In this sermon, Reverend Hiram Mattison discusses the argument for Christian opposition to theater. He states, "the theater has been one unmitigated moral pest through the whole twenty-five centuries of its existence." Mattison presents supporting testimonies from the like of Aristotle, Augustine, and John Wesley. Regardless of the reader's opinion on theater, this sermon provides fascinating insight into the institution's reputation throughout history.
The subtitle of this sermon by Reverend Mattison is "an appeal to Methodists, in regard to the evils of card-playing, billiards, dancing, theatre-going, etc." Mattison argues that while the Bible does not directly condemn all these activities, it opposes the principles behind them. He asks, "can men and women dance, and play billiards, and go to circuses and theaters, 'to the glory of God?'" Regardless of how readers feel about these particular topics, Mattison presents an interesting process for applying Christian principles to matters not discussed in Scriptures.
