The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-02
NO BREACH OF PROMISE"
Bergen Baptist Church Torn
Up Over the Produc-
ton of a Play.
An UNFIT SUBJECT FOR / CHURCH
The Trustees Fear That Outsiders
Nay Think it Has a Per-
sonal Allusion.
In UNFIT SUBJECT FOR 1 CHURCH

The young folk of the Bergen Baptist
church are in a quandry. One of the
classes Of the Sunday school which is pre-
sided over by Mr.. Charles c. Strong held
q meeting recently and decided to hold an
entertainment on Tuesday evening, De-
cemoer s. The entertainment having been
decided upon the class next cast about
70 decide what sort of an entertainment
tEey should give. A mock trial entasledJ
"A Breach of Promise Case" was d.
cided upon
The next thing to do was to choose 60
tors and actresses for the play. The fol-
lowing young ladies' and gentlemen were
CHOSEN to act the different parts:-Alisses
May Atkinson, Nettie Provost. Beatrix
jackson, May Hall, Lena Nina, Mamie
Ryer, Bertha Morrell. Grace Geyian. Mn
ME Rhodes, Irene and Fannie Van Al
stein, Hattie Porter and EMoeier: Messrz-
j. NJ. Dilloway, B. o. Lowerson, H. w.
Munyon, G. Hyatt, s. Smith, w. Paxton.
W 4. Fritz, w. Woolsey.s C. E. Reed, L
jackson, H. Hilton and ]. Lindley.
Rehearsals were started at once
II was some time before the young ac-
tors and actresses became aware that
something was troubling the Board Of
Trustees. That bodyis composed Of seven
male members of the church. who trans
act all its executive business. The most
friendly relations had always existed be-
tween the members of the Board oe
Trustees and the class, but as time wore
on the young ladies and young gentlemen
noticed a growing chilliness toward them
on the part of the members of the Board
of Trustees.
IN the meantime the trustees noticed
tnat the former friendly greetings from
the members of the class had grown cold
This state of things lasted for some
Httie time, and then the disturbing cause
leaked out. Some Of the members OF
the Board of Trustees did not like the
title OF the play the young people had
chosen They did not think that a breach
OF promise case was very edifying liter
ature, and the sentiment of the trustees
was that if the young people could not
ind play of a more suitable character
to give in the church, the entertainment
had better be dropped.
When the members of the class learn
ed the feeling that existed against them
in the minds of the members of the
Board of Trustees. they were consider
ably surprised. The young ladies pouted
and the young gentlemen wrinkled their
brows. The question hat t led .fsasp
was, what could they do?
Tickets and placards had been printed
advertising the entertainment to take
place next Tuesday night in the church.
ed in store windows on the Heights. The
sale of tickets was great, the title or
the play probably arousing peoples Gu
ri0Sity.
Now that the feeling against the enter
tainment has developed amongst the trus-
tees the young actors and actresses are
in a dilemrna Should the Board of Trus-
tees at the last moment decide to refuse
the request to allow the entertainment to
be given III the church, the plans of the
young folk will be spoiled and the peopls
who have purchased tickets will be disap-
pointed The latter fact they are using
as an argument for the Board to consider
The members of the Board who are OPP
posed to the play claim that the young
folks acted too hastily IN the matter
That they should have received the per-
mission of the Board before issuing tick
cts and there would have been no trouble
The dissenting trustees think that th6
play Is not of the proper kind TO be given
In church, and that rurthermore it IS
considered very bad taste considering the
recent marital difficultle5 of the pastor.
the Rev. j. Q. Allen. The trustees placS
explicit faith in the pastor and do not
wish the play given, as II might awaken
unpleasant memories.
One of the trustees in speaking of the
matter, said IT am of the opinion that
the play proposed is not of the propeS
kind to De given insa house of worship
shall vote against It most decidedly,
Dr. Melville H. Smith, of No. IS Madison
avenue, who is also "a trustee, was inter-
viewed He said:-'T am opposed to the
giving of the play 1t is not the proper
kind to be given In q church
The young folks claim that as the play
was given in other churches there could
be no harm in their giving it. The play
was given some time ago in the Parmly
Memorial Church.
A meeting of the Board Of Trustees VIII
be held on Friday night to, take final ac-
ton in the matter Two at least Of the
seven are opposed to the entertainments
and it is expected two more will be won
over on Friday night. This will leave the
Board three in favor of it and four OPP
posed.
The young folks are in a most distressed
state of mind over the action of the
board, and 1t can clearly be seen that
clouds are gathering for a storm that
win affect the entire church. the parents
being in sympathy with their children.