Chapter 7—Counsel Regarding the 1888 Enacted Christmas Program

Early Wednesday morning, December 26, 1888, Ellen G. White wrote about a Christmas program that she had attended the night before put on by the Battle Creek Sabbath School children. It was a simple dramatized program featuring a lighthouse, children wearing costumes, and speeches, poems and songs. Ella M. White, Mrs. White’s six year old granddaughter, was in the program, dressed to represent an angel. Ellen White’s entire communication appears as Appendix D.DPSDAI 6.1

It is significant that the counsel given to the man who organized the program relates to how the features of the program could have been made more effective, but there was no condemnation of the program itself just because it contained enacted scenes. Rather, Ellen White commented, “I was pleased with the lighthouse. The part acted by the children was good. The reading was appropriate.”—Manuscript Releases 19:300.DPSDAI 6.2

At the same time, she made certain observations:DPSDAI 6.3

“The singing was after the order we would expect it to be in any theatrical performance, but not one word to be distinguished. Certainly the tempest-tossed ship would be wrecked upon the rocks if there were no more light coming from the lighthouse than was seen in the exercises. I must say I was pained at these things, so out of order with the very work of reformation we were trying to carry forward in the church and with our institutions that I should have felt better if I had not been present. This was an occasion that should have been gotten up not only for the Sabbath school children, but words should have been spoken that would have deepened the impression of a necessity of seeking for the favor of that Saviour who hath loved them and gave Himself for them. If [only] the precious hymns had been sung, “Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee,” and “Jesus lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly, while the billows near me roll, while the tempest still is high.” Whose souls were inspired with new and fresh zeal for the Master in those songs sung whose virtue was in the different performances of the singer?”—Manuscript Releases 2:236 (Appendix D).DPSDAI 6.4

Then she asked some very pertinent questions regarding the program, questions that still would be well to ask regarding every planned dramatic production today:DPSDAI 6.5

“Will it make those who acted their part in it more spiritually minded? Will it increase their sense of obligation to our heavenly Father who sent His Son into the world at such an infinite sacrifice to save fallen man from utter ruin? Was the mind awakened to grasp God because of His great love wherewith He has loved us?”—Ibid. (Appendix D).DPSDAI 6.6

If the fact that there was acting in the program was in itself sinful, that certainly would have been made plain. The counsel, rather, related to content and the overall effect on the players.DPSDAI 6.7

This experience would seem to indicate that there is a proper use of skits or plays dedicated to explaining the love of God and the way to salvation. Consecrated individuals are motivated by their service to God and not self-aggrandizement. Also, this does not negate the counsel that Seventh-day Adventist evangelists should refrain from using “theatrical display,” in their work.—See Appendix E, “The Evangelist and Theatrical Display.”DPSDAI 7.1