The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-26
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL.
SATURDAY. 49,; JANUARY 90. 1880
MISS EuuI IBBOTT AND the PIS.
IONS

IONS
We call the attention Of our readers 10 q
communication in another column signed
by the Rev. Dr. Daniels, pastor Of the
Firt Presbyterian Church, the Row Mr..
Nonabc, pastor OF the First BAPTIST
Church, and the Rev. Warner Moore,
pastor Of the First Methodist Church.
In this communication these gentlemen
defend themselves against certain and TO
pcnicd criticisms OF 7is Iol'aHrif, hs
ScmiE and 7Lt Lrilr upon their
.iriclun's Of Miss Emmi Abbott, who,
With her opcm company, now occu-
PIES the stage Of the Memphis Thoalor, nnd
they charge lll that Miss Abbott has been
making use Of the church Of God Tor all
vcriising purposes l2l that the stage Is
bad from their churches point Of view,
and t3l that they are right In insisting
that travelling singcm should not DO per.
miucd 10 sing In church choirs. the super.
vision Of which Is one Of the function.
dcyolying upon the pastor Of each church.
SO Ear as our contemporaries are con.
cerned We may safely leave the work Of
their own defense 10 themselves, satisfied
~ We arcoi thcircompcicucy in that drcc.
ton. But for thcs.agc aud for Miss Abbott,
Whose pluck, energy, ability aud inlclli.
gcncc M a manager. however they have
differed A. to her skill as singer. have
freely been Acknowledged by the nrWspa.
pcrs Of the couniry-oi her W. must sly
that We cannot believe she has deliberately
sct about at any time using thc church oi
God as an advertising medium, We prcicrto
believe that when she has sung herself. or
my Of her company, in church II has
been a matter Of pride with her and thcm.
growing out Of a sincere desire 10 feel
that, though they may play "rhc pcyii''
on ,he stage. they arc linked with better
things, aud may, laying aside their
spanslcs and false faces, join With their
fcllow.sinncrs In petitions Tor mercy, in
thanks Cor the loving. kindness Of Him
whom they worship IN spirit aud truth, In
hymns Of praise 10 liz glory, and ascrip.
tons OF lie power for over aud over.
IL IL at least charitable 10 assum, this.
As 10 the stage. while lhcrc &, much ON Il
and about Il that we heartily AMI unspar.
ingly condemn, We must insist that Il 4.
not only great, u not the greatest, all 10
our literature. but also one 81 the most
serious and important adjunc= OF our civ.
ihEation. II h not 10 be- condemned bc.
cause n ihosc who abuse d. privileges
and degrade iW purposes. II is In the
main above these as Tho temple was be.
yond the faint OF the money changers.
Aud nov 10 the improperly Of travelling
singers being permitted or invited 10 sing
IN church choin-on that point we en-.
iircly concur with the reverend gentlemen.
Singing is an important part Of public
worship aud should always be under the
supervision OF the pastor. The Church Of
Rome. from which all prcocdenis a. to
church worship daicz, has never per.
mit,cd the choir TO be separated from
priesily control. and in s. Peters to-
day H. governing authorities adhcro 10
the ancient custom and refuse 10 permit
women 10 sing because women cannot
minister ut the altar The same Is true rs
10 the English Caihedrals wherein the
choir. are composed Of surpliccd boys and
men. trained singers, many Of the adults
being priests In the church. But Loose