The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-12
The Cuuves ted Actors I'm tho Pulpee,
n RKv. Nh. STRICKLAND AT THE HARLkM BAPTIST

The Convea ted Actors In tho PalPss,
S1u rev. nH. STRICKLAND AT The HARLEM BAPTIST
CHURCH.
Two very interesting services were yesterday held
a the above named chapel in the Fifth avenue near
I2eth street. In the morning, although tbs attend
anoe was large, it was not 80 numerous q was ex-
pected, in consequence Of the intense heat which
prevailed The services were of rather an attractive
character as they were for the purpose of aording
the Rev. F. Strickland converted actor, an oppor.
tunity Of stating publicly his experience, and the
that led to his abandonment of the theatrical
profession for the more responsible work of the
Christian ministry
The Harlem chapel is a plain and unadorned
wooden edice, boastng of architectural beauties;
but is capacious and well ventilated and admirably
adapted to the purposes for which it has been set
apart. The pastor is the Rev. 2. P. wilds, who as
sisted in the celebration Of divine service.
The Rev. Mr. Strickland is of the middle stature
II open, intellectual cast of features and gifted
with rare power Of eloquence and rhetorical skill
His style is vigorous, energetic and impressive, and
from his long connection with the stage, lie throws
good deal of dramatic effect into his expressions
He was plainly habted in black clothing, with the
clerical cassock, and presented altogether very
reverend appearance he Is young unu, no1 ociiS
probably much over thirty years.
The reverend gentleman selected his text from
the thirty second chapter Of Numbers, the twenty
third verse "You have offended against the Lord,
and be sure your sins viii find you out" He OBJ
served in his exordum that there were certain cir
eumstances in life which casually and incidentally
impressed the mind, which dwell in the heart and
follows the individual through every varying scene
l. 4
10 take such firm hold upon him. Sometimes they
came TO him from the loving words Of mothers
Gp at other times from the records of the holy page
such as the words of the text had proved to him.
He proceeded to observe that he never stood
before a Christian audience TO speak the truths
Sf the Gospel without fear and trembling; not be-
canse OF the large numbers which sometimes met to
gether, for during d misspent life he had fire.
quently been the means OF entertaining thou
sands. The upturned faces ~ a congregation could
not therefore affect him ont he stood in fear in
gard to Him who regards the secrets OF all hearts
and knowest everythiIg The first time the words
of the text were ntrooo q to him was during his
managerial career, AS head Of small theatre in Du-
rope. He had gone Out with a friend on Sab
hath as is the custom OF the ladies and gentlemen
of that profession IN search OF recreation and amuse
ment when he walked abroad his attention was
attracted TO an old church. such as is only seen in
the Old Country. There it stood with its square
granite tower, covered With ivy, as If TO save 1t
from the ravages of time. Surrounded by quaint
old monuments and shadowy trees, IL was cacu-
lated TO awaken feelings of emotion; the grave
stones were worn away by the constant tread of
The thousands who came Ia worship there; and in
some places the names of those who slept below
were erased. In the antique pews sat an orderly,
and for the most part aged congregation, while in
the pulpit was venerable old man, the pastor of
the church, corresponding with the antiquity OF the
church-his white hair rivslling the snowy white OF
his surpce; and rs be stood there, proclaiming the
words of life he seemed 10 speak to those two young
who had accidently strayed into the open porch
of the sacred houses "You have offended against
the Lord and be sure your sins will find you out"
The sermon was Of that peculiar orillancy that
has so often stirred the English pulpit; and when
he left the church he asked his friend how he
liked the discourse. The young man carelessly
answered, "Well enough: the execution was ad-
mirahle and the information excellent and recon-
mended him to study the motion OF tine right hand
for the character OF Cardinal Richeieu. He (Mr. Sd
was sorry that the soemnty of the scene had not
produced a more desirable effect upon his friend;
but he found that in short time, the exciting
OF his profession and the ascinations OF the
theatre soon erased from his own mind the solemn
impression which had been formed Some days al
ter this occurrence scene was required for the
theatre for a performance that was TO take place.
II was rare scene, for the representation of the in
terror 81 Gothic structure, and the painters could
not produce an appropriate design. While there
was general puzzle as TO what was
TO be done, this young gentleman, who
was skilful artist, applied 70 Mr.. Strickland, and
asked him IL he should not go 70 the old church and
sketch scene there. Mr.. s. sought 70 constrain
him but he LETT saying that their visit To the church
had been Of service 10 the theatre after all. He
was never seen alive again. He went W the church
and stood under the old befry which was being re-
paired, when a large stone was detached from the
tower and falling upon him crushed MN INTO shape
less mass. Mr.. Strickland soon after arrived on the
spot aud stopped down 10 endeavor 10 discover
some delineaton Of the well known face; and at that
moment a voice seemed 10 come from the old cor
ridor saying:-"Thou hast offended against the
n nd 10. anna nv ms Vlll
The reverend gentleman mace some eloquent re-
bections on these circumstances, after which he
continued 10 state that they only served to urge him
on 10 closer and unremlttng study 40 az " shine Ia
bis profession During HIS connection, "a manager,
with another theatre, he made the acquaintance OF
very "a ented actor whose power was 10 great that
he only had 70 wave the magic wand OF MS influence
over whole audience ~ make them stand en-
trapced This was literally dying while minister
ing 10 the tastes of his patrons and at length 1t vas
deemed advisable that he should retire The night
for his farewell performance was liked and ne was
appointed 70 play the leading character IN one OF
the giant creations Of Shakspere, requiring a man
full Of health and energy. But, as might have been
expected the man outdid himself, and though as he
retired from time 10 time he would call "Oh God
little rest the wine quickly banded 70 him. and
under the stimulus he would again come out To ap-
pear as giant IT. the last scene the applause OF
the audience shook the building for he had fallen in
his death soere: but when the curtain EEL he rose
not ON raising him M two streaks of boed oOzed
from his mouth. He was taken away quietly, and
laid ais dying Led Ia ms dress, rendering death
do0bly terrible~the cold dews of death mingling
with the paint on his face The physician was sent
for but on entering shook bis head gravely, and
said. Too ate;" and the dying man grasped his
hand aud repeated few Of the lines OF the part he
had just been playing
Cspst mon mot minister 70 q q nd Diseased
Pluck iron the heart rooted sorrow,
Raze on, toe written trou oies Of the brain,
And with some srest oohvious zptidote
Purge the foa boeom Of thai perious stuh
mat ~eishs ugon TIE nesrtf
And he added that the theatre was very good
place TO live in but very bad 70 die in. Then,
LAYING his hand on the wrist Of Mr. Strickland, he
wished that he had listened earlier 10 mothers
voice; but now, he had offended aga,nst the Lord,
The reverend gentleman then detailed his ira,
wells through Australia. and explained the reasons