New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-12
A MINISTER'S PRAISE OF BOOTH
SERMON OF THE REV. MADISON c. PETERS.
HE PLEADS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
DEAD TRAGEDIAN'S IDEAS ABOUT
TIE STAGE.

The Rev. Madison c. Peters, pastor OF the blooming
dale Reformed Church. delivered an address last even
Ing The Bible In the Fine Arts" ana incidch'aiF
paid tribute TO the memory OF Nwin B"th'
There was also special musical service, selections
from Memberships OratOro Of ST. Paul' being sung
bv the choir Of the church. assisted by well known
singers with Mile Carisi as harpSt. and Herr Hon
man as violinlst. In the Of his address Mr..
Peters said
Edwin Booths spolcss character and benchc'n
life largely relieved the stage OF the aspersons on the
actors calling which spring from the ignorant prcju
dice OF those who have never seen a good play en-
acted Edwin Booth not onlJ the brightest orna
ment of his profession. but he also an honor TO
human nature In an that he did he sought 10 on
noble life by his influence. He will ever be to his
profession an example we'll worthy OF imitation. ]
shall forget the rich pleasure. the intellectual
Improvement and the strengthened faith In Immortality
experienced he interpreted for over and over,
the grand play of IIamlct.' 1t is to be regretted
that much Of the contemporary theatre is worthless
and harmful. ! would not say that the stage OF to-
day IS devoid OF noble impulses and beneficial In
huenccs, yet nothing else In Americans shows so
much bad taste their indiscrmnate Endorsements
OF plays and players. This was one OF the sorrows
Of Edwin Booths life. and he at one time sank his
private fortune In an attempt to elevate the Stage
and I, create a new and higher public sentiment
"A better class Of people attend the theatre now
than ever before, and higher character Is manifested
in the players but what OF the plays themselves? Are
Hamlet Macbeth king Lear Richard lIl the
types which most frequently appear Look at the
pacards the walls for the answer. shakespeare
and IA Booth are not likely to be popular long as
the people throng the theatres TO applaud poor puns
and silly songs which the cOmpOundcrs OF gayciy
buresquc provide. The playwrighs and the players
today the bread and butter instincts and they
write and act t. live. They are not to blame for
what We too often get on the stage. They know what
Tho nd hay ri, = IN Edxtiu
Booth gave the people what he thought they onght to
have The theatre will never in tone and tendency.
be above the life that attends IT, The demand will
control the supply. The theatre Is here 10 stay.
Edwin Booth struck the keynote OF the future.
That Reform. Eliminate the bad and en-
courage the good and. when the spirit Of Edwin Booth
is infused into the life Of the actors the church Will
join hands with the theatre and work with ii for the
uplifting Of mankind. eligious opinion Is bridging
the scandalous cha,n which has 20 l1ng existed
between church and stage. As an ethical question.
most persons have agreed that amuScmcnts In the
abstract. not wrong Old and Young alike must
have their times Of sport The wscst Il rs can some
times afford To lay aside our dignity and become n
children. but IT, The other hand make life all
sunshine and sport Continually did the insects of
Yesterday, it is very different thing Edwin Tooth
took Il serious view OF life and. though an actor his
life was reproof II those who are 50 given 10 levity
and who frivolous that they Incapable oi a
seriOus thought Charles Lamb wrote a play for
the stage and went to see 1t enacted The play was
condemned by the audience and The loudcst Kissing
came from the gallery The audience looked and saw
that II the author himself who was the most
loudly iis,lng his OWN play. 30. If at the last We
compelled To look back upon wasted life, We
ourselves will h the seVcrcst critics When make
our exit from the stage Of life and the curtain falls
for IN" last time no encore can ever bring back.
Our character Al The last moment viii be character
through all eternity"