W. S. (William Shuler) Harris
"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.
CHAPTER XIII.
SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. THIRD DIVISION
1. Seven separate halls described.
2. The far-reaching schemes of Satan to pollute the Press and the Pen.
Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, after spending several hours at the
Theatres, moved toward the vast groups of buildings comprising the
third division of the College of Literature. The structures lay in a
semi-circle facing a magnificent court, in the center of which there
was a park of surpassing loveliness. On an immense arch, over the
center of the park, these words were hung in shining letters:
THIRD DIVISION:
TRUE CHRISTIANITY AND LITERATURE.
As Mr. World and his charming companion entered this great central
court, they were quite overcome by the size and beauty of the three
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