The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-18
TWENTIETH
CENTURY
AMUSEMENT
Interesting Sermon by Rev. Mr.
MlIdsn at tho MathsWson
81. N. {. Church.

At the Mathewson Street NJ T. church
last evening Rev. Charles NJ Melden'
the pastor. delivered the third of series
of sermons on twentieth Century Man,
taking for his subject His ADJUSTMENTS
The large auditorium was filled and
after musical portion OF the evening was
finished Rev. Mr.. Meden took as MS
text the "a chapter OF Exodus: And
1ho people sat down to eat and drink and
rose to faint" He said IN part:
s.rhe demand of the nth century man
Cor amusement is not peculiar 1t has
been felt by men OF every age and every
nation. IT r. inherent in mankind. At is
legitimate and healthf,i and within ccr-
tain fimsts Il Is most properly to be in-
duiged. Only those object to amusement
who are OF severe asceticism, wao
ehink that anything in the nature or en-
1oynent is Incompatible with religious
{ife. who think that a good, hearty laugh
is indicative OF depraved nature. TO a
healthy mind the propriety OF reason
nble amount OF pure amusement Is clear
But the Kind and degree OF amusement
that we are 10 permit Is OF the utmost IN
portanoe. IT Is that which we are TO con-
slider our proper attitude TOWARD smuse-
uenf IN general rather than any particu-
lnr amnsement; amusement rather than
amusements.
sT<e< us ask first, What Is the object or
nmusement And / answer In the nrst
place that Il is for rest and change ana
sntertainrnent, for turning the mind out
of the ordinary channels for rest ana re-
freshment All work and no play makes
Jack a duh boy A little time spent In
rest and healthful amusement Is time wen
tpent- -,
..The second object Is recreation. Di-
vfded etymoiosically, we get at the true
meaning OF this word recreaat1on.
constant expenditure of energy without
recreation will ultimately bring exnaus-
tion. Many man is brought TO pre-.
mature grave by ignoring this fact. ana
= man who does that is as guilty OF SUI
eide AZ If ne had taken a dose OF aecumu-
hated poison. IL Is necessary, thsn' 'il.,'
we take time for recreation. The di-
vision of day and night. the arrangement
Of the seasons the natural division OF
dimes for work and rest indicate that '.od
Sntanded that man should have time ior
rest and diversion I'm order that the vast
ed energies might be restored
'I might here call attention TO one dnn-
cer-excess Diversion IL one thing, dis-
sination Is another. We take diversion
ter not that we may live for amusement.
Amusement Is for man, not man Ior
amusement Life is serious. " Is no Joke,
not a pastime Life rs real, life Is earnest
ana the grave Is not its goal Tnere
are many men who forget this"
,some amusements are not open 10
question A quiet game or car1s ~
home is one thing. but when II vs. followea
night after night with card playing nere
and there, IL ceases TO be a recreatlon
and becomes a pursuit. nome dance
among friends Is one thing. put WnSn y
ia a promiscuous dance In public bali
room ali the beneficial effects and the
aesthetic enjoyment are gone. Tne pale
cheek the tired eye and listless manner
after il Is over proclaim that the aim Oh
amusement has been lost. Whatever may
be said OF the theatre, there Is no ques-
tion that many plays on the modern
stage are corrupt and defiie TO those who
see them. Their heroes are villains ana
their heroines are courtesans. They oe-
ale the mind. and II fs Impossible TOR
young girl 10 see one OF these ana not
become contaminated. This Is true not
only OF concert halls and cheaper places,
not uttering any wholesale condemnation
OF theatres. but am willing TO admit
much OF what may be said In favor or
them We thrilled with horror at the
story OF the Chicago theatre catastrophe,
but said as this was the physical death
the spiritual death OF thousands. and
tens of thousands, OF our young people
accomplished by the theatres OF the coun-
try The men running these theatres are
in II for what they can make They
supply what the market demands, so you
who 60 to tho theatre should demand
purity"