Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-01-16

] whole lie 10 the performance OF MS
/ elaborate and artistic labOrs, who
/ gladCened the hearts Of thousands by
] his tender strokes of art, and kindled
in them gentle or joyous emotions.
I 1t may be said, with all possible de-
ference 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. Perhaps in the
sight Of Heaven many actors who,
with stronger temptations to frivOHty
and levity, labor honestly and well
Will soar above many clergymen,
who, with hearts as hard as the ada
mantine rock and cold as the lev
pole, presume to PROFOUND those gen
tie theories which are the essence of
Christianity, of love to the humble
and charity to all men. This out
rage 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 Oftered-a much more heinous
sin-tO the dead. 1t carries the evil
intent up to the gates Of eternity and
ills with sadness and sfiiictiOn his
sOrrOWing family and friends.
The Rev. Mr.. Sabine has not even
the excuse of being personally ignO.
rant of the character OF artists as a
class. His father, who is an English
man, has been for many years the
favOrite 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, perhaps
with many, light fOllies, they are a
kindly, gentle race. Yet the Rev.
Mr.. Sabine has as yet shown no out
ward sign Of the sorrow and cOntritiOn
we must believe he feels within. He
simply says he has preached against
theaters, and so thinks il part of the
logic of his life to refuse the rite Of
Christian burial to its members. 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 mo-
rality, as against any social eXtrava-
gance; but to anathematiZe the stage
IN sweeping generaGties is exeommu-
humanity itself in the per-
senator Of its most salient and COM
prehensive characteristics.
In what canon, we should like to
know, save the uncharitableness Of
his own heart, did the Rev. Mr..
Sabine find any fOrbiddal Of the per
iOrmance Of the burial service over an
actors grave. Within the past six
years some twenty artists have been
buried out of churches Of his COM
muniOn. But a short time since, at
our neighbOr church of st. PauPs, net
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
Dickins, proud TO be considered an |
actor, sleeps there now. Some Of the /
irst Church dignitaries of England /
lfficiated at the funeral Of Charles /
Aean. The stage has, beyond any
)ther profession, been ever the hand /
maid of charity. Does a disaster Oc-
,ur, has a suffering to be healed, has
! charity to be lifted up, the eye Of
he suppliant first looks to the stage, /
Ind never looks there in vain. 1t has
leen the favOrite, because, at the
anne time, the most innocent and /
Intellectual, recreation Of the gentlest
md nOblest Of every land. The head /
If the Episcopal ChUrch, to which
his gentleman himself belongs, the
rood Queen Victoria, might be seen
Utmost nightly, surrounded by her
amily, at some London theatre, fol-
owing with delighted interest the
progress OF the play, and she has a
cries of theatrical5 every season at
heaUre within her own house.
In our own city during the pastfeW
winters, at Mr.. JerOme's most charm
ng theater, some of the most beauti-
Ul and best and kindliest Of the
women Of our own city, including
ONE Of the reverend gentleman's own
lock, took delight in giving perform
noes, the proceeds Of which brought
alief and comfort to many a suffering
ONE. How, then, does this man
are to insult the memory Of good I
Id artist and throw a fresh sorrow /
ltO an already afflicted homer The ,
asult is simply this, that the Rev. !
ir. Sabine's name will forever re-
lain a scandal and a bywOrd in
he annals Of the church and of ]
be stage, and his bigOtry will pave
ne way for a broader Christianity I
nd for a more generous appreciation
T a profession which be has so want !
My outraged in the person Of one Of ]
8 most hOnOred members. It may !
e easy and pleasant for the Rev. Mr..
abine to say, pass on, this is my !
and doubtless most of the ]
Orld viii Dass on and think no more; {
ut we should like to lead this man to {
he grave he has insulted and to the
whose hearts he has WrUng,
1d say to him, as EenelOn said to
lat other proud young priest, clad in S
little brief authority: s'WhO are you /
lat you should dare to judge apd as {
Ime a prerogative which belongs to
cd alone ?'