A HOPELESS TASK by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jun 13, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 23.

A HOPELESS TASK.

By Editor

ELEVATING the "moral tone" of a "burlesque theater" is a new idea to us. We never supposed that such institutions had any moral tone that could be "elevated," until we received a formal request to assist in the work of elevating. We had always supposed, and still think, that the vaudeville class of shows should be ignored and frowned down, from a Christian standpoint. But we have received an urgent request from "The Christian League of Philadelphia" to help the society in its work; a special feature for the time being "to elevate the moral tone of the burlesque and vaudeville theaters of this city" (Philadelphia). The purpose to "purify the billboard advertisements" is all right as far as the billboard advertisements go; but the idea that eliminating the alluring character of these will make the shows themselves any better is somewhat delusive.

This Christian league, eight of whose twelve directors are clergymen, has "secured the privilege of examining these [bills] before being posted," therefore whatever advertisements of the vile places are posted throughout the city are so displayed by the formal sanction of a "Christian League." This does not necessarily make the shows themselves any better, but it does give them the quasi endorsement of a "Christian League," because they have consented to cover their real character from public view. This is on a par with licensing saloons and "regulating" other dens of infamy.

The League representatives have adopted "a policy of direct co-operation with the management of these houses," and "a very general and cordial response has resulted." Think of Christian ministers consulting with the managers of "burlesque and vaudeville theaters" as to the kind of advertisements they may circulate! and think of such a concession on the part of such ministers that "a very general and cordial response resulted"! Now it is safe to conclude that the managers of such shows will not give "a very general and cordial response" to a proposition that will materially hurt their business. It would not require overly shrewd perception to see that advertising a burlesque show in a manner to secure the approval of leading Christian ministers is not a bad business idea.

Like the saloon and its kindred evils, the burlesque and vaudeville are wholly bad, and any kind of compromise with them is only to encourage them by the prestige of some species of indorsement. And the very worst indorsement is such treatment by Christian ministers as is met by "a very general and cordial response." Anything that will give to the proprietors and managers of evil dens a recognition of their business as in any degree respectable, or profitable to the public, or as something that can not be abolished utterly, will always meet a cordial response.

But of all the calamities that can befall the Christian religion, and hinder its influence for good, the worst is to have its ministers assume the prerogative of administrators of the civil law, or monitors of its accredited executors. That is a fundamental principle of the Papacy, and is a sure precursor of religious tyranny, as history fully attests. Allowing all due credit for some features of good work, and for much good intention, the trend of such societies as this "Christian League" is indicated in its circular by the expression, "When our requests are ignored, we call upon Mayor Weaver to use his authority." That is just what the church of Rome did in her palmiest days—claimed the right to call upon the secular powers to enforce her "requests."

The motto of "The Christian League of Philadelphia" is, "The law and the Gospel;" which evidently means, The civil law and such a gospel as can be enforced by the power of civil law. The Founder of the Gospel of Christ never made appeal to the secular power for the enforcement of His reformatory work, and He has provided a far higher power for the use of those who are commissioned to carry on that work until He return to gather the fruits. That power is His Holy Spirit, and to turn to any human source for power is to reject the Spirit and ignore its office. G.