Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-01-05
THE RELATION or THE CLERGY
TO. AMUSEMEhTS.
New YORK sun.

The Rev. DIR. Richard S. Storrs of
the Church Of the Pilgrims in Brook
lyn is clergyman who does not appear
to be afraid to crafty taste for harm
less recreation because to do 10 uncon-
ventional, or what might be termed
unclerical. "a very interesting affair"
according to our esteemed contempora.
ry the Brooklyn Daily EagLe, took
place at the residence of Mr.. Frank
lin Woodruff on Thursday evening,
and among the invited guests present
was the Rev. DIR. Storrs.
The event was nothing less than a
private match of billiards between Mr..
Sexton aud Mr. Joseph Dion, the we'll.
known experts in this facinating game.
A regular three.ball game of five
hundred points was played in the
presence Of Il distinguished company.
Then the players INDUCED in some
fine fancy shots, and consequently
everybody INDUCED in refreshments.
The occasion was one Of innocent and
agreeable enjoyable throughout.
The presence Of a prominent minis.
ter of religion at such an entertain
ment not only shows strong good sense
on his part, but is indicative, We think
Of n change in the attitude of the cler-
gy generally toward all amusements
not evil in themselves.
A pronounced expression of the
changing sentiment in this respect Is
found in the Bohlen lectures of 1881,
delivered at Philadelphia by Bishop
Dudley, OF Kentucky. This fearless
writer advocates n wise discrimination
a the great present need of the church.
Ia reference to popular amusements
he declares that the clergy are stand
ing on ground that is wholly untena-
bic.
Il believe" he saws. that the indis-
criminate condemnation of one whole
class OF amusemenis and the indis.
crimiuatc approval Of another has
produced the effect upon the mass Of
Christian people 10 destroy the value
of all sUch Judgment" lie cannot zee
Why clergy and laiiy may righifully
20 hand IN hand TO the concert hail or
reading hall. there TO hear the prima
donna or tragedian, and vet must be
forbidden to attend the opera or thea
tire. The actor who refused 10 read
Shakespeare before a Young Mems
Christian association is pronounced
worthy Of admiration for his rebuSc to
Christian inconsistency in telling the
young men that it could lot be right
for them TO hear him read while seat.
cd in a chair the language they deem.
ed IT unlawful to listen to ifspoken by
the same person dressed in character.
In games the same unreasonable
distinctions are shown by Bishop Dud.
ley 20 exist and cards are taboocd in
households where dominoes aud back.
CANNON are sources of constant amuse-
ment. The contra. Of this sort might
be carried much farther. And the
bishop is right in regarding the enior-
ced separation of the clergy from
hours Of recreation as a mighty evil.
In the bowling alley the Rev. Dr.
Storrs is a formidable rival of any
member Of his congregation. Why
should he not be permitted TO become
eqally iuvincible at the billiard table
"Well will il be for the church
when 1t shall be fully recognized that
what Is lawful 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 the truth is
in the direction of true religious pro.
gress.