Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school of morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes, deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drinks strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement. {4T 652.3}

Blandt de mest farlige forlystelsessteder er teatret. (653) I stedet for at være en moralens og dydens skole, som man ofte kalder det, er det i virkeligheden et drivhus for umoralitet. Dårlige vaner og syndige tilbøjeligheder styrkes og stadfæstes ved disse forlystelser. Slette sange, usømmelige fagter, udtryk og hentydninger ophidser indbildningskraften og nedsætter moralen. Enhver ung, som vanemæssigt deltager i den slags forestillinger, vil få fordærvede principper. Der er ikke nogen indflydelse i vort land, der er mere egnet til at forgifte fantasien, ødelægge religiøse indtryk og svække lysten til passende fornøjelser og det ædruelige livs virkeligheder end teatralske forlystelser.