The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-07

OF, but still the masses are sending In
their orders for more broth"
We'll" says /. III we do our duty, At
aint our fault IL folks don't heed what
we say"
"'Taint so much a matter OF doing our
duty" says he "as IL is matter OF prac-
ticin' little common sense. The fact
ont is the religious natures or most folks
now-a-days have got 10 be little dys-
peptic by the over-crowding OF things
and the old fashioned theological food Is
most too heavy for their digestion. and
Sc they're calm for a lighter diet for
spell The only way 10 bring them back
10 a good, healthy condition again Is 10
improve their tastes for entertainment.
"Ye can't mix religion and theatre any
more'n you can oil and water" says /.
Needn't do no mixin'. says he, but
the church folks can superintend the en-
tertainment business entirely outside or
the meetin' house and thereby use their
influence 10 purify the theatres and de-
mand a better class OF actors and
higher class OF plays. There are thou
sands OF actors that ought to be wedding
onions instead OF making folks disgusted
by their antics on the stage. There are
lots OF good plays. but there are too
many bad ones that tend to sensuality.
and under the influence OF the church
people, all classes will gradually be
educated 10 only desire the higher class
OF entertainment. It's got ter be done.
Mother, or shut up some OF the churches
Greatest problem there is today for folks
TO think about"
II don't suppose Dea. Thompson down
to our meetin house IN Westminster
would like TO be the manager of
theatre" says I.
Might seem a little strange 10 him for
a SPELL" says he, "but | calkerlate he'd
do more good managing a decent play
house than he has ever done In the
meetin' house. He'd be sure OF an au-
dience at any rate"
Don't for conscience sake" says 1.
lever advocate any such notions down
TO our church,"
'Tsint necessary 10 advocate it,
says he It's advocatin' itself Folks
were born for entertainment, and they'll
have II. no matter what the cost II the
church don't give IL, they'll go some
where else for II, no matter IL you call II
q devll-given source The infant is en-
tertained by the mothers lullaby before
II can hardly see; and when the little
thing gets big enough 70 roll around on
the floor what do you get him tin whis-
tie and a lot OF TOYS for? For his en-
tertainment, of course. When he has
grown into n robust boy, what are those
skates and seds for? Simply for further
Alittle further along what
does ne Join the singin' school for--for inn
provement OF course, but mainly for en-
And a little later he invites
In the nelghbors for a social time-more
II you've made your
front parlor so cold and uninvting, and
set II aside for company so much that
your son or daughter don't enjoy IL any
more. they're goin' where folks open the
front windows every day and let fresh
air and sunshine in so that their chill
dren can feel their home Is for them,
where everything that's good enough for
is good enough for their children.
All along up TO young womanhood and
manhood they've been. entertained. be-
cause their natures demanded II.
but then Just when they are fully ripe
in their understanding. just when they
can digest the best music that there is,
when they can interpret and understand
the best OF everything that is good in this
world just when they are ready TO develop
their talents, then they are cut off from
that which their natures demand, and are
asked TO take liberal doses OF theological
food and be satisfied. No more tin whis-
ties. no more sleds. no more entertain-
ment that meets the demands of their ma
lures What's the result. They've just
cut loose and are gettin' what they
want"
we'll SAYS I, "some OF the churches
are evidently beginning to recognize that
fact. for a number here in the city are In
PRODUCING dramas in their parish houses.
and I don't know but what IL may be as
you say. although II amt according 10
my orthodox notions"
"Git the young folks educated" says he,
80 that they'll demand a better class OF
entertainment, which can be done by the
church folks. then they'll begin to look
over the bill OF fare and come to the point
where they won't be satisfied with a dish
of soup, but will insist on real meat Wit
tles--the kind that will keep the soul
healthy as we'll as the body"
We shall go to Grace church next Sun
day morning.
MRS T. WILBERFORCE.