The Greeley tribune., 1905-03-16
! Defends Actor Folks.


have a stronger dislike for writing
for publication than myself, but after
reading Of the reflections made upon
the theatrical profession by one who
calls himself minister of Christ,
which you refer to in yesterday S
Republican, l feel that ! have some
thing to say and something that l
ought to say. have always felt 1t
part of my duty as priest OF the
church to which l belong to look up
the members of my church in the
theatrical companies, circuses, etc,
that come to my parish for more
than 20 years. have been in close
touch with these people. i believe
them to be morally, intellectually
and religiously the equal to any class
of people. Were ! asked today,
What class of women earning their
own living do you consider the most
careful in making acquaintance
| would without moments hesita-
tion say actresses and lady performers
in circuses. The sneer at the morals
of thesesspeople comes from those who
know nothing of them, sometimes,
indeed, from men and women who
have never in their lives spoken to
these people. Where are the mothers,
l would like to know, who give
better moral training to their chill
dren than this maligned class of
mothers do. Who has ever appealed
in vain for charitable cause to the
men and women of the stage. AS
a whole | have found them paIticu-
larly grateful for every kindness
shown them.
Not long ago l met Sam Burton of
York State Folk in the hotel
here. The last time saw him was
with 81 Plunkard company in
Minnesota town, where they We're
quarantined for smallpox. Before
entering into any conversation with
me, he inquired by name after which
he spoke of number of people who
had tried to make things as cheerful
as possible for them. and one could
not help seeing that the deep grati-
tude of the man remained fresh and
green for at least three years after
the event. This is not solitary
instance. Let me just refer TO an
other matter which l think speak
volumes for the morality OF the
stage people," Sometimes a hus-
band and wife cannot find engage
ments in the same company. 1t is
hard to part for months, but i have
never yet met an actor who did not
feel that his wife was perfectly safe
away from him, and why? because he
knows. and knows from experience,
that because her natural protector is
not with her that his brother actors
in the company to which she has
gone will pay special regard to her
comfort, and woe be to the man who
offers her the least insult.
l will just write a few lines here on
the actor as churchgoer. The ex-
perience OF years tells me that he is
just as anxious to go to place OF
worship as any man, but that he is
not allowed to be in peace. | will
place before your readers two in
stances of what | mean: A few years
ago l called upon the manager of a
company on Saturday. | invited
the members to church. They would
not attend. Why? The answer CIV
Ell me was: No, sir: we have given
up going to church. The last time
we went we had made week S stand
in the place. The preacher in his
remarks said that the devil had been
with them for whole week, and
simply abuse of members of the pro-
fesslon.. In another case young
actor, who was quite good singer,
was asked to help the choir in d cer-
tain place of worship. During his
discourse the minister informed the
congregation that the devil gets in
everywhere now. He even gets into
our choir, and pointed at the Young
man who had been invited to sing.
This, l think, is the worst instance
of cowardice on the part of a minister
of Christ | have ever met with. The
managers of the companies | visit
usually send some Of their members
to church when staying over Sunday.
That certainly is good record.
Not long ago | called at the man
ayers office in the opera house here.
1t was of Saturday evening. The
manager of the company came in.
The house manager introduced us,
saying at the same time, THE rector
is chaplain of the Actors Church
alliance, and feels an interest in you.
II am SO glad" was the remark.
We all like to go to church when
i