DRAMA
and
the
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Appendix 4
THE REVIEW AND HERALD, Jan. 4, 1881
Ellen G. White
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.
Bible
reading, the critical examination of Bible subjects, essays written upon topics
which would improve the mind and impart knowledge, the study of the prophecies
or the precious lessons of Christ, —these will have an influence to strengthen
the mental powers and increase spirituality. And why should not the Bible be
brought into such meetings? There is a deplorable ignorance of God’s word,
even with those who are thought to be intelligent.
“Most
wondrous book! bright candle of the Lord!
Star
of eternity! the only light
By
which the bark of man can navigate
The
sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss securely.”
Why
should not this book—this precious treasure—be exalted and esteemed as a
valued friend? This is our chart across the stormy sea of life. It is our
guide-book, showing us the way to the eternal mansions, and the character we
must have to inhabit them. There is no book the perusal of which will so elevate
and strengthen the mind as the study of the Bible. Here the intellect will find
themes of the most elevated character to call out its powers. There is nothing
that will so endow with vigor all our faculties as bringing them in contact with
the stupendous truths of revelation. The effort to grasp and measure these great
thoughts expands the mind. We may dig down deep into the mine of truth, and
gather precious treasures with which to enrich the soul. Here we may learn the
true way to live, the safe way to die.
A
familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures sharpens the discerning powers, and
fortifies the soul against the attacks of Satan. The Bible is the sword of the
Spirit, which will never fail to vanquish the adversary. It is the only true
guide in all matters of faith and practice. —Ellen G. White.
Appendix 5
Letter
5, 1888
(To
Brother Morse, Dec. 26, 1888.)
(Manuscript
Release No. 145, 2MR 235-238)
ENACTED
SCENES
1. I have risen at three
o’clock this morning to write you a few lines. I was pleased with the
2. lighthouse, and the scene which
had required so much painstaking effort was one which could
3. have been made most
impressive, but failed to be made as forcible and striking as it might have
4. been when
it cost so much time and labor in preparing it. The part acted by the children
was
5. good. The reading was appropriate.
Then if there had been good, solid talk on that occasion
6. in regard to children and teachers in the Sabbath schools
laboring earnestly for the salvation
7. of the souls of the
children under your charge, presenting the most acceptable offering to Jesus,
8. the gift of their own
hearts, and impressive remarks, short and right to the point, [on] how they
9. could do this, would it not have been in keeping with the work
we have been trying to do in the
10.
church?
11.
Every stroke now should be in harmony for the one great purpose,
preparing of the hearts, that
12. individually
pupils and teachers should be as a light set on a candlestick that it may give
light
13. to all that are in the
house, which would be carrying out the idea strikingly of a lighthouse
14. guiding souls that they may not make shipwreck of faith. Can
you tell me what marked
15. impression
the two poems rehearsed by the two ladies on the stand would have to do with
this
16. work?
17.
The singing was after the order we would expect it to be in any
theatrical performance, but not
18. one
word to be distinguished. Certainly the tempest‑tossed ship would be
wrecked upon the
19.
rocks if there were no more light coming from the lighthouse than was
seen in the exercises. I
20. must say I was pained at these things, so out of order with the
very work of reformation we
21. were
trying to carry forward in the church and with our institutions, that I should
have felt better
22.
if I had not been present. This was an occasion that should have been
gotten up not only for the
23. Sabbath
school children, but words should have been spoken that would have deepened
the
24. impression of a necessity
of seeking for the favor of that Saviour who loved them and gave
25.
Himself for them. If [only] the precious hymns had been sung, “Rock
of ages, cleft for me, let
26. me hide myself in Thee,” and “Jesus lover of my soul, let
me to Thy bosom fly, while the
27. billows
near me roll, while the tempest still is high.” Whose souls were inspired
with new and
28. fresh zeal for the
Master in those songs sung whose virtue was in the different performances of
29.
the singer?
30.
While these painstaking efforts were being made to get up the
performances, meetings were
31. being
held of the deepest interest which should have engaged the attention, and
which called
32. for the presence
of every soul lest they should lose something of the message the Master had
33. sent to them. Now this
Christmas has passed into eternity with its burden of record, and we are
34. anxious to see the result of it. Will it make those who acted their
part in it more spiritual
35.
minded? Will it increase their sense of obligation to our heavenly
Father who sent His Son into
36. the
world at such an infinite sacrifice to save fallen man from utter ruin? Was
the mind
37. awakened to grasp God
because of His great love wherewith He has loved us?
38.
We hope, now that Christmas is in the past, that those who have put
forth so much painstaking
39. effort
will now manifest a decided zeal, and earnest, disinterested effort for the
salvation of the
40.
souls of the teachers in the Sabbath school, that in their turn they
may each labor for the
41. salvation of the souls in their classes, to give them personal
instruction as to what they must do
42.
to be saved. We hope that they will find time to labor in simplicity and
in sincerity for the souls
43. of
those under their care, and that they will pray with them, and for them, that
they may give to
44.
Jesus the precious offering of their own souls, that they may make
literally true the symbol of
45. the
lighthouse in the beams of light shining forth from their own strong efforts in
the name of
46. Jesus, which should
be put forth in love, they themselves grasping the rays of light to diffuse
47. this light to others, and that there shall be no settling down
to a surface work. Show just as great
48. skill
and aptitude in winning souls to Jesus as you have shown in painstaking effort
for this
49. occasion just past.
Point them in your efforts, with heart and soul enlisted, to the Star that shine
50. out to the morally-darkened
heaven at this time, even the Light of the world. Let your light shine
51.
that the tempest‑tossed souls may set their eyes upon it and escape
the rocks that are concealed
52. beneath
the surface of the water. Temptations are lying in wait to deceive them; souls
are
53. oppressed with guilt, ready
to sink into despair. Labor to save them; point them to Jesus who
54.
so loved them that He gave His life for them. . . .
55.
The Light of the world is shining upon us that we might absorb the divine
rays and let this light
56. shine
upon others in good works that many souls shall be led to glorify our Father
which is in
57. heaven. He is
longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
58. repentance, and it grieves the heart of Jesus that so many refuse the
offers of His mercy and
59. matchless love.
60.
Will all who acted an interested part in the program of last evening work
as zealously and
61. interestedly to show
themselves approved unto God in doing their work for the Master, that they
62.
may show themselves intelligent workmen that need not to be ashamed? Oh,
let the teachers in
63.
the Sabbath school be thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the message
for this time, carrying
64. that message into all
their labor. There are souls to be saved, and while in the Sabbath school
65.
work there has been much form and a great amount of precious time
occupied in reading of
66. reports and records, there has been but little time to really
let light shine forth in clear, steady
67. rays
in the very instruction needed to save the souls of the children and youth. Less
elaborate
68. speeches, less lengthy
remarks, and plain, pointed truth presented, not one word uttered to
69.
exhibit profound knowledge, not one word in any speech, but the greatest
evidence of real
70. knowledge is the
great simplicity. All who have taken knowledge of Jesus Christ will imitate
71. Him in their manner of instruction.
Appendix 6
LITERARY
SOCIETIES; THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES
by
Ellen G. White
(1MR
244-146)
The
purpose and object for which literary societies are established may be good,
but unless wisdom from above and continual reliance upon God is preserved by
all, there will be a decided failure in its exerting a saving influence.
When
God's professed people voluntarily unite with the world or give men of short
religious experience the preeminence in these literary societies, they do not
have a high estimate of eternal things. They step over the line in the very
first movement. There may be boundaries, set rules and regulations made, but,
notwithstanding all this, the worldly element will take the lead. Men on the
enemy's ground, led and controlled by his power, will have a controlling
influence, unless there is an infinite power to work against them. Satan uses
men as his agents to suggest, to lead out, to propose different acts, and a
variety of amusing things which give no strength to the morals or elevation to
the mind, but are wholly worldly. Soon the religious element is ruled out, and
the irreligious elements take the lead.
Men
and women who will not be ensnared, who will move straightforward in the path
of integrity, loyal and true to the God of heaven whom they fear, love, and
honor, can have a powerful influence to hold the people of God. Such an
influence will command respect. But this vacillating
between
duty and the world gives the world all the advantage and will surely leave its
molding power, so that religion, God, and heaven, will scarcely enter the
thoughts.
If
youth, and men and women of mature age, should organize a society where Bible
reading and Bible study should be made the prominent theme, dwelling upon and
searching out the prophecies, and studying the lessons of Christ, there would
be strength in the society. There is no book from the perusal of which the
mind is so much elevated and strengthened and expanded as the Bible. And there
is nothing that will so endow with new vigor all our faculties as bringing
them in contact with stupendous truths of the Word of God, and setting the
mind to grasp and measure those truths.
If
the human mind takes a low level, it is generally because it is left to deal
with commonplace facts and not called out and exercised to grasp lofty,
elevated truths, which are enduring as eternity. These literary societies and
lyceums are almost universally exerting an influence entirely contrary to that
which they claim, and are an injury to the youth. This need not be the case,
but because unsanctified elements take the lead, because worldlings want
matters to go to please themselves, their hearts are not in harmony with Jesus
Christ; they are in the ranks of the Lord's enemies, and they will not be
pleased with that kind of entertainment which would strengthen and confirm the
members of the society in spirituality. Low, cheap matters are brought in
which are not elevating or instructive, but which only amuse.
The
way these societies have been conducted leads the mind away from serious
reflection, away from God, away from heaven. By attending them, religious
thoughts and services have become distasteful. There is less desire for
fervent prayer, for pure and undefiled religion. The thoughts and conversation
are not on elevating themes, but dwelling upon the subjects brought up in
these gatherings. What is the chaff to the wheat? The understanding will
gradually bring itself down to the dimensions of the matters with which it is
familiar, till the powers of the mind become contracted, showing what has been
its food.
The
mind that rejects all this cheapness, and is taxed to dwell only upon elevated,
ponderous, deep, and broad truths will strengthen. A knowledge of the Bible
excels all other knowledge in strengthening the intellect. 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! The mind may go deeper and still deeper in its
research, becoming stronger with every effort to comprehend truth, and yet there
will be an infinity beyond.
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
simple, cheap, fictitious acting, are doing the devil's work just as surely as
they look upon and unite in these scenes. Could their eyes be opened, they would
see that Satan was their leader, the instigator, through agents present who
think themselves to be something. But God pronounces their life and character
altogether lighter than vanity. If these societies should make the Lord and His
greatness, His mercies, His works in nature, His majesty and power as revealed
in inspiration, their study, they would come forth blessed and
strengthened.—Ms 41, 1900, pp. 10-12. (“Commandment Keeping,” July 23,
1900.)
If
we regard the advantages given to us as our own, to be used according to our
pleasure, to make a display, and create a sensation, the Lord Jesus, our
Redeemer, is put to shame by the characters of His professed followers.
Has
God given you intellect? Is it for you to manage according to your inclinations?
Can you glorify God by being educated to represent characters in plays, and to
amuse an audience with fables? Has not the Lord given you intellect to be used
to His name’s glory in proclaiming the gospel of Christ? If you desire a
public career, there is a work that you may do. Help the class you represent in
plays. Come to the reality. Give your sympathy where it is needed by actually
lifting up the bowed down. Satan’s ruling passion is to pervert the intellect
and cause men to long for shows and theatrical performances. The experience and
character of all who engage in this work will be in accordance with the food
given to the mind.
Appendix 7
THE
BIBLE AND MODERN DRAMA
by
Leslie Hardinge
A
Paper presented to the Committee on Guidelines for Competitive Activities and
Drama
January,
1974
For
the purpose of this paper DRAMA means a literary composition, now usually
written in prose, arranged for enactment, and divided into acts which consist
of various scenes. Drama is contrived by a playwright to portray life or
character, or to tell a story by means of the actions of persons called
actors. The play records the conflicts and tensions of human life and arranges
affairs so as to reach a climax in an hour or two which may be tragic or
comic. Drama is intended for presentation to an audience as entertainment.
While
there is drama in real life, for the purpose of this paper drama is considered
fictional in nature. This must be so because the dramatist employs dialogue,
which, unless he is inspired or has an eyewitness validation of the fact, must
be contrived by him. Besides this, while taken from real life the arrangements
of the episodes is determined by the playwright who places them one after the
other solely to achieve the effect which he has in mind. In the final act the
play reaches its denouement, either pleasurable or tragic, towards which every
character and every episode and almost every word has been manipulated by the
writer. This by definition is fiction. Drama is therefore fictional.
It
is perfectly true that even the most humdrum of days has its dramatic, that
is, climactic and exciting moments. Since the Bible covers most aspects of
human life, the inspired Scriptures contain dramatic moments. There is however
no dramatic contriving toward effect in the Scriptures. Very little dialogue
is found in the sacred story and what there is does not build towards tensions
and resolutions in climaxes. The purpose of the Bible is to reveal truth, and
not to entertain by the exciting effects of conflict and rebuttal.
Drama,
as presented by the vast majority of playwrights, contains portrayals of the
aberrations and foibles of mankind. It does not point up the right and the
wrong of the activities, but displays characterization geared to entertain.
Most dramatic productions depict conflicts between the sexes. On the other
hand, a play that uses the ingredients of a happy, continuous monogamous
relationship with no undue conflict and suspense would not complete its first
night without catcalls! A happy, serene marriage, with children growing up
towards the development of the Christian virtues, does not contain the
ingredients demanded by the theater goer. On the other hand the stealthy
robbing of the affections of one partner by a third party, the conflicts and
discords, the rise of emotional tensions, the death and suffering of war
between nation and nation, between white and red, between cops and robbers,
between honesty and the law—these are the themes of most dramatic
productions. The purpose of these plays is not to reveal truth, even though
the “good guy” sometimes wins, but to entertain and make money. Drama is
devised to lead the audience into a vicarious, empathetic relationship with
the actor with whom the view identifies and who rouses his emotions.
Inspiration condemns this empathy of those who take “pleasure in them,” as
well as the actors who “do these things.”
The
Bible contains a clear condemnation of the audience which enjoys the portrayal
or acting out of sin. Let us read Romans 1:29-32. These verses contain a list
of the wicked deeds of men and women. After completing this catalog of crime
the Apostle Paul continues: Most men “know the judgment of God, that they
which commit such things are worthy of death, (but) not only do the same, but
have pleasure in them that do them.” It is the final phrase which is so
vital to our presentation. For the Christian to read or view a portrayal by
actors of a drama which is made up of the ingredients listed by Paul, and then
to “take pleasure” in this behavior, be it in novel or play or story,
makes him a moral accessory incurring the wrath of God. Heaven condemns those
who act thus in real life. Heaven condemns those who act out these sins in
play or novel. Heaven also condemns the reader or viewer who takes pleasure in
the dramatization of these acts against the norms of righteousness laid down
by God. The results to those who enter into doing and viewing and vicariously
sharing is that “God gives them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things
which are not convenient” (Rom. 1:28). In other words, those who saturate
their minds by mastering a play in order to act out its dramatic potential, or
who view, via the media or in the theater, this portrayal of human sins and
foibles, finally develop “degenerate minds.” By beholding “they become
changed” (2 Cor. 3:18).
There
is another important biblical passage in which the Holy Spirit has given to
the Christian criteria to judge the rightness or wrongness of any literary
production. Writing to the Philippians, Paul gives seven checks. We should
apply each of them to our consideration of drama. Is it “true?” Even if we
judge what the play contains as truth, is what is being said “honest?”
Should it pass muster through these two gates, is it “pure?” How much of
what is called drama today is “pure?” Even if it receives an “A” grade
in these three areas, is it “lovely?” War and conflict and sin are sordid.
Then, is it of “good report?” or “virtuous?” or, finally
“praiseworthy?” If the play or novel or story checks “yes” in each of
these seven areas, the Christian is bidden, “Think on these things.” If it
does not, then, obviously, it is not approved by Heaven.
Let
us now consider the source of drama as prevalent in the world today.
Jesus bade us always to weigh origins. They make a difference. He asked, “Do
men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” And continues, “even so
every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit. The good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit” (Matt. 7:17). So sources do matter.
The
Christian quality of the private lives of the actors and actresses in the
business of drama, both on the movies or television and also in the straight
theater, need little comment from me. Can you think of an actor or actress of
note who has not gone through the divorce court? Something is morally wrong
with what went on before this step was taken, as well as after! Years ago
having a child out of wedlock would have ruined the career of an actress.
Today it enhances it! Would you buy canned goods from a cannery which used
decaying produce among conditions which were filthy and unhealthful, with
diseased and careless persons handling it? I think not! You would rightly
explain that such a place could not possibly produce good, wholesome food. And
you would be right. Sources do count! No drama portrayed by sinful actors and
actresses can possibly be good.
What
are the motives of the actors and actresses in dramatic presentations? Do they
seek to present the true and the good, the virtuous and the helpful? Do they
stress the pure and the right? Or do they depict human nature in all its crass
and sordid wickedness? And why? To exhibit their own talents and skill and to
make money, lots of money! “By their fruits ye shall know them,” Jesus
declared.
Let
us further consider the sources of the drama from the playwright’s point of
view. What sort of men write for dramatic production? What are their motives?
What overall purpose do they have in their presentations? Do they desire to
entertain? To educate? To inspire to right living and holy dying? Look closely
at the private lives of the “great” playwrights, and you will be compelled
to admit that they do not appear virtuous in the light of the Scriptures.
“By their fruits ye shall know them,” Jesus declared.
What
is the immediate effect of presenting dramatic productions in our schools and
colleges? As soon as a “drama” department begins to put on “plays,”
objections to attending the straight theater crumble in many minds. It is
argued that the audience should concentrate on what may be moral and
high-toned and brush aside and overlook the risque and the vulgar and the
immoral. A few visits to the theater to admire the skill of the actors and
actresses, and to estimate their talents and techniques in portraying emotions
and depicting character, and the last restraints to theater attendance are
shattered.
In
grade school, children may be taught to act out scenes taken from the Bible.
What scenes are chosen? Observation demonstrates that the more exciting ones
are selected. But the Bible does not give many dramatic touches and exciting
portrayals, and so the teacher-playwright introduces fanciful inventions to
add “drama.” This kind of “adding” to the Scriptures is forbidden by
God (Rev. 22:18). It has a two-pronged effect. Firstly, it confuses the young
person so that when he reads the Bible for himself he wonders where those
details came from. Secondly, his norms of “truth” are broken down
imperceptibly. He thinks, So what? If we need to fudge here and there for
effect, why not? Soon he is reading fiction, both drama and novel, and
enjoying every exciting, enervating, deceiving scene. The simple, quiet,
almost humdrum stories of the Bible pall. After awhile he does not read the
Scriptures any more. Then he cannot even understand it when he does. His brain
is fevered. He must have the sensational, the exciting! Later on he is not
even satisfied with this vicarious, empathetic thrill of the novel or the
drama, but he must try for himself the activity portrayed in them. Long ago,
J. Edgar Hoover wrote: “Our youth has been allowed to stray into crime; it
has not gone there deliberately. Too often it has been led there by the cheap
romanticism of the thoughtless who have painted the gangster as a figure to be
emulated and who have emphasized the monetary rewards of crime as depicted in
the headlines, rather than pointing to the price which must be paid for every
tainted dollar.” God declares in warning, “Be not deceived. God is not
mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7).
Crimes
of all kinds are acted out in drama today. By this means children are taught
to sin. The final effect of drama on TV or movie or theater is to break down
the morals and ultimately to lead to the second death. “By their fruits ye
shall know them,” Jesus declared. F. D. Nichol quoted in one of his
editorials, from an article in The Saturday Review of Literature
entitled “The Kingdom of the Blind.” Its subtitle was “An Ex-Moving
Picture Reviewer Considers His Ex-Job.” This is the studied view of this
“expert”: “It is my indignant opinion that ninety per cent of the moving
pictures exhibited in America are so vulgar, witless, and dull that it is
preposterous to write about them in any publication not intended to be read
while chewing gum” (RH, Vol. 123, No. 45). This, of course, is true
also of the straight theater and TV.
Long
ago Daniel Defoe affirmed: “Every devil has not a cloven foot.” From which
we may note that things are not always what they seem to be. Drama may appear
innocuous and innocent, but later the reality of this effect is seen. Let us
turn the light of the Bible on the viewer of the modern drama; its reader
would also be included. God condemns him by implication in these words: “He
that walketh righteously;...
that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from
seeing evil; he shall dwell on high” (Isa. 33:15, 16). But what of those who
do not thus discipline themselves? They stand condemned. John K. Ryan, writing
in Forum some years ago, said words which are uncannily true today:
“Sadism, cannibalism, bestiality. Crude eroticism. Torturing, killing,
kidnaping, monsters, madmen, creatures which are half-brute, half-human, raw
melodrama; tales of crimes and criminals; extravagant exploits in strange
lands on other plants; pirate stories....
Vulgarity, cheap humor, and cheaper wit. Sentimental stories designed for the
general level of the moronic mind. Ugliness in thought and expression. All
these, day after day, week after week, have become the mental food of American
children young and old.” (Quoted in Signs, Feb. 21, 1939, p. 5.
Please note the date!)
Have
you ever thought of the implications of this command of God to ancient Israel?
“Ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy
all their pictures” (Num. 33:52). The enervating, moral destroying still
pictures of the ancient Canaanites must be destroyed at God’s command if
ancient Israel was to attain to the Divine ideal. How much more are the
pictorially dramatic presentations of movie, theater and TV of today
calculated to corrode the morals and break down the norms of modern Israel.
In
study of drama the Christian must consider the inordinate amount of time spent
by the student in learning his part so as to enter into “the skin” of the
character he is portraying. This identification with a character who might not
even be a Christian is destructive to the character of the actor. Then
consider the time necessary to coordinate all the actors and produce a play
after dozens of rehearsals, and you have an expenditure of time which far
outbalances any benefits which might be gained. Consider, too, the effect on
the actors. The pride they take in their acting is their breath, and the vital
need for their egos to feed upon the applause accorded them by the audience is
their food. Is this good?
To
depict the scenes, use the words, portray the characters in any play is to
exhibit a lifestyle which is alien to that of the true Seventh-day Adventist.
The student of drama must force himself into a mold which his better judgment
tells him is contrary to the norms of the Bible. “By beholding,” by
identifying with his character, “he is changed into” the likeness of the
one whom he depicts.
If
the student of drama says things he does not believe, in language he does not
condone, and depicts attitudes and sentiments which are alien to his concepts
of the standards of his Lord, his motives and feelings about right and wrong
will become confused. He will eventually come to believe, because his
literature or drama teacher tells him so, that drama is an art form which
exhibits “culture” and reflects insights into life which are worthwhile.
Then, when he studies the Bible his standards are further confused.
The
natural inclination for the student of drama to excel and to be applauded
leads him to participate and to enter in fully into what he is doing, and very
soon his spirituality and desire for the simple truths of the Bible wanes and
the word of God appears dull. Very soon he will be heard to say, “I do not
see anything wrong with drama.” And what he is actually confessing is that
he now doesn’t see! He has gone blind and needs the “eyesalve” to open
his perspectives to the norms of the word of God.
The
major purpose of the imitative performing arts is pleasure, and entertainment,
and their end is that the realities of life become blurred. Sin, brutality,
domination, excess, love of applause, a refusal to accept the norms of
Philippians four and Romans one and the results of teaching drama, and
participating in fictional plays destroys the relish for the tranquil pleasure
of daily life and the simple joys of true devotion, and confuses ideas of
right and wrong while stimulating the desire for excitement, love of
worldliness and pleasure for its own sake.
As
far as this student of the drama in the light of the Scriptures is concerned,
there is but one answer. Drama cannot survive the scrutiny of the Light of the
world.
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