Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-16
Rev. Mr.. Young. Of Boston. Speaks q
Good Word for the Drama.
From the Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald.
The question, .Shall we go to the theater?''
was the text Of discourse preached yesterday
| morning to the congregation of the New South
church by Rev. George II. Young Many people
agree, said that gentlemen, in the beneficial in
huence exerted by amusement, but they dis
believe in the stage, and seem to think 1t i'm
possible that there can be anything like per-
sonal purity among actors and actresses. Often,
too, the pulpirindulges in wholesale denuncia-
tion Of the stage. But is it not possible to take
a less exaggerated view of the matter! II we
look around us we shall see that, as society is
now OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are bound to be amused.
1t Is busy world this. People are IN rush
all the time. Our bu mess men are ABSORBED In
their work during the day, and sometimes they
extend it far into the night: There were real
lieved paint was the only article of commerce,
and that even 1t had to be pushed. All business
men know what the pushing means, Wltp the
immense rivalrieS in trade and developments
In business. He who can work the longest a. d
show the greatest powers of endurance-he Is
supposed to be the man who can march the
straightest to success. OF course, business cuts
acrDss the grain. and we should be glad to see
less of devotion to it-a state of things In which
pushing" is not so much the fashion.
1t has been said that if all the men In the
world did their part of the worlds work, four
hours day would be enough to devote to bust
ness. AT the same time, we must take the
world as it is. We find it full OF this feverish
character. Hence some recreation is needed.
not momentary recreation. but recreation all
through the year. 1t is we'll to have some
think TO call off the mind from this intense de-
votfon to business interests. Amusement does
which he has been wont to move. 1t used to
be the fashion to frown on amusement, and
tn DO good tn IL 1sso so
many with religion. The boston theater
audience tonight will be made up largely of
bonds were drawn too tightly in their boyhood
by father and mother, who really thought they
were doing Gods service. they came to regard
rel hlY Uln n
That is u natural reaction. But we are wiser
to-day, and must go upon broader principle
CANNON sense il it proposes to 60 about the
world with a long face. The real work of re-
h$1on is 10 seek To make men as JOYOUS, instead
OF as mourniul,as possible, i'll order that the
tears may flow less and some day come TO be
forgotten; TO make one joyousis often to make
one nobler and IL better man. Hence we take
issue with all the old ideas.
The Christian life is not necessarily somber.
1t is bright, glsd and joyous: Make room for
a bit OF it.. serve God nowhere more fail hfully
or more divinely than by putting bright-hued
JOY into the heart OF my child, and in seeking
to make my home constantly glad. 1t is, oi
course, true that the thstter is too often prost
tutcd to base ideas. But ask for discriminate
tioA i'll regard to everything else. 1 speak for
me DRAMA such as we know it in the preScn tai
ront nj men like Irving, Booth and Barrett
The play paints life in its true colors. SHOWS the
baseucSs OF evil and the beauty OF those traits
OF character that we regard as of the finest the
nobLtst and the best. Great actors and ac-
tFeH>cS VINO can adequately present great plays
with wisdom and iuSpira, ion are just as much
To be credited with a divine mission as amy
other Class OF men, in the pulpit or out OF II.
You may find abuses in the thcater. but the
abuses do not initiate against the institution
it>eli. All =, plays are not ennobiing,
creates the supply. II plays not ennob-
ling have not kept their place on the stage ii is
because so many good people in society have
gathered their skirts about them and passed by
the theater as too low Tor their attention. The
drama will hold its place in society because it
presents the mirror To life, sets before us the
Things of our common lot. and shows our
selves walking in other guise. This is the secret
OF the undying fame of the great dramatl>tS.
Just 80 long men walt for light to be thrown
On the great problems of their lives. just so long
viii shakespeare re-engage human attention.
The playhouse properly conducted, IL eXer-
cIScS Il >alutary influence. Shall we go to
tue theater: Yes. providing that Will. we see
there be clean and pure. And not by prejudice
is the stage to be made what it ought to be.
just in proportion good people endeavor to
create a demand that the theater shall admin
lister to what is good, and by their patronage of
what is the best show their appreciation of it,
just in proportion will the stage be improved
We shall, Therefore, do wisely not to pronounce
TRADES against the theater, but help to make it
better, 10 the end that it May touch man as
with u strain of sweet music, make him think
OF the eternal harmOnies, and draw his soul