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.'"
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