Sermons on the Amusements of the Stage; Preached at St. James's Church, Sheffield

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1831. Excerpt: ... SERMON IV. Mat. vi., 13. Lead us not into temptation.' The Christian Minister is a spiritual sentinel, placed by Providence on his post of observation, in order that he may watch over his people, and in behalf of his people; and as soon as he discovers danger, it is his duty to employ all the means, and opportunities, and advantages, which his station may afford him, for the purpose of resisting, and counteracting, and, if possible, averting the threatening evil. In the discharge of such an office, the Christian Minister will select, from time to time, such subjects as may appear best adapted to the existing circumstances and immediate necessities of his people; and he will press upon them those truths, and those duties, which the present temptations and the impending dangers may render expedient, and deserving of particular attention. Now, my dear young Friends, it was from a deep sense of my responsibility, and I trust also, with an earnest desire to promote your temporal and eternal welfare, that I stated my intention of making another effort this afternoon, to put you upon your guard against the temptations to which you are exposed, by the re-opening of the Theatre. This is an occasion on which I feel myself called upon, both by my duty to God, and from love to your souls, to warn you as plainly and faithfully as I can. There are few dangers so much to be dreaded as those which arise from the opening of a Theatre. Were impiety and impurity to appear in all their naked, undisguised, and exceeding sinfulness, --they would be less perilous. But the Theatre conceals its mischief and its wickedness under a specious and imposing mask. It seems to offer nothing but harmless enteitainment;--it comes with very plausible pretences;--it makes very fair professio...