Newark post., 1913-09-17
On Social Amusements

I
tener to much talk about the pro-
testing clergy of Newark, their
rights and their wrongs, it has
seemed to us that there is some mis-
understanding as to the Church s
attitude towards social amusement.
By the Church we mean the Gus
todian of the Christian faith and
morals of all times in all places. If
the cleryg have any business" at
all in human society it is confined
to these spheres.
In the recent discussion as to the
moral rights and wrongs of social
amusements, we have noted some
what enigmatical line drawn be-
tween all the ministers Of Newark
and the one priest Of Newark. This
has happened before in such crises,
and will often happen again. For
ten years we have been asked to
explain it, and preferred to give
the opportunity to our betters, who,
however, have not seized it. AT
the risk Of incurring the displeas-
ure Of the free-born native citizen
against "alien cheap labor we
now propose to work in the insal-
ubrious climate of this particular
theme.
Ministers and priests were with
i'll their rights, each in his own
way.
Father Dougherty could not cor
raj the sheep of other men s folds,
though he has his own way of adj
monishing worldliness within his
jurisdiction, which differs from
that Of the ministers.
Barring the clear dogmatism of
the Ten Commandments, Father
Dougherty teaches temperance in
the pursuit of pleasure rather than
prohibition Of pleasure. He is no
Puritan bound to protect a "Blue"
Sunday, a blue" Monday or
blue day of any kind. On the
contrary he doesn't approve Of
Blue" days at all. The Gospel
which he breaches is, Rejoice in
the Lord. "
St Augustine once said, "Love
God, and you can do anything you
want to-; which is entirely logical
for he who loves God will not love
the abuse of pleasure. For many
years we heard much scandalized
comment in Newark on semi-annual
euhcre parties and lawn fetes con
Quoted by the proletariat of the
East End. Being ourselves of the
West End, sometimes called equal
lty Hill, we were not prepared
to speak knowingly.
We are now prepared.
For one thing, social amusements
have no dogmatic place in the
Church S discipline, though immor-
ality has very large place. The
Tarantella Of the castanet and wav
ing scarf is far removed from our
animal dances" of the hour, as is
the minuet of our forbears.
AS David once danced before the
Ark in religious joy-so certain
little Spanish mobiles sometimes per-
form a religious pas seM before the
new Ark Of the Covenant, which
'eposes on our affairs. Purity of
and an evil mind mark
the difference between the two,
Kinds Of dancing.
The same is true of bazaars and
,ard-playing; which accounts for
Father Dougherty's consistently
on his side of the fence.
The parish priest is left free to
Xercise his own taste and Judge
nent in the amusements which he
pproves, after studying the char
cter and needs of his parish
'ome bishops disapprove of ba-
aars and parties as a financial re-
ort for the support of religion, and &
rohibit them in their diocese. i
'thers leave the matter to the dis a
'etion of their clergy within pre- /
,ribed limits. O
The first thing that faithful S
astor notes as he looks over his .
large is that it is human. Social il
Ieasure is a natural craving, and il
Ieretore natural right. What t.
e pastor does not permit for his o
'ople, the devil will supply with t.
'ulence. He knows that the aver d