Evening journal., 1904-02-06
STAGE AND PULPIT.

lclltE from the NV ~ W. A"0HN
bourne in reply to recent editorial in
the columns Of The Evening journal.
We think it is appropriate today. as
IL win make valuable Sunday reading
this editorial comment should be read
today or held over till Monday
This is not a question Of creed, or we
should refuse to discuss IT, and even as
il is we recognize the difficulty Of
securing thoughtful attention for
matters I'm any way connected with
denomlnatonal customs. without invit-
ing prejudioed consideration. Yet
notwithstanding this fact. and despite
the discourtesy of our correspondent,
which in a layman would be regarded
as an evidence Of nippancy and self
sumciency, there are certain things that
we think ought to be said, and we
choose to say them.
Following the trend Of this letter we
gather that our correspondent holds
his views as the true doctrine OF Meth
odism; that Methodism is synonomous
with 'the church" and that the church
represents all that is authoritative IN
religion. TO sail along at such a rate
takes ones breath away, yet we have
the temerity to deny both premise and
conclusion. We might have our doubts
but should preserve silence should he
declare that no good Methodist can
attend the theatre but when this is
broadened into the statement that no
spirit filed" Christian can do il. we
naay deny the statement and we justi-
fy our course on the ground that Mr..
Lightboun has taken.
We are somewhat 'astonished at his
positive assertion as to the nature of
the plays presented in wilmington. It
cannot come from personal observa-
tion. since no "spirit-hlled person
could witness these performances. 1t
must be hearaay evidence, and that is
dangerous Ii fact, one would have
20 attend pretty regularly TO make
such a sweeping assertion on the basis
of personal observation.
Now let MS suppose that there is ar
average attendance at our theatres OF
900 per night; we think It is highly
probable that these persons are doing
less damage TO themselves and to Others
when so engaged than they are in theii
general evening pursuits. OF course II
would be better.if all these people could
be persuaded TO attend Mr.. Light
bourne's prayer meeting but we are
afraid that to close the theatres would
only serve to send them looking fol
other amusements.
The conclusions our reverend critic
reaches are a little bit remarkable. We
cannot think that mans soul is lost
nor that his spirituality. IL It is worthy
possessing. is damaged. by witnessing
play at the theatre. For this rea-
son It seems that we are teacher OF
vice and immortality The rack and
thumb screw have been applied be-
cause Of logic like this.
To hasten along. we come 60 The
paragraph where our correspondent
Establishes himself MS competent
critic. For ten years he was thorough,
acquainted with the theatre He sayl
suaTdedly: Il hope you do not coun
/ il as fanaticism for one Il
reach the conclusion that an indecen
deficiency IN clothing and a salaciou
suggestiveness OF language are tn
best means Of teaching virtue to ou
sons and daughters"
Nobody ever said it was the hes
means. To see parson stow ava.
half n chicken and a dozen Delawar
biscuits IS not a means OF teaching
virtue to our sons and daughters; hu
that Is not the point. The point IS II
the harm or innocence. And. further
more. our correspondent leaves us Il
infer IN that sentence that all theatri
cal performances are such as he dc
srlbes. That is absolutely false. am
we too cau our senses to testify to on
assertion. There Is no conclusion bu
that those ten years We're employee
IN attending only certain class O
performances. or that he saw wha
nobody else has been able to see g
Extensively. How awful ten years q
it must have been
"A little further along we are tol
in effect that those persons who wis
to dance. play cards or attend the the
atre should connect themselves wit
another church. There is some logi
; in this. but nevertheless Mr. Light
bourne does not mean it. And we pro
pose to give our reason for the asser
j tion. Were all the persons who an
5 commuricants Of the Methodist Churc
e and wio occasionally go to the the
n atre. who dance or play game
e cards, to leave the church IL would n,
y retain half its present membcrshi
I Take up any local paper and res,
y there 10 hop. and the list OF D,
= trenesses and guests is given. In son
= sections Il reads like the rell Of Il
4 ehurcA and Sunday school, There
ia progressive euchre party, and a Il
e OF the prize Winners Is given. & is d