THE CHURCH AND THE STAGE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1226, 7 February 1878, Page 3

THE CHURCH AND THE STAGE.

[From the “ Times,” Oct. 11th.] A sectional meeting of the Church Congress sitting at Croydon was hold yesterday. One of the subjects considered was, “ The Church in Relation to Public Amusements.” In a paper on the subject by Canon Money, of Deptford, the author said that man needs change and entertainment for body, soul, and spirit, that the talent and gifts God bad given should be expended to the best advantage. The Church was bound, therefore to take cogni-ancc and advantage of that fact. All things were lawful that could be sanctified to the glory of God —“ Whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.” It would not be wise to lay down rules for those who did not follow that rule; it was wise to aid those who are inclined to do so. “ All things are lawful,” said St. Paul, “ but all things arc not expedient” A man wdio did all things that were lawful might sometimes do some things which were not lawful. Certain amusements might be Lawful, but the feelings excited by them might be ensnaring and dangerous. They ought not to lose eight of the result of example. The particular amusement might be without danger to one man, but his example might draw a weaker person into danger. They ought to take heed that their liberty should not be a stumbling b’oek to the weak. There were unhappily many forms of what was utterly unlawful, and which they were all bound to avoid. Such was the madness which took God’s bestowed talents and risked them on the speed of a horse or the throw of a dice. [Appbinse.] Relaxation from work was necessary, but it should be a healthy relaxation. With respect to theatres as a means of relaxation, ho asked whether the theatre as it was was the theatre as they would desire it to bo. He was aware that an effort was being made to reform the stage, but meanwhile he asked whether a man who had witnessed a sensational performance such as was now too often presented to the public could, before ho retired to rest, enter into communion with his Creator. Ho called upon them to do their utmost to stay, by in nowise countenancing the introduction into this country of lax morality on the stage from other countries —the making of low gestures, the uttering of impure language, and the indulgence in low customs. [Applause.] In cricketing, boating, football, and other manly sports and pastimes, the young man found lawful recreation—although these tilings ought not to bo made the business of life. [Applause.] Above all, they ought not to partake of the cruelty of Hurlingham—[loud applause]—or the demoralisation of the betting ring. Mr W. T. Paton followed. He said he had little faith in that which was merely prohibitory or condemnatory. The church ought to provide for the people that which was wholesome, elevating, and of good report. People must have amusement. The desire for such was inherent in our nature. There was no worker who would not have Ids play, and who would not be the better of his play. The effort to eradicate that instinct was the fault of a past age. It ought not to bo the mistake of the present one. He had hoard of ' good men trying to wash a negro white. If they had only tried to wash him clean they woiild have had the utmost success. They ought not to leave their amusements in the hands of the world. If they did they ought not to bo surprised that the inevitable result would be worldly. There could be carried into all their amusements a high moral and religious tone. Religion did not consist so much in doing religious acts as in doing every day every thing from religious motives. [Applause.] Let them not take a narrow view of the question. Ho had heard that once when a man who delighted to play on the fiddle was converted the question was asked of a clergyman whether now that Ire was converted Ids friend ought not to lay aside the instrument. •“ No,” was the reply ; “ when he was converted, his fiddle was converted with him.” [Laughter.] The church should do more than seek to narrow the field of amusement. It might profitably set itself to show that there was room within its circle for innocent mirth and manly recreation. Instead of having 100 many amusements, they had 100 few. Let them have more of the good, if it were only to cut out the bad. [Applause.] Mr Hall, M.P., thought they were apt to take too narrow views of the theatre. It was not in a condition in which they should like I to boo ;,t, but if it was not all they desired see it he thought a part of the blame lay with i those who, if they patronised the drama more, might, from the effect of their presence and influence, cleanse the stagp from the adaptations from the French stsgo which brought the stage into disrepute. They did not go to the theatre, and, to some extent at least, the theatre put forth attractions to other classes. It had been said that efforts w>re being made to reform the stage, and that was so, u*;d distinguished above stage performers stood Mr frying—[applause]—, who sought to produce and popularise the legitimate drama and make people once more familiar with the great works of Shakspoare. What they thpuld desire was not the destruction, but the of the theatre. The impurity of theatres was diw n.qt so much to those who visited them as those who remained away from them. He was convinced that since her Majesty the Q.ucen had, through inevitable ufipcs, which they all deplored, ceased to go to bias theatres, pieces had been produced which would upyar otherwise have seen the light. Who could thing tffft an impure word would have been uttered on the LAtigh stage if there was any chance that ,Cj,ueen Victoria would be present ? [ljoud applause.]