p. 691 | Lovers of Pleasure

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 44.

Lovers of Pleasure.

PERSONS will pay to be amused. The Boston correspondent of the Cape Cod Item gleans a few figures regarding this matter:—

In twenty-six weeks one lady of fair face and damaged reputation, drew $256,000 from the pockets of the public, and in twenty-four weeks another of similar character drew $390,000; a singer in her first tour drew $226,000, and another singer in fifty-eight concerts drew over $200,000; an actor drew $280,000; and another actor, $315,000.

Here are "six stars," averaging to work twenty-six weeks, who in one season drew from the public one million, six hundred and sixty-seven thousand dollars ($1,667,000). I like to write it out in full, and when people tell me of hard times, no money in circulation, and all that sort of thing, I want to just quote this fact, that in one season the American pleasure-seekers paid six men and women over a million and a half of money! For what? Amusing them for two or three hours with music or acting, and in the first case it was neither,—only just to see a world-renowned beauty.

With this pleasure-seeking go other expenses, and men waste on lust and wine the abundance which God bestows, while poor women toil and stitch for a pittance, and men strive in vain for daily bread and comfortable clothing.—Safeguard.