THE CHURCH AND STAGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2047, 17 May 1890, Page 4

THE CHURCH AND STAGE.

The relations of the Church and Stage have at all times been,a matter of fruitful controversy. In this progressive age prejudice is fast waning away, and while in bye-gone days the antagonism against the stage proved a bulwark of spiritual tyranny, in later years many leading members of the clergy have actually assisted in dispelling unfavorable bias against theatres which have proved a source of instruction, refinement, and intellectual pleasure. The mission of the Church is the promulgation of the Gospel calculated to inspire mankind to lofty deeds ; in The portrayal of saints and virtuous examples man is spurred on to lead a life of rectitude and honor. Turning to the stage we behold in the dramatic world an epitome of all others. There the corruptions of nature, and the jealousies, the mercenary habits of men are displayed in a condensed sphere. There we see depicted the uncertainty of human greatness ; we see exposed the singularities of haughtit^bß3 , and fancy, falsehood and folly is made contemptible, and vice is discountenanced and exposed. In example, Faust, the hero of the masterpiece of German drama, when deviating from the simple faith of the Church in the depth of despair, was imbued by new hope and courage when listening to the Easier chorus. While the church has exercised a paramount and steady influence in the history of civilisation, the Stage has likewise proved a medium of education for in the latter we behold an epitome of 1 human life and manners, for plays and j players ‘' hold the mirror up to nature.” Yet while admitting that there is still a wide gulf between Church and Stage, and while the,notions of clergyman and actor may widely they agree on the point of their physical welfare. We, quote subjoined the opinions of a leading representative of the Church and a member of the Stage, The one one is the Rev. J. I Stanley Low, for over 20 years minister of I the Christ Church, St. Kilda, Melbourne ; I the other, Mr Alfred Dumpier, the well- ' known actor, at present lessee of the Alexandra Theatre, Melbourne. The Rev. J, Stanley Low, under dale March 15, 1890, speaks as follows I have used Warner’s safe cure in conjunction with the safe pills for functional derangement of the liver I labored under. I I experienced a sense of wei.ht, as great pains in the regions of the liver, «h la the kidneys were Bympa'hetically affected, causing general ill-health ; but on recourse to vVarner’a safe cure I found iny corapl dnta speedily checked, i can thus heartily endorse its eflicacy.” Mr Alfred Dampier, the actor, says 11 1 have used Warner's sate cure on various occasions with the most beneficial results to my helth in general, and found it particularly relieved headache of the «orst description, and I feel assured that if taken in time there would be little or no necessity for a phyTcian.” Thus Church and btage go hand-in-hand in promu'gaiing the merits and virtues of this Stirling specific as widely their opinions may dive-gn on other subjects.