Dramatic Productions In SDA Institutions

Introduction

Chapter 1—The Value of Visual Presentation

Chapter 2—Effective Also for Evil

Chapter 3—Seventh-day Adventists Wrestle With the Problem

Chapter 4—At The Battle Creek Sanitarium

Chapter 5—SDA Literary Societies

Chapter 6—Lyceums and Literary Societies

Chapter 7—Counsel Regarding the 1888 Enacted Christmas Program

Chapter 8—The Use of Our Talents in Communication

Chapter 9—Senses Confused by Games and Theatrical Performances

Appendix A—THE PROS AND CONS OF SDA LITERARY SOCIETIES

Chapter 1—Can Be Young Theaters on a Cheap Scale

Chapter 2—An Illustration

Chapter 3—Attempts at Battle Creek

Chapter 4—Mind Drawn From the Real and Substantial

Appendix B—INVOLVEMENTS OF ACTS AND PLAYS IN SDA LITERARY SOCIETIES

Chapter 1—A Worldly Element Takes the Lead

Chapter 2—Vacillating Between Duty and the World

Chapter 3—Lyceum and Literary Societies Can Be Constructive

Chapter 4—Bible and Nature Research Versus Theatrical Performances

Appendix C—THE USE OF OUR TALENTS OF COMMUNICATION

Chapter 1—For Self or For Christ

Chapter 2—Communication

Chapter 3—The Passion for Theatrical Performances

Chapter 4—Opportunity for Those Desiring a Place of Distinction

Chapter 5—Media of Communication

Appendix D—ENACTED SCENES

Appendix E—THE EVANGELIST AND THEATRICAL DISPLAY

At the same time, 1880-1881, in an attempt to provide cultural programs for our church members, &ldquo;literary societies&rdquo; were formed at Battle Creek and at some other places. Dramatic productions soon became part of the program. The January 4, 1881, issue of the Review and Herald contained an article from Mrs. White reporting on the problems with which the societies were soon confronted:

&ldquo;In every case where a literary society has been established among our people, its influence has proved to be unfavorable to religious life, and has led to backsliding from God. This has been tried at Battle Creek and in other places, and the result has ever been the same.&rdquo;

Then she set forth the crux of the problem:

&ldquo;The purposes and objects which lead to the formation of literary societies may be good; but unless wisdom from God shall control these organizations, they will become a positive evil. Various entertainments are introduced to make the meetings interesting and attractive for worldlings, and thus the exercises of the so-called literary society too often degenerate into demoralizing theatrical performances, and cheap nonsense. All these gratify the carnal mind, that is at enmity with God; but they do not strengthen the intellect nor confirm the morals. Little by little the spiritual element is ruled out by the irreligious, and the effort to harmonize principles which are antagonistic in their nature proves a decided failure. When God&rsquo;s people voluntarily unite with the worldly and unconsecrated, and give them the pre-eminence, they will be led away from him by the unsanctified influence under which they have placed themselves.

&ldquo;Many literary societies are in reality young theaters on a cheap scale, and they create in the youth a taste for the stage.&rdquo;&mdash;The Review and Herald, January 4, 1881.

The entire article, now currently available, may be read with profit. See Ellen G. White Review and Herald Articles (Facsimile Reprint), Vol. 1. pp. 224, 225. Significant excerpts appear as Appendix A.

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Chapter 5—SDA Literary Societies