CHURCH AND STAGE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8065, 14 December 1892, Page 2

CHURCH AND STAGE.

[bz b.c]

The arts, we, are frequently told, are the accepted handmaids of religion ; used by her for the refining and instructing of the peoplo. Ibis is true in tho main, but in detail it is not so. The church has persistently snubbed one of her handmaids, and done her best to drive her into bad company, simply by turning away and deliberately refusing to asiooiate on friendlr terms. Pointing, painting, architeoturo, musio arc received with open arms by religeon. Poetry has written hymus for her ; painting has drawn picluros fot her ; architecture has built cathredals for her; music has -written oratorios and marches for her. The Ohuroh has willingly accepted these gifts from the avts, und has not refused them becanse her handmaids have sometimes been naughty and flippant; nay, more, have they got sometimes turned round on religion and reviled hor — made fun of her? And the drama would fain bring her treasures to the feet of the great teacher, religion ; but religion, as she shows herself in the churches, makes exouses for denying her friendly hand— looks another way— and talks of educating the people by sermons and tiunday schools. It is possible that religion is so blind as not to perceive that one of the most powerful engines for good is the modern drama ? No, it is not possible. Religion knows perfectly well that- this once disreputable art is changed — is purified, is strong in wisdom and beauty -but religion as represented by the churches is too timid to outwardly acknowledge the fact. .

Our readers may doubt tho accuracy of tbe above (tatoment, that the ohuroh is too timid to accord a downright warm personal welcome to her purified handmaid. The following facts will demonstrate tha correctness of our words:— Some time ago Mr Walter Bentloy courteously issued invitations to the local clergy of Duuedin to attend a performance ol The Silver King This distinguished actor, who has always, adhered to his belief in the eduottiug and purifying influence of tno drama, asked the clergy whethor they did not think "the time has now arrived when ministers of the Gospel can, by their public appearanoes at theatres, influence the people to patronise high class and other essentially moral dramatic works." Is not ibis almost pathetic ? Drama says, "I have foriaben my old bad wajs,Uung aside the patronageof high paying vice. 1 teach what you teach; I act what you preach. Come, help me, and bring the peoplo with you." And the ohurchos refuse — lef use, too, not boldly, but in a half hearted way — and by doing so, we have no hesitatioi in saying that they wrong art and injure the people. If the Church wishes to keep her hold on the poople she must call to her side all the mighty factors that are " making for righteousness,'' and only too gladly accept such an invitation as Walter Bentley s. What answers do the clergy send to the uc,tor ? We are pleußed to see that they all say " thank you ;" but that is the only positive statement they dare to make, except in the case of one reverend (gentleman, who roundly declares "1 regret to say that, in my opinion, the time has not arrived when suoh an invitation can be accepted." Another refuses on the ground of health ; two others vaguely, but, with, no doubt, irreproachable dignity, say "that they aro unable to avail themselves" [of tho invitation] ; another " cannot see his way to accept. Wo suipoctcd bhmlnoss had a good deal to do with this attitude of cold superiority. We all know how confpnieut blindness is whon wo Want to offer a niut) little snub. Tho friondly ticket of admission to tho theatre is /oturnod to its donor by another reverend ucr.Hptuan who thus writes, "My conviction, baaed upon prolonged observation that tbe theatre does

not mako for the elevation of -the people, but the reverse, prohibits mv uceoptuDi o , o* your invitation." Note the neat little sling " but the reverse." No assault or boi/torr there. Another clergyman pleads a prior engagement "without expressing any opinion at present, &c." By why we&ry the rentier with more of this cautiouVy veiled refusal to bold out the lund of help and sympathy to one who had simply asked these teachers and preachers to " influence tbe people to patronise "—what? An immoral play? a voluptuous ballet? .Nnj but a " high-class and moral druma." But the most'absurd of all remarks is this one ; — " If tho stage as a whole were up to your high standard, I make nq doubt but wh.tt ministers of the Gospel would often he present " Of what Gospel are these gentlemen claiming to he ministers ? Not, certainly, of the Gospel of tbe Great Healur of men. Tho healer goes to ibu sick, tho strong goto the weak; but the Dunediu

clergy prefer waiting till tbe siok are well, the woak aro strong. Woro we not correct in saying that the drama has. indeed, been snubbed by religion ? But let the art go on her way, let her teaoh the people, and we venture to think that the people will teach the clergy. They need leaching.