The New York herald., 1871-01-08


1t would obviously be as rational to revile the
Church on account of the degradation of some
OF its public servants as to heap obloquy on
the stage on account of the vagaries OF some
Of Its votaries. The stage in its highest con-
ception is powerful coadjutor OF the Church
in making men better, wiser and happier, and
even in it's less lofty attributes it lights up
with mrth and merriment the hard lot of the
toiling masses, aud to that extent even the
lowliest harlequin may be said to be worker
of good deeds. But when we come to the
higher realms Of art-of comedy, as in this in
sweet and tender performance of Humphrey
Dobbin without rising better man. And we
are asked to mourn over the grave Of an actor
who devoted his whole life to the performance
of his elaborate and artistic labors, who glad
dened the hearts Of thousands by his tender
strokes of art, aud kindlsd in them gentle or
joyous emotions 1t may be said, with all pos
sible Difference to the clergy, that as an indi-
vidual such an artist made as noble use of his
opportunities for good as the pastor of his
=
who, with stronger temptations to friyolity and
levity, labor honestly and well will soar above
many clergymen who, with hearts as hard as
the adamantine rock and cold as the icy pole,
presume TO PROFOUND those gentle theories
which are the essence Of Christianity, of love
to the humble and charity to all men. This
outrage to the remains OF George Holland,
which is a distinct violation of the laws Of
charity and love, is not, be it remembered,
offered to the living. 1t is offered-a much
more heinous sin-to the dead. 1t carries the
evil intent up to The gates OF eternity and fills
with sadness and afllicton his sorrowing family
and friends.
The Rev. Mr.. Sabine has not even the
excuse OF being personally ignorant of the
character of artists as class. His father,
years the favorte physician of several of the
leading members of the profession, and has
always expressed admiration OF their many
genial qualities, and his son has had ample
opportunity of knowing that, with some, per-
haps with many, light follies, they are a kindly,
gentle race. Yet the Rev. Mr.. Sabine has as
yet shown no outward sign of the sorrow and
contrition we must believe he feels within. He
simply says he has preached against theatres,
and SO thinks it part Of the logic of his life to
refuse the rite of Christian burial to its MEM
bers. But what right had he to preach against
the stage? He may most properly preach
against any of its excesses which infringe
upon the laws of morality, as against any
social extravaganza; but to anathematize the
stage in sweeping generalities is excommuni-
eating humanity itself in the personatsr of
its most salient and comprehensive charac-
teristics.
In what canon, we should like to know, save
in the uncharitableness Of his own heart, did
The Rev. Mr. Sabine find any forbiddal Of the
performance of the burial service over an
actors grave. Within the past six years
some twenty artists have been buried out of
churches of his communion. But short time
since, at our neighbor church Of st. Paurs,
not one only, but several clergymen of his
creed assisted at the funeral of Mr.. Henry
Placide. An actor has a niche in Westminster
Abbey, among the worthies of England. and
Charles Dickens proud to be considered an
actor, sleeps there now. Some of the first
Church dignitaries of England officated at
the funeral of Charles Kean. The stage has,
the handmaid Of charity. Does disaster
occur, has suffering to be healed,
has charity to be lifted up, the
eye of the suppliant first looks to the stage,
and never looks there in vain. 1t has been the
favorte, because, at the same time, the most
innocent and intellectual, recreation of the
genilest and noblest Of every land. The head
of the Episcopal Church, to which this gentle
man himself belongs, the good Queen Victoria,
might be seen almost nightly surrounded by
her family at some London theatre, following
with delighted interest the progress Of the
play, and she has series of theatr;cals every
season at theatre within her own house
In cur own city during the past few winter,
at Mr.. Jerome's most charming theatre, some
Of the most beautiful and best and kindliest O
the women of our own city, including some o.
this reverend gentleman's own Aock took de-
light in giving performances, the proceeds o
which brought relief and comfort to many
suffering home. How, then, does this man
dare to insult the memory of good old artist
and throw fresh sorrow into an already
afflicted home? The result is simply This, thai
the Rev. Mr.. Sabne's name will forever re-
main a scandal and 5yword Ia the annals o.
the Church aud of the stage, and his bigotry
will pave the way for a broader Christianity
and for more generous appreciation of pre-.
fession which he has so wantony outraged in
the person of one Of its NEST honored mem
bers. 1t may be easy and pleasant for the
Rev. Mr.. Sabine to say, "Pass on, this is my
business" and doubtless most Of the world
aad l;.aI- L.aA.