| Citation |
PC.767.015
2-9 Feb 1767:101, 102 (1/3)
The following arguments, on Theatrical Entertainments, are
extracted from a Treatise on that subject, which was
published in England, some years ago; the inserting of which
in the Pennsylvania Chronicle, will, at this time, oblige
many of its constant readers. [signed] Philadelphus.
The Absolute Unlawfulness of the Stage-Entertainment fully
demonstrated.
Had a person some years ago, in the time of Popery, wrote
against the worship of images, as a worship absolutely
unlawful; our ancestors would have looked upon him as a man
of a very irregular spirit. Now it is possible for the
present age to be as much mistaken in their pleasures, as
the former were in their devotions, and that the allowed
diversions of these times may be as great a contradiction to
the essential doctrines of Christianity, as the
superstitions and corruptions of the former ages. all
therefore that I desire, is only a little free-thinking upon
this subject; and that people will not as blindly reject all
reason, when it examines their pleasures, as some blindly
reject all reason, when it examines the nature of their
devotions.
It is possible that something that is called a diversion,
may be as contrary to the whole nature of religion, as any
invented superstition, and perhaps more dangerous to those
that comply with it. As the worship of images was a great
sin, though under a pretence of piety; so the entertainment
of the stage may be very sinful, though it is only intended
as a diversion.
For if the worship of images did not cease to be sinful,
though it was intended for pious purposes; it must be great
weakness to imagine, that the entertainment of the stage
cannot be any great sin, because it is only used as a
diversion.
Yet this is a way of reasoning that a great many people
fall into: They say, diversions are lawful; that the stage
is only a diversion; that people go to it without meaning
any harm, and therefore there can be no sin in it. . . .
[77 lines in this vein]
You go to hear a play: I tell you, that you go to hear
ribaldry and profaneness; that you entertain your mind with
extravagant thoughts, wild rants, blasphemous speeches,
wanton amours, profane jests, and impure passions. . . [95
lines]
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