New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-07
TWO ENGLISHWOMEN.
ISM-MISS OLGA NETHERSOLE IN
ENGLAND AND AMERICA


The appearance Of Mrs. Humphrey Ward as
preacher Unitaranism denotes an increasing
tendency on her part to take the religious Gle.
ment In her teaching seriously and an increasing
tendency the part Of the public to accept IL
seriously. AS IT has disappeared more or less
entirely from her novels, or when 1t still comes
10 the surface crops out like an unexpected geo.
logical seam amid incongruOus surroundings II
must, | suppose, find means OF expression else.
where. For 1t is a very real item in Mrs Wards
character, and her religious thought or her
thoughts on religion, do color and penetrate her
views on other less vital matters | speak OF her
as a preacher Her attitude strictly considered
is that Of lecturer but the preacher is IN her
and the note Of the sermon IS not wanting in her
address Of Tuesday evening 10 a crowded audi.
ence In Essex Hail. She seems 10 have spoken
at the request of the British and Foreign Uni
tartan Association. The crowded audience and
the loud cheers show that she has hold on
the public. individually and not merely as a
writer Of books.
The Untarians in this country are not nuner-
Gus body. Ecclesiastical statistics seldom
very exact but this sect has, according to
Whitaker. about $50 ministers, the number OF the
whole body may be taken at not over 10000
The authority computes them at two MILL
ions and half throughout the world. The mere
census figures are of no great importance What
is OF Importance is the religious ecclesiastical
vitality of this as Of other denominations. The
Unitarians were never very numerous. for ex.
ample In Boston, but they had deep influence
there on the thought and life Of the people I
suppose they still do.
Mrs Humphry Wards attitude to the Uni
tarians is a critical attitude. She comments in a
tore Of rebuke perhaps only Of regret, on the
survival Of the Puritan element in TINT Hanism;
on its remo,eness from the main curreNts Of ma,
tional life; and on its indecision Of thought and
teaching. l doubt whether these objections are
Of much avail Puritanism is not yet an extinct
force, nor likely 70 be The suggestion that
Unitarians hold aloof from the general move
ment of English thought is too vague 70 be dealt
with. The accusation Of lndecision rather refutes
than confirms the second complaint For nde-
cision Is but another word for Agnosticism, which
itself is but another fo- sceptcism not in IFS pop
uar but in its philosophical sense. And since
Agnosticism has a great hold upon modern
thought and has affected the general movement
Of religious life as much any other influence.
il would SO m 20 follow that the Untarians. II in
truth they b. agnostic are conforming 10 a gen.
eral and not special tendency; that they are float
ing wit1 the stream. not standing on the banks.
What Mrs Ward evidently desires is that Uni
tarlanism should vndicate its title TO be con-
sidered the new historical Christianity. That vas
the mission which devolged upon this sect:
Upon that small English body had been laid
the task OF giving religious shape - a mass OF
new knowledge and new conviction. which cain j.
icism, 70 its own infinite peril merely ignored
while the Church Of England tried uneashy 70
find room for II in her sermons while EXCLUDING
Il from her prayers.
That Unitarianlsm in It's present form fulfil,
this mission mperfectly IS Mrs. Wards COM
plant Hers however, the rebukes ot
friend She pleads for enthusiasm I'm religion, for
that arlor which is the fruit Of a certain In
tensity Of inward vision. without which religion
cannot be much more than a moral and INTEL
lectual exercise. She believes in the revival, or
rather I'm the continuity Of the spirit which
filled the early Christians Hers is, in effect,
plea for the predominance Of the emotional me
passionate the spiritual The new criticism gives
the believer sure basis for his faith. The facts
~ Christs life and u the New Testament, and the
rest were never before so accurately ascertainef
They must be mastered but that is no reason
for GOODNESS Of heart. There must be a new dis
cipleship as well as a learning. ana the
Masters voice Is still 70 be followed In a MOOD
Of reverence Such is imperfect summary
of the latest views OF one who has made good
her claim TO be heard. II is rather Impressive
20 find her going back 70 first principles IN
search Of inspiration for the present race OF
Christians and urging her listeners to I'VE III the
old hope Of an eternal vision. She would hardiy
be the author of "Marcela' If she did not add
that their duty. when once their souls had been
klndled was to go forth and battle with sociaf
Ills That IS the practical note; or is meant to
be practical.
The coming visit Of Miss Olga Nethersole to
tho United States will be- for more reasons than
ona. an interesting experiment. II has been
usual for the English actress 70 wait for the
ripening Of her renown at home before scttrg OUT
In search Of fresh fame and a more ample
fortune Oh more Western shores. Not 50 MISS
Nethersole She has in London. no doubt. con-
siderable reputation. Tut not Il complete on. IL
rests IN great measure upon her performance OF
two parts the Countess Zicka in Diplomacy
and the heroine, whose name l forget IN AM
Transgressor" The former was very me
piece Of acting Miss Nethersoe was at the time
a member OF the regular company at the GarricH
Theatre OF which Mr. John Hare Is the actor
manager: an explosive little man with a style
wherein may be heard the crackle OF damp gun
powder to which match has been Unexpectedly
and not quite effectively applied. To discover
merit % a high order in an actress who is but one
OF a stock company seems 10 the average hhgh'h
critic difficult and perhaps doubtful thihs'
He awards praise in such circumstances Win
sparing hand. Still. Miss Nethersole had made
such an impression that few were surprised when
IL became known that she had found financial
hackers and taken theatre, and was about to
produce a play.
The first night OF the new piece. or rather OF
Miss Nethersole's management and first appear
ance as an actress on the boards or her own
theatre was, I believe. very remarkable one
Next mornings papers with one accord haied
the rising OF a new star did not see II u"
some time after II had risen. when IL stlll' now