New-York tribune., 1907-06-16
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE FIRST CHURCH PLAYHOUSE.
Benefits To Be Derived from Giving Good
and Cheap Dramatic Entertainments.
the Editor Of The Tribune

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: l notice in one of our New York dallies that
II is claimed by St Vincent College in Chicago
that their college theatre Is the playhouse In
America. and possibly in the world. to he owned.
operated and managed by church, II you will
permit me- I would like to call in question the
correctness Of this statement TO this being the
first playhouse managed as stated
I believe that the Ascension Dramatic Company's
playhouse under the direction of the rector of the
Church Of the Ascension. Cireenpoint. Long ISL
and the first Of kind in America. The
rector. the Rev. Walter E Bentley was formerly
actor Of repute and he has now for several
seasons successfully coached those who have taken
parts in the plays there produced. and who are
almost exclusively his own enthusiastic and devoted
parshioners Only plays Of high moral and 1T
erary standard arc presented. and the progress
made by the participants In both knowledge and
appreciation the dramatic ideals presented
has been noticeable and the increase Of interest Of
all concerned in all the parish activities has been
This is only carrying out to a useful purpose the
spirit which characterized the cooperative spirit Of
the Church and the stage In the early DAYS
Among the many advantages which from this
mtue paynouse nave accrued 10 M ms . w,0,e V", n
portuniry of Witnessing wholesome plays at price
near6y CITY W." thsatrs like ike this is Far more needed
10 give uplif and enjoyment to the tired minds
and hearts Of those who work long and late than
Surely in such case as this the hstrionic spirit.
as here so well illustrated, must assist greatly in
developing "A love for the highest qualities ~ man
adyaneo tie higher des,iHes Of thS Ghgreb 20
An eminent preacher ~ the Methodist Church.
and friend 81 the writer has lately declared that
we must indeed dramatic the GOSPEL to carry on
the work Of salvation, for to-day Is the day for
action and not preaching"
Professor s y Patten IN his book. The New
Ia sis of Civilization. advocates earnestly our
city's community providing suitable opportunities
for amusement for tired workers. such a a peo-
pies cheap theatre and cOrnmends especially the
melodrama giving outlet for the primitive
emotions, which choked bv city life. and he
thinks those ~ rs who interested In social bet
termcut might make immense lever OF such
arqalfE ush{ lot 11rh 70
lncrcial exploitation.
Could not the Actors Church Alliance. which
processes 10 stand for better and co-opera-
lion Of Church and stage for The benefit Of the
whole people. DO Itself honor hv recognizing the
advantages and usefulness ~ a movement so altru-
is'c and helpful 10 our wage earners a. is this OF
the Church ~ the Ascension
The Bible tells that every should eat
and drink and enjoy the good Of all his labor II is
tho gift % Cod tECcleslastes xiii 13b
Why not this plan have spoken Of aid the
wage rdTners TO experience somewhat more Of 10Y
and good IN their lives of unremittiaE toi7
JOSIAH {. PCMPELLY.
New York. June &. 1907.