DR. CUYLER ON THEATERS.
By Dr. Cuyler
I do not affirm that every popular play is immoral, and every attendant is on a scent of sensualities. But the theater is a concrete institution, and must be judged in the gross, and to the tremendous extent it is only a gilded nastiness. It unsexes womanhood by putting her publicly in male attire; too often in almost no attire at all. One of the most eminent living actresses declares that she only enters the theater to enact her part, and has but little association with her own profession. A converted actor once pointed me to a play-house in which he used to perform, and said, “Behind those curtains lies Sodom!” But there is a popular amusement which involves the promiscuous contact of the sexes in miscellaneous parties and in the ball-room, and this is fraught with terrible peril to purity and to Christian character. It inflames passion. It kindles salacious thoughts. It breeds extravagance in dress, late hours, the spirit of envy, and many other lusts which war against the soul. It promotes self-indulgence, which is a growing bane and curse to the church. Is the dancing hall a department in the school of Christ? Shall our daughters cease to emulate the example of Dorcas and Lydia, and learn to play the part of the daughter of Herodias? The whole trend of the promiscuous dance is against moral purity and spirituality.