New-York tribune., 1879-03-24

The RsU. o. y. rockingham at ne Masonic IeHpts'
The Rev. 0. b. rockingham preached yes
terday morning at the MasO1c Temple to large con-
cregaton. his subject being "The Stage" lie an
nOunced no text
In considering the organization OF society'a proml-
nent place be given to the stage said the speaker
II is organ OF power and is not to be set aside as OF
no account for 1t has its place among the controlling
forces OF humanity 1t touches, moves, actuates H.
spires men and women, old and young. 1t is to he
respected according the place which it fills among the
educators and reners of mankind. 1t high time that
the old quarrel between the pulpit and the stage was
ended. Both the pulpit and the stage have changed.
Religion is what II 200 or even 100 years ago II
has very modified III its spirit, not in its doctrines
tits no credit doctor OF theology II lie tells class
in his theological seminary that Christianity united
in its resolution put its foot upOn the theatre man
who talks like that though he be doctor OF theology.
talks foolishly Religion has come TO speak gently ana
tolerably the Moreover the character OF the
stage has altered. Its obnoxious features nave
passed away. No word is spoken. no gesture
allowed that is offensive TO that which is the
best in the Judgment and taste Of the
better class OF society. The old, disrcputame
PLAYS are no longer produced. In consequence the
mutual relations Of the powers TO each other have
altered they longer are at swords points have
seen Doctors Of Divinity in playhouses in New-fork
and London and Paris.
The time come for argument not for denuncialon
But the argument be fair the determination must
be lust The junction of the theatre is to amuse not TO
teach not TO impress moral ideas, but 10 entertain
and this is one reason why the theatre cannot, from
the nature of the case compete with the pulpit The
history of the stage shows tnat II BaS always
fourlshed most and has attained its greatest perec"n
amOug nations which devote themselves most en-
tre'N to the arts Of amusement namely, the ltalIiS,
the Freuch and the Southern Europeans generally ihe
is not real Is IS artificial We go 10 the theare
not 10 life, but 70 representation OF certain
pbases life. not addressed to the conscience, out
70 fLe fancy The French theatre is the most real thea
tire earth 1t carries one TO the very edge OF eas
but there stops. We draw moral lnieIcnces from
Mu'l wa We L. C ' m s,,n,e ttle niacc az fooIsh sen
tn dtai6 From the nature of thing. the stage
ana should be considered force IN the moral eleNd
The duty Of the actor. continued Mr. Frothingham
ts TO perfect his art Tonight ne "a tragedian, to-
morrow d comedian No matter how riruous the actor
or actress may be- the virtue must rot interfere "l
The art except give to II an aroma of goodness gen
teDeSs sweetness and cultivation. Bn the austrJy
Of the conscience initiates the art, the art Is spOed
Therefore say that II Is the business OF the acof 10
nut character as far as be has night, IN the back
ground. This beng the ease II Is impossible that hr
should be an Instrument in the moral elevation Of man
kind; for those who undertake 10 elevate mahhlld
morally must put character in the foreground. He
who breaches must be good man, or 1t least
he must be supposed To be a good man,
not say I in any spirit Of dcrlsiOn or CONTEMPT 10 ne
amused sometimes TO bc cured. II IS lau@trr that
the blood To flowing tl4t takes the 9lteI CROP OF
gall out Of the The lowest comedian WHO can
make the rabblc smile far migat"s thc brutality o
the savage class OF men Ine hl-h come nan VINO clh
win the refined elevate tne cultured and the more
noble, deserves not merely the applause out the pro-
found respect ami gratitude OF hiS fe,!oW-mcn
The stage offers ~ present. concluded me SPEAKER the
greatest field for the artist of every dG,cnpuon-the
painter, The colorst the cOstumeI tue e
Vocalist To he perfect master or mistress Of one
fom be aOie TO convey and cxcle emotions Of every
grade 20 make people cry Iaugh, To make them 1--we
Tor a time the world is task for the most cor.
summate arust. Those VINO lead In the profession OF
the drama who cultivate it and are proud OI H. are men
and women of the utmost refinement ana dehcacy OF
taste ana Of the most snOtIc nteGct ana fne une f Is
for the rehnemen, and education of mankind.