Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-19
UNITING THE CHURCH AND
A THE STAGE.
the ODiects Ofthe Branch Guild
Just Founded by q London
Lady in New York.
Nav York worId.l

New York WOrld.l
Miss Ella Dietz, member of the
Council of the Church and Stage
Guild Of London, read a paper on the
Guild yesterday afternoon, at the Col
lege Of 0ratory and Acting, No. "a
East Fourteenth street, with a view
to forming a branch in New York.
"rhe Guild" began Miss Dietz, was
founded in 1879, with about sixty
members, and now numbers i've
hundred, not including the members
of branches in Bristol, Leeds and
Edinburgh. Its declared objects were
to YiDdioate the right Of churchmen
to take part in theatrical amusements
either as spectators or actors, and to
promote religious and social sympathy
between members ofthe dramatic pro-
fession aud the clergy. Itasserts that
all callings are sacred and believes
mere is nothing in the calling Of an
actor incompatible with a Christian
life. Regular monthly meetings, So
cial gatherings, and church services
we're held to advance its objects.
Many clergymen think that the thea
ter is the seat of great evil. When
we invited Canon Lytton to join US, he
replied that he had always condemned
the influence ofthe drama and must
refuse to lend us the use of his name.
He argued that the tendency Of aver
age human nature, which is depicted
on the stage, is in the direction Of
vice, and it was useless to resist an
attempt to modify this In Paris,
quite recently, an actor, universally
beloved aud respected, died, and was
refused burial by the Catholic church.
A similar occurrence In this city must
be fresh in your memories. Since then
the name of the Little Church
Around the Corner has become a
household word not only here but
across the water. Every actor and
actress is more or less under ban,
and l want to show why we should
strive to throw of these prejudices.
The stage, exercising a powerful inhu-
enee, occupies position of great re-
sponsibiity. 1t is second only to the
eriestly calling in this respect and
therefore should be held up to rever-
ence. People should 90 to the theater
from q sense Of duty, not secretly. The
presence of a clergyman in q theater
necessarily raises the standard of a
play. Why, then, can he not do good
there as we'll as in his pulpit? Because
ofthe great influence they possess, we
desire the co operation of the clergy,
and they should give it to help the
stage exercise an educational and puri-
flying influence upon society"
The Rev. Edward Flag, rector Of
Grace Church, West Farms, said that
there we're two sides TO the question.
On the negative side there we're glar-
ing objections to the thester and the
professionalism they we're associated
with every form of dissipating and
licentiousness. On the affirmative
side it could be said that God had in.
corporated in the human race the
qualities that go to make an actor, but
these qualities should be put only to
the best use. Many clergymen cor
rect these faults by initiating the best
actors. For this part he often went to
the theater, but be did so openly. and
always wore his white craVat. About
thirteen of those present enrolled
themselves as members Of a branch Of
the London Guild in New York.