Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-24

held the minister I'D to ridicule on the stage
This retaliatory warfare has served 10 re-
tard a proper understanding between the
two. II is plain to those who think that
the stage could be made the complement OF
the pulpit IL only the zealots on both sides
could be brought to some sort OF agree
ment. The ethical purpose OF the stage Is
admitted and its educational force Is also
we'll established. Sermons are preached by
the action OF a play Just as potenty as
from the pulpit. II only this be understood
and the correct relations between the two
be established. the work of both will be
rendered more effective and a harmony that
cannot fail to have good effect will result
.
When that time does come, and It isn't
too optimistic to say that II 10 coming. the
way will be clear for the production Of
great religious drama. The simple facts or
the life story Of Jesus of Nazareth can be
used in a way in which they never have
been used, and by the illuminative process
Of stage production can be presented with
an effectiveness that cannot be attained by
the mere recital of them His creed Is
daily obtaining more followers and is daily
becoming better understood. Men and
women accept more readily the doctrine of
self-sacrfhce and undertake to do more
nearly as they would be done by than ever.
The imperceptible influence Of Christ Is
really more OF a factor in the life of man
than is the direct. This is apparently
paradox, but It is easily established as a
correct conclusion. II this be true, and the
end to be obtained is the spreading OF this
influence, why is II not a part OF wisdom to
avail the cause Of every possible avenue for
reaching the minds of men7 And what
avenue more readily offers than the stage?
Men lose sight OF Christ the Man In the
contemplation Of Christ the God. 1t does
not appear that 1t would be in the least ir-
reverent or that it would at all detract from
the sanctity of His divinity II He were pre-
scented more clearly in His character of a
man. And this would be the mission of the
stage. Let the church give forth the re-
ligious phase Of His teachings, while the
theater sets out the secular philosophy in
volved.
Viola Allen has very proper notion of
the dignity of her profession, and her faith
in the American stage is almost sublime.
She discusses the conditions very sensibly
in signed article, as follows:
To say, generally, that the American
stage differs in no way from that of any
other country would not be altogether
true. human nature Is the same llS
world over; yet custom and tradition must
be taken into account. Our people have,
for example, never taken kindly to the
so-called tainted drama. We have delighted
in that which was uplifting and ennobling,
and Stunned that which was salacious and
degrading. 1t has been the rule that no
play which is unfit for the young person"
to see was unworthy of the elders to at
tend. Foreigners have poked the finger of
derision at us on this account; but we have
stood our ground and upheld our tradi-
ton OF course, plays which were be
enjoyed some little prosperity on our stage,
but these have been like angels visits, few
and far between.
Surely the young person" has his
that he has no place in the playhouse.
No healthy mind will agree with this
opinion, which is little less than n weak
and absurd excuse for the presentation
of plays which are degrading and improper
for the mature mind to sec. There are
for example should have a place on our
stage, and claim that our inappreciation OF
them augurs an absence of artistic appre-
citation on our part. But IL may be asked
where are these plays POPULAR" Surely
not in England or France, and l am in
formed by an excellent authority that the
total of presentation of the Ibsen drama
on the German stage has not exceeded 800
performances.
If wholesomeness is one of the striking
1 truly think 1t is, we have no reason to
feel ashamed of ourselves. This demand
on the part of the theatersoer has not,
It appears, cramped, cabined or confined
the American dramatist. He has grown
steadily. His work has come to rank with
the best output of the English and French
playwrights. There was time, and not