affectionately
counseling all of Christs disciples to
carefully estimate their influence over
others, and believing that an unworthy
countenancing of the theatre, by lower
ing the tone of spirituality, has been one
OF the chief hindrances to a deep and
wide reaching revival of righteousness
and faith, we express the earnest and
prayerful hope that each Christian dis
oiPle may fully realize the obligation O!
throwing the undiminished weight of his
influence against an institution so mani
testify pernicious. The Rev. Messrs.
Wlshard, Burrows Dent, and Grant were
a committee to advise and CO.
operate with the clergy of other denomi-
nations IN a determined war on the in
decencies and immoralities of the theatre.
The rest of the time was devoted to
general and informal talk on the thea
ire and the best way of arousing a public
sentiment. Next week the meeting will
discuss The Relation of the Church to
Evangelical Work"
The Congregational, Baptist, and Metho
dist ministerial associations have each
heartily endorsed the position of DR..
Herriok Johnson on the Stage of Chicago.
Mr.. McVicker has challenged DR.. John
son to say specifically in regard to his
theatre what he has said generally of the
stage, with view to libel suit. This
is mere bluff and bravado DIR. johnson
has already specifically named McVick-
er's theatre, and made specific charges
against it, If Mr. McVicker means what
he says he will shut up his newspaper
noise and begin his suit. He has not the
least intention of doing either.