The New York herald., 1871-01-05


An Actors Wife Oh Sabine and the Theatrical
Profession.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Suner me word III the controversy OF Church
versus Theatre And herein in my humble opinion,
IS tho great evil OF the whole matter-the antago-
nistc position Of the two. We all know the stage
not In all respects what it ought to oe but II the
Church. instead OF denomclng II, would seek to
elevate ana purify II she would find it, in her hands,
mighty instrument OF good. Older and wiser
heads than mine Will agree with me on this point,
although, doubtless, Rev. Mr.. Sabine speak respect
fully would consider IL suggestion Of the evil one
himself. Yet cannot suppose he has aught against
dramatic representation, considered in itself alone;
for he surely would not blot from the Church
register the names or her sons-his brother clergy
Men-who have given dramatic writings to the
stage; neither do believe he would dlscountenance
the dramatic performances frequently given
under the patronage OF the Church In the
shape OF Sunday school exhibitions. II the
evils or the stage consist in the character of ts sur
roundings and followers why not seek to reform
those evils And since the Church can never hope
to exurpate the theatre-fOr SO long as human
nature Is human nature people will have amuse-
ment and the theatres be supported, as they are
now, by the most intelligent and influential OF our
cltizens-would 1t not be better to accept it as an
established public institution, and, instead Of hurl-
ing down anatnemas on it ana insulting It's men,
bers let the Church devote her energies to the
formation OF the evils which one denies too fre
quenty degrade 1t, and the drama with such talent
and genius as walk IT'S paths to-day, might and
would be, under these auspices, source OF instruc.
ton and innocent recreation to the Church itself.
But with regard to the question OF issue no doubt
OF course, Mr.. Sabine acted from conscientious scru
pies. The question fs, Has any man the right TO
harbor the ignorance ana prejudice that could give
rise TO such scrupes? Doubtless he suppOSes all
members OF the dramatic profession are .'lewd fel-
lows OF the baser sort" VINO, when not engaged IN
deludng the public TO their destruction. spena their
time In drunken orgies and all other known
and unknown immoralilies. This is doubtless true,
In measure, OF some men on the stage. as IT is
equally true OF very many on 1t. But why visit with
cOntamely the whole for the misconduct OF sOmeY
We do not denounce the par because of the petit
foggers, rascas and sknaints with which It
ab0unds nor the medical profession 1or the impo-
sitlons and crmes-reyoting crimes--of its quacks
and cnarlatans. Indeed were we to condemn all
institutions ana professions account OF the WICK
edness Of some OF their members, we may close our
church doors also. wish the reverend gentleman
in question knew some Of the members OF this pro-
fession whom know-and my acquaintance there
with is mited-men and women whose uprghtness
OF character: devotion to duty and simple goodness
the Church. says he. Net many, to be sure, and yet
greet MANY, considering an the encouragement
DOUBTLESS close his doors unhesitatingy upon every
OF Chrstan charity
Under the Sun
and think he was DONG God service But it Is TO be
hoped that this gentleman does not stand as the
representative OF the Episcopal Church IN TINS mat
ter. Certain am that II such a man as the late
lamcnted Rev. Dr. Peter Chauncey, OF st. James
l(fod keep his memory greenb polished gentleman
and scholar thought 1t not derogatory TO his posi-
ton and chafacter-and do not believe q more
Chnstlke sodl was shrined IN human iOrnl-tO
call an actor his friend, dine al his table, welcome
him 10 his house and give him the right hand Of el
lowship to the communion OF his church, Rev. Mr..
Sabine may at least venture to read the burial
service over the remains OF y man whose worst
enemy If ne had could not truthfully deny that
he was an upright and honorable gentleman.
And If the members OF the profession were uni
versally the publicans and slnners' they geIi-
orally believed to be why foregs the opportunity OF
saying to them word in season, and on an occasion
when tnei might be considered Liable to good innu-
ences. It certainly could have done no harm, and
no one knows how much good, whereas how the
good men OF the profession, and many outsiders as
well, are dlsgnsted with what they consider to be
intolerance and want Of charity, while those wnO
had little or no respect for the Church are driven
further from ttthan ever.
But fear have b en- taking too much space in
giving expression to my views; bur | thought If
capable OF giving an opinion at all, 1t ought TO be
an unbiased one, since an a member OF the Epis-
copal Church, loving 1t as mother, and am also
JAN. 2, 1871. THE WIFE OF AN ACTOR.