APPENDIX 14-16
Appendix 14
The
Religious Drama
Forsaking
the First Love
In
Three Parts—Part One
(F.
M. Wilcox, Review and Herald, January 25, 1934)
The
apostolic church was established in purity and simplicity. Its membership was
made up of men and women who had been directly instructed by the Lord or by
His apostles. These teachers held to the truth of God in its simplicity and
purity. Their lives were marked by humility, consecration, and sacrifice. But
the apostles had scarce retired to their graves before there arose in the
church a spirit foreign to the simple faith which characterized the early
believers. This is expressed in the letter to the church at Ephesus, as
recorded in the second chapter of the Revelation. The Lord commends this
church for their labor and patience. They had manifested a heroic faith in
espousing an unpopular cause. They were zealous in the promulgation of the
gospel. They suffered trial and persecution. But little by little the ardor of
their zeal had abated, and the Lord brings against them this charge: “I have
somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” He rebukes
their sin, and then points out the remedy: “Remember therefore from whence
thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto
thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou
repent.”
This
loss of the first love has been the entering wedge by which Satan through all
the centuries has sought to separate the Christian disciple from his Lord.
Following this has come formalism, worldliness, a corrupted faith, a loss of
distinctive character between those who professed Christ’s name and those
who knew Him not. The backsliding which crept into the apostolic church grew
and increased with the years. It resulted in the fearful apostasy of
succeeding centuries.
In
these experiences the church of Christ may read lessons for every subsequent
period. The church to whom I am speaking need to take these lessons home to
their own hearts. There is danger today that we shall lose the earnestness of
our Christian experience and our simplicity of faith.
I
well recall how this danger was impressed upon my mind by a little incident
several years ago. In the city of London I visited a church in which John
Wesley had preached the gospel of Christ for his day and generation. It was
interesting to climb up into the high pulpit and feel that I stood in the very
place where this man of God cried out against the sins of his day, calling men
and women to a new experience in Christ Jesus. Near by stood the humble
one-and-a-half story home where Wesley had lived. In the chamber the guide
pointed out a little room where Wesley had repaired day after day to seek the
blessing of God upon his labors.
Divining,
perhaps, the thought in my mind, the guide left me, and I knelt down in this
little room and prayed that I might be given the spirit of earnestness and
consecration which characterized this man of God. Then as I passed on I was
led to ask myself this question, “If John Wesley were alive today, would he
recognize in the great present-day Methodist Church, with its millions of
members, the simple, humble church which he was instrumental in
establishing?” I recognize that there are may godly men and women who are
members of the Methodist Church today, and these, with me, deplore the loss of
simplicity, the departure from the old-time standards, which mark the lives of
many at the present time. And then my thoughts went further. I said, “Will
the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with which I am associated, follow in the
path of the great denominations around us? Will we lose our simplicity, our
humble, childlike faith, our simple Christian experience?”
A
Personal Question
I
believe with all my heart in the ultimate victory of the movement with which
we are connected. I know from the teachings of God’s word that there is to
be developed in these last days a people who will keep the commandments of God
and have the faith of Jesus, a company who will stand on Mount Zion without
sin or guile. But while I have faith that the movement itself will triumph and
that there will be found when Christ comes a devoted church who will stand
clothed in His righteousness, the question becomes more personal, and I am led
to ask myself, Will I be among this number?
This
is the question which I wish to put to each reader of the Review.
Will you be among that number? I thank God for the spirit of simplicity and
zeal and earnestness which I see in the lives of the larger part of our
membership. As I visited several camp meetings the past season and held
meetings in a number of our large churches, I was encouraged by what I saw and
heard of the spirit of consecration that possesses the lives of a large
number. But I was made sad to learn of the spirit of indifference and
worldliness which is taking possession of the hearts of some.
We
must confess with sorrow that there are some in the church today who are
losing their first love. The call of the world is having an effect in too many
lives. We have been faithfully warned by the word of God that this would be
so. Again and again the Master, in addressing the church living just before
His second coming, admonishes them against the spirit of indifference, of
spiritual sloth, against the danger of the cares of this life, against the
influence of creature comforts, against saying in their hearts, “My Lord
delayeth His coming.” (See Mark 13:33-37; Luke 21:34-36; Matt. 24:44-51.)
Some things that we see creeping in among us make us realize the need of these
admonitions.
Religious Plays and Pageants
Some
of our brethren and sisters are becoming ensnared with the spirit of worldly
pleasure, and it is of this danger that I wish to sound a warning in this
article. Of the evils attending the theater and the moving picture show,
perhaps I need say little, although some of our membership are attending such
gatherings. But there are others, while they would not attend some of these
more objectionable forms of pleasure, feel free to attend gatherings of the
same sort in character, if not of the same degree of harmfulness. Some who
would refuse to go to the drama as enacted in a theater, feel free to go to a
drama enacted in some church or hall. If the drama has a historical background
or a religious setting, this affords ample excuse for attendance at such an
entertainment. And when plays of this character are patronized in outside
churches, the logical step is to seek to bring them into our own churches and
into our own institutions. This is done on the plea that such historical
pageants or religious dramas are educational or teach good moral lessons.
If
I were the only one concerned over such entertainments which are urging their
way into some of our schools and churches, I would feel to question my own
judgment, but I am glad from my correspondence to learn that there are others
who sense deeply the influence of these entertainments which are finding place
in some of the gatherings of our people.
I
was pleased recently, on receiving the minutes of one of our union
conventions, to see that the executive committee of the union conference had
unanimously passed the following resolution relative to some of these
influences of which I have spoken:
Whereas,
The world is forcing its way into the church in some centers by way of worldly
pageant, show, comic lecture, theatrical display, cheap musical entertainment,
and costly and extravagant church weddings, thus endangering our young people
in the line of demarcation between the church and the world; therefore,
Resolved,
That with humiliation of soul and deeply sensing the fact that we are living
in the last hour when the devil has come down in great power, we lovingly and
urgently raise the note of warning to our people, both young and old, but
especially to our church and institutional leaders, pointing out the danger of
the hour in all these and other matters of a worldly trend, seeking for a
renewal of the straight testimony of the True Witness, hoping that a revival
of primitive godliness may result.
I
believe that serious consideration should be given to this question,
particularly by our church officers and by our conference and institutional
leaders. The introduction into our schools and churches of pageants and plays
and the dramatization of various incidents, even though they may be historical
and educational, has a tendency to break down in the minds of many the
objection to theater going. Of this danger we have been definitely warned by
the instruction that has come to us.
“Worldly
or Theatrical Entertainments”
Some
years ago the messenger of the Lord gave very definite counsel to the managers
of our sanitariums against providing entertainment of this character of the
guests of the institution. I believe it is well for us to read this counsel in
this connection. I quote from Volume IV, pages 577-579, of “Testimonies for
the Church”:
Those
who bear the responsibility at the sanitarium should be exceedingly guarded
that the amusements shall not be of a character to lower the standard of
Christianity, bringing this institution down upon a level with others, and
weakening the power of true godliness in the minds of those who are connected
with it. 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. But
repose, rather than excitement, is what many of the patients need.
As
soon as these entertainments are introduced, the objections to theater going
are removed from many minds, and the plea that moral and high-toned scenes are
to be acted at the theater, breaks down the last barrier. Those who would
permit this class of amusements at the sanitarium would better be seeking
wisdom from God to lead these poor, hungry, thirsting souls to the Fountain of
joy, and peace, and happiness.
When
there has been a departure from the right path, it is difficult to return.
Barriers have been removed, safeguards broken down. One step in the wrong
direction prepares the way for another.
Recognizing the Social Instinct
I
do not believe that we can hope to hold the young people of this denomination
by providing for them entertainments which simulate closely the pleasures of
the world. On the other hand, I believe it is not only proper, but a duty we
owe to our boys and girls, to provide them, in our homes, in our churches, and
in our institutions, social gatherings, entertainment which will be both
instructive and enjoyable. The preparation of such programs will require
thought and study, but they will be well worth the effort expended to make
them helpful and uplifting.
I
feel that there has been a serious lack in our church through the years in not
giving more attention to the social instinct of the youth. Because the church
has failed to meet this demand, our boys and girls have sought pleasure and
recreation in worldly associations.
The
Joy of Christian Service
But
there is a still higher consideration which must always be kept in mind. We must
lead our youth to find their highest pleasure in service for their heavenly
King. The greatest joy of the Christian is found in his communion with his Lord,
communion in prayer, in Bible study, and in labor for others. And if our youth
could be brought in their Christian experience to the place where they would
know this joy, this above everything else would hold them in the days of stress
and storm before us.
But
before we can lead them into this joy, we ourselves must know it in our own
lives. As never before in the history of this movement we should seek for a
fulfillment of the prophetic word found in the fourth chapter of Malachi. The
divine promise is that God will turn the hearts of the fathers toward the
children, and the hearts of the children toward the fathers. Note the
order—the hearts of the fathers turn first, and the response is found in the
hearts of the children.
I
feel that we need to take a deeper and more concrete interest in the youth of
the denomination, in affording them encouragement in every laudable ambition, in
assisting them as far as lies within our power in the attainment of these
ambitions, in leading them to sense the responsibility that rests upon them as
the younger members of the Lord’s family, to bring to a glorious completion
the work which must of necessity, if time shall continue even a few more years,
rest more and more upon their shoulders. As they are led to sense this
responsibility, they will find joy in service, and they will prove true, I
believe, to the ideals of this message and to every right standard.
***
Every
consecration made in the darkness is reaching out toward the light, and in the
end must come out into the light, strong in the strength which it won in its
life and struggle in the dark.—Phillips Brooks.
Appendix 15
The Religious Drama
Shall
We Introduce It Into Our Churches and Institutions?
In
Three Parts—Part Two
(F.
M. Wilcox, Review and Herald, February 1, 1934)
I
feel that this question is of sufficient importance to warrant further
consideration. The influence of historical pageants, religious dramas,
theatrical plays, and entertainments of this character, is increasing rapidly.
More and more they are being given, not only before the members of various
clubs and civic organizations, but in various popular churches. Some of these
plays appear quite innocent of themselves, and may be more or less educational
in their character. In my judgment, the unfortunate influence attending
entertainments of this kind is to break down objection to attendance at the
theater and worldly entertainments which are positively inimical to spiritual
growth and experience.
Some
of these religious dramas are advertised in the newspapers. I have before me
as I write a newspaper report of such a play given in one of our large Eastern
cities. Heaven was represented by a stage set with beautiful lights, on which
sat men and women dressed in white robes with crowns on their heads,
representing the angelic host, while lovely soft music filled the air. The
apostle Peter was represented as standing at the improvised pearly gate to
pass upon the credentials and character of those seeking admission. The
candidates for heaven were represented as wending their way in the straight
and narrow path to the heavenly city. The devil, represented as dressed in
hideous attire, with horns on his head, came out of an improvised den or hell
to tempt the pilgrims from the straight and narrow way. He did this by various
appeals to their appetite, their pride, and their passions. Some fell under
the power of his influence and were lured into his den; others resisted his
appeal, and went on to the gate where they were admitted by Peter and with
loud acclaim by the angelic host. The newspaper reporter, in describing this
play, advises the readers of his paper to see this religious drama, as it
would afford them a rare treat.
It
is unthinkable, of course, that a play of this character would be brought into
any of our churches or institutions, but this affords a fair example of many
such plays that are being enacted in some of the churches around us at the
present time. And I think it is well for Seventh-day Adventists to face the
question as to whether we in our churches and institutions are to follow in
the path of these great churches, and provide entertainment of this character
for our own young people. May God forbid that “Ichabod” should ever be
written over the doors of our sanctuaries, as it has been written over the
doors of some of the worldly sanctuaries of today.
Others
Deeply Concerned
But
I say there is danger, and I am not alone in sensing this danger. I know from
the correspondence which comes to me from the field that there are other
conscientious men and women who view some tendencies in our own ranks with
much concern. Even since the writing of my article of last week, I have
received the following communication, which speaks for itself:
The
question has arisen, as it has many times in the past, among various groups of
our young people of which I have chanced to be a member, as to “seeing a
show.” We are severely criticized if we even dare go to a down-town show,
but the same show that we wished to see is brought to us in our own chapels
and sanitarium parlors, labeled “a good picture.” Many of them are
educational, but I have witnessed several that are educational in love making,
etc., to a degree greater than anything else.
Personally,
I do not care for the show presented in any place, but I would like to know
how to answer my patients, many of whom have remarked, “I thought you folks
didn’t believe in shows,” and my friends see no difference between going
to a down-town show or seeing the same thing “sterilized,” as we young
folks here dub it, when the discussion arises, as it did today among a group
of doctors and nurses. We really see no difference. A show is a show. Labeling
it “chocolate sirup” and placing it in a sirup pitcher doesn’t change
its ill effects.
This
does not refer to pictures of progress in the mission field, travelogues, and
such pictures as the “making of insulin,” but does refer to those
“harmless” stories in picture form that call forth such remarks as,
“Well, the theatrical season is open again,” in referring to certain
entertainments in some of our denominational halls.
The
writer of this communication says very justly that “a show is a show,” a
theatrical performance is a theatrical performance, a drama is a drama,
wherever it may be enacted. Moving it from the opera house or theater to an
institution does not change its character; indeed, it may make its influence
all the more deadly, in that by the sanction it thus receives there will be
broken down the objection to theater going—an objection which is still
cherished, I believe, by the very large majority of Seventh-day Adventists.
I
recognize, however, that there is greater danger in attending some
entertainment in a theater or movie than there would be in attending that
entertainment in a more wholesome environment. The setting of any scene
affects its influence. Associating with the careless, worldly throng who
habitually attend the theater or the movie would have an influence on one’s
life that would not come from association with those more religiously
inclined.
Religious Drama
I
have spoken of religious drama. What do I mean by this? Religious drama is
defined as follows by the Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. VIII, p. 475, eleventh
edition: “Drama (literally ‘action,’ from Gr. δρ__, act or
do), the term applied to those productions of art which imitate or, to use a
more modern term, ‘represent’ action by introducing the personages taking
part in them as real, and as employed in the action itself.”
An
incident I saw some years ago affords a concrete definition of religious
drama. In one scene in a serial play enacted before a popular audience, was a
young woman lying on a couch representing Dorcas, who had just died. Around
the couch were several girls, representing the companions of Dorcas, bewailing
her death. Peter had been sent for to come from Joppa. A young man
representing Peter, dressed in grotesque costume, with long white flowing
beard, entered the stage. He walked to the bedside, engaged apparently in
silent prayer, and then took the supposed Dorcas by the hand and commanded her
to arise, which she did, to the applause of the audience.
Surely
a terrible travesty upon a sacred scene! Let us hope that such scenes as this
will never be enacted in Seventh-day Adventist churches or any of our
institutions.
Satan Employs the Drama
Of
the influence of drama and of the manner in which the enemy of all
righteousness uses it to decoy souls, we have this statement from the
messenger of the Lord:
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.
—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 459.
I
believe that the principle involved in religious drama, pageants, etc., should
be studied as relates even to the influence of these things on our children of
church school age. I well remember, several years ago, seeing a historical
pageant acted out by the children of one of our church schools where I was a
visitor. The play pertained to early colonial days. Some of the boys were
dressed in Indian costume, others represented the early colonists, and carried
guns and swords to ward off hostile Indians. Girls were dressed in attire
similar to that worn by colonial women. The scene was well enacted. In a way
it was impressive. To some, perhaps, it was educational in a measure. And yet
as I sat and witnessed this, I could not help but wonder what education these
boys and girls were having in their future relation to the larger world of
popular amusement, and if it would create in any of their young minds a love
for the stage and break down objections to theater going.
Cultivation
of Pride
This
whole question is one worthy of very careful study. Somehow I cannot repress
the feeling that there is danger in our laudable desire to furnish
entertainment to our boys and girls, that we will cultivate in them pride and
love of applause, that we will develop in them a precociousness and
forwardness and boldness beyond their age. This warning has been given us in
very definite language by the special instruction which has come to us through
the years. I quote from an article from Mrs. E. G. White in the Sabbath
School Worker for April 1889:
Pride,
self-esteem, and boldness are marked characteristics 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 at the heart; for I know that it is exactly the opposite course
from the one that should be pursued.
And
the messenger of the Lord even suggests this danger in its relation to our
Sabbath schools:
It
is not for the workers to seek for methods by which they can make a show,
consuming time in theatrical performances and musical display, for this
benefits no one. It does no good to train the children to make 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. —Fundamentals of Christian Education,
p. 253.
Our
success cannot be made to depend upon methods, however good, or upon
machinery, however efficient, but upon Christ and the power of Heaven. “Not
by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” declares the Lord, His work is to
be accomplished. To this we are incited in the following statement:
What
an amount of worry would be saved if men would only trust in God. The bread of
life is to be given to needy souls. And what a work is often made of the
matter. There are long councils for devising plans, inventing new methods.
There is a constant effort to get up entertainments to draw people to the
church or the Sabbath school. Like the disciples, the workers raise the
question, Shall we go to the villages and buy? What is the work to be done?
Come unto Jesus. Humble faith and prayer will accomplish very much more than
your long councils. Listen to the Saviour’s invitation. Put your neck under
His yoke. Accept His burdens. Receive that which He bestows. He says, “My
yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” —Testimonies to Ministers,
p. 345.
I
do not understand that these statements condemn simple exercises which may be
held in the Sabbath school or in our church schools. I see no harm in our
church school children being encouraged to give recitations and short
dialogues, teaching simple moral lessons, so long as these exercises are not
given in a theatrical setting, including costumes, etc. Exercises of this
character, however, built about a complicated plot leading to a climax, carry
with them a sustained and unnatural excitement, and seem to me to be quite
unfortunate and produce too much the spirit of the theater. Those exercises
which depend upon lights or the use of a curtain on the stage and other
artificial means to produce an effect, take away from the simplicity that
should characterize the exercises given in any of our church services.
In
all of our plans and methods, and in our practical Christian experience, we
should never seek to see how near we can come to the world’s standards and
escape condemnation by others or by our own conscience. Rather, we should keep
so far away from the spirit of worldly entertainment that there will be no
question regarding the methods we pursue. If at any time the question of some
certain method balances in our mind, let us decide the question negatively.
That which we never do, in things of this character, brings no regret in after
days.
I
feel that it is inconsistent for our colleges and academies to teach the art
of self-expression, and that this instruction should not be construed as
advising against this. Many of our boys and girls are preparing to do public
work. They need to be trained to speak from the public platform, to feel at
east in the presence of an audience, and I know of no way that this
instruction can be given except by such methods as our schools are employing
at the present time. But I believe that our school instructors should see that
this experience is gained in such ways as shall not minister to the pride or
the glorification of the students taking part.
In
sounding this warning, I have in mind no church or institution. We have been
warned against worldly entertainments in the quotations I have given in this
article, and the warnings would not have been sounded had the danger not
existed. You who read these words know to what extent this danger confronts
your own church, your own institution.
Losing
the First Love
I
have great confidence in the loyalty of Seventh-day Adventists. They have
shown their love for the right in their lives of sacrifice, as they have
turned away from inducements of this world and rallied around the standard of
an unpopular cause. I believe that God recognizes their toil, their sacrifice,
even as He recognized it in the early apostolic church. But as that church
stood in danger of departing from God in the loss of their first love, so we
are in danger today. It is against the insidious approach of evil that we must
guard ourselves. Satan’s temptation does not come to us first in violation
of the Sabbath, in theft, or robbery; it comes in the subtle snares that he
lays for our feet. It is the simple glass of wine at the social board that
starts the young man down the drunkard’s path; it is the impure thought
cherished which leads to the violation of every moral standard; cherished
covetousness leads to theft.
But
let me say, as I said last week, while we seek to save our youth and children
from the dangerous amusements of the world, let us be careful that we do not
ignore our duty in providing for them wholesome social enjoyment. This may be
done in such ways as will not simulate the worldly amusements around us, with
such objectives as will lead them nearer to Christ and instill in their hearts
a love of truth and purity and nobility. This is not alone our duty, but our
blessed privilege, as we seek to become coworkers with the Master in the
salvation of our boys and girls.
I
have no apology to offer for again reverting to this subject, because I feel
that there is much involved in it. I know that the very large majority of our
churches and institutions are entirely free from these influences and dangers of
which I have spoken, but I know that there are some of our people who, while
they do not attend the theater and moving picture show, at the same time are
free to attend religious dramas and plays in public halls and in churches of
other denominations. And the danger is that the fine sense of discrimination of
some will be lost, and that they will be led farther and farther away until they
become patrons of other seriously objectionable forms of entertainment; and
perhaps even more serious, the example of these believers will influence others
and break down in their minds all objection to theater going. And the next step
will be to bring entertainments of this character into our own churches and
institutions.
Appendix 16
The Religious Drama
-
Shall
We Introduce It Into Our Churches and Institutions?
In
Three Parts—Part Three
(F.
M. Wilcox, Review and Herald, February 8, 1934)
There
comes another letter from the field, and unfortunately this describes a
theatrical in one of our own academies. I refer to the incident, not by way of
censure or criticism, but merely to point the moral which should be drawn.
The
performance represented the peoples of other nations in costume. France was
depicted by a love-making scene in song and acting. The young lady came on the
stage, which was set as a garden. While loitering about, the young man came
and in song inquired of her why all his attentions were spurned, and she
answered in song. Finally, he asked her if she would say no if he asked her to
marry him. She answered, No, in song to this. Then the betrothal took place,
and they went off the stage hand in hand. This produced hand clapping of
approval, and a twice repeated encore. Some thought it was the best part of
the performance, and it was, technically. I was amazed at the acting ability
of the young man and woman. They performed like trained actors. You could
scarcely see any better acting in a theater, I imagine, though it has been
long years since I saw any real acting.
Japan
was represented by Japanese dancing girls in silk pajamas. They came out on
the stage doing a drill with Japanese parasols, then placed the parasols on
the floor and danced a Japanese folk dance (I suppose) around them in their
silk pajamas, with the spotlight playing on them.
The
girls used rouge and lipstick very freely. I presume they felt they must
represent the people of these various countries, but I could not quite see the
point. Of course it had the effect to cause them to look lightly on the use of
these things. It is not permitted in school, but of course they can’t be
blamed much for concluding that is simply a rule of a denominational school,
which means nothing. I have met some of the girls coming away from school
smeared with rouge and lipstick aplenty.
It
was all very theatrical from beginning to end. There was the stage, the
certain, the change of scenery, the footlights, and even the spotlights. As I
sat and looked on, I was carried back to the days when I was obsessed with the
theater.
Christ
Our Example
What
serious, sober-minded believer can feel that plays of this character should
have a part in the programs of a Seventh-day Adventist school? Would Christ,
think you, grace such an assembly with His presence? Nay, verily, unless He
came by His representative, the Holy Spirit, to convict of sin, and to point
the way of truth and holiness. “He that saith he abideth in Him ought
himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.
I
do not consider that this scene in any measure represents the character of the
entertainments which are being provided in the great majority of our
academies. This, so far as I know, is a rare exception to the wholesome
diversions that are afforded the students in our schools generally.
I
have no doubt that the students who engaged in this play are earnest young men
and women, and I can well believe that the teachers who permitted a play of
this character to be given in one of our schools are faithful, earnest
Christians. They unconsciously permitted themselves to be drawn into this net.
They simply failed to recognize the influence that attends theatrical
performances of this character. I cite the incident, as I have said, to give
point to my warning, and to demonstrate that my fears are not wholly
groundless, but that danger in the field of entertainment does confront us at
the present time.
Ancient
and Modern Dramatization
The
general influence attending the drama has been regarded as pernicious through
the centuries. Henry W. Stough, in his book, “Across the Dead Line of
Amusements,” makes this statement of facts which are vouched for by other
writers:
Dramatic
acting has existed from time immemorial, but even the ancient writers of moral
truth, both Greek and Roman, frowned upon the theater and almost universally
condemned it. Plutarch, Xenophon, Plato, Socrates, Solon, Seneca, Tacitus,
Ovid, and many others have raised one common voice against it as hostile to
morals. “An English writer in the time of Charles the First,” says Dr.
Thomas Brainerd, “made a catalogue of authorities against the stage, which
contains almost every name of eminence in the heathen and Christian world.”
Plato once said, “Plays raise the passions and pervert the use of them, and
of a consequence are dangerous to morality.” Aristotle said, “The seeing
of plays and comedies should be forbidden to young people until age and
discipline have made them proof against debauchery.” Tacitus said, “The
German women were guarded against danger and preserved their purity by having
no playhouses among them.”
And
this testimony is borne of the religious plays which were later introduced
into the church. This same writer says:
The
mystery and miracle plays were introduced during the Middle Ages and were
acted very widely. The art of printing being not yet known, it was thought the
people could be taught spiritual truths from the stage. However, the results
were never satisfactory, and finally were deteriorating. Lecky says that after
the thirteenth century they became one of the most powerful agents in bring
the church, and, indeed, religion, into disrepute. Reformers then tried to
correct abuses. “Two hundred clergymen,” says Mrs. Mowatt, the actress,
“wrote for the stage, but all in vain!”
The
demoralizing influence of the theater has received as severe condemnation in
our own day and generation. Many religious teachers have cried out against its
abuses. Earnest efforts have been put forth to purify the stage. Boards of
censors have been appointed to pass upon exhibitions given in theaters and
moving picture shows. But many of these representations today carry with them
the crime or sex appeal, and other influences of evil.
A Disreputable Family
Religious
drama of today is a distant relative of a disreputable historical family. This
member has grown in later years into greater respectability and may appear
quite innocent and harmless of itself, but it serves as an effective decoy to
lead its admirers to a love of its more evil and dissolute family relations,
and thus many are led to enter upon the dangerous paths of those grosser forms
of pleasure and dissipation which are most pernicious in their influence. It
operates in the same manner as the glass of wine or beer at the social board.
An appetite is created which entices the one who is ensnared into the path
leading to the drunkard’s grave.
Of
these influences of theatrical amusements, the messenger of the Lord says: “As
soon as these entertainments are introduced, the objections to theater going are
removed from many minds, and the plea that moral and high-toned scenes are to be
acted at the theater, breaks down the last barrier.” Let us guard ourselves
against taking the first step in the path that leads away from Christ.
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.” —Counsels to
Teachers, pp. 334, 335.
It
is unfortunate indeed for us to bring into our own churches and institutions
plays or dramas of any character which would simulate in any degree agencies or
methods that have been used through the centuries by the enemy of all
righteousness for the promotion of his evil work. I recognize that some of the
religious plays today have little if any suggestion of evil, and these forms of
entertainment employed in our won churches or institutions may of themselves
alone be comparatively harmless; but the danger is that they constitute the
first step in a path which ultimately leads downward toward the world and away
from God. They constitute a departure from the spirit of simplicity which has
characterized this movement through the years.
God
would have us jealous to safeguard the church against the first insidious
approach of evil. This, we believe, is the course the Master would take if He
lived on this earth today, in His relation to the world of sport and
entertainment. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world.” 1 John 2:15.
“Thy Children Shall Be Taught of God”
We
can never save our youth and children by arranging programs in our institutions
or churches which make constant appeal to their love of entertainment. Indeed,
where this appeal is continually made to their natures, they will lose interest
in the solemn, sober realities of Christian service. They will tire of the
meeting for prayer, of the preaching of the gospel, of the study of the Sabbath
school lesson.
We
do well to consider this principle in the commendable efforts we put forth for
the salvation of our youth and children in every department of the church. We
must recognize that character transformation can be wrought only by the Lord
Jesus Christ, the preaching of the gospel of salvation, the study of the word of
God, prayer and consecrated effort. It is perfectly proper to give an
interesting and attractive setting to every service of the church, but the
Seventh-day Adventist Church can never be saved by ritualism or literary
programs. These under some circumstances may be helps, but they are lame helps
at best.
