The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-18

That Brother TALMAGE Isl man of words
we freely allow. The trouble with HIM is
that his words are not worth much. We
mean intruscally aud to the cause of
truth; but such as they are, they bring
him comfortable and even luxur-
Gus living. They are his stock in trade,
and he seems to be able to dispose of them
readily and at high price. Brother TAI
IMAGES business is preaching, and he has
learned how to pursue it with profit to
himself, and possibly to some other people.
Besides, he makes the public smile. Like
the clown in the circus, he Is always doing
or saying something which amuscs them.
The admission TO his Tabernacle IL free,
and the sort of thing he produces in the
inte-ludes between the times of playing
the cornet Is often very funny, even when
he is most serious.
In old times they used to have what were
called miracle plays, based on Scriptural
subjects in which the priests took part, and
from which the simple folk got their con-
crete notions of the divine, diabolic, and
sacred characters of religion. II we should
see these plays now, we would probably
think tan profane in their use of holy
not SO regarded by less refined pop
ulace. unframed to spiritual conceptions
of the personages of heaven and hell.
What these miracle plays were we know
from history, and of late years we have
had reports Of one stll enacted at
Oberammergau, in the Bavarian Tyrol-
this, however, being more dignaed
and Impressive to a modern imagna-
ton than tho originals. In the miracle
plays the Devil was the funny man, aud
the way ho squrnel when has tail was
pulled excited the delight OF the pit. 1t is
even claimed that the old miracle play
Devil was tho fol drummer of Nj. Punch OF
modern times.
However that may be, we take II that no
judcious person Will dispute that Brother
TAIMAGE i. the funny man, n, well rs the
heavy comedian, of the religious play en-
acted every sunday Ut the Brooklyn 1abor-
naclc, that the play is quite rs offensive to
a refined taste ~ the Old onos, aud that his
performances just now occupy the place
among church amusemonts once filled by
the miracle plays; with this Inference
! that the latter sought to make Scripture
familiar to an uuettorcd people. wlilc he
devotes his labors TO tickling the ears of
hearers who can go elsewhere ana hear
better talking, or stay at home aud read
moro profitable writing on religious sub
jects.
Brother TALMAGR says that if Mr.. BoOTH,
Mr.. BROUGuAM, and SIR. WALLACK were to
become converted actors they would revo-
lutionize the world. How does he know
they are not converted? They are known
to the public rs estimable men aud pains
taking artists, who never slight their work,
but conscentiously try TO please their au-
diences and Ill their own ideals OF the
characters they are called on to assume.
They have all three in their spheres served
the people well, and contributed their
share to the enjoyment OF lie. However,
they may not he converted in Brother
/ TALMAGLs sense, and certainly they have
not rovolutoniIei the world. \ man may
| be good actor or a popular preacher nnd
/ yet fan in that task. NOW, Brother TAI
MAGE Is converted, perhaps, aud lac IS an
actor also. las lie yet rcvolutiouIz,d the
world, OF is he likely to do 1t? Would It
/ br a. sitahle talt he should do in Would
/ The world, made according to Brother TAI
MAGE's ideas-one vast gaping Tabernacle
conste-atIol-bo the sort Of world tho
/ judcious would wish to live in2
Perhaps IT ia just IA well for Dooru,
/ WALLACK and BRoUGHAM to 20 on acting
III their way aud Brother TALMAGE ia his
way, ami to lot the world royolltou.zo it,
self. Fortunately no one man and no
three men can reverse the moral engines,
for the result might be chaos. The Plot
who steers this terrestrial ship through
the ages, know, the channel well aud how
to reach the safe harbor AT tie eud OF tue
voyage.