If attending on the
theater is a sinful waste of time; if it tends to dissipate
the mind, and to render it indisposed for all sober, useful,
or spiritual employments; if hardly any man living would
dare to retire, and, upon his knees, ask the blessing of God
upon it before he went, or implore the sanctified use of it
after he returned; if theatrical exhibitions are often--very
often--indecent and profane, and always demoralizing in
their tendency; and if their patrons, by every attendance
upon them, encourage and support sin as a trade; then, I
ask, can a disciple of Jesus Christ, who professes to be
governed by the Spirit, and to imitate the example of his
Divine Master; who is commanded to "live soberly,
righteously, and godly in this present evil world;" who is
warned to have "no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather to reprove them;" who is required to
"crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts;" and
"whether he eats or drinks, or whatever he does, to do all
to the glory of God;" can a disciple of Christ, I say, who
is commanded to "shun the company of the profane," to "avoid
the very appearance of evil," and to pray, "Lead us not into
temptation"--can HE be found in such a
place without sin; without polluting his conscience,
tarnishing his profession, and offending his God?
- American Tract Society, 1820's
