Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-21

The patristic writings contain the most explicit
and vigorous denuneiations of these evils.
Tertullian said: stage plays are pomps
the devil against which have renowned in
baptism" and calls the playhouse the devils
cyril of Jerusalem said: "The DEVILS poups
which we renounce in baptism are those spectscies
or plays in theaters and all other varieties OF the
kind from which the holy Of God desiring TO
be freed prays Turn away mine eyes from be-
saivian says: Thou hast once renowned the y
devil and his spectacles. and by this thou must
needs know thou to the devil when
thou dost unwttingly return to stage-pays
ness public schools of debauchery.
st. ChrysOstom entreated his hearers mot to
disqualify themselves for the communion by such
mortal diversions"
The plays condemned by these ancient father
did not begin to approach the vile spectacles which
are common the modern theater If the biIlboards
which advertise them and the newspapers which re
port them can be trusted to represent them justly
Archbishop Tinotson of the Church of England
said, "the theater is the DEVILS chapel, nursery
of RIGHTEOUSNESS and vice. But the theater is worse
now than it was in his day.
There lies before me pamphlet entitled "Theater S
going and Dancing Incompatible With Church Mem
bership," which put forth some years ago as an
address of the clergy of the conyocaton of the Val
ley of Virginia the people of their respective par
ishes," from which take this passage concerning
theater-going:
.Touching the Judgment of the Protestant
Episcopal Church. there is dispute. We have
it in resolutions of the General Convention, ana
in mis- diocese a special canon provides the
discipline of those who fall into this sin this
view the the Church has right to expect
discipline And it is in the city churches that
judgment tegin. 1t is in these churches that
the patronage of the theater is common; In some II
is less common from the generally higher stand
ard of piety but in none, far as we are inform
ed does it incur suspension from the communism union
The members Of country churches. visiting cities
in winter, learn this. and enticed by the ex-
ample of city communicates ran INTO men SIN
These, going into the country parishes In
summer, been the chief instrument Of lead
ing the young communicates OF those parishes INTO
sinful compliances with the world. quoting their
pastors against those of the parishes In "hich
they guests
These clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal
Church are equally pronounced against the dance.
To the same purpose speaks Bishop McIvaine, OF
Ohio one of the greatest and santlest men know1
to the history of the Protestant Episcopal Church
He says, -4.s
Let me now turn to two subjects in which
there is no difficulty of observation-disclosures the
in regard to these is that of exclusion. And
yet my brethren, well aware how easy 1t Is
an abstract and elementary simplicity, so Invested
of that gives heir universal character apc
The question what we can imas-
inc to be. but what they always have peen
and will be and must be. in such world as this
to render them plausible to those who patronlze
them strip them bare, till they stand in the SIM
pie innocence which their defenders arguments
would reduce them. and the world would not nave
them -. If the writer be asked whether. IN
his view in the pomps vanties of this wick
ed world, which renOunced in baptism, are in,
Guided theatrical amusements and dances, he an
swers without hesitation, in the affirmative
The position of the Presbyterian church is sd
XIV
1860 which this wise:
That whilst the pleasures of the ballroom and
the theater primarily intended by the dane
ing and stage-plays' forbidden in the answer 10
the 18sth question in the Larger Cateehism the
spirit of the prohibition extends to all kindred
amusements which calculated to awaken
thoughts and feelings inconsistent with the sew
enth commandment, explained by the Saviour
in Matt v ~ Is
That grand old man the late DR.. B. NJ Palmes
published sermon from which this striking passage
is taken:
above ALL do we profess to be the followers
Man of sorrowsg De we profess to bear about in
our bodies dying of the Lord Jesus? and have
been to the communon-table expressly to re-
member in his death, and to have fellowship
with him in his sufferings? tell it not out TO
earth lest it rend again the very rocks and break
the sumbers Of the dead DANCING
DISCIPLE OF A CRUCIFIED REDEEMER! In
deed so deeply impressed is mind with
the inconsistency of dancing with baptismal OBJ
legations, / hesitate not 70 utter mature con-
viction that members Of Church who consent
to the dancing Of their children are perfectly amen,
able discipline Of Gods house. on the ground
of their breach of vows"
But why multiply authorities on the subjects
Space forbids the of all the authorities at my
hands which would sustain the assertion that all tbs
churches are committed against these evils But aas
all of the churches have lax in discipline
ana too careless with the spiritual life
of their membership. In all the churches multi
tudes of men and women who are strangers to God
and goodness. Such men and women are more
offended by the condemnation of their sins than they
are grieved by the assaults of the world upon their
churches. Some of them will censure for what is
written this article, although they would laugh at
- I'LL IL