The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-27
REV. II. v. HUNTER GIVES HIS VIEW
ON A BURNING ISSUE.
PhiIistines In Control of the Theaters
Must he Driven Out-Christ-
mas Sermons.

Of Christ" DIR. Hunter said, In part:
The theater is an issue just now in our
city. One minister recently denounced the
Iheater In the most sweeping way, leaving
the impression that nothing could be said
In its favor either during the past or at
present. Another minister gave it great
credlt, and spoke of 1t as one of the noble
educational institutions needed by the race.
he left the impression upon some that there
was more of good in it than of evil. Each
OF these brethren is courageous and earn
est. An actor took hand by carding the
papers. He, of course, defended the stage
ana actors. But his card was more nota-
sanship than for the information 1t gave
or the truth it uttered Others have spoken
pro and con.
do not assume to be Sir Oracle nor to
settle the question i simply desire to-
night to say something, as requested by a
member TO do, which | hope may throw
troubled many. Anciently the theater was
an editce in which shows and spectacles
were exhibited for the amusement, and. in
gidentally, for the instruction of the people.
To-day the theaetr may be defined as u
pace where dramatic performances, such
IS tragedies. comedies, farces and operas
a aae exn n,, me word itself means to
tEre largely spectacular. The function of
the theater in its ideal form is to amuse
and instruct. The old Greek learned at the
theater something of mythology. his ma
uonal history and political conditions. The
morals OF an age, country or class have
often been commented upon with terrible
effect: 1t may be made a moral force by
teaching US ourselves. This Is done by
caricature, by farce and by imitation in the
real drama. Tragedy is an imitation of the
passions OF life, not reproduction of COM
mon humdrum affairs. And here is one of
the dangers which beset many theater
goers. They often imhibe false standards
Of living and character before the foot
parison."
Dr. hunter then dweIt at some length
history nj 10 nd
by biblical quotations that it was 4 recog-
nized institution in the days of the apostles.
After disposing of the historical phases of
the subject, he spoke of its introduction
into America, saying it was transplaated 10
the soil of the new world about $50 years
Richard III in Philadelphia. Soon less
classical lot of plays were presented said
ne, and the American stage became sort
of hodgepodge, where everything has been
dished up to suit the taste of dilettante first
nighters or the gallery gods who best APP
and the dancing of the shameless high kick
err" A long list of American players have
posed as being great. The great actors. the
pastor said, selected plays and conducted
their acting with the ayowed purpose of
educating the American people in the APP
probation of high art in rendition and
diction, thought and action These exam
Piles. he declared, are fewer than they ought
to be, for the great mass of stage people
have cast their performances on a low
plane, pandering to the lowest taste of vi
cious multitude when they ought to have
tried to elevate and purify the stage and
the herds who patronize them.
THE EARLY THEATER.
Let us in the next place" the speaker
continued, examine the testimony pro and
con as it relates TO the teaching and moral
quality of theatrical influence. We want to
know the truth and act nationally after we
have formed a judgment. First, let US ex-
nf ha xryHf ic nf-
fered against this institution. In
Rome the theater was so low that rude
girls were commonly upon the stage. OF
course, Christian people poured out inVec-
tive very properly against such outrageous
denominations. 1t was the school of profit
gacy, the center of idolatry and debaucdery.
The church historians say that in .arly
times women were forbidden by the church
to marry actors. and before an actor could
become a church member he must give up
the stage When there was no real theater
men have found amusement in sham battle,
boisterous revel in the chase and, after the
crusades, at the gaming table. The common
people would engage in bearbaittng bull
lighting, fairs, dances and bloody encoun-
ters; .
man mind for amusements. The theater
fails oftentimes to satisfy this craving with
amusements that ARE innocent and elevat-
ing. Here is where We quarrel with the IN
stitution. 1t has faults of mannerism, tends
to cultivate superficiality, is composed or
large number of ignOramuseS VINO paint ana
dance before the footlights and cultivate
habits of rudeness and boisterousness 1t
has been claimed by many that the theater
is the highway to prostitution and drinking.
w. NJ. Payne, of Chicago, in book entlt-
led Little Leaders published s some Two
years ago. admits the present degradation
of the stage while he favors It in the main;
He SAYS that a noble art has degenerdted
into a mere amusement, seVering good lit
erature from the stage. In the main, We
believe Mr.. Payne. Let good literature tread
the stage. not common slang, bunonSHy ana
low comedy 1t has come TO this that the
playwright rather than the poet and the
teacher directs the drama to-day.
DR.. Hunter was in favor OF the pan OF
European governments, which lends sup
mort to theaters requiring standard and
classic plays to be given at stated intervals
1T is not So he said, lin London New
York and Indianapolis. Be il said to tho
shame of the English and American stage
to-day that Tennyson's writings are too
pure and lofty for our theaters. The melo
drama which has had great run in TINS
country is not inspiring nor uplifting. /
have been told, know not how true 1t is,
but | suspect it Is true, that the meIodrama
is increasing in popularity. 1t is a shame
if IL is true They tell us that comedy has
declined in popularity. while the Iarce mas
taken more and stronger hold upon the peO-
pie. They speak of the decadence or bur-
lesque and the increasing popularity OF eX-
travaganza. L do not know where one OF
these begins and the other ends IN the
critics fancy, but | see nothing IN these
statements to encourage me to believe that
there are sure and unmistakable signs OF an
immediate Improvement Dumas, the French
writer and patron of the theater. advised ms
friend against taking his daughter TO the
theater in France. But France IS peculiarly
vile in her literature and exhibitions.
DR. Hunter quoted modern writers and
actors. among them Edwin Booth, who first
ascertained the character of play before
he would allow his family to attend 1t: w.
G. Macready. who disapproved of his fam
lily associating with theatrical people; Sheri-
dan Knowles. the reformed actor, who re-
nounced the stage as utterly eVil.' Frances
Kemble recognized as queen among
of the profession "odious' and UNI
worthy of woman, and told how she
dreaded to come before the ''howling mobs"
Il myself knew young lady who had
been an actress all her life. AT twenty-five
she was converted and became a great
stage was sweeping. She maintained that
but few stage people remained virtuous for
any length of time / met a manager of
theater not long ago-two years perhaps
who confidentially admitted TO me that but
comparatively few men or women who fol-
low the stage have any claims of respect
ability
CHURCH AND DRAMATIC ELEMENT.
Or. Hunter then took up the other side,
saying: Man has dramatic instinct, God
given and legitimate. Great actors and
dramatists, Greeks and Romans, the mod
erns. Goldsmith, Sheridan and Shakespeare,
have not created the dramatic taste; they
have simply recognized it, and their genius
has supplied the want. The church has suf-
fered for want of more dramatic elements.
II has been too proSy. and has turned over
10 the theater and TO ungodly people the
business Of providing for this human and
legitimate taste.
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