New-York tribune., 1906-04-18
FOR GILBERT WINDOW
Sum of So 600 Rniscd-Dr. Shmson
Eulogizes Dead Actress.

The sum of 81 500 was realized from the sSie OK
seats and boxes for the performance az the knIeN
erbocker Theatre yesterday afternoon IN peha'i u
fund for window 10 be placed in Blooh'lnsaa.'
Reformed Church memorial TO the ists WI
G. Fl. Gilbert An additional 800 resulted from 'i's
sale of boxes of candy in the Iobbies by some OF
the pretticst Of Joe webers show girls 80
Dorothy Bertrand offered box OF CANDY TOT 81
to Mrs George J. Gould. who occupied oii7 y "
boxes She paid s25 in gold for H. Bessie Skeer sold
a box to Arnold Daily for so. Freda I1nyard ana
Lila Fitzgerald were equally successful IN dispos'hs
OF CANDY No man was allowed TO escape without
contributing to the fund. Even Daniel Frohmah
who managed the performance. fell cheerrul VIC
tim.
Blanche Bates was to have appeared with Frank
Keenan, and j. Henry Benrimo in the one act
comedy MY Aunt's Advice. but she was too III 10
appear so at the last moment her place was filed
by Miss Kitty Cheatham- Fred Walton and Hattie
BurdselI appeared in "Cissie's Dream: Hattie
Williams sang. and May Isabel Fiske did some Or
iginal nonologues. Nan. tie Good-fo Nothing,
was presented by members OF the Mr. Hopkinson
company. and Clara Morris appeared In scene
from the last act OF ''Odette with j. VI Colviile,
Lyster Chambers and Paula Gloy
When Miss Morris was called before the curtain
she said: "If I was Il Southern woman. I should
say this is mighty sweet of you, but as 1 am not
win say that it seems like coming home think
I speak for all Of here on the stage when say
that in honoring the memory. name and character
lost surely honor ourselves
Iawrance D'Orsay who told few jokes his
turn" expressed his respect and esteem for Mrs
Gilbert. who. he said. one Of the first to greet
him in America \ new one-act drama by Edward
Peple. entitled ''The Mallets Masterpiece with
Edmund l.. Breese George 8. Spencer and Marie
D. Shotweli in the cast. closed the entertainmeIs
The Rev. DR.. William c. Stimson. pastor OF the
Bloomingdale Reformed Church. in which the
mortal window is to be placed. made the opening
.
who said that he had been practically the adopted
son of Mrs. Gilbert. and from Annie Russell. who
said. This last mark of respect To n sanity and
beautiful soul is glorious inspiration and ex
ample not only to the women Of the stage. but to
all women. Dr. Stimson said in part:
I make apologies for my presence here and
my part in this programme. Indeed I regard II
as privilege and distinction to appear before
you on this occasion and under these peculiar cir
cumstances. Twenty years ago l seriously debated
the question OF the stage the ministry a pro-
fession. have ever striven make closer the
affinity between the Church and the theatre. Why
shouldn't the Church and the theatre maintain cor
dial relations? Isn't the theatre legitimate insti-
luton Does II not minister 20 the dvnely created
there are few bad plays now and then and few
Immoral players. is that sufficient reason for con-
dernnatlOn or the institution?
There are sermons that should never be preached.
there are preachers who should never preach, but
because there are poor sermons and dehnqaeht
preachers no Intelligent person condemns the
women in the theatrical profession? have always
believed that actors and actresses, as class are
unlustly malsned. The fact that so many men
and women OF conspicuous talent. of blameleSs life,
Of unQuestOned and unduestionable personal integ-
rty. in the professionalism fact alone is ample
Commendation of the institution.
In glad and gracious recognition Of such
woman here this afternoon. What was 1t
that gave her such popularity and eminenCe in her
art? She displayed such beautiful mOdesty. sweet
amiability. kindly hurnor. transparent sincerity.
that probably one surpassed her in the
roles she was accustomed 10 play.
Thousands here and in England would like to be
here with you this afternoon. 7 cannot but express
the hope. in closing that when the memorial win
dow shall have been placed IN the new church
now building in upper West End avenue you will
all come to see 10. and you look upon NAV
YOU be reminded again OF the beautiful OF the
woman whose virtues therein mernOriaiized and
which brought honor to the Church and the stage.