THE THEATRE.
1. Mr. World and his friend tarry at Satan’s Theatres which lay in
seven grades, one below the other.
2. A description of the “Century Session” held by the demons having
in charge the Theatre interests of Satan.
The College of Theatres lay between the second and third divisions of
the Schools of Literature. The numerous structures were built on so
large a scale, and after such winning designs, that the attention of
many travelers was attracted to them and thereby to the performances
given within their walls.
Here could be found some of the graduates of the Schools of Literature
who were constantly engaged on one or another of the stages.
All these theatrical attractions belonged to the first grade and formed
a part of a great system of Theatres which lay in seven grades, one
below the other, each serving its part to engross the human mind with
the carnal and sensual things of life.
The performances of the first grade were practically free from the
vulgar touches found, with increasing intensity, as one goes downward
toward the seventh grade which lay beneath the Midway in the Valley
of Temptation.
In these Satanic Theatres of the first grade respectability is
maintained purposely so as to ensnare as many professing Christians
as possible, for there are many in the ranks of the church who are
building with nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. The scheme works so
well that the Devil is trying to form a “Stage Trust,” and get all the
talent of the King’s Highway to unite. Thus Satan seems to encourage
morality in order to carry out his deeply laid schemes of moral
pollution.
I looked into the inward workings of this terrible system. I saw
multitudes descending downward from the first grade, many of whom
ceased not until they had passed through all the seven grades. The
scenes and revelations that came to my eyes beggar all description.
My heart sickened as I beheld the millions wallowing in the mire of
fleshly lusts, apparently living for no higher purpose than to see the
latest novelties of expressing lewdness and sensuality.
“This is brute life, indeed,” I soliloquized, “for it can be easily
seen that the hearts of these people are so seared and their ears so
dull that they have no desire for the music of celestial choirs, or
the ecstacies that rise from heart-communion with God.”
I also saw that there were numberless underground connections between
the lower Theatres and the Schools of Suicide, and with the varied
haunts of Prostitution that infested the whole region.
This startling fact also forced its way to my attention:--_the money
flowing from the entire seven grades fell into one treasury_, so that
they who moved in the supposed moral atmosphere of the first and second
grades were, nevertheless, patrons of the whole iniquitous business.
At once I thought of the churches that were in sympathy, or league,
with this part of the work along the Broad Highway. And I inwardly
uttered these sad sentences:
“_It is no more a mystery why such churches have lost their holy
influence and their warmth of spiritual life, while worldliness
flourishes from the pew to the pulpit_.”
[Illustration: The Devil’s Substitute to the Prayer-Meeting (The
Christians left their Bibles at home.)]
Mr. World and Miss Church-Member spent several seasons of leisure in
the Theatres of the first and second grades. Finally he invited her
to accompany him to a Refined Vaudeville in the third grade Theatre
district. It happened to be on the same day of the week that she had
formerly been accustomed to attend prayer meeting. This fact awakened
memories of bygone days, and brought feelings of sadness to her heart.
Mr. World, by an artful diversity of language, arrested her mind and
calmed her conscience as he playfully remarked: “This will be a good
substitute for the prayer-meeting.”
I saw the two enter the Vaudeville with many other church-members that
mingled with the jostling crowds. These Christians left their Bibles
at home, while some took as a substitute their opera glasses. They can
see through these better than they can through their Bibles.
While Mr. World and Miss Church-Member tarried at the Theatres, I was
permitted to see a conference of the evil spirits that had in charge
the Theatre interests of Satan. The conference met at the opening of
the year 1901 what was called “The Century Session.”
For the time I was lost to all other surroundings, and I could hear
all and see all as if I occupied the best seat. The unusual parliament
seemed to be held underground, and yet one could enter directly from
the surface of the earth.
The assemblage was controlled by a highly honored chief, cool and
deliberate in manner. Every kind of imp imaginable could be found in
the number that constituted the many committees.
I witnessed every part of the diabolical proceedings, and will here
disclose a portion of these doubly sealed secrets.
After all preliminaries were brushed away, I heard seven ominous clangs,
and silence reigned supreme. The chairman rose to speak. What a mingling
of light and darkness! How truly Satanic his every feature and every
move! How earnest his brief address, every word in the interest of
Satan’s blasting work.
“Give heed, oh, ye co-workers, bound under oath to give a true
report! Our cause has made advances, and our work calls for the
ripest service we can give. _The theatre modernized is fast winning
the church. All honor, ye spirits who played your parts so well!_ The
century has just closed, but not our opportunity. Let coming years
be one of mightier conquest. Down with the narrow truth and morbid
righteousness, and all things else that check our onward marching!”
For a moment the chairman was silent. Then, as he raised his hand, I
heard a hideous clang which proved to be the signal for the report
of “The-Moral-Effect-of-the-Theatre” committee. Forthwith the whole
committee stood _en masse_ before the chairman. “Our work goes on with
speed,” cried the leader of the gang. “In every district we are gaining
ground.”
“I have watched your progress with joyful pride,” answered the chairman,
as he smiled in hellish glee. “But I noted the sharp conflicts you had
with certain reformers in the churches.”
“Some of them we cannot conquer,” despairingly admitted the leader.
“Grieve not over forts you cannot take, but make good use of those
that have surrendered.”
“They are firing our guns splendidly,” quickly intercepted the leader,
as he rose and read the following report:
1. “We have labored earnestly in the ranks of the church until many
more of her members now believe that the moral effect of our Theatres
is helpful.
2. “We have succeeded in dividing the members of many churches on this
question, and have witnessed, with pleasure, the many kinds of quarrels
that have resulted therefrom.
3. “We have succeeded in turning the tide of many periodicals, so that
the defense of the Theatre, as a moral stimulant, is more general than
ever.”
As the leader closed his brief report, the chairman offered his
compliments, and the host cheered with vigor.
The committee retired. The chairman again lifted his hand and two
clangs were heard. This was the signal for the appearance of the
“Park-Theatre” committee.
“Good tidings, or ill?” tersely asked the chairman.
“Good tidings of the first degree,” cheerily replied the leader of the
committee as he proceeded to read his document:
1. “We labored, with all zeal, to carry out the schemes concocted
previously.
2. “We have succeeded in locating a series of free Theatres at every
summer park where we could possibly induce the management to admit
them.
3. “These Theatres, even though they be of a third or fourth class,
are doing a great service for us by implanting a taste for other grades.
4. “By this happy medium we are winning young people and church-members
by the thousand, for they can attend these Park exhibitions without
being severely criticised.
5. “We are careful to give them enough immoral and sensual bait to
draw them further. (Wild applause.)
6. “These innocent Park Theatres must not be abandoned, for they are
a sure training school. We hereby pledge ourselves anew to go forth
more earnestly to our tasks.” (Furious applause over the whole
assembly.)
“Have you met with any hindrances to your work?” queried the chairman
of the meeting.
“Many indeed. Some Parks refuse our class of Theatres, while others
are closed to every class. But our committee is determined to push
ahead.”
“Onward, ye comrades,” urged the chairman. “Buy up the stock of every
Park, if possible, and furnish recreation for the church. Do not become
too bold at first in the introduction of lewd and foolish plays, or
you may be fought by the popular churches.”
“Hardly possible,” replied the leader. “So many in the church are glad
to wink at these incongruities, for they are thereby given a chance
to satisfy their carnal appetites without being classed with the regular
Theatre crowd.”
“This is one of our happiest modern hits,” chuckled the chairman, as
the committee turned away, amidst the mad-like cheering.
Next I saw that the chairman raised his hand, and at once I heard three
sharp clangs which were the signal for the “Church-Choir” committee.
“What has the church-choir to do with the Theatre,” thought I, as I
saw the obedient host answering to their call.
“What tidings, good or ill?” asked the chairman in a tone of confidence.
“Progress slow, but sure,” briefly answered the leader of the committee
as he stepped a little nearer to the chairman to give his report.
“Ours is a difficult task. Some choirs are hedged about that we cannot
so much as reach them with suggestions. Nevertheless, we have succeeded
in many sections, notably in certain large cities. We report, with
pride, that some churches have engaged genuine theatrical singers to
render special selections during the regular Sunday services. Is it
not an evidence of our success when the opera-stage singer of Saturday
night furnishes the chief solo for church-goers on Sunday morning?
This is winning certain people to the Theatre, for in many instances
they cannot wait until the next Sunday; so they visit several theatres
during the week to keep their spiritual strength renewed.”
Then the demons cheered to the echo, and I listened with a sad, heavy
heart.
The leader continued:
“We are also endeavoring to get the regular church-choirs to imitate
the popular theatrical stars. Of course, we do not oppose the use of
religious words, if we cannot induce them to sing our selections. We
are aiming to create a taste for the up-to-date novelties in music,
in contrast to the old dry singing in certain churches of the King’s
Highway.” (Prolonged applause.)
As this tall, wiry demon continued to unfold his deep-laid plans, I
well understood why Satan has selected the church-choir as an objective
point, and has delegated so large a number of imps to do work in that
special direction. I then cried within me: “Oh, that these churches
would not use their choir-corners as an advertising medium for the
Theatre! And that choirs, in their musical devotions, may be led by
the Spirit of God rather than by the imps of Hell!”
This committee retired with special encomiums.
The chairman rose and I heard four sonorous clangs which summoned the
“Ministerial” committee. At once its members, in their sedate and
portly attitudes, surged down the massive aisles.
I shuddered as I saw the variety of these mean Satanic faces, portraying
a depth of vileness, mingled with shrewd and scholarly insight. With
great care I studied this pack of Hell-hounds, gathered from the ends
of the earth, now standing in sullen mood, ready to give their report.
“What tidings, good or ill?” asked the chairman.
“The tidings are good,” replied the famous leader. “By our efforts we
have silenced many a voice which formerly thundered against us. To-day
many more ministers are in sympathy with the modern Theatre of the
higher grades, although not a few of these must hold their views in
secret. Others speak apologetically, and still more come out in bold
defense of what they term the ‘Select Theatre.’”
“What do you consider the most hopeful line of your work?” further
asked the chairman.
“Our work in the theological schools,” quickly responded the leader.
“Special sections of our committee have labored with stealthy vigor
to capture the preacher before he reaches the pulpit. The last years
of the century have witnessed phenomenal gains for our cause. By winning
the theological student early to our Theatrical theories we are likely
to gain his heart and sympathy in after years. Our success along these
lines is the most hopeful sign of the times, and bespeaks the ushering
in of more sensible conditions. (Furious applause.)
“Before retiring,” continued the leader, “let me quote the utterances
of a certain broad-minded clergyman: ‘The clean Theatre of the twentieth
century will be, and ought to be, the moral prayer-meeting for
Christians, while the spiritual prayer-meeting will be held in the
church as usual.’”
The whole army of devils cheered like madmen. I was so aroused that
I felt that ecclesiastical lynch law should be applied to any minister
whose utterances caused such jubilee among the legions of Hell.
I could not remain to hear the report of:
“The Moral Play” committee,
“The Variant Dance” committee,
“The Sacred Concert” committee and other committees whose names I could
not learn.