Brian D. Dykstra
The Civil War summer of 1862 had been a very dry one in Kentucky. A Union soldier from Illinois wrote that, after the summer-long drought, creeks and even rivers were “either totally dry or shrunken into little, heated, tired-looking threads of water, brackish and disagreeable to taste and smell.” There was, however, water near the Kentucky town of Perryville.
The Union army of the Ohio had endured four months of hard marching. They wanted water and heard that it was available in Perryville. Of course, there were plenty of Confederate soldiers in Perryville as well. Nevertheless, it was time for the Army of the Ohio to obtain the water they needed and exact some revenge on the army which was the source of much of its troubles. After engaging the enemy on the battlefield, Union soldiers held much of a creek which still contained some pools of water. A soldier of the 50th Ohio Volunteer Infantry wrote in a letter he sent home, “The boys got some water out of a dark pond one night and used it to make their coffee.”
After a long dusty march and an afternoon and evening of fighting, that water must have been a very welcome sight to the Union soldiers. It was hardship enough to be without water, but then to endure a dusty march and fight half a day with a parched throat would have made a drink of almost any sort look most welcome.
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The offerings of Hollywood might appear to be similar to a refreshing drink of coffee at times. We have had a hard day’s work at home, school or on the job. It is appealing to relax for a time and take a coffee break. Hollywood with its movies and television might seem to be a place to stop for a quick cup. We need a moment’s peace. Some time with the tube or VCR might be relaxing. It certainly is much easier for the mind than to settle down with a book.
The stories being told by Hollywood can be dramatic, interesting or filled with comedy. Interesting phrases can be turned and the program’s characters can be placed in rather ridiculous situations. These actors and actresses are paid well for their services. They are presented as being the “beautiful people” whose style of dress and appearance ought to be emulated if one seeks to avoid looking as some sort of social misfit. Actors and actresses are celebrated by our society as being very talented and creative.
I can remember when there were discussions in our circles about acting. Is acting an art form open to participation by Christians? Are these television programs harmless and do they merely serve to instruct in various social lessons? Do actors and actresses sin when portraying their characters living in or committing sins?
Dramatic entertainment has certainly changed over the years. Hollywood is constantly “pushing the envelope” with what it presents to its audience. Putting aside those questions from the debate from years gone by for the moment, I have asked students what would happen if television viewing in our homes were regulated by one rule. You may watch whatever you want for as long as you want, but as soon as God’s name is taken in vain, the television is turned off. I have recently heard the longest period of time the TV would remain on is three minutes.
These programs have an effect on us and our children. When sin is constantly presented as something common or funny, we begin to fail to see the devastating effects sin has on lives. Adultery, in its various forms, is a common dramatic and comedic theme. Has adultery had a dreadful effect in the lives of some people for whom you care deeply? Is adultery really all that funny? One begins to wonder why the world continues to entertain itself with adultery, when it is considered what the dreadful consequences of adultery have been on our nation.
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Now, let us return to Perryville, Kentucky, in October of 1862 where our friends from the 50th Ohio are moving out for another day’s march. They have finished their coffee and have rinsed out their cups. One of the boys points out the pond where he had gotten the water the previous evening. The second letter we quoted at the top of this article continues, “What was their disgust the next morning to find a dead mule or two in the pond. I imagine the coffee had a rich flavour.”
That’s Hollywood. It looks refreshing and relaxing, but at the heart of it are stinking and rotting asses.
Now, can I interest you in a cup of coffee?
