The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-17

1t appears now that the proposed removal
from the Methodist Book of Discipline of
the ban amusements is not by any
means for the purpose of permitting I'M
checked Indulgence in theater-going, card
playing, dancing and the like on the part of
church members, nor even of favoring those
forms of entertainment in the smallest de-
gree. On the face of things 1t looks as IL
the abolition by the General Conference
recognition of their harmessness under
certain conditions and a tacit approval of
them. But, no; it seems. according to a
local pastor. that these things are held to
be as Ubiquitous ever by the brethren in
authority. that while ostensibly the mat
ter of indulgence in them is to be left to the
individual conscience, in reality the way
will be opened for a more earnest crusade
against them than ever before, LAS the
law now stands this gentleman is quoted
as saying. ministers have little or no OPP
portunity to preach against over-indul-
gence in amusements, because every mem
Der of the church is supposed to obey the
clause condemning them. Were the ban
removed. we could preach to the young
members of the church and they would
have very thorough understanding of the
subject by the time they were old enough
to care for dancing or card-playing." There
is no intimation here of the slightest con-
cession in favor of these amusements, yet,
since 1t is practically impossible to pre-
vent young people from participating in
them, perhaps il would be worth while for
the fathers of the church to take note of
the plan projected by the Actors Church
Alliance, an outline of which was given in
yesterdays Journal This organization.
realizing the powers and influence of the
stage. both for good and evil, proposes to
keep the public informed as to all worthy
plays and so guide would-be theater-goers
to those performances which tend to ele-
vate and educate. With the wisdom of the
serpent. they will refrain from denouncing
or even mentioning the Objectionable plays
and thus advertising them and drawing
people to them from curiosity. The society
refuses to accept press announcements of
theatrical proceedings as trustworthy, and
will ask the public which wishes TO patron
ize only the best to accept its recommen-
dations instead. Doubtless this undertaking
will meet with a measure of success.
A great many persons who from con-
| scientious motives decline to go to theaters
ordinarily snatch eagerly at an opportunity
to attend performances of which they can
| approve. such opportunity being usually
supplied by plays bearing some flavor Of
piety. THE Christian" for example AS a
matter of fact. such plays often introduce
scenes and incidents touching more badly
/ upon forbidden themes than the most
/ frivolous musical comedy or society play
ventures to do. While the patrons of 1.-THE
Christian" and its kind may secretly prefer
| lighter plays. they are in earnest I'm wishing
to see nothing that meet the disap-
prevail OF those to whom they look for moral
/ guidance. and IL may be we'll for the
Methodist brethren who are planning a
fierce and concerted attack on the amuse-
ments so long called evil to consider Sc
/ riously the plan of selection. Since they
cannot keep their young people from the
theater. then. why not make study of the
| stage and advise their charges as TO the
| performances best worth their attention?
Would IL not follow Immediately that the
stage would try 10 meet their wants?
Dancing and card-playing cannot be reg
uated In this way. and young church mem
bers can only be urged not to indulge in
either to excess. but to an extent at least
their theater-going may be under pulpit
supervision-if only the pulpit will ac-
J knowledge two truths. namely. that the