The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-20
IA. casholios and the Stage.

We Gin from the New York Heralfs
.ccoun. NJ the funeral Of Dan Bryant, the
following: ,l
Af,er the solemn high mass for the dead
,vsa concluded the Rev. Father Young
SeI;vered a funeral sermon from the steps
of the altar.
FATHER YoUNa's SERMON.
The reverend father spoke Of the sad
occasion which brought 80 many represen-
tatiye people together. There was mys-
tery, q species Of fascination in death that
called forth the sympathy and the entire
attention OF the friends Of the departed.
When the object Of sympathy and atfec-
ton was such man as he whose remains
were in the church at that time, and over
whom the solemn rites Of the Catnohc
church were then performed, the interes.
in this unknown world beyond the grave
became intensified. And such man
Genial. generous to fault, Kino nus.
hand ard afFectionate father, one Wnose
heart was ever open to the call OF cnarlty,
utterly unselish and ready at any time 70
socr;Gce his own interests for the gooo OF
n,hers~such was the man whose remains
lie before ms. As an instance OF this the
nTeacher said that the very last public
performance ever given by the deceased
was in aid of noble charity, the central
dispensary. At the summons OF charity
Dan Bryant was one of the first to res
pond. He was the favorite of the public
and the best beloved in his own domestic
circle. His generosity was 80 extreme
that it has been of injury to his family
Yet one cannot blame this whole-soulec
man. who only thought of making tbOst
around him happy. Avarice had no claim
on him. He thought nothing of self, anC
in society he was the sunshine of eyer.
circle. His death was edifying and IN
structiye. WheA the shadow OF dealt
lowered over him he received the last sac
rameuts of the Catholic church, and tn
long Journey before him was robbed OF a
its terrors, The reverend preacher the
gave most moving account OF the las
moments of the deceased, the kneeEn
wife, the last farewell Of the children an
the parting words of the priest OF God.
THE STAGE FROM A CATHOLIC POINT G
VIEW.
The Catholic church does not find in tt
dramatic profession aught to condemn
II is an honorable profession. The acto
the lawyer, the merchant, the banke
have all their duties to perform, alwa
subservient to the claims OF religion
First strive to save your soul, and TIT
become a good actor, lawyer or whatey
YOU wish" The drama, properly conside
ed, is full Of good lessons, the ultima
triumph OF vice under all circumstanc
and the defeat of hypocrisy and vic
Were the stage as fond OF the church
the church is of the stage all would
well. Were the dramc a. respectful
the priesthood as the priesthood is to
there would not be a word against it. i
drama has not treated the church as "
as the church has treated 1t. 1t is wro
to place priest upon the stage In a ia
light, The dramatic element pervat
everything. Life is drama and death
the most moving of all dramas in
world. The great sacrifice of the ma
which has been offered up for the rep
of the soul of our deceased friend,is pl
and the most successful play that has
been produced. Ii has enjoyed run
nineteen centuries, commencing with
divine tragedy of Calvary and will
until the end Of time. 1t is great I
OF Christ's Passion, the constant repeti
of the tragedy which resulted in the
demption of the world. The Cath
church always shelters her children
her arms are stretched forth for tn
No matter what distracting proiessiC
man may be engaged in, this loving m
er will ever be his guardian and at
moment of death she is beside him.