The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-10-14
NOTED CLERGYMAN
IN HEART INTEREST
SOCIAL LESSON PLAY
Rev. Alexander F. Irvine Ap-
pears In The Rector Of
St. Jude'S
Lost New Haven Pulpit, Years
Ago, For FavOring Cause
Of Plain People

A most intense, highly dramatic
drama OF social conditions is being
presented at the Poll theatre, where
Rev. Alexander Irvine is appearing in
the title role of his own playIet, en-
titled 1.-The Rector of ST. jude.
The play, based upon the internal
conditions of a rectory where a pas
tor is asked by both capital and labor
to side with their cause is most ably
written, and forcibly presented and
will no doubt have a. most successful
run throughout the country. There is
much truth that is new and while the
philosophy presented is socialistic in
it's nature, there is nothing that is
radical in utterance and consequently
carries with it the conviction that the
whole is based upon truth rather than
wound into the action for stage effect
Its influence upon the mass of voters
who vote and repent later will I'M
doubtedly be great.
The scene is laid in the rrectory of
ST. Jude's parish. The priest is about
to attend service when a vestryman
comes into the room and after de-
failing the ravages of a strike among
his factory employees, countenanced by
the rector, informs the cleric that his
resignation is asked b ythe vestrY. In
reply, the rector with scriptural
fidelity outlines mis- duty to the par
ishioners and in return asks the with
drawa1 of the Vestryman. A daugh-
ter of the capitalist, in love, and
espousing the rector's cause comes up
on the scene. A crying mob, seeking
vengeance for the killing of a little
girl bowls without and pale and bag
gard the father of the dead child
bursts into the room crying for the
blood of the factory owner. He is
kept from his purpose by the rector
who disarrns him, and in an eloquent
speech, delivered in the most appeal
ing ministerial style, appeals to the
masses to war with the ballot rather
than with the sword and rifle. A very
fitting climax is reached when the
logic appeals to both employer and
worker and as the curtain descends
the hand of the daughter is won by
the rector.
Rev Alexander Irvine was for a
number of years pastor of the Pill
grirn's church, New Haven, which he
vacated owing to agitation started
against the New Haven Water Com
pany, and internal dissension within
the ranks rof his congregation. Later
he founded the Peoples church, New
Haven. He was ever interested in the
cause of the laboring classes and later
became a socialist of national promi-
hence. He was a devoted friend of
the late Philo Bennett, and appeared
before the Connecticut legislature
many times TO ADVOCATE -1apoF4.L meas
-ures. Through his instrum entality in
the west the Socialists we're able to
win many victories at the polls.
In the present sketch Rev. Irvine
has associated with. himself such well
known. Bridgeport figures as Benedict
McQuarrie, former stock-star at the
Poll theatre, Hayden Stevenson, like
wise appearing in the lead at the
same house and Miss Kate Dion, an
actress of deep emotional qualities.
Their conception of the parts assign
ed is most accurate and pleasing.
Big prices are being paid for grains.
but unfortunately for the farmer there
can't be a short crop every year