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.)