p. 5 | Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 17, 1910

Note and Comment

Soiling Soul and Body

ONE significant sign of the times, in indicating the degeneracy coming into the professed church of Christ, is the marked tendency of many church-members to mingle freely with the world and in the world's sports. The line of demarcation between professors and non-professors is rapidly being obliterated. Says the United Presbyterian, of January 20:—

‘It was known there is a great change in the practise of members of the churches with respect to theatergoing, but it may be a surprise to learn from the Christian Work that theatergoing, within its observation, is now the rule, and abstention the exception. It accompanies this statement with a strong plea for the still larger patronage of the play by church people, applying the usual arguments as to the dramatic instincts of human nature, and the duty of encouraging those who are providing what is clean and wholesome.

As indicating how men and women who have indulged in theatergoing and have been converted to the Lord regard the influence of their former pastimes, another journal announces the conversion of an eminent German actress, Frau Hedwig Wangel. She has boldly renounced the theater, declaring it had “soiled her soul and body,” and this would be the testimony of scores of actors and actresses throughout the world if they were to speak the honest sentiments of their hearts. Strange that there should be found Christian people and great religious journals that would be advocating the duty of Christians to attend recreations of this character. Higher and holier motives and purposes will inspire the hearts of the truly devoted followers of the Master. Their pleasure, instead of being found among the godless and indifferent, will find its highest exercise in humbly walking in the steps of the Master.