The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-06-25
The Pulpit and the Stage.


There has been a gradual change
of front on the part of the pulpit
toward the stage since DR.. Bellows
preached his famous sermon on
the theatre. At that time the at
titude of most of the prominent
ministers was that Of open oppo-
sition, and the stand taken by the
eloquent preacher Of All Souls
Church met with a pronounced
condemnation from his contempo-
raries. Ministers, if they attended
the theatre, did so stealthily, or
felt the necessity of giving some
special reason for their conduct.
Even members of churches, as a
general rule, were not found there
in very large numbers. It is not
so now. The feeling has changed
from open opposition, and even
''professed Christians give the
sanction of their presence. It is
now generally recognized that the
theatre has always existed, and
has come to stay. Its enormous
power for good and evil is admit
ted. We have a striking illustra-
ton Of this in the article of the
February Forum by Rev. Thomas
Hughes, rector of the Church of
the Holy Sepulchre, New York, to
which we have before called atten-
ton. Instead of opening fire on
the theatre or indulging in gener-
alities, he critically examines the
productions of the stage, and
brings them to trial. His verdict
is that they do not indicate high
standard of intellect; and his judy
ment is enforced by that Of the
accomplished and able theatrical
student and critic, Mr.. Henry A.
Clapp. "How is it," asked Mr..
Hughes of a stage manager and
critic of twenty-five years Of ex-
perience, ''that we do not find in
the modern play half-dozen con-
secutive sentences which will find
place in English literature?"
Because" he replied, 1--WE have
not the men to write them" But.
even if such writer's could be
found, it is doubtful whether plays
Of a high intellectual character
would secure a large hearing. The
fact is the great majority go to the
theatre to be amused, therefore,
its teaching power is a secondary
consideration.
It is surely desirable that the
stage be put on higher level in
tellectually; yet we must recognize
the fact that the great majority go
to the theatre to be amused. Our
intense and complicated life
creates SO great a stress that it is
a boon to have the burdens of
care and toll lightened by hearty
laugh. The important thing is
that the laugh be provoked by
what is morally wholesome. The
gospel of fun has important uses.
The we'll known adage that the
devil is afraid Of a laugh shows
it's moral value. The important
point is that the laugh be pure
and clean. To make wickedness
attractive by coarse and vulgar
wit, or to laugh sneeringly or flip
PANTY at virtue, is to sap the very
foundations of morality. It is
sometimes both sad and amazing
to know that even right-minded
women gaze upon scenes and listen
to words which tend to lower the
standard of womanhood and cause
a blush of shame. Such plays
should be denounced, and, when
seen without a previous knowledge
Of their character, should receive
an indignant protest. The man.
ayers study the public pulse; and
a play which fails to attract is at
once withdrawn. If we are to
have a reform, it must come from
the demand of the better class of
thea ire goers; and in this reform
the press and the pulpit can do
work. -Christian Register.
There are more men ennobled