Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-02
Of real humiliation, he shall be ex-


tic, is In spirit relic of last century in
tolerance, is recognized by practically
every one without the church and by a
very large number of the best members
within the church Attending theaters
is often as elevating morally, intelectu-
ally and even spiritually as attending
church, in fact the changes in the
church service have been theatrical in
their tendency The popular features
of the theater have found their way
INTO the church. Our pe.d church cholrs
alter orchestra, scriptural lessons are
taught in charades and tableaux and
in a hundred ways the same talent nee
essary- in fine actor are found used
and praised in great preacher
Preachers become inlpersonators and
churches open their doors for their act
ing. On the other hand the exchange
has been reciprocal, for the stage has
been lifted to fields of usefulness akin
TO those of the church. The religious
play IS the fad of the season. The re-
nowned Passion Play and Ben Hurt
Spectacular productions have achieved
successes OF the greatest magnitude.
Within the churches such innocent
amusements as card playing and dane
ing when not abused have long taken
fla r,Iara ,,f1 tho aid FL Shinned l.issiro
games and are now sanctioned and in
dulgcd in by the Very best members
The patronizing of dancing schools for
the training of children in case and
grace of carriage is even practiced by
those too timid TO brave precedent and
sanction the custom IS an amusement.
Why then, if devoted members of the
church to the extent of thousands, pos
sessing wen-baianeed minds and en-
IjoyiIg the respect of their fellow men.
can see no harm in these amusements,
why then Should the church presume to
make of their actions crime punisha-
bic by expulsion.
toNicating liquors as a beverage most
men agree hat tits a dangerous prac-4
tice for their physical safety, but few
believe II is sin against God when
practiced in moderation 1T is even
possible to realize a devoted church
member. a thoroughly Christian man,
opposed to the use of liquors, both in
principle and practice, signing a saloon
petition and justifving himsefNin so
doing. The saloon question and drunk
enness are two distinct problems; the
former is a question of eNpediency only.
Church members do sign saloon petit
lions and they consider that they are
righteous in so doing. These are all
matters for individual Judgment. The
church has no right to make a crime of
minded. correct living, aeyout Chris
tian people are wont to indulge II
llrather commits the crime itself, for it.
forces good people to choose between
Violating church mandates or quitting
1.-the church. with the result that they,
| generally do the former and many am
other good person who would like to.
join the church and whose presence
would strengthen the power of the.
church, is kept out by these antiquat-
led, narrow visioned and intolerant rules
and regulations. For centuries the.
transformation of the church has been
one of progress toward a more liberal
and more rational organization. Al
Iready learned divines are preaching Of
a great universal and united church
that shall include all men who wish to
worship God and righteousness. For.
ever has the church Jagged behind It's
llaiety in the progress of its ideas. To-
l1day finds il far in the rear and In al
most every denomination we find brill
|liant, earnest, devoted men rising up
land crying out against ancient dog mas,
beloved Christian home, and as a result
4 the great organization of the church
can be seen numbering slowly along in
4 the rear. adopting gradually. one by
lone, the Important reforms that
sseemed so hideous when first am
1snounced SO will it be With paragraph
724s in the Methodist book Of discipline.
/ lit must go. If not this time. then some
other time. The argument against card
PLAYING, dancing and theater going, en-
gagged in by moral, Christian people,
will not stand for one moment on a RAJ
tional basis. The Methodist people are
ready for a change in the form of the
article. Will the church progress or
Sllretrogress?
THE ST. LOUIS FAIR.
It is believed that Iowa will be thor
4 oughiy enlisted for the worlds fair
4 planned for ST. Louis in 1903 on the oc-
casion of the centennial9of the Louisiana
purchase. At the hearing before the