CHURCH AND STAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16942, 17 January 1923, Page 6

CHURCH AND STAGE.

A MISSIONED’S OPINIONS. “ I always envy the playwright life wonderful opportunities,” said the Rev Jasper Calder, Auckland city missioner, speaking to a crowded congregation on “ The Church and the Stage.” He said the at Age reached a. type of person whom organised Christianity seldom or never reached. It was possible for a good play, well acted, to teach as much real Christianity as many serProoeeding, tire speaker said the evil vice of selfishness, the father of most sins, -was never so roundly condemned as in that wonderful play. “ A Message fiom Mars.” He vividly described the play in question, pointing out that it. made a lasting impression on all who witnessed it. The reason for the tremendous “pull” which the actor had over the parson was that the former made his characters absolutely live be fore his audiences, while, perhaps, quite erroneously, the clergy were regarded as theorists and dogmatists. In these days of uncertainty in reconstruction a good, sound propagandist play might do as much for the community in social reform a.s the famous ‘Damaged Goods” did. Curiously enough many of the plays of our forefathers were handled and produced by the Church. This was not hard to understand, a.s it was -the Church’s former method of “putting over” a practical sermon in dramatic form. The speaker said that many theatrical people were sterling good Christian*, ft. was possible in London to witness a very large number of communicants at an early service at St Agnes, Ken nington, which was the favourite church of the profession. Speaking personally, said Mr Calder. he had nothing but praise for the general all-round management and good conduct of the theatrical profession Or*, rare, occasions otie heard expressions from the stage which had been better left out, but these were! the exceptions. Fruit Reserving. Is absolute success worth .threepence per dozen bottles? If so. use only the extra heavy rings offered by Messrs Hastie, Bull and Pickering. Latest prices 011 “Ball” and other jars, Maslin pans.