New-York tribune., 1907-01-29
REDEEMING GRACE.

Mr. Sothern and Miss Marlowe. both Of whom
have suddenly triclled into print. piously
cerned respecting the reception that. in inpi
Gus quarters. has been accorded TO their production
Of Mr. Sudermann's sweet-scented Biblical" drama
of John the Baptist" Those missionaries OF
morality, disclosing a vast and impressive reserve
OF religious emoton,-hitherto unsuspected.-have
made discoveries Of extraordinary value. Miss
MarloWe's Biblical researches have enabled her to
ascertain that Salome only naughty child, a
sweet young thing, who. approaching John the
Baptist with verbal tender Of her young body
only on the anxious seat and dssirous to learn
about "the second birth; while Mr.. Sothern has
found out that Saloms and John the celestial
bearers OF "a message Of love-" commissioned to
instruct the community that love is mot altogether
a lascivious and sensual matter" but really
good thing. This, obviously, is a great day
for the ulay-going public. which. Of course is
public Of lost and wandering sheep, greatly requir-
ing to be enfolded. and instructed. and made TO
understand what slove' is and what blessed
privilege il enjoys in having Mr. Sudermann Mr..
Sothern and Miss Marlowe to tell It that love is
altogether sensual" Seldom has there been such
an opportunity is afforded OF public ad-
vaneement in religious growth TIE people. surely,
ought to improve It. Such another chance may not
occur. Mr.. Sotheru says he fears that the public
IS not quite ready to absorb the benefits that he
and Miss MarlOwe purpose 10 provide. but he says
that several clergymen in Pittsburg have encour-
aged him to hope for better things, and he is duly
hopeful. He furthermore. thinks that this love
matter ought to be explained and likewise that
the theatre is good place for preaching sermons,
And he indicates that he intends unhappy mani
TO preach them. perhaps he VIII relent. II ''the
business Is bad.') But, OF course. this is good
lookout for virtue-Which has always owed much
TO the stage and is dependent upon IT. Miss
Marlowe viii also preach. she too having
oeived light from high. Mr.. Sothern thinks
that Miss Marlowes dance though. perhaps. a
little mlddle-aged. is useful and will do wonders
in the of morality and finally he thinks
and IN that he is not far wrong.-that after you
have seen John" a few times. you viii feel that
it is s natural exposition OF man swat
ting you IN the eye"
One serious word may not be altogether inappro-
PIRATE. Mr.. Sothern and Miss Marlowe are elderly
performers They have both long since arrived at
The age of discretion They perfectlv well the
value Of all that they do and say the stage.
They know that the play Of John the Baptist
depends lascivious dance. They know that IL
is immoral play. despite it's pretence OF
ligious import They know that Il they know
anything Their pretence on the subject is hum
bug Extenuation OF the character OF Sslome is
about sensible,-and they perfectly well
aware OF it,-as the eLtenuation that attempt
ed oF Mrs. Brownrigg, the murderer long ago.
in London, OF whom Canning wrote. in the Anti
Jacobin," in his satirical elegy, that
she whipped two female 'prentoes death.
And hid them in the OoAl-hole"