DRAMA
and
the
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
III
- A "BRIEF" SURVEY ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF DRAMA
In
Eden:
The
introduction of drama into the home, school, and place of worship is not a new
concept. Satan used drama in the Garden of Eden, our parents’ first home,
school, and church. Playing the part of a beautiful serpent with the tree of
good and evil as his prop, he convinced Eve, through his cleverly prepared lines
(lies), to accept his suggestion that she could become as God and never die.
From that single play, acted out with the backdrop of Eden, this planet was
plunged into seething rebellion.
On
the other hand, before the Fall, God spoke directly with our parents. He
instructed them with absolute truth and gave them a mind equipped with total
recall in order for them to retain His instructions. And even after the Fall, He
did not abandon them. He personally promised Adam and Eve that there was a way
of escape. "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between
thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his
heel." —Genesis 3:15. As oral tradition became corrupted, God provided
His instructions in written form. Never the less, whether by oral tradition or
in written form, God conveyed to man, at the onset of sin, that Satan’s head
would be wounded (defeated) and His Son’s heel would be wounded (victory).
This promise required the sacrifice of the God-Man called Jesus. No play acting
here! His life, death and resurrection was and continues to be a
reality.
Old
Testament Times:
Many
examples of play-acting can be drawn from the Old Testament. Here are three:
Jacob pretending to be Esau, Joseph’s brothers rehearsing the lines they
concocted concerning the supposed death of their brother before their father
(with a prop to support their lies—a bloodstained coat), and David feigning
madness. Each instance was used to deceive, just as Satan did in the Garden of
Eden.
David
Lee places this issue in proper perspective when he writes in his pamphlet
entitled Drama? Truthful?
or Pretentious?, p. 8.
But
did not God employ drama to Bible times? Yes, if by "drama" is meant
activities which are unusual and grab people’s attention. But we have found no
evidence that God’s messengers ever employed "drama" in the sense
that drama-advocates today employ the term.
On
a number of occasions priests (as in the whole sanctuary service) and prophets (Isa.
20:2,3; Jer. 24:1-10; 27:2-12; 32:1-19; Ezek. 4:1-5:4; 12:2-7) made graphic
representations designed by God to convey a message to His backslidden
people. (See Ed 41; CG 19: "figures and symbols… animated imagery.")
It should be noted that in giving these visual lessons, the messengers never
surrendered their own individuality. Their visual "sermons" involved
pain, suffering, and time, and were designed by God to awaken the
curiosity, inquiry, and empathy of an insensible, "stiff-necked"
people. They were not a mere "mime" or pretense or impersonation. They
were a painful, prayerful reality! Of some of the sacrificial rituals, God
declared His abhorrence (see Psalm 51:16, 17; Isa. 1:10-28). Indeed, He
"gave them statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should
not live. And I polluted them in their own gifts" (Ezek. 20:25, 26). He
desired a loving, obedient relationship with them, not the bloody, sacrificial
system (see Jer. 7:19-30). "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but
now He commands all people everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30, NIV).
We
believe that it is unfair to cite the Old Testament sanctuary rituals and
Ezekiel to defend pretentious drama. Those who cite their extreme efforts to
touch hearts, might gain greater truth and power by fasting and prayer for
modern Israel for 180 days+, as did Ezekiel! (Emphasis Supplied)
A.
W. Tozer in his book, The
Menace of the Religious Movie, clarifies the subject more fully:
The
profession of acting did not originate with the Hebrews. It is not a part of the
divine pattern. The Bible mentions it, but never approves it. Drama, as it has
come down to us, had its rise in Greece. It was originally a part of the worship
of the god Dionysus and was carried on with drunken revelry. —"Excerpts
from The Menace of the Religious Movie," p. 15 (Appendix 3).
In
Christ’s Time:
Drama,
acting, and theatrical productions were prominent among the Greeks and
assimilated by the Romans. Amphitheaters were built throughout the Roman Empire
and theatrical productions were known to Christ and His followers. Yet, nowhere
in Scripture do we find Jesus or any of the writers of the New Testament
exemplifying or suggesting the use of drama to present the Gospel.
On
the contrary, Christ’s method of giving the Good News of salvation was through
healing (the medical work), teaching (the educational work), preaching
(evangelism), and one-to-one conversations (personal witnessing). The Gospels
are full of His examples in using these methods.
His
commission to his disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I
am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19,
20). It certainly was not, "Go ye therefore, and set up theatrical
performances." Note the following inspired counsel:
The
Lord has given evidence of His love for the world. There was no falsity, no
acting, in what He did. He gave a living gift, capable of suffering
humiliation, neglect, shame, reproach. This Christ did that He might rescue the
fallen. While human beings were instituting schemes and methods to destroy Him,
the Son of the Infinite God came to our world to give an example of the great
work to be done to redeem and save man. But today the proud and disobedient are
striving to acquire a great name and great honor from their fellow men by using
their God-given endowments to amuse.--Manuscript 42, 1898. {Ev 267.1}
Whatever
is done under the sanctified stimulus of Christian obligation, because you are
stewards in trust of talents to use to be a blessing to yourself and to others,
gives you substantial satisfaction; for all is done to the glory of God. I
cannot find an instance in the life of Christ where He devoted time to play and
amusement. He was the great Educator for the present and the future life. I
have not been able to find one instance where He educated His disciples to
engage in amusement of football or pugilistic games, to obtain physical
exercise, or in theatrical performances; and yet Christ was our
pattern in all things. Christ, the world’s Redeemer, gave to every man his
work and bids them "occupy till I come." —Fundamentals of
Christian Education, p. 229. (Emphasis Supplied)
Some
imply that Ellen White’s writings do not reveal an across-the-board
condemnation of all enacted programs. She was primarily speaking against the low
songs and lewd gestures, of sensational drama that portrayed vicious habits and
sinful propensities. But in Manuscript Release 909 as recorded in 11MR
pages 334 thru 342, she counsels a mother who was taking her children to the
theater as follows:
Had
you, my sister, followed on to know the Lord, you would during this period of
time have had enlightenment from the Sun of Righteousness. Your only safety lay
in following in His footsteps. But in not decidedly taking your stand to give no
sanction by your presence to the theatrical performance of your
children, you have encouraged them in their choice of the use they have made of
their talents. Their capabilities and power belong to God, but they are not now
being used to gather with Christ. All their talents were lent them to use to the
honor and the glory of God, that they might win souls away from everything that
pertains to this class of fascinating amusement that absorbs the mind and draws
it away from God and from heavenly things. But they have not had an experimental
knowledge of what is truth. The principles of truth have never been stamped upon
their souls. The deceptive temptation that they can be a blessing to the world
while serving as actresses is a delusion and a snare, not only to themselves,
but to your own soul. Said Christ, "Without Me ye can do nothing." Can
the Lord Jesus Christ accept these theatrical exhibitions as service
done for Him? Can He be glorified thereby? No. All this kind of work is done in
the service of another leader. 11MR, p. 335.2 (Emphasis Suppled)
There
is an abundance of theatrical performances in our world, but in its highest
order it is without God. We need now
to point souls to the uplifted Saviour. Deceptions, impositions, and every evil
work are in our world. Satan, the wily foe in angel’s garments, is working to
deceive and destroy. The object of the death of Christ was to declare His
righteousness, and no man, woman or child can do this in his own strength, or by
his own words. 11MR, p. 338 (Emphasis Supplied)
During
the Dark Ages:
After
the "conversion" of Constantine, the Christian Church (which
eventually became the Roman Catholic Church) assimilated unconverted and
untutored pagans into their congregations. The half-converted pagans brought
with them the liturgy of the mass, the pageantry of the priestly garb, the
hypnotizing chants of the singers, and the magnificent cathedrals (formerly
pagan temples) with their frescoes, statuary and paintings. Attending mass was a
repeat theatrical performance for the worshipers. The Bible was banned and
tradition took the place of "thus saith the Lord."
Commenting
on drama that took place during the Middle Ages Tozer, continues:
The
Miracle Plays had their big run in the Middle Ages. They were dramatic
performances with religious themes staged for the entertainment of the populace.
At their best they were misguided efforts to teach spiritual truths by dramatic
representation; at their worst they were shockingly irreverent and thoroughly
reprehensible.…
Those
who would appeal for precedent to the Miracle Plays have certainly overlooked
some important facts. For instance, the vogue of the Miracle Play coincided
exactly with the most dismally corrupt period the Church has known. When
the Church emerged at last from its long moral night these plays lost popularity
and finally passed away. And be it remembered, the instrument God used to bring
the Church out of the darkness was not drama; it was the Biblical one of
Spirit-baptized preaching. Serious minded men thundered the truth and
people turned to God.
Indeed
history will show that no spiritual advance, no revival, no upsurge of
spiritual life has ever been associated with acting in any form. The Holy
Spirit never honors pretense.
Can
it be that the historic pattern is being repeated? That the appearance of the
religious movie is symptomatic of the low state of spiritual health we are in
today? I fear so. Only the absence of the Holy Spirit from the pulpit and lack
of true discernment on the part of professing Christians can account for the
spread of religious drama among so-called evangelical churches. A Spirit-filled
church could not tolerate it. —Tozer, pp. 16, 17. (Author’s emphasis.)
What
a contrast to the Biblical and unpretentious services of the Waldenses of the
Piedmont Mountains. High in these secluded schools, youth were taught to
memorize great portions of the Scripture and many were prepared by their schools
to be missionaries to all parts of Europe. When they left their secluded
mountain homes to share the gospel, they were accompanied by an older,
experienced companion who taught them how to work for the salvation of men,
women and children who had been kept in spiritual darkness by the papal system.
No
theatrical performances were practiced by these heroes. Their very lives
witnessed to the real drama of life and death.
In
many cases the messenger of truth was seen no more. He had made his way to other
lands, or he was wearing out his life in some unknown dungeon, or perhaps his
bones were whitening on the spot where he had witnessed for the truth. But the
words he had left behind could not be destroyed. They were doing their work in
the hearts of men; the blessed results will be fully known only in the judgment.
— The Great Controversy, p. 75.
Drama
in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church:
During Ellen White’s Lifetime
1866
- After Observing Dr. Jackson’s Danville, N.Y. Program:
On
August 16, 1865, Elder White suffered a right upper extremity stroke from the
extreme pressure of his constant labor for the church. In a Review
(while the Review has had several name changes since its inception, for
purposes of brevity in this paper, all quotations from that periodical will be
referred to as Review) article dated February 20, 1866, and entitled
“Our Late Experience,” Ellen White explains their personal journey toward
regaining her husband’s health. They went to Dr. Jackson’s institution.
Dr. Jackson and his physician staff recommended
activities for regaining health that the Whites could not approve. One of
those activities was the attendance of the
theater. Mrs. White’s first statements concerning theater attendance is the
following:
We
were unable to attend Dr. Jackson’s morning lectures but a few times for the
following reasons: The first and greatest reason was, the heated atmosphere of
the hall had a painful and benumbing influence upon the brain of my husband.
When he dwelt upon the subject of Health, we were too deeply interested for
the good of our wearied minds, for our minds would begin to travel, comparing
Dr. J’s philosophy with facts established in our minds, which had been
received from higher and unerring authority. The mind would become excited and
weary. Especially was this the case with my husband. And again, when Dr.
Jackson and other physicians advanced and sought to sustain ideas that we
could not receive from our religious standpoint, especially in regard to
amusements and pleasure, dancing, card‑playing, theater-going,
etc., we could not see harmony between his religious teachings, and the
teachings of Christ recorded in the New Testament.
We
had nothing to do with religious controversy, nor with advancing our views,
nor in getting together those of our faith and having meetings. We went to
Dansville for rest of body and mind. And although we expected to hear and see
that which we could not receive and unite in, yet these things,
notwithstanding our efforts to the contrary, would excite the mind more or
less; and in the long wakeful nights we were comparing the life of Christ, and
his teachings in regard to what constitutes a Christian, with the teaching on
this point set forth at that institution, and we could not harmonize them.
As
we have taken an active part in the Health Reform, and have twice been at
Dansville, once as visitors, and once as patients, and have spoken in high
terms of the skill of their physicians in curing disease by the application of
water, and other hygienic remedies, many have supposed that we approbated and
received all that was taught by the leaders of that institution. The questions
have frequently been asked us, not only by our people, but by leading men of
other denominations, “Do you sanction the card-playing, dancing, and attending
theaters? I understand they profess to be religious, and that they mix all
these amusements with their religion.” It has been necessary for us to speak
plainly and say that we have had no part nor lot in these matters, and we do
not approve of such amusements being recommended by Christian men and women as
innocent. I heard more than one mother at Dansville remark that she had
extolled the physicians at Dansville to her children, yet would not have her
sons hear them recommend these amusements for anything; for she had instructed
her children that the influence of these amusements was evil; that she had
known them to be thus in her observant experience, and had not seen in them
redeeming features that would lead her to change her opinion in regard to
their pernicious influence, especially on the young. I have been asked,
“Could you with safety send your youthful children, away from your
influence, to that institution to learn the correct manner of living, and to
regain lost health?” I was compelled to say that I could not, unless they
were children who had marked independence of mind, and firm religious
principles. This alone proves a safeguard against those who would attempt to
gloss over these amusements by calling them harmless, and needful for health,
and try to persuade them to join in the dance, the card-playing, and theater-going.
—Review, February 20, 1866. (Emphasis Supplies)
1878
- Dangers Lurk in The Pathway of The Young:
Writing
about the festivals and theatrical performances in the fashionable churches,
Ellen White penned the following warning:
Death,
clad in the livery of Heaven, lurks in the pathway of the young.
Sin is gilded over by church sanctity. These various forms of amusement
in the churches of our day have ruined thousands who, but for them, might have
remained upright and become the followers of Christ. Wrecks of character have
been made by these fashionable church festivals and theatrical performances,
and thousands more will be destroyed; yet people will not be aware of the
danger, nor of the fearful influences exerted.
Many young men and women have lost their souls through these corrupting
influences. —Review, November 21, 1878. (Emphasis Supplied)
Keep
this statement in mind as you read the results of a young woman who
participated in church plays in the Methodist church in the section titled 1881
- Councils on Literary Societies.
1880
- Counsel for Ministers to Preach the Word:
In
Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 415, an early reference to drama as it relates
to our ministers preaching the word was given:
The
world is teeming with errors and fables. Novelties in the form of sensational
dramas are continually arising to engross the mind, and absurd theories
abound which are destructive to moral and spiritual advancement. The cause of
God needs men of intellect, men of thought, men well versed in the Scriptures,
to meet the in flowing tide of opposition. We should give no sanction to
arrogance, narrow‑mindedness, and inconsistencies, although the garment
of professed piety may be thrown over them. Those who have the sanctifying
power of the truth upon their hearts will exert a persuasive influence.
Knowing that the advocates of error cannot create or destroy truth, they can
afford to be calm and considerate. (Emphasis Supplied)
1881 Counsel on
Literary Societies:
In
an article written by Ellen White entitled “Literary Societies” in the Review
of January 4, 1881, there is recorded a conversation that took place with
a young Methodist woman who wanted to be an actress.
The reproduction of this
conversation reveals Mrs. White’s consistent attitude concerning drama. It
is apparent the young woman desired more to be an actress than to give herself
over to Christ. It is also
interesting to note that her first desire to be an actress was awakened by the
plays and skits she took part in at the Methodist Church. The complete article
follows:
The
purposes and objects which lead to the formation of literary societies may be
good; but unless wisdom from God shall control these organizations, they will
become a positive evil. Various entertainments are introduced to make the
meetings interesting and attractive for worldlings, and thus the exercises of
the so-called literary society too often degenerate into demoralizing theatrical
performances, and cheap nonsense. All these gratify the carnal mind, that
is at enmity with God; but they do not strengthen the intellect nor confirm
the morals. Little by little, the spiritual element is ruled out by the
irreligious, and the effort to harmonize principles which are antagonistic in
their nature proves a decided failure. When God’s people voluntarily unite
with the worldly and unconsecrated, and give them the pre-eminence, they will
be led away from him by the unsanctified influence under which they have
placed themselves. (Emphasis Supplied)
Many
literary societies are in reality young theaters on a cheap scale, and
they create in the youth a taste for the stage. While writing upon this
point, my eye falls upon the following striking incident from real life:—
(Emphasis Supplied)
“
‘It is of no use, Mrs. W., I have tried again and again, and I cannot
become a Christian.’
“
‘So you said a year ago, yet you thought there was nothing in the way.’
“
‘I don’t think there is now, but I don’t feel any different from what I
did then, and I don’t believe I ever shall be a Christian.’
“The
first speaker was a bright girl somewhat over twenty, who, on a previous visit
nearly a year before, had confided to her elder friend her earnest desire to
become a Christian. Of her evident sincerity there could be no doubt, and the
visitor was sorely puzzled to understand why her young friend had not yet
found peace. The two were standing by the half-opened door of the Sunday-school
room, where a rehearsal for an ‘entertainment’ was in progress; and the
girl, looking in, seemed suddenly to find there a suggestion for further
thought.
“
‘I believe,’ she said hesitatingly, ‘there is one thing I cannot give
up.’
“
‘Give it up at once, dear.’
“
‘But I can’t.’
“
‘Come to Jesus first then, and he will give you the power.’
‘I
don’t want him to. I believe if I knew I should die and be lost in three
weeks from tonight, I would rather be lost than give up my passion.’
“
‘And what is this dearly loved thing, worth so much more than your
salvation?’
“
‘Oh, it isn’t worth more, only I love it more, and I can’t and won’t
give it up. It’s that I—I want to be an actress; I know I have the talent;
I’ve always hoped the way would open for me to go upon the stage, and I
can’t help hoping so still.’
“
‘Do you think it would be wrong for you to do so, provided the way did
open?’
“
‘I don’t know that it would be a sin ; but I couldn’t do it and
be a Christian; the two things don’t go together.’
“
‘How did you come by such a taste? I am sure you do not belong to a theater-going
family?’
“
‘Oh no! my father and mother are Methodists; they always disapproved of the
theater. I’ve been in Sunday-school all my life. They used to make me sing
and recite at the entertainments when I was four years old, and I acted the
angel and fairy parts in the dialogues; and when I grew older, I always
arranged the tableaux, charades, etc. Then I joined a set of sociables got up
by our church young people. At first we did “Mrs. Jarley’s Wax-works,”
and sung “Pinafore” for the benefit of the church; and then we got more
ambitious, studied, and had private theatricals, and last winter we hired
Mason’s Hall and gave a series of Shakespearean performances, which cleared
off a large part of the church debt. But that’s only second-class work,
after all. I want to do the real thing, to go upon the stage as a profession.
My father won’t hear of it; but I hope some time the way will be opened that
I may realize my heart’s desire.’
“
‘And meantime, will you not come to Jesus and be saved?’
“
‘No, I cannot do it and keep to this hope, and I will not give this up.’
“And
so the visitor turned sadly away, thinking for what miserable messes of
pottage men and women are willing to sell their glorious birthright as
children of God; thinking also of the seeds which are being sowed in our
Sunday-schools, the tares among the wheat, and the terrible harvest that may
yet spring up from this well-meant but injudicious seed-sowing.” —Review,
January 4, 1881.
Then,
in another article in the same issue of the Review, Mrs. White
describes what would constitute a viable Adventist literary society:
It
has been our study to devise some plan for the establishment of a literary
society which shall prove a benefit to all connected with it, —a society in
which all its members shall feel a moral responsibility to make it what it
should be, and to avoid the evils that have made such associations dangerous
to religious principle. Persons of discretion and good judgment, who have a
living connection with Heaven, who will see the evil tendencies, and, not
deceived by Satan, will move straight forward in the path of integrity,
continually holding aloft the banner of Christ, —such a class are needed to
control in these societies. Such an influence will command respect, and make
these gatherings a blessing rather than a curse. If men and women of mature
age would unite with young persons to organize and conduct such a literary
society, it might become both useful and interesting. But when such gatherings
degenerate into occasions for fun and boisterous mirth, they are anything but
literary or elevating. They are debasing to both mind and morals. —Review,
1/4/81 (See Appendix 4 for the complete article.)
Keep
in mind that three years before this counsel was penned, Luther Warren, age 14
and Harry Fenner, age 17 began a youth organization with the primary object,
Christian service and the
salvation of their back-slidden friends.
In tracing the youth organizations starting with Warren and Fenner,
Malcolm J. Allen (a youth leader for more than thirty years and Pathfinder and
Youth Director of the General Conference at the time of writing, 1995) in his
book, Divine Guidance or Worldly Pressure, p. 27 & 28 states,
In
1881 the second recorded youth society began in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, with similar
aims and objectives. The next
twenty-five years saw such groups spring up independently in many parts of the
world. There does not appear to have been any formal direction given
by the church. A pattern of
unity, however, can be clearly seen as God led His church to move
forward together. Members who recognized the need of youth responded to the
motivation and prompting of the Spirit to work with them.
At the same time many articles appeared from the pen of Mrs. E. G.
White urging a work for our youth and the acceptance by the church of their
responsibility toward them.
Beginning
with Luther Warren and Harry Fenner in 1879, these societies naturally began
to appear. By the turn of the
century, more than 70 youth groups had formed in the church. Ibid. p. 47
These
youth organizations were not the typical literary society of the prevailing
age. Recognizing the need for a special kind of literary society
for our youth, Mrs. White penned the following counsel in the Signs of the
Times, May 29, 1883:
Young
men and young women, cannot you form companies, and as soldiers of Christ,
enlist in the work, putting all your tact, skill and talent into the
Master’s Service, that you may save souls for Him?
Let there be companies formed in every church to do this work.
Will
the young men and young women who really love Jesus organize themselves as
workers, not only for those who profess to be Sabbath keepers, but for those
who are not of this faith?
These
developments will be further explored in the section dated 1900.
1881
- Ellen White’s Counsel to Battle Creek College Students Living With
Families:
In
the early days of Battle Creek College, there were no dormitories.
The students lived in the
homes of families residing near the college. The dangers of “theatrical
amusements” were clearly delineated by the following statement penned to the
students:
Among
the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of
being a school of morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very
hot-bed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened
and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions,
and attitudes, deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who
habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is
no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy
religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and
sober realities of life, than theatrical amusements. The love for these
scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drink
strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the
circus, and every other questionable place of amusement. —Testimonies,
Vol. 4, pp. 652, 653. (Emphasis Supplied)
1881
- Battle Creek Sanitarium:
In
the early Battle Creek Sanitarium days, some proposed having small plays and
skits at the Sanitarium to entertain and educate the patients. God gave Ellen
White the following testimony on the subject in an article entitled
“Position and Work of the Sanitarium”:
Worldly
or theatrical entertainments are not essential for the prosperity of
the Sanitarium or for the health of the patients. The more they have of this
kind of amusements, the less will they be pleased unless something of the kind
shall be continually carried on. The mind is in a fever of unrest for
something new and exciting, the very thing it ought not to have. And if these
amusements are once allowed, they are expected again, and the patients lose
their relish for any simple arrangement to occupy the time. —Testimonies,
Vol 4, p.578 (Emphasis Supplied)
1883
- Ellen White’s
Observation While Traveling:
In
the seat next us in the car was an actress, evidently a woman of ability, and
possessed of many good qualities, which, if devoted to the service of God,
might win for her the Savior’s commendation, “Well done, thou good and
faithful servant.” This woman and myself are both actors on the stage of
life, but oh, how vastly different is our work! I felt not the slightest
temptation to desire her honors. I thirst not for the applause of the idle and
pleasure‑loving multitudes that seek the unnatural excitement of the
drama.
The
theater is a poor place of resort for the strengthening of virtuous
principles. Rather, its influence is highly injurious to both health and
morals. The lady’s attendant remarked that it was somewhat trying to be
deprived of sleep night after night until two and sometimes three o’clock in
the morning, and then spend a large portion of the day in bed. The
divinely‑appointed order of day and night is disregarded, health is
sacrificed, for the amusement of those who are lovers of pleasure more than
lovers of God. The effect is demoralizing to all concerned. Two or three
evenings a week spent in attending balls, or theatric or operatic
entertainments, will enervate both mind and body, and prevent the development
of that strength of character which is essential to usefulness in society. The
only safe amusements are such as will not banish serious and religious
thoughts; the only safe places of resort are those to which we can take Jesus
with us. —Review, “Notes of Travel,” November 6, 1883. (Emphasis
Supplied)
1888
- Ellen Whites Granddaughter Participated in Skit Dressed as an Angel:
On
Sabbath morning, December 22, 1888,
Ellen
White attended a theatrical performance put on by the Battle Creek Sabbath
School in which her six-year-old granddaughter, Ella W. White, was dressed as
and acted the part of an angel. There
were props, actors, music, and poems. Four days later, on Wednesday morning,
December 26, 1888 she wrote a letter to Brother Morse. In this letter
it becomes obvious that Mrs. White did condemn the program.
When you finish reading the entire letter to Brother Morse, taken from
2MR,
pages 235-238 (Letter 5, 1888), you will understand why she made the following
statement (see Appendix 5 for the full letter.) The definitions of the
word condemn is “to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil,
usually after weighing evidence and without reservation” —Webster’s
Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.)
I
must say I was pained by these things, so out of order with the very work of
reformation we were trying to carry forward in the church and with our
institutions, that I should have felt better if I had not been present. —2MR,
p. 236.
This
letter will be discussed later in reviewing a paper written by A. L. White in
1963 entitled “Dramatic Productions in SDA Institutions.”
1890
- Comments on the Apostasy at Jordan:
It
is apparent from the material that made up the chapter entitled “Apostasy at
the Jordan,” in the book Patriarchs and Prophets, that Christians can
be corrupted by exposure to drama as was ancient Israel at Baal-peor. The
dramatic temple services of Baal-peor enticed the children of Israel to a
deadly compromise. Is it any different today?
We are warned:
Many
of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be
Christians, tend to the same end as did those of the heathen. There are indeed
few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying souls. Through
the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The
opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the
dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle
and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where
pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and
lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the
soul. —Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 459 (Emphasis Supplied)
1893 - Counsel
Concerning Sabbath School Programs:
Children
can very quickly become trained in “pride and love of display.” These
characteristics can be fostered by Sabbath School programs. Mrs. White sounded
the warning in the journal, Christian Education, which is compiled in the
book Fundamentals of Christian Education, page 253:
In
the Sabbath school, men and women have been accepted as officers and teachers,
who have not been spiritually minded, and had no live interest in the work
committed to their care; but matters can be set in order only through the aid of
the Holy Spirit. The same evil has existed for years as now exists in our
churches. Formality, pride, and love of display have taken the place of true
piety and humble godliness. We might see a different order of things should a
number consecrate themselves wholly to God, and then devote their talents to the
Sabbath school work, ever advancing in knowledge, and educating themselves so
that they would be able to instruct others as to the best methods to employ in
the work; but it rical performances and musical display, for this benefits It
does no good to train the children to makes speeches for special occasions. They
should be won to Christ, and instead of expending
time, money, and effort to make a display, let the whole effort be made
to gather sheaves for the harvest. (Emphasis Supplied)
And
the following statement by Mrs. White highlights the previous one and is taken
from Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 46:
Pride,
self-esteem, and boldnessharacristics of the children of this
day, and they are the curse of the age. When I see this un-Christlike, unlovely
manifestation on every side, and then
see
parents and teachers seeking to display the ability and proficiency of their
children and scholars, I am pained to the heart; for I know that it is exactly
the opposite course from the one that should be pursued.
1893
- Senses Are Confused by Theatrical Performances:
Again,
we are counseled to protect our youth from theatrical performances while
receiving their education, for it will confuse their senses while truth is being
presented to them.
Satan’s
work is to lead men to ignore God, to so engross and absorb the mind that God
will not be in their thoughts. The education they have received has been of a
character to confuse the mind, and eclipse the true light. Satan does not wish
the people to have a knowledge of God; and if he can set in operation games
and theatrical performances
that will so confuse the senses of the young that human beings will perish in
darkness while light shines all about them, he is well pleased. —Review,
March 13, 1900. (Emphasis Supplied)
1900
- Counsel on Lyceums and Literary Societies Revisited:
Nineteen years
later, Mrs. White repeated her counsel given in the 1881 Review article
concerning literary societies and lyceums. Writing to Seventh-day Adventist
youth organizations, whose members began using acts and plays in their literary
societies and lyceums, she said:
If
your lyceums and literary societies would be made an opportunity for searching
the Bible, it would be far more an intellectual society than it can ever
become through the attention being turned to theatrical performances.
What high and noble truths the mind may fasten upon and explore in
God’s Word!
Those
who compose these societies, who profess to love and reverence sacred things,
and yet allow the mind to come down to the superficial, to the unreal, to the
simple, cheap, fictitious acting, are doing the devil’s work just as
surely as they look upon and unite with these scenes. —MS 41, 1900,
p.246.1. (Emphasis Supplied)
It
would appear, upon reading the complete article, that a gradual compromise and
vacillation was taking place in the church concerning drama and fiction. Her
counsel was to use the lyceums and literary societies to foster a search of
God’s word. (See Appendix 6 for the full article.)
Malcolm J. Allen, General Conference Youth leader writes in
his book Divine Guidance or Worldly Pressure? Youth Ministries in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church, describing the state of affairs in the
church at the turn of the century.
Flora
Plummer, who was actively involved in the work and development of youth
ministry in the church at that time, graphically describes the problems the
church faced relative to youth in 1901.
It
was not until 1901 that any steps were taken by the General Conference toward
the development of the young
people’s work. The situation at
that time was not the most encouraging.
While
the influence that had been done was being felt in a few of the conferences,
there was no uniformity of action.
The
plans of organization were varied according to the ideas of the leaders of the
conferences. Societies were
formed, then oftentimes discontinued from lack of interest. Some were conducted in a way to work reproach upon the whole
movement. Difficulties were
encountered. Apparently
insurmountable obstacles appeared on the horizon.
Conservatism raised the danger cry.
At
the same time each church and company of believers was face to face with the
fact that the children and youth were losing interest in the message, and were
steadily and rapidly drifting away.
Sober
minds were asking, where are our young people of ten years ago? What
proportion of them are now bearing responsibility in the work of God?
Are our churches everywhere materially strengthened and helped by
consecrated energy, enthusiasm, and stability of the strong men and women who
a few years ago were children in the congregations of our people? The answer which almost every church had to give such
questions revealed the universal need of well directed efforts in carrying out
the instructions of the Spirit of Prophecy eight years before —Flora
Plummer, “Early History of the Seventh-day Adventist Young People’s
work” (G.C. Archives, No. LF 3048) p 53, 54.
After
the 1901 General Conference Session, the General Conference Committee placed
the responsibility of organizing a youth program in the hands of the Sabbath
School Department. Mrs. Plummer, General Conference Secretary of the Sabbath School
Department, wrote Mrs. White for counsel before outlining a plan for
organization.
I
wish to counsel with you in regard to the Young People’s Work, believing
with your experience will be of real value.
Very much to my surprise I find myself in a position where I am
expected to plan for that movement, as the General Conference Committee placed
it in charge of the Sabbath School Department.
The
situation is this: In quite a number of places—but mostly in our large
churches—during the last two years, young people’s societies have been
formed. These all adopted a
longer or shorter ‘constitution and by-laws, and much has been made of the
machinery part of the work. In some places the result has been fairly good, while in
other places it has been disastrous.
The
disastrous part came in by the young people electing their own officers,
program committees, etc., without the counsel with the church, and the very
spirit of the work was lost in the effort to get from the “society” the
“entertainment,” the “mutual improvement,” and the social features
which are such a snare to our young people.
The church could do nothing, for by the very constitution they were
shut out. This condition is not
true in every instance, but the danger is always there.—Ibid., Allen,
p 56,57.
Allen
shares with his readers Mrs. White’s reply through her son, W. C. White in a
July 15, 1901 letter.
The
reply from Elder W. C. White came within a few days
Dear
Sister
Your
letter of July 11 came to hand several days ago and was read with much
interest. I handed it to Sr.
Druillard asking her to read it to Mother and to Sr. Peck and to gather all
the light she could regarding the questions you have asked.
This has been done. Mother
says that in that which has been presented to her and that which she has
written regarding young people’s work, it has been the spirit and energy,
and far-reaching efforts in behalf of all classes of people and all lines of
Christian work as reported through the officers of the Christian Endeavor
Societies, that has impressed her as being efforts worthy of imitation and it
is the energy, the faithfulness, the alertness and the devotion in these
societies which she has been instructed to point to as an example to our
people, rather than to the plan of organization, the constitutions and
machinery. (Letter from W. C.
White to L. Flora Plummer, Written from St. Helen, California, July 25, 1901)
The
counsel was clear. We were not to
copy the world in structure, organization or the mechanics of operation for
our youth societies. Neither were
we urged to copy their programs or content.
What was held up as being worthy of emulation was the energy,
faithfulness, and dedication to the principles of salvation and service
evidenced in the Christian Endeavor Society. Ibid. Allen, p. 59.
At
the 1907 General Conference Counsel in Gland, Switzerland, a Young People’s
Department of the General Conference was established.
The Department was placed in the capable hands of M. E. Kern and soon
the Missionary Volunteer Society was developed.
Ellen
White’s vision of a proper literary society was accomplished through the
inception of the Missionary Volunteer Society. Under the direction of
experienced men and women with a deep love for youth and the Three Angels’
Messages, these societies won thousands to Christ and the Advent message by
youth ministering to youth and adults. Many young workers for the church
traced their first desires to work for the salvation of souls to the influence
of the Junior and Senior Missionary Volunteer Societies and through reading
books recommended by the Society that portrayed the lives of great Christian
men and women missionaries.
The
demise of the MV Societies is a long and sad commentary.
For those who would like to study
this subject in detail, the writer strongly recommends you read Malcolm
J. Allen’s book. It is no
longer available, but most Adventist college libraries should have a copy.
1902
in March - Walla
Walla College Board’s Attitude Toward the Cantata, Queen Esther:
At
the time final preparations were being made for a
choral presentation of the cantata, Queen Esther, on the Walla
Walla College campus, board members were present for an upcoming meeting.
The presentation practice received considerable attention by the board
as noted in the official board action taken on March 31, 1902:
Whereas
it seems to the Board of Managers of Walla Walla College that the rendering of
the cantata of Esther in costume and on the stage would not be for the best
interests of the school, therefore, Resolved, that we request those having
this matter in charge confine their efforts to the rendering of it in song
without costume, stage, or acting.
The
Board of Management calls upon all those connected with Walla Walla College to
rally at once to a decided effort to change the present condition of things
and raise the tone and spirit of this college in order that the ideals for
which it was founded may be met. We
further direct that hereafter in the chapel or other rooms of the institution
no staging be erected, costuming done, or curtains drawn, and that no public
entertainment be given which shall require such things. —Sixty Years
of Progress at Walla Walla College, p. 136. (Emphasis Supplied)
Please
keep this incident in mind as you read the material concerning drama in Walla
Walla College in the section 2000 and 2001.
1902
in October - Cautions
Concerning Reading [movie viewing] of Fiction [drama]:
While
this counsel was written to the Seventh-day Adventist Church membership to
expose the dangers of fiction, drama and fiction are almost synonymous.
(Please refer to Appendix 7 by Leslie Hardinge.)
In
1902, Ellen White wrote an article in the Youth Instructor dated
October 9, 1902. In it she detailed the dangers to youth and adults in
reading fiction. Wherever she used the word “read,” “readers,” and
“reading”; the words “view
a movie,” “movie viewers,” and “movie viewing” has been added in
highlighted brackets; to “books,” “tales,” “story,” “stories,”
“story-tales,” and “literature” has been added “movie” and
“movies”; to “fiction,” “drama”; to “published,”
“produced”; and to “author,” “producer.”
While this may sound confusing, after reading the complete article in Appendix
8, the reader will understand. Only two paragraphs will be quoted here.
Satan
knows that to a great degree the mind is affected by that upon which it feeds.
He is seeking to lead both the youth and those of mature age to read
[view] story-books, tales, and other literature [movies, movies,
movies]. The readers [viewers] of such literature [drama] become
unfitted for the duties lying before them. They live an unreal life, and have
no desire to search the Scriptures, to feed upon the heavenly manna. The mind
that needs strengthening is enfeebled, and loses its power to study the great
truths that relate to the mission and work of Christ, —truths that would
fortify the mind, awaken the imagination, and kindle a strong, earnest desire
to overcome as Christ overcame.
Could
a large share of the books [drama] published [produced] be
consumed, a plague would be stayed that is doing a fearful work upon mind and
heart. Love stories, frivolous and exciting tales [movies, movies], and
even that class of books [movies] called religious novels [movies],
—books [movies] in which the author [producer] attaches to his
story [movie] a moral lesson, —are a curse to the readers [movie
viewers]. Religious sentiments may be woven all through a storybook [movie],
but, in most cases, Satan is but clothed in angel‑robes, the more
effectively to deceive and allure. None are so confirmed in right principles,
none so secure from temptation, that they are safe in reading [viewing]
these stories [movies]. (Emphasis
supplied)
The
writer of this paper has reviewed every “hit” (the number of “hits” on
each word is in parenthesis) in the 1999 Legacy of Light Spirit of
Prophecy research CD on the words drama (42), dramas (4),
actor (47), actors (69), actresses (6), fiction (86 ), theater (139), theaters (43),
and theatrical (121). All of these words, in context with
the dramatic arts were found to be in complete accordance with the material
presented in the section above. Anyone who has the E. G. White
writings on CD, and will take the time to review the statements as
associated with these words will be convicted that Ellen White’s counsel does
not fail to reveal an across-the-board condemnation of enacted programs.
CONTINUE SECTION III
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