Church and Stage.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XI, Issue 3, 1 September 1920, Page 316

Church and Stage.

Why should authors and dramatists so' often represent Anglican clergymen as butts, f or. ridicule? A popular play "Tilly of Blobmsbury'* is hav-^ ing a long run m Sydneyrand some of its undoubted humor is connected With a very exaggerated latnd unworthy presentment of a parson whose inanity ; makes the "gods ' ' yell with derision, Clefgymen like other mortals 'have 'their foibles, but it vis, to i say, :tiie least of- it, grossly unfair to use them as a' marjc for cheap wit like the policeman m harlequinade. We know that the 1 particular instance we have mentioned" has called forth disgust an*d indignation from many who: otherwise would enjoy the harmless merriment- of a cleyer play. It is easy to make fun of those who are' set m positions of authority and influence, but such debasing humor has a very subtle power for hiirm. It is helping^aot a little to undermine the fojindations of tjhat respect for high and holy things which is one of the safeguards .'[■ of social welfare.* Surely the clergy by their .ready sacrifice and service in' the recent years of warfare and trouble have earned the fight to h& treated with th 4 respect >which ; the ehafacter of their calling should naturally call fprjth. We /hope that Churchpeopie generally will help to create such , a force of public opinioh on this subject as shall cause those.. who. are responsible to exerbise their yit and humor on more suitable subjects, — "Church Standard; " ■-.