ACTORS AT CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20011, 30 July 1928, Page 10

ACTORS AT CHURCH.

HOMAGE TO ELLEN TERRY. INFLUENCE OF THE STAGE. MAKING LIFE BRIGHTER. Members of the theatrical profession in Auckland, including actors and actresses from tho threo visiting companies, paid homage to tho memory of tho late Dame Ellen Terry by attending divine service at St. Matthew's Church last evening. There was a large congregation. Tho alliance between church and stage was the keynote of the sermon preached by tho vicar, Canon Grant Cowen, who is a chaplain of the Actors' Church Union. " Tho two greatest forces in the world to-day arc, in my belief, the Church and the stage, and 1 hope they will always work in the closest possible alliance for the uplift of hupianity," ho said. " The Church can learn much from the stage, and tho stage much from (ho Church." Many present, said Canon Grant Cowen, had seen " that beloved woman," Dame Ellen Terry, playing with Sir Henry Irving, a brilliant alliance that xlid so much tr put the stage in the honoured place it occupied to-day. One of tho preacher's most vivid recollections was of tho famous actress delivering tho great lines on tho quality of mercy from " 'J.ho Merchant of Venice." It rnado so poignant thoso last words she scribbled oil tho fly-leaf of Thomas a'Kempis' " Imitation of Christ," the last book she read: No funeral gloom, my dears; when I am gone think of me as withdrawn into tho dimness, your's still and you mine. Remember all my best and forget tho rest." Thoso lines were typical of ono who was worshipped by the whole English-speaking world as representing all that was best in English womanhood. Tho preacher took tho opportunity of thanking the actors and actresses present for all they had done to make life happier and brighter. When they took their departure they left behind many happy memories, and many hearts, through their influence, felt cleaner and stronger, and better able to hold tho threads of life. He knew it was not an easy life they led, that when they played and sang and smiled people little knew what they often felt. Ho prayed they might bo given help and strength to continue to uso an influence for good that was probably greater than any other single force in the world. The orchestra of St. James' Theatre, conducted by Mr. F. Crowtber, played Handel's " Requiem," assisted by Mr. J. H. Phillpot, at the organ. " Death and Life " (Parratt) was sung as an anthem by the choir, and a solo, " Into Thy Hands " (Wolsey), was given by Mr. A. Johnston.