Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-01-12
A CLERGYMAN OF THE PERIOD.
How the Remains Of an Old Actor were
Treated In Madison Avenue, New York
Conscientious Scrupies About His Flu
Prom the New York Eyeninn Telegram.

From the New York Evening Telegram.
A few days since the mortal remains
of the old and well-known actor,
George Holland, passed through that
gloomy portal which is one day to open
for us ALL Mr.. Holland was known by
the profession to which he added no
mean lustre, and by those with whom
he came in contact outside, as mild
and unobtrusive Christian gentleman.
During the long and laborious life in
which he followed the theatrical pro
fession, no single act can be remem-
bered by the many with whom he had
become acquainted as calling for a
blush of shame or dishonor. All knew
him rs the same ailable, kind Chris
tian IT is true that Mr.. Holland
walked the stage boards for livelihood;
but we have yet to learn whether, by
supplying the highest sources of intel
lectual enjoyment to his fellows, he had
forfeited their admiration and respect
as believer in the same religion and
humble follower in the footsteps of
onr great common Master. More than
that, we have yet to learn whether it be
not far below the dignity of the man
who processes to be the faithful minis
ter of Christ--nav, whether it be not
even criminal of him-to put forth as
an excuse why the last ceremonies
religion should not be reformed over
the remains of the aged and well-re-
spected George Holland, because he
had been an actor, and the conscen-
tious scruples of congregation must be
respected and their feelings not out
ragged by the introduction into their
church of their deceased brother. And
yet it appears that in these days of
civilization and refinement n clergyman
is found so true follower Of the all
merciful Redeemer and congregation
such true believers in the great doc
trines of charity and mercy which He
taught "a to shut the door of the church
of God against the remains of one who,
by the testimony of all who knew HIM,
was devoted adherent of that church
and faithful observer of its laws and
ceremonies. Yes, when George Hol-
land had played his last act in
the drama of lime, and the cur
tain fell, and those who had
been his audience for the tour score
years WHltu lt lHDoItu ilulu loI titlI
pleasure-the best and most innocent,
we repeat, of all pleasures-when 1t was
all over, and the real life began, then,
and then only, was the voice of the
minister of religion @ raised against
him, and then, and then only, was the
door of Gods house shut against him.
Through life, when he was a living, ac-
tive member of the congregation there
was no objection to him, but when he
was gone and the congregation or
church could benefit no more by his
presence, then he ceased to be a
member even in that holy COM
teaches us exists between the
living on earth and the
blessed in heaven. When the old actor
had died, his friends, who were actors,
too, by the by, thought it only fit that
his body should be taken to the church
of which he hid been so faithful a
member; and these actors, who for the
failure have grave reason to doubt
whether they themselves shall receive
the rights ofChristian burial when they
die-those benighted men, who are I'M
tit to have place in Gods house,
which God tells us is open to all who
shall enter, and that He is in waiting
to receive us all-these men set about
procuring for their deceased brother
those last rites to which we all look for
ward, with yeneration and awe-that
mysterious introduction into another
and better life than this, "where
blindness shall be no more and wayside
begging no more. and where we shall
see the Lord in His true glory through
all the days that the Lord shall be
Two of the sorrowing friends of Mr.
George Holland waited on the Rev. DIR
Sabine, whose church is situated at I'll,
corner of Twenty eighth street an,
Madison avenue, to make arrangement
for having his funeral service read Il
that church. The gentlemen who wait
ed on the reverend doctor regardiu.
this charitable and, in the opinion O
the latter. very unsactorly work, wer
Mr.. Joseph Jefferson, of Booths thea
tire, and MIR Edward Holland, the so
of the deceased. When these gentle
men stated that they had come on tbi
errand he Mt once politely informc
them "that really his congregation la
conscientious scruples aboat having In
funeral service performed in the church
rs Mr.. Holland had belonged to tn
theatrical profession; but, however
there was church round the cornt
where they usually did these thing
and whore he was sure, from the prat
tice OF the minister, hat no consclei
tons scrnples, either on his part or. Q
the part OF the congregation, woul
interfere with the performance of Il
ceremony