The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-29
ADJUSTMENTS AND MORALS
From the Philadelphia Press.

FROM the Inladelpha Press.
The difficulty that confronts the Methodist
Episcopal church, and every other evangelical
denomination, in determining how far professcd
Christians may be permitted to identity them
selves with worldly amusemcnts and pastmcs
and yet retain their full standing in the church,
is that of drawing the line between harmless and
Objectionable recreation. In the matter of thcat-
ricals, for instance, recent years have witnessed
great change in the attitude of prominent lay
men and clergymen, and it is no longer consid-
cred sin and stumbling block TO attend
Shakcspcarcan productions, witness the per-
formancc Of standard plays Of moral and artistic
worth by prominent and reputable actors.
So far has the relaxation in this direction gone
that il is not unusual for amateurs closely idcn-
tilted with church and Sunday school work to
give performances with all the accessories Of
stage, setting, costume and music, of opcrettas,
and light comedies for the benefit OF religious or
elccmosynary institutions. In the matter of So
cal card playing whist lunchcons and progress
sive Cuchre parties, to aid deserving charities
with which churches are identified, a recog-
nizcd source of income to which no serious OBJ
lection has been urged by those benefited.
The provision in the church discipline regard
ing dancing, particularly among the young peo-
pie, in the various denominations is the most
generally and hagrantly disrcgardcd Of all disci
pliuary rules. The education of the average
complete by parents who are themselves promi.
nent in church and charitable work, without a
knowledge of the fashionable social dances of the
day With attendance at the playhouse barred
under all circumstances, cards, with the cXCcp-
ton Of innocuOus games of "Old Mlid'' and
"AluGgins," and dancing stricken from the list
Of diversions, the range of amusement for vgor-
Gus and healthy young boys and girls, and older
Ones too is closely Circumscribed
To read stu plays and
yet not be permitted to see them performed by
artists of renown; to study opcratic music, and
learn to play brilliant compositions of the waltz
and two-step and yet not be permitted to wit
ness the presentation Of one or participate in
the other presents a system of inconsistency
which few young minds can reconcile with the
discipline of the church. The result is a call
for reformation, perhaps revolution, in these
matters, as demonstrated by this movement in
the Methodist Episcopal well as other
churches.
Just what the end will he is difficult to fore
shadow at this stage Of the agitation. lac doc
trinaries and dscpinarans who cling to the
| old theology and danger in every departure
therefrom in matters affecting social life will re-
gard such notifications of church rules as a
concession, distinct and emphatic, to the world,
to the flesh, and the devil That other and
rapidly increasing class whose adherence to the
fundamental principles of Christianity is not
more firmly grounded than that of tneir more
aIIstere brethren will regard the proposed change
as an enlightened step, in keeping with the
changing conditions Of daily life and not in the
least detracting from the beauty power or
truth of the teachings Of the Savior Of mankind.