The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-05
VIEWS FOR AND AGAINST
 SUNDAY MOVING PICTURES

over s3o0 for the poor and destitute or this city, which has been so much ham, pered on Its progress by fanaticism ana cheap politics, and whose charity organi-
 cations seem so absolutely unable to cope with and relieve the difficult situation. In the first place. 1 wish to respectfully ask if these same ministers are willing to put up' this 1850 In money for the needy every time the movies are prohibited by their influence or otherwise from opening on Sundays and then l would add the Inquiry as to whether or not these minis ters consider their action as charitable or Christianlike, particularly the latter? It
 would seem that regardless of the distress
 and suffering and misery in Birmingham
 because of lack of funds of the charity
 organizations to take care of the worthy down. n-and-outs, these hoier-than-thou
 people (who are supposed to see the sit
 uation from Christian point of v1ew) are
 really blind to all reason and that even
 the indigent should not be helped by such
 an innocent and harmless thing as a
 Sunday picture show. Then again, I would
 like to ask these good brethren whether or not they would be willing to travel on
 the railroad on Sunday to fulfill a church
 engagement or would they stay at home
 on that day because 1t is supposed sin to use the railroad on Sunday, or to ride the street cars to their churches? The
 
 transportation afforded on the Lords day is necessity, while the operation of the picture shows are not a necessity. God knows that the latter, any other rational and normal entertainment seems necessary to relieve the wretched and pitiful conditions that prevail at the present time. For my part, see no harm in allowing the movies to open every Sunday and thus allow even the weary, worn and lorn wage earners, after their week of toll, to enjoy simple and inof- | fensive respite which they are not in po- | sition to enjoy during the week days, | yet l claim to be Christian and l con | tribute regularly to the church. The at 1 tendance of these people at the movies
 on Sunday would doubtless keep them
 soberly entertained and out of mischief l and at any rate would make their lives l from their simple point of view, a little | better worth the living. At best they do not have much to cheer them in this
 world on their lonesome way; so why
 should the way be disputed by these
 ministers or by any others? They are
 all human beings, although they do not
 enjoy the luxuries that some of the | well paid, and in some instances the 1 over paid, and well fed brethren do. Honestly, MT. Editor, it almost makes
 one doubt the honesty and sincerity of | the clergy. It is not Christianlike, so far as l am able to see it. l wonder if ii | were different if these innocent picture exhibitions should be held to contribute toward the church? For the Lords sake l let us be reasonable and charitable and 1 Christianlike and sensible and keep away l from the narrow-minded business. If the
 fanatics and the cheap politicians could | be eradicated from this once-upon-a time l free country of ours and send us back tc normal conditions again how much bet | ter off we all would be.
 G. B. WETMORE. l Stopping off in Birmingham, February 1 2. 1915.