The New York herald., 1879-03-10
DEFENCE OF THE STAGE.

AN ACTORS RESPONSE TO A cLERaYMAN-LEs-
SONS DERIVED FROM sHAKEsPEARE-ADvICE
FROM THE FooTLIGHTs TO THE PULPIT.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.l
PHILADELPHIA. March 9. 1879.
The Rev. DIR. Agnew, of the Presbyterian Church.
recently took occasion. in one of series or Tai
magan sermons ON the temptations of city life, to
denounce tho stage in the most earnest
and violent manner. In the good old
Presbyterian way he pounded at the drama, benevo-
lently called the playhouse the gate of hell. chari
tably damned the actors the servants of Bezeebub
and kindly meted out everlasting birthstone and cre
nation to all the frequenters of the theatre. Log
caiy the sermon was . very weak one. Had it been
the utterance of a clergyman less prominent
than Dr. Agnew it would have attracted
attention. especially as the reverend gentleman
unintentionally upset every one of his own argu-
by admitting at the conclusion of his diatribe
that he had absolutely personal knowledge of the
theatre Mr. Harry Meredith well known member
OF the Walnut Street Theatre Company. resolved to
defend his profession from the aspersions Of the
clergyman. and this evening at Concert Hall large
audience gathered to hear what the actor would
have to say.
MR. MEREDTH's ADDRESS.
Mr. Meredith after being gracefully introduced by
Colonel John w. Forney and receiving an enthusi-
astic welcome delivered very courteous but ef-
fective answer to DR.. Agnew. In view OF the
patience with which actors had always borne perse-
cution and slander OF this Sort he said substantially
he might be justified in retaliatng by attacking
the pulpit. but this he would not do. and would
merely defend the stage from the false assertions Of
O clergyman who. after denouncing the followers OF
Q noble art, had been obliged to admit that he knew
nothing Of the matter except what he had been told
| Speaking OF the denunciation OF Shakespeare. Mr.
| Meredith said:-
/ am surprised to find learned man. trained in
the highest schools OF theology who can believe that
the absence OF Shakespeares writings from the liter
ature OF the world would not be loss beyond all
| power to estimate Ii it possible to express the
| vast and unlimited good that has been done
by the lavish circulation OF Shakespeares works9
Printed in every language shakespeare mas become
with graphic touch shows us how virtue engenders
| happiness. how meanness enslaves and brings its
| own punishment. Shakespeare Is the preacher
| of the golden rule. In regard to the
charge Of Righteousness against Shakespeare let US
remember that he lived at u time when vice was far
from being under the restraint of to-day and II he
was compelled to use the unbounded license OF his
time he has made it the vehicle for his terrible sar
staff and the uspent days and worthless nights OF
Prince Hal; but when we close the volume while we
thoroughly disgusted with Fat Jack and
Qlutony do we not glow with admiration for Prince
Henry who possessed soul above beer and wenches,
and finally mounted his fathers throne every inch
king? could go from the beginning to the end Of
Shakespeare. point out new beauties. noble thoughts
ss ay
We think as We read, to make US better husbands.
fathers. SONS.
The story Of the temptation and fall Of the valiant
Scotchman who received his king with open arms
and then butchered him while yet his kiss
upon the royal hand. is pregnant with instructive
power. What shivering wretch in the dark corner
OF the theatre who meditates crime Is not lashed
with and sent into the open air. his hand stayed
from his bloody purpose by the agonized words torn
from Macbeths SOUL "Wake! wake Duncan. with
thy knocking. All would thou couldst." Have we
sermon to ind in the piteous grief and rcmorse Of
Lady Macbeth. with her shivering frame and the
ceaseless wrnging of those white hands, from which
all Arabias perfumes could not drive the stencil Of
Duncan's blood? Can We witness without beneht
the horrible remorse of Claudius King of Denmark
when, with heart riven in twain ana his brain on
fire. ho cries s:-"Oh, my offence is rank!"
Yet we are informed that the worlds poet excuses
vice and debauchery. A little knowledge is danger
Gus thing.
LESSONS FROM SHAKESPEARE
Why has not the reverend gentleman gone below
the surface OF Shakespeare's verse which
he finds objectionable and gathered from
the wealth of noble thoughts many text
from which to speak to the people who in this day
camor for novelty? Is there no lesson to be gained
from the career OF the hunchbacked tyrant
Would it be amiss in clergyman TO ask his hearers
to follow Richard through his murders and
ambition to his last battle iied and there behold
dashed from his browp Could he not
contrast such a with that OF the young
prince before whose sword the monster fell? Could
he not delight to point to the young warrior who
his quarrel just 2" What text to preach from.
What wealth of construction might he
not find in it! What a justice
could be formed from analysis of this beautiful
thought! What an incentive to man to show how
Richmond felt that his depotod squadrons
trebled In numbers. because hiS hght the strug
gle OF virtue to overthrow unparalleled vcol Show
me text that inspires more faith in the man who
faints by the waysde than the song Of tho confident
prince
True hopc nc'er tires, but mounts eagles wings;
Kings IL makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.
APPEAL CLERGY.
After defending the stage against the charge of inn
morality saying that actors and actresses neither
worse nor better than otner men and women. and
drawing q picture of the good effect Of
good play well played, the lecturer appealed to
the clergy to deliver all in charity, and
instead OF trying to destroy the theatre which they
cannot do, to try and reform 1t it needs reforms-
ton. Bring actors to your churches said he. and
send your congregations to the theatre Go your
selves, reverend gentlemen, and give publicity to
what you there. Condemn the unwhole-
some. praise the good. ally the Church with
the theatre and help us to make men
and women better Gentlemen Of the pulpit let the
II when 1t needs it. you will only burn your fingers
by denouncing without reason. besides sending
your congregation to buy reserved seats. Show the
actor the bright side of religion. Tell him his
faults. He in return will try and convince you how
abhorrcnt to manliness cant and hypocrisy.
Learn the art Of pleasing in the pulpit the actor
peasos the stage, and over your church doors
the words:--'As much leth in you live
peaceably with all men,
ATHvXTH