MISS ADA WARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9535, 6 May 1909, Page 4

MISS ADA WARD.

■ » THE STORY OF HER LIFE. The Salvation Army Barracks were packed last evening, when Miss Ada Ward, the actress-evangelist, gave the last of her addresses in Christchurch. She was supported on the platform by a number of prominent Salvation Army officers and workers, and spoke on the story of her life and work in a clear and forceful, manner. Mies Ward, who was received with prolonged applause, said that if she were to tell the whole story of her life it would take weeks. For twentyfive years she had lived an eventful life as an actress. As a little child she had been sad and neglected, and all her people were atheists. She was sent to a convent in Paris, and there spent many happy years. The nuns never interfered with her in regard to religion, and she received no tuition in that direction. She became a governess in London, but she hated the life and replied to en advertisement for an actress for an amateur performance. The manager inquired whether she could fill any of the stalls with gentlemen friends. She was faced with other questions and temptations. She secured that and other engagements and was scon, well paid. She then drifted into the life of an actress, with bouquets, jewels and dinner parties. Sne was married and divorced bef ore^she was sixteen years of age. She had such a passion for the world that there was nothing bad into which she did not drift. She gambled for hours on end at Monte Carlo and owned racehorses. Then she made her way to Australia and America, and went four times round the world. On her third tour she went to South Africa. After a tour of that country, her leading man said that he had studied her character, and he asked her to give up the stage and lead a quiet life. She' said that there was no one to care for her, and he then asked her to marry him, but in view of previous experience she declined. He followed her to Australia on the same boat, and when they met on board she was very indignant. As a matter of business she engaged the man as lead, on condition that he made love only on the stage. She was taken very ill on that tour, and the leading man was most kind and considerate. The man again urged her to settle down, and he was backed up by an Anglican clergyman. She felt s lonely, and sometimes contemplated suicide, although she was one of the most successful actreses who ever lived. Finally Bhe decided to marry him. After a tour, they went home and met his mother, a kind, loving woman. Then the craving for the stage came on again, and they left England for Australia. Her husband got off at the Cape to go and settle his affairs. All the way to Australia she missed his presence, . and when she landed she went to ask. for a. telegram from him, but there was not one. One night she was going on to play Juliet, and a telegram came. She kept it till after the act and then she opened it in her dressingroom. It read. "Your husband, died at twelve o'clock, and was buried at three." The shock was awful, but she went on with her part. She realised that she was all alone again, and then she realised, too, how passionately and deeply she loved him. She concluded that tour in New Zealand and went to America, where she lived, in a wild, mad fashion. Back she went to the gambling-hells in Paris. Though she gambled, she never drank. Drink was hateful to her. (Applause). She went to Portsmouth to produce a new play, and resided in lodgings and studied her part. One night a girl in the house asked her to go to a Salvation Army meeting. She went to the meeting for fun, and after the meeting they shook hands and thanked her for attending. It had no effect on her,, but next evening, when she was dressed for the opera, a feeling of an extraordinary nature came over her. She decided not to go, and picked up, her part to study, but found that she could not do it. It was impossible for her to do anything, and at about three in the morning the whole scene at the Army flashed across her ,mind. That night she prayed for the first time in her life. She attended another meeting, and there threw herself down in the hall and sobbed. Then she felt uplifted, and was overcome with a feeling of intense joy. A beautiful light came over her, and in its midst she saw plainly the figure of Jesus Christ. f In a moment it was gone, and through her tears she heard the Army people singing. She prayed again, and saw her way clear. She then cancelled all her theatrical engagements. (Applause.) The manager at Portsmouth would not release her, and she played a twelve nights' season. Then she addressed the actresses and eaid that ehe would never play again. They cried bitterly and she divided up all her earthly belongings between them. She told the Army audience of her determination, and prayed with them. She went to London and sold everything, leaving enough only foT a little home. There she re# mained, studying the Bible and working for the Army. Then she became an evangelist. Miss Ward eaid that after her present tour she was going to help the theatrical people. ' She had been taxed with never doing anything for the stage, and an actress friend asked her to come back and help m them. She said that with the permission of managers and actresses in London she

would go and pray at rehearsals in the dressing-rooms. % " I am going to those dreadful places where they are playing the revolting, burlesque and gantomimes," Bhe said. She had noling to cay against tlie legitimate drama. Spiritual life was in New Zealand a thousand times higher than elsewhere. The article in the " Lyttelton Times " of that flay against the revolting "Salome" dance, was a fine testimony to truth. She, knew plays that made for good, played by §ood men and women, and such ramas of the legitimate kind were beyond any reproach and could be witnessed by all. She concluded by reference to* the deep spiritual life apparent in New Zealand, and said that she would like to stay and win souls for a long time in Christchurch. /She thanked all her friends for the kindnesses she had received in the> city.