The Wasp — 1891 — page 253: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains an article titled "REV. JOEL M'WHACKER'S VIEWS" about a reverend's experience with secular amusements in Arizona. The accompanying sketch shows a woman in period dress seated on a chair. The article satirizes religious hypocrisy regarding entertainment. Rev. M'Whacker initially opposed church members attending horse races, boxing, and card games as "pagan festivals." However, he later participates in these activities himself—specifically attending a boxing match involving "Red-Handed Mike"—and experiences a moral crisis when violence occurs. The satire mocks clergymen who publicly condemn secular pleasures while privately enjoying them, and criticizes their attempts to control congregants' leisure activities. The piece appears to argue against rigid moral gatekeeping by religious authorities.