The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-15
PREACHER
AND ACTOR
IN DEBATE
Remarkable Proceed
ing Staged in New
Y ork B q p t i 5 t
Church

New York, Feb. l2.-The Calvary
Baptist church today became the
scene of an uproar when William
Brady, theatrical producer. in sceth-
ing phrases took issue with the
Rev. John Roach Stratton. d. d.,
It's reformer-pastor. on the reSolu-
ton that the modern stage is &
menace TO public morals.
For three and 4 half hours tie
rhetorical battle ragged hot as tides
OF enthusiasm rolled back and
forth among the congregation,
which now hung with appreciation
on the words OF DR.. Stratton and
a"ain rose TO its feet to shout ap-
proval OF Mr. Rrady's defense OF
his profession.
Throwing to the winds consider
ations OF the day and most rules
OF parliamentary procedure
though the discussion had been an
nouncrd in advance us Il formal de-
bate, with William II. Anderson,
state anti-saloon leader, as chair
man and judSc-the speakers sue
cesSively shouted their convictions
from the pulpit They interrupted
each other at the pinnaclcS OF ora
torical heights and We're interrupt
ed and Inomentarily silenced by
scores Of their hearers who again
and again lcaped into the fray.
Whe:. the meeting was begun it
appeared that the debate was 70 be
onesided y call for Mr.. Brady
failed TO bring q response and Mr..
Anderson introduced the minister
who launched into his attack on
the proposition:
"Resolvcd, That conditions and
tendencies on the American stage
are menace TO sound private and
public morals"
He had spoken for some time
when Mr. Brady rose in the ceIte:
OF the church, asking permission
TO reply.
I'm not here to engage in IN
argument" he began. But an in.
stant shout arose, demanding tina.
he take the platform.
Il Will. he replied; mounting the
pulpit
Then he began by saying he
thought q Sunday church service
was not the correct place tor
threshing out their differences. bet
added that he could not allow !:'e
minister's statements to so 'ia-
challenged.
Il do rot come to this church OF
Cod TO defend the black sneep." he
said. Il come TO defend the decent
Mon and women OF the profession
Applause greeted this start.
Thou shall not SANDER thy
neighhor." he continued. turning
toward DR.. Stratton. He said the
minister was unfair in singing oGt
the theatrical profession IRON So
many Others for attack.
II can cite you more crimes.
murders and degeneracies perpe-
trated by ministers Of the Gospes
than by all the theatrical proteS-
sion" he went on. II can prove
10 you there have been more muir
dcrS committed hy ministers and
there are more ministers III Jail
than stage people. have court
records 10 prove II.
Here the congregation rose to its
feet, the shouts OF its men indical-
ing divided convictions. Both speak
ers begged for quiet. When he
could make himself heard again
Mr.. Brady pleaded for "a square
deal for tie stage
When Mr.. Brady ceased speak
ing, DR.. Strattoa again resumed his
indictment, and in turn his latest
statements were answered by the
theatrical producer.
The meeting ended only when
DR.. Stratton, who said he would
like to stay until morning" eN-
pluine, that the church must be
cleared for regular evening service.
Mr.. Anderson. in announcing the
conditions Of the debate. said:
I'VE shall take 4 COLLECTION. not
for dccrrpit. sensational preachers.
to quote Nh Brady. but for the
home ion, aGrd actors.