The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-29
A CLERGYMAN OF THE PERIOD.
How the Remains Of an Old Actor Wed
Treated in Madison Avenue Cmscieu-
tious ScruplsS About Ills Funeral.
From the Evening Telegram. !

From the Evening telegram
few days since the mortal remains OF the old
and well known actor, George Holland, passed
through that gloomy portal which Is one day I'd
open for US all Mr. Holland was known by the
profession 10 which he added no mean lustre,
and by those with whom he came In contact
outside a mild and unobtrusiye Christian gentle
man. During the long ana laborlous life In which
he followed the theatrical profession no single act
can be remembered by the many with whom ne had
become acquainted as calling for blush or shame
or dlshonor. All knew him as the same airabe.
kind Christian. II Is true that Mr.. Holland walked
the stage boards Tor a lyelihood; but We
have yet TO learn whether by supplying
the highest sources OF intellectual enjoyment
10 his follows he had forfeited their admiration and
respect as believer IN the same religion and d
humble follower in the footsteps OF our great COM
mon Master More than that, we have yet to learn
whether 1t be not far below the dignity OF the man
who PROBES es to be the faithful minister OF Christ
forth as an excuse why the last ceremonies OF re.
ligIon should no, be performed over the remains Of
the aged and well-respected George Holland be-
HAD BEEN AN ACTOR.
and the conscientious scrupes OF congregation
must he respected and their feelings not outraged
by the introduction into their church OF their de-
ceased brother. And yet II appears that In these
days OF civilization and refinement u clergyman Ia
found SO true a follower OF the all-mercliul Re-
decner and a congregation such true believers I'm
taurnt as 10 snut the doors OF the church OF God
AGAINST the remains of one VINO by the testimony OF
All who knew him. was n devoted
adherent Of that church and faithful
observer of IFS laws and ceremonies. Yes when
George Holland had ulayed his last act In the drama
OF life and the curtain fell and those who had peen
his audience for The -four score years which ho
labored hard for their plea-ure-the best ana most
Innocent, we repeat, or ali pleasures-when Il WA
ali over ana his real life began them and then only.
was the voice of the minister OF religion ~ raised
against him. and then ana then only was the
shut against him Through life when he was a lty-
inu active member OF the congregation there was
no objection to him. bat when lie was gone and tho
congregation or church could benefit no more by
his presence then he ceased to be n member even
in that holy communion which Christ himself teaches
us exists between the living on Earth aud the
blessed In Heaven. When the old actor had'dled hs
friends who were actors too Dy The by Thought NJ
only it that his BODY should be taken to the church.
OF which ne had been
so FAITHFUL A MEMBER:
and these actors who ror the future nave crave rea
SON 10 donnt whether they themselves shal receive
The rights of Christian burial wnen they dleIhose
beniu6ted men VINO are unlit TO nave n place In Coils
house which God tells US IS omen TO All who shall
enter and thai lie IL IN waiting To receive us all.
these men SET about nrocurino for their deceased
brother those last rites 10 WINCH we mi ook forward
with yeneraton and awe-tllat mysterious intro
1nrttn, into onofhar onJ N I,a,,o. ttra tnan ,b,,