Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 4, 1881, Page 18

ral IBF S _ RELIGIOUS. ©. “Progress of the Revised Ver- sion of the New Testa- ment. What _ the Chicago Booksellers Kuow About the Demand . for It. They Do Not Believe It Will Find "Its Way into General Use for Some Time. Certainly Not Until the Revision of the Old Testament Has Been- Com- pleted. 2 Views of Leading Chicago Divines upon * the Same Interesting Sub- ject. : u Intimate Friend of President Garfield Gives a * Graphic Sketch of His Religious Views.- ~ : The Church in General—News from All Denominations—Personal * Notes. SILENT SORROW. ‘Written for The Chicago Tritmne. ‘They sat in sorrow side by side, For Lazarus was dear Not many words the sisters spake, And few the teurs they shed. The sacred house of Bethany ‘Was hallowed 23 a shrine— ‘The shadows of the sevulchre Had made that home divine: And Mary’s gaze, and Martha's sigh, And the hushed sifliness there ~*~ “Bespoke the unguish of a griet Nolanguage could declare. They sat in Sorrow sidé by side, And few the words they said: The house wus fone aud desolate, - = For Lazarus was dead. EtMo., THE NEW VERSION. HOW IT SEY \D HOW THR CHURCIIFS ETO IT. It was hardiy to be expected, of course, that the extraordinary demand for the revised yer- ston vt tke New Testament, whien set in with - its pudiication last May and continuea for some time thoreafter, would be maintained for any extended period. In the early rush for the book, the religious as well us the worldly public, whose curlasity was excited by the very novelty of the thing, discounted what might have been a steady demand for the future by their enormous purchases at the time. A falling off in the sates, therefore, was something to be expected, aud pannot “be taken, by itself, as ‘a sure indication of the popularity or unpopularity of the revis- 2s’ work. A licbt demand now, six months after the rush, coula be readily explained vy the friends of the new version by the statement. that people who had sup- Plied. themselves in May could. not be expected-to buy revised New Testaments in December; while a steady and fairly active de- mand, especially if it kept puce with that af the old editions, would be looked upon, through the same spectacles, as 2 convincing argument in favor of the popularity of <ne revised, despite the attacks of.critics in both hemispheres, and 3 4 proof that it was being gradually butsurely introduced into general use. For the purpose Of learning’something about the present demand, “therefore, a reporter for THe TrinuNE took a twuramoug.the booksellers and the retizious publication societies the other day, with what results will be seen below. “4 shoufd say,” said Mr. Smith, of JANSEN, WCLUNG &.CO., in answer to the reporter's question, “that the naw version is gradually. becoming introduced andis growing in favor. But yon can always tell better about a thing of that sort after the lapse of a couple of years orso. There is x very iair—T may say a good—detitand for it even now, though of course it will not compare with that of six months ago.” al Couta you givo me -any figures on that den ~ “Well, we must have ordercd from 25,000 t0 9,602 of all’ styles, from 20 cents up.and our present stock is rather linsited. Our jmpression is, that it is being gradually introduced. Waen tue Gid Testament is revised, people will gen- erally take it up—inecluding’ those who won't touch the revised version of the New Testament now. 3 * «The new version isn't selling at all how, 10 Speak ot,” said the head of the book department ates FA THE WESTERN COMPANY.’ “The sale ia practically over. People are buy- ug a8 muny ot the ofd versions now u5 they are of che ‘new, aud, a8 a matterof fact. they are hot buying many of either. The publishers are aciually Joaded up with tne new editiun, and are offering to sell at bis discounts—many below the regular prices. The publishersare ‘stuck,’ 23 we say, but i jrueas the country generally will vome out all right. Tne big sales were confined to thé first thirty days following the publication Of the new version in this country.” 2 How large have your safes been “Couldn't tell you that. We never give away our business." “Do you think the demand will ever revive: *1 don't think it will, to any appreciable e: tent, until the revisers get thromzh with the Old Testament, and te revised versions of the Old and New are put together. ‘There bas been an effort to bring out the new version with the un- xevised Old Testament, but it wasn't a sreces! People turned up thelr noseé at it, and called amougrel. The fact of the matter is, there {= a certain conservdtism about these things, and the revised version would never have. sold as it did if the new: papers—ana_ especially ‘Tne TamuNxr—bud Hot printed it in advance of {ts appearance here in book form. Public curiosity was aroused, And] Nepture to say that thousands of ‘people Dought the revised version and never read it.” ~Do yuu think it will ever come {nto genera! use? “fell you better about that in ayerr or t It gon't {look much like it at present, thong “We he all the time.” suid the local head of the AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION’ SOCINTY. “Iris regular and steady, but ut the same time Aight. Stull, I suppose it “is fuir to say that, with the exception of the very much cheaper class.of ‘Testaments, the most thut we sell are the new reyised, Any one buying anything. more than the 10-cent Testament. or something vise for xeneral use, wiltbuy, asa ruic, the new re- vised. Still, we don’t cousider it the must rap- idly changing stock we have, by any means. Thousands ¢f people doubtless supplied them- selves witn all the new versjons they wanted, both for the tine being and prospectively, dur- ing tbe rush which set in last Stay. Agreat many bought the 20 and 25 cent editions, sot something to compare with the old version, and are satisfied. .1 don't*think there will be uny chance tor its general introduction until the re-. vision of the Old Testament {3 out, when Will probaply: be another biz mish ba low do the clergymen of the Baptist denom-’ Yaation look upou the new versiou, as faras Fou ‘ave had an opportunity for observation?” ~ 1 think it 5 pretty generally accepted atong them as being superior to the old version, though some of the reviews have been’ pretty’ pepe otinrte: no aveeaon but’ that there reat many errors in the new version whic os ve sold a, tian: sine ; fany,” sald Mr. W. P. s =e METHODIST BOOK CONCERN, wbut I can’t tell how many without gol through the books. At first aearle everybody that cared about the matter at all bought'a re- vised edition—zencralty of tho cheaper kind—to see what the changes were: but 1 don't know of asingle church that bas introduced it into. the pulpit—that is, exctusively—ang I doubt whether dt will come into use Very rapidly. SUL, we bave an Sereat many, und are selling a good many “is there as much of 2 demand for the verona there §s for iss old er. 1 ae ae ve that's pretty to tell, ‘ery bod: interested in ‘the Bible at all wants to see now - “the new version of the Testament differs from the uld. We bave beea selling several edidons of the’ uew version—the cheap one, an’ ilus- trated one, and the comparative edition, the tat-. ter containing the old and new'versions side br. Side. So far. it hus’ proved the most popular of hein ge lem generally. the new versiop? Will {nto use, huwever, it is very dificulpto say. ‘The King James edition didn't come-iato gen- erai ase:until fifty years after it war Printed, I believe, and the revised version wil} probably be slow in coming into general faysr. ‘When the uew Version of the Old Testement is out that .from the General Convention,” said Mr, Judd, a iittle sule for the revised version will revive the sale, for everybody will, be cu-_ rious to see what changes ere made in that ven- erable volume.” = “Tshould say we had sold 15,000 copies of the revised version,” sald MR. F, I. REVELL. “By that I mean all styles, of course. The comparative edition was the most popular. But the sules have falien pretty tat since the rush and the few weeks succeeding It. The demand forthe new version husn't affected at all tha fs of Bibles, however. Our Bible trade fs,n3- lurge ns ever.” , ‘ 5 “Avhat de you think of the prospect for a general introduction of the new version? “Tdo not think it wilt be generally recetved or introduced. {he great complaint is that, asa piece of English literature, it is vastiv interior to the old version; that the revisers have spoiled the text; that, in trying to make it atiternt translation, they have used ordinary and com- monplace English—so much so 23 to leave out auch of the peculinr poetical style, or rhythin, of the old King Jummes Bible, which bas come to ‘be regarded us 2 most perfect piece of English lit~ erawre. Again, in avoiding the chupter-and~ verse style. which {s an improvement. it is a yery common objection among.clerzymen and people generally that the revisers were led into the other mistake of making their paragraphs too long. Asa result, the book is heavy and not attractive reading. Where the paragraphs are short there is life in the very page. The very opposit is true of the new version. Very few of the ministers, so far as 1 can learn, use it in tha pulpits.”” ‘ B THE EPISCOPAL CNURCH. For the purpose of learning what steps must be taken to introduce the new version into the Episcopal cbhurches—whether it confd be done by actiun of the separate dioceses or only by the aeuion of the General Contention—the reporter called upon Mr. S. Corning Judd, Chancelior of the Diocese, and propounded a question which elicited all the information desired on that bead, “Jt cannot be introduced without authority “and that does not meet until October. 1883. No divcese bas any authority whatever to net upon the matter, farther than To express its views und memorialize the General Convention with refer- ence to the question.” It is n matter entirely in ie bands of the Generm Convention to dispose of.” ““¥s there any probability, in your opinion, of the adoption of the new version by the Episco- pal Church?" “IT don't think there is.-1 may be mistaken, but I don’ttnink it ts considered a matter of sufficiently vital importance to require its sub- stituuion for the ald version.’ A good deal of criticisin has been bestowed upon the new yer- sion, A3a source of information, and by way of giving a full and complete uuderstanaing in the more modern -use_ of language. it is a very valuable contribution to Church fiterature, and will probably be rererred ton great deat by schol- ars and Crilics.. But the -pevple generally huve been so in tne habit "of re- dyiug , implicitly upon the King James edivon tbat, unless some matter of vital importance should he discovered in connection ith the new version, 1 don’t think it will be substituted for the old. Of course there are a great many words which in the process of time have ecbanyed in their signiications, and this new translation will be yuluabie in we way of furnishing intormation In that regard. But people are very conservative in neitters of re- ligien, and the Episcopal Church 35 especially and essentially su. In fuct, it is so intens con- servative that it is x mutter of very great diti- culty to adopt almost ay ‘new measure at all rudicaiin its nature, thoush not involving so Serious 2 matter 25 x dilfereat version or trans intion of the New Testament.”: ‘ THE REV. E. P. GOODWE of the First Congrerational Church, said that he bad used the revised edition in his own’ church both in service-reading und reference, and indi- vidunily was pleased with the work, The membe or his congregation bud never, so far a3 he knew, expressed any public or private opinion upott the merits of the work, aud its use by bim bud ever been remarked. The revision, be thought, was good, in that it was a literal translation of the original—so literul, In fact, as to be in su:ne Phices inelegant in expression. Some Greek scholars, of course, objected to the rendering of certain passages. ubd be himself thougat that be: in could improve ‘upon. the transiution some respects; but the American and En- glish scholars’ who had Inbored so long and faithfully to complete .the work—and gra- luitously, tod, so far as the public was concerned ~—Were entitled to a great deni of credit. 7: book as revised was one which was worthy 0 acceptation, su to sperk, and was being adopted, he was Informed, generalty thron:raout_ the religious world bs all denominations. There were in ft to be sure changes which did’ not ex- actiy suit all sects and creeds, buton the whole be did not think that much improvement could be made, Certainly ail wen would rot agree in whatever reconstruction might be placed upon the-Testament, but he thouzht that a recot- mittal to another committee of ecclesiastics might resuitin the elimination of some tings which might, without injury to the valuc ot tho book, be entirely removed. He did not adyo-~ cate ‘nor eagerly desire such a recommittal, put had heard the measure suzyested He regarded the scope of te suxgestion as 2 inprubabie possibility. ‘Ihe fate Comunittee on Kevision, he thought, could never ngain bi ten together; su that if. any steps were tal secnre a further revision a new. commiitce would be organized. In support of his belief that che revision was generally satisfactory, the reverend gentleman said that so eminent a scholar as President Buruett. of Dartmouth Cotiewe, bad recently written bim a letter ex~ pressing his entire approval of the work und the belief that it was equally acceptable to others. 3 DR. RYDER. The Rev. W. H. Ryder, D.D., pastor of St. Paul's Universalist Church, said that the denom- inuton with which he was alfiliuted had not taken any official steps towards adopting the revised version, The General Convention of Oniversalists at its snoual meeting beld in De- troit not Jong azo adopted a resolution which. while in general terms approving of the re jon, expressed the sentiment of the convention to be thaf no action should be taken upon the mutter by thut body, and that the quesnon of adoption should be left to the chureh It was, elt that it would be best not to be hasty. but to. allow time fora thorough examinztion and cau:- parison, and on so grave upd important a question the deltberation of 2 yeur was judged uot to be. tov tong. Cniversal- ists as ao rule, Dr. suid, approved of the revision ror many reasons, and. approved the great majority of the changes mude as tending w eliminate irom the sncred text mpny words which bad become obsolete. or conveyed to modern readers a ditferent incan- ingto that which they Dore in King James’ time. He thought the revisers had in many cases mude the text more plain, and by the sub- stitution of different languaye had remoyed causes of criticism. Of course be could nor approve of all the changes—notubly that which makes the Lord's Prayer read, * Deliver us from the evil one," a3 that seemed to simuck 2 tittle tov much of a’ personal devil. from wuom men prared to be deliv i, and limited the scope of the prayer, which was to be delivered fromallevil. He believed that this interpolation would not stand. As to the practic:! use of the new version, a good many Universalist ministers. were taking the opportunities offered to explain the changes and variations fn notable points to their consreyacons, and this he bas done. ‘Thus, for instance, jn the passage in Matthew which says, ‘1 no-thought for the morrow," he would say in tha words of ube revisiou. “Take no solicitude,” or, “‘Pake no anxious thought.” as he believed that was'the meaning. ‘The tendency among nls brethren was to'accept the revision as being more in accordance with their views, but they did nut want to be too hasty about in DR. LOMIMET. “ To what extent hns the revision been adopt: ed by the Baptists?” said a reporter to the Kev. Dr. Lorimer. “ Thave no idea,” he replied, ‘as I have been too busy ty find our” . You still use it?” Yes, a great deal in my pulpit.” “ Have you heard other ministers of the de- nomination say they did so?” “ No; I baven't neard u single expression.” + Hol do the lalzy like it?" “ Very well. 1 think it is pretty generally used in the bome life.” “ What do you think of. it?” “Tt isan immeasurabie improvement on the King James version in point ot accuracy. but we miss some old English phrases which bad be- come sanctified tous. Still we will get over thut by-and-by.”. “ Have you heard no talk about it?* “ There has been some. Lknow, and there is a aivision of sentiment regurding it; but nothing has been said about its tormal xdoptton.” DR. HERRICK JONSON. _ # Has the revision been udopted by the Pres- ‘Ddyteriansy” asked the reporter, speaking to Dr. Jobuson, of the Fourth Church. ~ Jtbasn't been formally ratitied by anybody, and will not be, It will come gradually into use. iif it comes at all. Our bodies ure so constituted that they will not take action concerning it.” * Do yon still use it?" E “ Yes, and a great many other ministers do.” * How do you like it?” 3 1 indorse it through and through. but don't believe itis the best thing. that could be pro- duced by one man, yet itis the best that could be juced by 2 combination of men.” ~ Have you beard any expressions regarding it among the peoples” 5 ~ Yes, and they generally favorit with great heartiness.”” PE ae GARFIELD’S BELIEF.. AN INTIMATE FRIEND’: - | RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS. z Special Corcespondence uf The Chicago Tribune. CLEVELAND, 0.,; Dec. 1.—-The lamented Presi- ‘dent Garfield kas. by bis wonderful lite and heroic death been, and will continue: for years henes to be‘one of the greatest ofthe popular, edueatort. The public is greatly interested in everstkiug he said, ana d{d;and thought; and thus4 matter like his religious bellef becomes ataing of great linportance. . Some time since I #resented in Tre Trracxe. statements from a. numter of well-known’ oivines, end religious papers in regard to this’ subject, tnd now-have. the privileze ot submittiug an interview witha gentleman who knew Gartield all bis life, an® “is better qualitied probably than: anyone cise ex: cept Mrs. Gariicld-to“ give a statement of tne inner’ life “and \promptings of the soul of the great departed. red ase ale In the tirst place, it may be stated that a mind so broad and thofoughly comprehensive as his coutd never be held down by the doginas of any creed or body of fuith xs marked out. by any re- ligious sect. It soared to gencral principles. and grasped great fundamental traths, end Ieft the details tu be filled in by the. coutingencies of daily life. No mind of less comprehensive scope than his can fully state his position on this sub- Ject. ; x The body of Christian people known 2s Disciples of Christ, with whom he was always identified, while narrow in cer- tain things, are in others exceedingly liberi; and he doubtless founa as tnuch satisfaction in being identified with them as with any people in the world, This denomination has no written creed or discipline. They profess to take * the Bible as their oniy suilicient rute of faith and practices They hoid that in that book, and especially the New Testument of Our Lord and Savior Jésns Christ, §s found the Iast and, only bindixg communication of God to man. ‘They hold that “The Bible is its own best interpreter." ‘They insist that certain tundamental truths are iirmly aud fully marked out and laid down. and that there van be no doubt in regard to their onler or binding force; and that, outside: of these, every man should exercise his own belief and free will. In fact. it may be suid thar great difference of opinion exists among the laity and preachers of the denomination iu regard to cer- tain points that in other denomiaations ‘are clearly murked out in the creed or discipline. Alexander Campbell. the first preacher and practically tne founder of the denomination, although it is claimed by them that Christ was the founder, was a Scotch preacher, who, with his fucher, Thomas Cumpbell, and another Scotchman, the Rev. Walter Scott, md thought deeply on religious subjects, and finally came to the conclusion.that many things that were tanght by the Christian world bad no founda- tion in the teachings of Christ and the Apostics, orin the practice of the early Christian churches. When the Cumpbelis and Scote first began to preuch their new or advanced doctrines they probably uever expected to form a new denoni- ination, but simply to reform the old ones. But such is not the tendency of such xreat depart ures as theirs; and the new Chureb: grew fitst under their impassioned preaching. The seced- ers were culled all manner ot numes by the old Churches. : They were not considered orthodox, und probably are not yet in many parts of the world, But the. ministers continued to preach, und the denomination continued to grow, ‘Their principal accessions cae trom tae Laptists, In some plices whole congregations, with their ministera, Went over; but yeuerally a rew of the old remained, Oue of the cardinal points which the Discipics bold in common with the Baptists is that immersion fs the only Scriptural form ot bupusin.. ‘This is stoutly insisted on; bat there is no objection made to communing with people who buve never been immersed.as it is neld tat every one should be bis own judge of this :nat- ter, *n3 he who partakes unworthily of the 5; rament eats and drinks damnation to his own sot: ‘The points wherein the Campbells differed from nearly every other orthodox denomination wer 1. They discarded any and all written confes- sions of faith ontside of the Bible. 2. They did not belleve in miraculous conver- sion, . They asked only one question of those who desired to join the Church of Christ, aud that was: “Do you believe with all your beart that 13 was Christ, the son of the living God"? Ir the candidate for membership answered this qnestion in the atirm- ative, he was finmersed immedint aud taken into Cuil. membership in the Church. 4. Lbey partook of tho Lord’s Supper on every Sunday. or Lord’s-Day, ns they catied it—getting auitnority for this from the statement that + Tae Disciples came tozetber on the first day of the week for breaking of bread and prayer.” 5. They discarded, us specially ined ‘and boty, priesthood or’ celery; and held that any member of the Church had a right to prevet, provided be teit impelled to do so, und possessed ihe ability to do so... ‘They held that it was the duty of every member to tell his fellows of the leve of Jesus, and of the doctrine which He preuched. ‘The [% fuadamental doctrines of the Church being easily comprehended be almost any ane, near! new Convert veewme 2 preacher, and the * new light" spread rapidly, The learned clergy of the older denominations olten spoke xingly of the growing denomi- nation, and called atiention to the ross mis- tikes whieh some of the lay preachers fell futo. t ‘This only helped alcug the new aoctrines. For the Disciples came back at the clergy by saying -that the Lord “thud chosen the Cuolisty to con- found the wise.” « It.was astonishing tow clo: the bership studied their Bibles, They were always found in their plices in the House of tne Lord with their Bibles open to th @ the preacher was reading from, and ofte re ready to -disazree with some favorit doi ne he put torward. . 6, Phe Campbells insisted that the following Were the fumtumental prineiples of tho Cari tian religion, and that the arder mentioned tho togical ‘and only one that was -safe to follow: (a) Faith: ()) Repentance; (c) Baptisin: éa) Remission of sins, They hetd that uuless a man first bad faith he could not be made by any, possibility to see that be done wron; must believe in Jesus as the Savior of the world, and then he would see that man was lost with- out Hin, After ke bad-faigh in this he could nor help being sorry for hig sins. ‘Thut sorrow constituted repentance, which in reality is sor- row for the past added to 2 determination to do rin the future and lead a new life. . ‘hese stepstead up to baptism, which fs a symbol of cleansing or washing away of sins. With all these steps taken the person has complied. with the Scriptural form for membership in the Curis- tinn Church according to tha belief und preach- tog of the Campbells. ‘These thoughts were so simple and so easily grasped, even by a dull and common ming, that the preaching was in reality a revelation. It was calicd by its adberents the New Reformation, ‘and at one ie seemed likely to sweep - almost thing - be- foreit. Buta time of reaction very natnraily. eame, It wasimpossible that itshould be other- wise under the circumstances. Every met a preacher, every member allowed to make his own interpretation of Scripture; no person in tho visible orzan{ation of. more authority than any other on any subject of disciptine ar duc- trine, no one to settle disputes and arbitrate quarrels—tha outcome was of necessity dis trous. So long as the older denominations fought the new one, ail the members of the new organization formed a solid phalanx against outside attack. But, jeft to themselves, they turned their spears and swords of argument upon euch other, and slew one another. ‘The re- sultof nis was ‘that it suon became apparent that same more solid and permanent organiza- tion must be furmed:— that some bond of union must be found between the. various — individual © church — organizations which were so thorougtly ‘congregational in thelr character. After-thg distinetive doctrines of the denomination begume thor- oughly understood by everyboily, especially by tho members of the organization’ themselves, it was found necessary to have a ministry that could baild up by ‘oral care te cuuredes that biG been so rapi and hat grown with such mushroom swiftness. else their lite promised to be ephemeral in its character. Chureh is now in the st eribed. State and Nj ies are being: ing th into. sovieri prugg up, and the ministry i mg more and more eduerted and ate: plished. Jn the early days a regular clergy was not encouraged, and was almost never. pald. Now alt churches of any size and fmportane the denomination have settled. pastors. Many Of the ministers now filing the pulpits of the denomination are’ really. tearned and talented men. Alexander Campbeil possessed n truly great. and comprehensive mind. He was a peculiarly conselentious unin, and one not afraid to ad- vanee his upinions without regard to conse- quences. Had be teen torn under other clr cuinstaunces and trained in another direction, would have made a zreat Genera organ- izing abilities und pugitistte tendencica being al- the exaet requ for such work as the must du. “The bearings of bis jatellect were derived from a cnreful study ‘of; John Locke, Kimyell a Scotchman. It wus ‘the futfu- ence of Locke's imetiphysieal workg on Camp- bell’s mind thet Jed bim to_his views on Literal interpretation of tne Seriptures, Many have believed that had the first ere:tt preacher or this Uenowination read other metaphysical writers with the same degree of eure ag.he did Locke he might huve given a ditferent direction to the thought of we denomination yhieb he founded. However this may buve. bgen;'we bave him as he was, and. the denomimntion as ha Jeft it it is undoubtedly “yhfortunate that y of his followers, wisHgut the same depth of mind that he ps ed,-not fully comp hending all that he taught and carrying their conceptions of hig teaching-to an extreme, zave the impression tu the relizious world that there was no such thing in the belief of te denomina- tion as feeling; that it was alla sort of intellect- ual operation resulnng in a stoical ubedience to commands which were fitlle understood. ‘The writer bus beard Gen. Garfield express this same. opinion of this matter. “The hi: eich tant bas been given above of * will explain several things. bow Gen. Garneld at one time in nis live preached sna was not a preacher. ‘The sec- ‘ond 1s, how was he contented (o remain 1 mem- ber of the denomination to the end of his lite. ‘The latitude that is permitted and expected I3 30 reat as bétier to fit a man of cultute and breadth of mind. than in y denominations that are cca}sidered much more orthodox. When Jatin this article 1 did not expect to write so wuch of a preface to the interview with “Gen. Gartield's’ old friend. But what is to fol- Jow wilt be detfer understood by wnat bas gone beforg. The interview run as follows: * A‘goud deat has been said of late of Gen. Gartiefg's rélizious belief. You were vers weil acquainted with him’ for many. yexrs, and must have had excellent opportunities to gamer idens on this subject.” “Yes, ! think ¥ uuderstané about how he viewed such matters, e0 far asa lesser mind ts capable of comprehending 2 grenter. Noman cenever know ull about the beilef of suca a man as he was. He -intended, bad not: bis life been cut short in tts prime, to nave written in the lefsure of an old age un'nutoblograpby. In this woutd bave been found. muny things that unfortunately are naw lost to the world. Born and reared in x denominntion which. belfeves in original investigation of the Holy Scriptures, and encouraged to think-for bimself and study. the Word of God from a- small child, with - the aséistance of-a pious mother, be gota fairer -sfurt than most men in this direcnon. His lite wis ful] of meditation and philosophizing on che Infinit. He thought further, anc pieréed deeper. into the Beyond than many who muke» 1: ‘speclaity of that line of thought. Nothing was ever more interesting.:to me than’ to hear him: j discuss various phases of religious thoughs.” y ~Lwist you would work out ns well’23 you nH Genel fous better.” “The first timo I ever remember to have - heard him speuk on the subject was several cea ago. He began by suying: ‘Do you now that little woman of mine ts getting quite -beturodox. I had thought: myself.’ he con- tinued, ‘on the various subjects, and was un- able to sce theta in the same light that I used to when younger, but nad supposed that Crete was pecuilarly stright in all her-Opinions. {re- membered that her father was oue of the as. sociates of Alexander Campbell, and bad him- self been a pioneer preacher, and I was some- way of the impression that her early instruc- don had been so strict that it must be that she could never question any of the old things. At ouny rate, I determined never -to broach - the subject to her. Finally a change came oyer the spirit of my dreain, even us x streak of lightning docs some- times from a clear sky. We had attended church on a certain Sunday. ‘The minister nud preached a peculiarly doctrinal sermon. On the wuy home Crete suddenly remarked: “{ didn’t believe a word of tuat sermon!" Twas peculiarly aston- ished, but stinp}y remarked: * We will see about thdt when we get home.” When we did gethome We sut down and bad-a regular old-fashioned tik. Wediscussed the whole matter of our early belief, and what changes bad come upon it and what we thought up to that time. We had read the same books, had heard the same ser- mons, bad walked band fn hund in all our reliz- ions thoughts and action, and uow, utthourh we had never before discussed tho matter, though we had never compared notes before, we found" that we bud arrived at precisely the same con- clusions, and were as neur alike as could be with. the simple exception, as it scemen to me, that She bad gone a little’ further than I pad In her line of thought .and investigation. ‘his was douttless owing tothe fuct that she bad had more leisure.and opporuinity for silent meditu- tion than I." = “If Lwere to give you my idea of Ges. Gar- fiela’s religious belief 1 wontd be: as follows: ‘There isa living God. We know this from His manifestation in miture. Humanity is the high- ¢st form of organized nuture. Man is the mini- festanon of the culmination of the Supreme Vower, Tho soulis the sum of man's moral character, bigh purposes. noble will, grand seati- incnts, imugivation. ‘This souldemands 2 Deity. ‘The civilized soul demands a God to love, tha barbarous soul demunds one to fear. The con- ecption of God is the nighest aspiration of the soul. ‘The completer the development of mind and civilization, tho higher the couception of God. Even among civilized people no two indi- viduals can be found who bave exactly the same conception of God. ‘This arises from the fact that no two men have tho sume intelleetuu de- velopment. © ‘The belief in an incarnation is tho natural outgrowth of the velicf in God. With a waurlite people who think of nothing but mus- cular developmeut, God is simply a great, strong man, who can alwaysearry the day th battle, and who, Waen he is uot angry with bis veoole, sees toit that they suceced when they go into battle. ‘Yhe civilized conception of God is as comp! cate civilization itself. Religion is a neces sary attribute of humanity. There must be a religion of some kind to every person. Some cluim to have none, but actually make their witrt of religion their religion. So fur as the world hus gone, the body of religious thought which was advanced by Jesus Christ is tne purest, tho holiest, the vest that fs known to numanity. {ts tendencies wre all good, It makes men better and nobler, It makes very little difference what form the religion takes, provided the conscience aud soul are left free to act, Special tenets and church. boundaries pre of smull-consequence. Some are better in one par- ticular and others in others. The very fact that it is possible to torm so many diferent sects frum the same body of doctrine demonstrates better thun anything elge can its fur-renching: nature and tue faet that very few minds are able to comprebend it in its entirery. ‘The in- terior spiritof any age is the spirit of God. and no Faith cin be livin chat has that spiric against it: no church can be strong except in that ali- ance. The life of the tine appoints the creed of the time and modifies the establisnment of tho time. Men are forgiven und have a chunge of heart when thes resulve ta do better and cur- ry that resolution into practice. Gartield bad Httle faith in holy men, and boly places, und holy things. ‘Those only are holy who act nobly and for the good of humanity. Christ placed the publicans and barlots. before those who were held under the old dispensunon to be holy, and this will bold wood in all ages “ Garfield was 1 great believer in humanity, He believed that there is a perfeet day toward which tne cniless vrocession 13 movi Tt imey be, like-the asymptote in mathematies, an wnitt- able approued, but tho tenden e ocHeved ins Ttwas this sublime nd that eave him a lurge pact of his power, and made him so all-embracing in his atfection tor his fellow-men. “Gurl believed in a Christ as a necessity of humanity. All forms and conditions of men have ever bad one of some kind or other, either a3 a faith in the future or a bell in the past: either us vreal being or an insubs theo- lugienl dogma. He ditfered doubt- jess, in bis Individual conception, but that he held to it tirmly can never be denied by those who knew hin * “There uever wasaman in the world,. per- | haps, who had “a stronger hatred of by pt . und nssmed sanctity than Gurtield. His sout rose above swall things in religion. He grasped erent weneralprincipies, and was able to see the good in everything better than any other man 1 have ever known. Isee that some sanctimoni- ous people ate somewhat mournful because be gaye no denth-bed utterances. [um greatly re- Joleed at this. Nothing would be wore thor- oughly: distasteful to him than that bis inst words should be hawked through all time asa sort of religious stock in trade. He died as he lived, a true man and here Gany. THE CHURCH IN GENERAL. The Czar is a regular churehgoer, and very fond of sucred music, He maintains two fine choirs at Peterhor. ‘ Itis estimated that'tne thirty-three mission- ary societies at work in Africa have secured upward of 39,000 converts. The Methodist Episcopal Board of Education received lust year $9,256, and“ nided abour 100 students who are preparing for the ministry. By a vote of the Baptist Deacons at Mendocia, Ind..a figure of: Venus which bad been em- braidered on a scteen by the pastor's -daughter. declared unfit to be sold at the church’ tnir. The Tennessee Diocesan Convention of tho Protestant Episcopal Uhureb reports thirty-four. clergy, thirty-two parishes, and 2558 communi- cunts. The confirmations dnring the year were The American Unitarian Association has taken steps to have a new commentaryon the Old and New ‘Testaments prepared. it bas also ap- pointed a missionary to labor among the Seandi- navians of the West. ‘The numberof Baptist associations In Ala- bama fs ifty-five, with 1435 churches and 7 OW) members. Resides these are the colored churebes, with 90,00 members, makiug a grand tolul of 166,000 Buptists in the State, ‘The Friends appear to be still slowly deere: ing. In sth the Philadelphia yearly meeting had 6,00 members; now It bas Ty 18i1 the New Hngland yearly meetin, ninety-tive ministers and 4403 members: now it his 13 min- isters and 4003 memb: ‘There bas been in ten yenrs, therefore, a gain of seventeen ministers, twelve elders, and 2 loss Of four inembers. The American delegates to the Ecumenical Methodist Conference have united in 2 call: for # centennial canference to be held In December, 1SS4, the centenary-of the orgunization of the Methouist Episcopal Church, to be composed of representtives of ull the Methodist branches in the United Stacess It is probable that the confer- ence will beheld in Baltimore, where in 17st the Metbodtst Episcopal Courct was organized. The excitement aver Confederite vorids ‘hus been turned to good account by. the stetbodist Coured'in Virgina, . Ata recent session of the Virginia Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South at Charlottesville, ue other « resolution was adopted “That. this vonference approves of the action of Hrotuer John Morton, of the City of Richmond (repre-. cutine Brother Jub. B. Morton, deceused, Mreasurer of the Inte Look and ‘Tract Society of the Virginia Annual Conference), in disposing of $21,499 i: Confederate bonds, the pruperty of suid society, and tender to hin: our. thanks for rendered our conference in this iransaction.” Provision was then mude for the investment of the proceeds, $149.80. _ The sale of seats for the next year of the Central Chnreh will begin tomorrow moraing at the vox-ottice of the Central Music-f{all, and for one week the opportunity will be altorded the present, pew-holders of securing the seuts they now uecupy for unother yeur. On Monday, Dec. 1%, and thereafter the snle will be open to the general public, an@ those who desire to obtain sittings should remember this date, as the steady dncrenge in the sale of seats each yeur, and the large congregations whieh crowd tie auditorium every Subbath are unfailing indications of the attachment of tue people to Prof. Swing, and their Interest in the work of the Central Coureb. Organized only six years ago upon the broad and Hberul basis which was its fundamental principle, the church now has $0 members, and hus constantly widened its sphere of inbor, Lav- ing Hourishing Sundty-schools in the North and West.sections of the city. ‘be proc the annual snle of seats are. amply sufficient to mevt alt expenses, and to lend support, without the aid of the contribution box, to numerous charitable institutions and other worthy objects of benevolence, PERSONAL. ~A sufficient sum of money bas been subscribed for Robertson Stalth to. make his salary larger than it Was when. be was in the Free Church College. ° A capitat hit by. the Dean of Chichester: “ Ye men of science, leave me my ancestors in Para- ise, and 1 do.not grudge you yoursin the Zodlegicat Garden. The youngest of the revivalists are Ben and Lotta Joyce, who exhort and sing with creat skill, und are meeting with wonderful suceesa in Southern Missouri. : ‘They are twins, aged 1. The Rev. William Dean, the veteran Baptist missionary among the Chinese in Sinan, bas had much suecess in’ his ‘Inbors, while the Rev: Samuel.-J. Smith, formerly of + Philadelpnia, breaches, without salary, to the only Baptist burch composed of Siamese members, which . Was appointed by England. . tory, 18.57, during 2 visit of the Rev. Howsrd Maleom, who thon predicted that “the ‘httle one will become u thous.nd,’ aud the day of small things aive place to periods of power, extension, and triumph." y Or jhe 116 ministers of the Presbyterian Church North, who afed Inst. year, two were over § years old. niuetcen were between 8) und .90, thirty-five were betweon 70 and 8, and fifty were under 7. The Rev. J. L, Benedict advertises that he is ‘an evangelist, succe S and Gospel tent wor open for en- gasements on terms within the reach of any church anxious for the salvation of souls.” Bishop Barclay, of Jerusalem. has pusseit away after n short term in the Episcopate. He The nomination of his sticcessor tills to the Emperor of Ger- many. which unites with Englund in supporting the Bishopric. Kishop Gobat, the predecessor of Bishop Burctay, was appointed by the : peror: : * phen Here is how the Rev. Samuel Seabury; D. D., father of the first American Episcopalian pre- late, wrote on winning a lottery: prize: The ticket 5,808, in the Lighthouse and Public Lor tery of New York, appointed’ by law of 1763, drew in my favor £400, for synich I now record to posterity my thanks, and praise to Almighty God. the Giver of all good gifts.” That two such different men as Dean Stantey and Sir William Heathcote shoulu each, in mak- ing bis will, ‘contemplate and ‘ovide for the possibility of changes o€ creed,” is regarded by the London Glote ag symptomutic: of the relig- ious restlesness of the times. “The Denn,” it says, “ looked to the contingency of Westminster Abbey falling into tue ‘huuds of the Courch of Rome ns_possidle, though not probable. Sir Wiam Heuthcote disinhertts in advance any tenant for life or tenant in tallof his estat who may become'n Jesuit or joln any other Romish order.” ~ HUMOR. When a boy wasasked, “Where was the text this tnorning?" he quickly replied, “*{t is some- where in Hatchet In Rutehets? No, it was in Acts.” “ Well, {knew it was something that would cut.” “Will you please insert this obituary notice?” asked an oll gentioman of a Binghamton edi= tor, “+ I make boid to ask it because the deceased bad a great inany triends:ubout here who'd be gind to hear of his dext! = “Why did Gad’ forbi dam and Eve toeat of the forbidden fruity” asked aun Austin Sun-. day-school teacher of bis class. ** For fear they might tall out of the trees und hurt themselves,” Seulled: Jimmie Fizzletop, who had bis urm in'a. silng, aA country paper in Illinois says amony its local items: * No word has yet been heard from Abraham Lever, who went olf two weeks ago with bis wife's red-headed hired girl. Until bis return his Subbath-sehool class will be in charge of the Rev. Mr. Perkins.” ecord to America tho subjects into wgria 5 “A cute Yankee nd- iser has been utilizing the wills of cemeteries. by adorning them with the following legend in siguniie letters: * Use Jones’ butted ale if you would keep out of here.’ The pastor of the Congregational Church at Stratford, Conn., used the cevised New Testa- inedt. ‘The onicers sent bim u written order to return to the King James version.‘ The iznor- ance thus shown by 2 peuple to whoze enlight- enment I have devoted myself,” says tho minis- ter, diszusts me that Twill-no longer rend Scripture for their venefit. I have re- signed.” . They teach exaited theology up among the Green Mountains. A Vermont clerzyinan makes the future of good Christians clear by saying: “After crossing the mystic river we shail 0 on from the mun to* the anel. trom the angel to the archangel, from the archangel to the celes- tal, trom the celestial to the divine, and ‘then, gathering the stars in clusters about our beads, drenm out the endiess dream of eternity.” While the congregation in a Welsh vi recently assembling for Divine huge doz bauwad: through the bailding and Took possession of the puloit, obstinately re ing the efforts of the minister and several mem- be of the conrregation to distodre bin. Ia the end the minister hud te content himself with the rending-desk, leaving the dog in undisturbed poss on got the rostrum, in which be quictly remained waile the service lsted. One of the ludicrous incidents of the Congre~ sattonal jubilee which was beld reeently at Man- ebester, Bugtund, was the perplexity of the com- mittee having charge of the collection of hynus when the jubilee .bymn of Charles Wesley was proposed. It ‘bewins with the familiar” Hn “The yerr of jubilee bas come,” and wou! have been especially appropriate for the occu sion had not the untortunate line been found, “Return, ye ransomed sinuers, home.” Tt w: thought thet-tho Americun delegates might re- gard this reticction as uncalled for, and the hymn, was given up. ‘The joke was too good to keep, and when the omission. wus explained at the closing ceremony by Mr. Milne in his reply to the resolution of thanks to the people of Man- chester his words were “received with roars of laughter,” Seis CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK. EPISCOPAL, Dec. 4—Second Sunday in Advent. Dee. $—Fast. CATMOLIC. Second Sunday in Advent. B.C. D. (from Dee. Dee. 5—St. Peter Chrysolowtr Dec. 4} yous, ALD. Dee. 6—St B.C. Dee. +—St. Ambrose, B.C. D. Dee. 8Immaculate Conception of tho B. Ve.M. Dec. 9—OF the Octave of tae Immaculate Con- ception: Fast. 5 Dee, 10—UF the Octave; St. Meichiades, P. Me. A BETTER BANKRUPT LAW. New York Trade Organizations Recom- miending the Lowell BIit as a Basis, New York Sun, Nov. 3, A meeting was held in the Fifth Avenue IHotel lastevening of the “Committee on Bankruptcy Legistation” of the New York Board of Trade and ‘Transportation, with delegates from various other orzunizations, to take steps to urge uvon Congress the enactment of a uniform Nationul bankrnptlaw. The Hardware Board of ‘Trade, the Produce Exchange, the Mercnants* Club, the Stationers’ Boars of Trade, the Mereuutile Job- bers’ Association, tho Mechanies’ ana | ‘Traders’ chunge, the Jewelers’ Association, tha New York Petroleum Exebaoge, und the Cigar Manufacturers’ egal Protective _ Asso- chution ‘were — represented. The meeting was called to order’ by A.B. Miller. Gardner R. Colby, of the Merchants” Club,. was elected Cuairinin, and Mr. Patrick Furrelly, Manager of the Ameri News Associution, Secretary. M. Walter H. Lewis, Franidin Rdson were appointed a Commi Ind reported the following: the Judgment of this convention the best interests of ntl cinssesof the business com- munity nctment of of sucha iy elict t honest debtors, to place all creditors, wherever located, upon an eyuul footing, to ¢s- tablish uniformity of administration thropgh- out the countrs, und to securethe promptand equitable distribution of the nssets of insolv estate,s witnaut preferences, at the least p bie expense, That such Jaw should in- cludea judiciouz system of comosiption where- by settlements may be eifected in prover cases upon such terms as muy be satisfactory to 8 sullicient majority of creditors, without the de- lay and expense incidental to full bantrupte: Proceedings, aud that we do respectfully urge upon Congress the necessity for immediate uc- tion thereon.’ a\nother resolution said .that a bill based on 8 Plan sititae tothe Lowell bilt would. forma proper basis for tho best practical construction of. suitable law, and u third expressed the con- viction: 2 . “hat any system which. compels tho settle: iment of bankrupt or insolvent estutes in courts of equity or chancery, necording to their estub- lished procedure, would ‘involve undue delay. contusion, and expense, und would utterly fli to prove either uuiform, equitable, or satisfae- or perinanent in its operations.” . Mr: Young warned the gentlemen present not to vote for the-udoption of the resolutions through were complaisance ‘and without a full understandlng of them, Mr. M.S. Wise urved that by these resolutions this convention did not adopt, ar: even indorse, the Lowell bill, but simply recommended it a3 a basis of action, and the best, he thought, which had thus fur been offered. 2 Yhe resviutions were thon adopted seriitim. An Executive commitice will be formed to see that che views of the@onvention are properly represented toCongress. In the course of cun- verantion it was remurked thafa man was yo- ing about getting sljners to a petition, to which he claimed to have alrendy. ontained 250,00) names, against the proposed bill, and that this antagonistic movement was the workof “ Mr. Gould.” a Who Is She? and Who Are You? ‘The third volume of Dickens’ letters just pub- shed contains some “deligatfat ~ things, amonz others this story of Rogers, the poet, when be had grown old and almost imbecile. nud waich Dickens thus sketches olf for Wasbington Irving: “ You know, | dure say, that fora year orso before his death he wandered, and lust himself Hike one of the Children in the Wood, wrown up there and grown down asuin. He bad -2irs. Proctor und . Mrs. | Cui jyle to breakfast with him. one morniag —only — thoge. two, - Both — excessively talkative, very quick and clever, and bent on entertaining bim. When Mrs. Carlyle had tasted and sbone betore him: for about three-quarters of an hour’ on one subject, he turned nis poor old eyes ‘on Mrs. Proctor, and, pointing to the brilliant discourser with bis "poor old fager, said (indignantly): “Who is she?” Upon this. Mrs. Proctor, cutting in, delivered (it is ber own story) & neut oration on tne life and writings of Carlvie. and enlightened him in her ‘buppiest und-siriest manner; ail of which he heard, star-’ ing in the dreariest silence, and then said (in- dignaatly a3 before): “And who are you?” fp ioegene Binsin tes - MAR CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, DECEMBER ‘4; 1881I—TWENTY PAGES. = Mr. Barrett Will Produce a Nev ‘Play at McVicker’s, And Mr, Gunter Will Do the Same Thing at the Grand. A Great Comedian Returns to Us After Ten Years’ Absence. Notes, News, and -Announcements About Theatrical Matters. MVICRER'S THEATRE. 2 During the past week Mr. Lawrence Barrétt has been dolag a ood business, and hus been seen in several of bis best characters. Of all the parts he hus assumed we are inclined to @ the tirst place to his rendition of Yorick in “Yorick’s Love." It seems to be a rile for which he is naturally well qualified, and to which study and experiunee nave given satis- fnetory development. Mr. Barrett Is thoroughly conscientious in that he sceks always to do the very best of which be is cupable. His perform- ances are scholarly and polished. Yet they seem _to us Incking in case and finish. The actor is too plainly visible even under the roves of the grent Curdinil and in the sable gurb of Den- mark's melancholy Prince. He-bis given us “Yorick’s Love,” “Richelieu,” “Ham- Jet," “Lady of Lyons.” “Merchant of Venice,” ’ David> Garrick,” and“ Rich- ard HL" Tomorrow night. he » appears ina new play. for which elaborate preparations have been mide, and whieh, if successful, will run the bialueee of the week. It is often urged against Chicizo by the citizens of the seaboard that she originates nothifig great in literature or the a Ar. Young, the author of Mr. Bur- rett’s new tragedy, * Pendragon,” was formeriy # Chicago journalist. This city cun therefore cliim to be the birthplace of one ambitious effort at least. - Other events of 2 nature some- whut-similar have indeed occured in this city heretofore, but, a3 a rule, only by way of prep- aration for.iaore elaborate peoduction else- where. [n this case we are to be treated ton genuine “ first. night.” The scenery and appoint- ments will be new throughout, and, if rumor speaks true, costly and superb. Tho result promises to be x finished performance pre- sented for the judgment of the “public. ‘The presentation of a work of art, upon which neither time nor money bave been spared, 13 an eventof punlic interest, and it is to be hoped that “Pendragun” may prove a success that may stimulate creative etfort. The play isa dramatization of the old lezends of the Round Table, made famous by Tenny- son's “Idyis of tho King.” Lut its story differs materially from that related by Tennyson, which, thongh sublimely poetic, is in no sense of the word dramatic. In “Péndragon,” though the form is verse, the poctry is subordinate to the action, and the element of the supernatural is entirely dispensed with. Arthur, Guinevere, Launcelot, and Modred are simply human, and the play rests on the primal passion of man— love, jealousy, and ambition. Wiseacres bave repeated over and over again; that the day of the legitimute hus forever gune by, But it isa fact seldom noted that with a few exceptions nothing uew in this line bus been tried fora generation, and the old stundurd works have rarely had the powerful nid of modern stage re- sources. ‘Let a good play be written, modern in construction and atfording opportunities for seenic display; then utilize those opportunities —present it in appropriate style, and through the medium of competent actors~—and must it needs fil simply because It iscouched ia poetic phrase and thrills with heroic passion? 1f ndragon” is correctly reported by those who bave inspected it, its fate will go far toward answeriug this question; and for this reason, if for.no other, it is entitled to, and will. doubtless receive, a fir hearing. The enst will be as fol- lows: Arthur Pendragon, Kiny of Brituta. Jamneelot uf the Lace. wrence Barrett . Lunis James x Frederic Bock he King's Good’ Wateh-. C. Mosley tis Skinner 3. W.'Phompson Chas: Kole C. Plunkett Knights of ‘The ‘apie Round. a3 Addhe Munkett Mr, Barrett appt je Wednesday inat- ince as Hamlet, and at the Saturday matinée as Richelieu, GRAND OPERA-IOUSE. The Barlow, Wilson, Primrose, ‘and West min- Strel company bave packed the auditorium of Mr. Humlin’s Theatre every night during the past week. The audiences have, in fuct, been limited only by the size of the house. The next novelty to be produced at this house will be-a melo- drama in three acts and a prolog by A.C. Gunter Esq. author of “Two Nights in Rome,” * Fresh,” and other plays. ‘The title of this “new play is “The Journalist’: or, 3 it was originally called, “A Reporter.” Lt was producedtin California, but has been entirely rewrittex. The Gardner “Legion of Honor” combination has been in tke city rehearsing tho play during the past week. The cast of this play, which is given in Chicago for the first ume tonight, will be: ‘thomas Benham. ,ewis Morrison Chancellor terbi rrest Robinson Padi James Barrows weal, B, Seborts “James E. Brown Afenry Wood Geore Levenport --thury Thornton Henry Walters ne La Font iferpert. fat O'srien AL St. Chale eo. Annic Grisham weiceeeeLouise Dillon ~. Ella Wren lary Radeliir *Bugents Biate Mary Delaney Augustus Vanderpuol.. flenrt Laurent, Irene lierber Mra. St. intr Mirtweii: Deborah Hunt. Sally Wilson, Annette... HOOLEY’s THEATRE. “The Gulley Slave” has been only falrly suc- cessful at this house during the past.week. Nor was there any especial reason why it should have drawn large undiences. Bezinning to- morrow nfght, however, Mr. Hooley utfers bis patrons an attraction which should cruwd bis thoxtre nightly and utford the maximum of en- joyment to every visitor. Mr- John 3. Clarke is usterling comedian, ranking with Jefferson and Warren, and in such parts ais he presents is shnost unrivaled. It is many yenrs since this sterling uctor has been secon in this city, bur those of us who remember what he wasthen will hail with unfeisned plensure his retura, As a comedian be is a great actor and x very suc cessful one. His opening piece is called “The Militht Major,” but it is realty our old friend, “The Widow Hunt,” with unother act added, and inwhich Mr. Clarke will. appear a3 Maj. Weltiny- ton De Boots. Ten years uxo Tue Cricaao. © had this tosay about this performance: tility of resources und ghickaras of ima! ton in pleturing the Mujer are simply wonders fs su Tull of detall, sv se in the copy of every idlo- spnerasy and movement, that he makes no ooints 48 other actors du, whe keep your attention” fora mo- ment and then suvsile, leary you to wait for the next point. ‘rhe persunauon ts harmonious, aud you cannot keep suur eyes off the main bure while be Is on the stage.” Mr. Clarke is nlways ots, woether: ina to TNZ passion vr retiriud, ike, from tuat: “superior creature.” whether walking oF talking. whether dy avout the staze or standing stitt. He isnot Mr, until the curtzin falls on the last nee ‘The ni ¢ Qualiiicuiion of the actor, the merzmyg of individuality, be possesses in the highest degree, “The Militin Major” be givea on Monday and ‘Tuesday nights and at the Suturda: inée: Weduesilay und Thursday nights Se. will uike the part of Dr. Pangluss in“ Hei “Law,” and Looudles in “Tondies"; Friday and Saturday nights -he will appear in ““Elopement in High uife” and in 1 Pry."* - at: ABOUT TOWN. ‘ John T. Raymond will appear at MeVicker's next week in * Fresh, the Aiericai.” - Joun A. Stevens in“ The Unknown” will fol- low Mr. Clarke at Hovley’s next week. Funny Wood will take the title role In“ Fan- chon” at the National Theutre this week. ‘The Pathtinder in “Scraps” wit! amuse the Putrons of the Olympic for. the next. seven nights. ae ‘ “Escaped from Sing Sing” will be the piny at’ the Criterion this week. In'the olio will appear Wolf and Ryun, “Alice Gilmore, J.D, Kelly. Wade-and Lactede. The Stoddant lectures are to be resumed at Central Musie“Hall early in Jununry. Mr. Stod- durd will give Dew Series, wnich he is now de- Miss Mathilde Cottrelly, the renawned Gorn man souoret, will make her début this eventug at MeVieker's with Collier & {seustein's Ger- man comedy company in Leon 'Treptow singing farce, ** Menseh. “Unser Licbilug’’ (D ed, or Ove Darting). As Miss Cottretty stands ut the head of German singing soudrets in this country, and Aus many warm itdinirors ia this city, her reap. pearunce bere this evening will no doubt te grected by n Cuil house. “A Fool's Errand”’ bas not proved a sucecss, during the past week. It bus been badly easis and hus not-in itselt sufficient merits to outweigh the trash with which it is inenmbered. There is material for a strong play. and there are many strong dramatic situations in tho present version. We believe tiat Mr. Muckaye cag make n good deal better ucting play if be will take his present draima and cut and alter it with- Out regard to the bouk fram which itis taken, or to the political condition of things which, in its present form, It is coystructed to elucidate, stage, and not one to be comméenéed. WILLIAM STAFFORD, To the Editor of The Chicayw Tridune, Ciicaco, Dec. 3—In the dramatic notes of your issue of Nov. 30 [tind the following: William Stafford, said to be the son of a well-known, Board of Trade man here, has been starring through Mssourt in “Snowball.” suppurted by Kosa Hanae ile will shortly reorganize bia con e, only bn the legitimate. edie ene ted ‘This brings to my mind an interview had with Mr. Stafford during his engayement at the Windsor Theatre in New York last summer. My attention hud been drawn to Mr. Statford by avery interesting notice in Nym Crinkle on hia tirst appearance beture u nietropolitun audience. {witnessed hfs performance of Claude: Melnutte, and was so well entertained that I wunted to see more ‘of him. [ saw his representations of Shylock and Romeo, and became sulticientiy in- terested in bim and bis Work to seek an inter view with the young actor who was said to claius Chicaxo xs bis home. I called on. Mr. Stafford at the Irving House, aud found bina Joung gen- denna of flue address and manners, exceeding- ly modest in his bearing, with a prepossessing, hizbly-intellectual face, clearly denoting the careful student. I then learned through “Mr. Statford that he ts the soa of Mr FL PL Schnaitt, formerly of Louisville, Ky., but now a promincut commission merchant of this city. With the advantage of, 2 colleziute education. {Mr. Statford made his first appearance “ou any stage xt the Buston Theatre in Octaber, 1808, up- peurlng us Shyluck. Duriug the fottowing spring he made a short tour through the West, uppeitr- tug in Shukspearcun characters. He became @ member of the Bower-‘Chompson combination. and at the cluse of bis enzayemont sailed foi Europe, where be devoted himself to study and observution of the best urtists af Englund and the Continent. On his return home this sum- mer be udupted his mother’s maiden name, Stafford, and played a very successful’ four weeks’ cngagement at tne Windsor Theatre, New York. Since that time I had fost. sight: of him until L-read your notice of last Thursday. Without attemptlog or presuming to criticise Mr. Stutford’s work On the stage, [believe thar he deserves the best wishes of un _art-loving public, und [ bope that a Chicago audicnee muy have an opportunity sooner or later, of judging his merit. HL GENERAL NOTES. Fanny Davenport was born in London, Jaw. 1, 1950. Madame Theo, the French opera bouffe singer, Is the wife of a tailor. ° Frank Mayo’s loss on his season of the legitl« mate is said to ve $5,000 thus far. Barney Macauley will shortly proauce a new play called “ Mayberry’s Daughter.” Mr. Walluck says thut the cost of his theatre when completed will be wbout $200,000. Gus Phillips (“Oofty Coote”) is acting’ as ad- vance ugent for the “Twetve Jolly Bachelors,” Mr. John McUullough’s engagement at. tha Boston Theatre begins on Jan. 9 und continues two weeks. Boucicautt is unfortunate. The sorrows of the dying heroine tu“ Mimi” were faughed at by the audience. Thé Mary. Anderson company Is to be strength» ened for the New York engagement. Strenth was what it most needed. Parker Wulters, dramatic critic of the Pitts- burg Post, is writing a play for Marie Wain- wright and Louis Jawes. Kate Bateman, the famous Leah and Mary Warner of other days, ts starring in the English provinces in a play called “ His Wife.” ‘The new Grana Opera-tlouse, Burlington, Ia, — will be dedicated Dec. 27, the: opening attrace von being * Fatinitza," by the Boston Ideals. Dr. Lynn decapitates and dismembers living people ata New York mnseum and the-doctors don't understand it. Not a drop, of blood is shed. \ Mr. Frank C. Bangs has been engaged by Mr. Haverly for two years, and will appeur at tha dastans California Theatre in “Michael Stro- gol. Four companies which have been playing “ Hazel Kirke” throughout the country without feave, have been permanently enjoined by the Madison Square Theatre management. Mr. Frank Cleménts, now with Miss Ward, will, probably, join Modjeska next season, traverse the United Stutes with her, and accompany her to Australia ag stage “manager und leading actor. ; = Watlack will open bis thoatre with “The Sehoul for Scandal.” and then announces the production of *'The Spider's Web," with Miss Jogblin in the priacipsl role. What does Gene+ vieve Ward propose to do about it? Eng , Mr. Harry Mereilith, who was especially en- gayed to play Maleollo, in “Twelfth Night,” vith Kobson and Crane, this season, will next year star In a new play called “The MeCleliands; or, Ranoh No. 10,” a draina of Western life. : Willinm Elton of Wullack’s Theatre company refused to act at Newark the other night until the manager had explained to the audince thut it was all.& mistake that Elton’s name did not appear on the program next to Jobu Gilbert's. ‘The “Forest ome," at Holmesburg, near Philudeiphia, now. bas five inmates—three gen- tlemen and two ladies. The gentlemen are: G. G. Spear, J. W.‘Thoman, and Werr Kline, and the ladies are Mrs. Burrows and Mrs. Le Fureat. Tke ho author of “A Messenger from Jarvis Section,” ete., and are forming a company to perform it’ through 2 prolonged tour, beginoing in the principal New England cities. Careful observation has convinced us thut ic ig ouly those ladies who have. passed their 20th. birthday who wear broad-brimmed -hat3 nt tho theatre. The number of elderly ladies who at- tend operas ang other entertainments is greatly ou the inerense. and “you van always distinguish: them by their big hate.”—Bochester Express. It is intimated that George MacDonald is again negotiting for the production in America of his dramatic version of * Piizeim’s Progress,” the Tending. characters to be persunated by himself | und the members of his family. If something: At present unforeseen does not mar bis plans, Dr. MacDoaaid wiil be io this couatey in 1832-8 a IF UNTO ME. se For The Ghicuay Tribune. Tfunto me some hope were los! Where [had nuraet and blest its light— If from mine eyes some vision past Ere [nad known the sense of sight— Would att this weariness dwell here Within iny beart’s unbounded space— This vugue. expectant, shadowy rear, This haunting of 4 spectral face? If [had ever loved and bigest, Tn that bright dren bad pitched wy teat Close by the margin of a stream Whose every ripple signing sent ‘The echo of Love's wooing tones, Blent with « thousand melodie: Thro’ ev'ry chamber of my heart. Suy, could f tive content with these? because to me there came Atnockery of the dreuin exiled Love: O vision bora of Hope, it brouit ju Sweut fruition: but ir theove Oa steepless nizhts and stitied sty Drained tno decp well-sprmya of wy benrt, And left its frted lowers to die. ing of the tirnlsned links That bind ine to it loveless. rates And siniles and laueater come and zo Like santight o'er our Ureastired dead, Yet cannot fizht the depths below, Or raise the lowly sleeping bead: “O Grief beyoud ull grict ” when Fate Cones masked 213 Love—wht pleading c7es Bue “eave the fone heart desolate,” Witt not one tope beneath the skies; ‘mid tbe holy meraorles ant cline around the ruined shriag, Tra tears, its sighs, Hs broken trast, I weave this simple gong of mine. % Sana A. Caraz. 2 ——— . Gen. Garfieli’s Portrait tor Queen Vice’ F sorts. ‘ The piéture of Gen. field for Queen Vic torts fs sad to Lave been forwarded tnrouzh the State Department on Monday of ast), weeks TE; is of cabinet size, nu scribed n3_bearms 264 striging resemblince to te Inte Predident.: ey eyes purticuluriy being life-like and expresciver ‘The puatozrapd was eneluaed. in’ un enver pas P bordered..with mourning, addressed to Gaeettes Victoria, and having the name cf Sirs. Garfield)" written on the lower corner. In was incaset 12%... box ined with dark bhic § : Was ugain incased jaa muhyzany The * Bloody Shirt "'drasha is a novelty on the | |