The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-22
NANY NOTABLE lRESTED
CIergy-nien of Prominence Join With
Players in EnOrt to Make stage
a Greater Ethical Force.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 22.-The Phila-
eelphia Chapter Of the Actors Church Al
lance. Of which Bishop Potter. OF New
York. is the national president, and Rev.
Walter E. Bentley, of New York, formerly
m actor, is general secretary. was organ
fed yesterday afternoon in the Parish
House Of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church,
Twentieth Street. belcT Walnut The fol-
lowing officers were elected: President,
Rev Floyd w Tomukins. Of Holy Trim
iJy; FIRST vice president, William Thomas.
q music composer; second vice president.
Miss AIva LenOria. an operate singer;
secretary. Rev. Clarence W. Bispham, OF
81. Philip Episcopal Church, and treas
arcr. Mrs Clarence ". Bispham.
The following council, whose duties
correspond with those Of directors. ana
composed Of five representative Of the
dramatic profession and five church peo-
-. w1s selected, conditional on their ac-
eep.ance. Rev. WayIgnd Hoyt. the we'll
Known Baptist CLERGY man; Rev DR.. Mel
t1n. an Episcopalian- Rabbi ErIuskoDf.
MAJOR Moses Ncale. 1irs. spencer Irving.
Manager Frank Howe. Managers Nixon
tnI Zimmerman Miss Bertha Creighton.
SealIng woman in the Girard Avenue stock
company. and Mrs. James EMERSON. ir..
Formerly Eleanor Mayo. OF Princess Bon
-" rame.
Aims of AHia.s.'e Explained.
The meeting was presided over by
Bishop Potter. and scattered among the
hundred or more cle-gymeu and lay mem
te~s Of the church were several actors
and ACTRESSES. who manifested an eager in
terc5t in the work OF organization. The
alliance. formed a Httle over two years
ago. mainly through the efforts Of Mr.
Bentley. is pledged TO the belief that the
time has arrived for the church 20 helD
its offspring. the theatre, attain its mis-
sion as one Of the greatest ethical forces
in society. and is organized 10 assist the
church al large in establishing closer re
latiOns with men and women following
the dramatic profession.
The membership includes over 400 Cler-
Eymcn o. all denominations In as many
cities aud reaches a total Of nearly 2 900
persons, over zoo Of whom are actors and
actresses- The association is opposed to
Sunday performances. and Is lending its
Efforts in that direction
Bishop Potter Interested.
Bishop Potter opened the meeting with
few Introductory remarks. after which
Rev George W. Shinn. of Boston. the
chaplain and honorary vice president Of
the alliance spoke on the general inn
provement over some years past in tbe
character OF theatres and plays.
Rev. Floyd ". Tompkins spoke on tho
work of the alliance and pointed out tbs
great moral and Clevating influence p
can exert over the dramatic PROCESSION
and tle character OF plays presented. He
predicted the time when the Actors an
lance would own a theatre OF its own. he
ginning with New York. and when man
ayers would seek the enforcement of Inc
alliance. and ia presenting q play 10 tbr
public would advertise that fact
WOmHH's strong Plea.
Miss Mary shaw. OF the Ben Hurr
company. now playing in this city. spoke
on behalf Of the dramatic profession. .It
is 30 hard" she said. 20 win actors
They are so AFRAID Of church pcopIs an
pealing 70 the" -naarc-
ihey are so --y.- ious. so ser
any sign Of patroPs1sng attitude must
be carefully avoided.
i remember seyoral gentlemen IN our