Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, February 8, 1891, Page 11

THE LOUNGER IN THE LOBBY, "Tho Rival® and “The Heir-at-Law’’ at | the Grand, \ DY TRACTIONS FOR THE CURRENT WEEK. A Huge Joke on Charles Hoyt While Doing the West—A Student's Recital—Musical and Dramatic, When T looked over the brilliant smuled at the € honor to tho veteran Flovence, 1 could not help but wonder if Fere was anyone in that representative nssemblag the wealth and Omahn, efferson’s initial Pangloss in Law'" which in New audien t to d actors Joffs Colman guenrrec Yorkin Augus A good long In former favorit Clarke » ago that! duys the piece and the names of William Warren, Job and others equally famous, occur in history of the play,” but of lato years it hus uot. been scen For that matter mich comedies remaim on the ds. Possibly be- cause the people have outgrown them’ and then again there are so few 4ctors now enjoy- joy tog the smiles of the public who have the ability to dominate the roles which were successes a generation ago, made so by the ity of the men who havesince quietly pped from the bough. play itsell affords a fair sample of the aaitations and artiticialitios of the comedy of & bundred years ago, Designed to satirize the e education among the rich the play presents n broad surface for the ~work of the actor and the part of Dr. Panglos L.L.D., AS.S. Oxon, can be done much less daintily than Jefferson does it and with much less refined effect without doing violence to any apparent intention of tneauthor, It is fortunate that, Jefferson’s conception of the part contines itself within the limits of ser ous study, for how easily could it bo made a burlesquie or broad farcé, just as the humor of theactor might sugeest. * The partitself is one little in sy mpathy with modern times and unless invested wiih something more of human interest than 1ts author perbaps in- tended, would appeal but feebly to our fee inws toda, Weare almost too far removed from tt times of which it treats to fully apprecia the satire as a satire only and it needs som: thing to awaken our sympathy in order th the tupe tion may hold our attention, And this is exactly the quality that Jeffer- son throws about the persouality of Dr. Pangloss, He makes him a real man actu- ated with real impulses within the narrow line of his training. It requires no great stretch of the imagination to picture the actual mental coudition of the worthy pro- fessor, stunned into helplessness by the co lossal ignorance of his noble patron, und his with Daniel Dowlis bring him to a dge of the true position which he holds towara his employers Of course Pangloss is a ve kand very flexible ereature, but one cantiot help but feel that if he lived today his rewards would have been ampler, his position one of much greater dignity. Itis intheso points that Jefferson’s con- coption of the part approaches greatuess. 1tis to this spring, high upin the moun- tains that we must go for that consurmmate art of which this great comedian is maste In all the details of Jeflerson's worl, whether shown in Rip, in Mr. Golightly, in Bob Acres or in Dr. Pangloss, we recogiize the master hand that has lost nothing of its minings, though its owner may he Standing with reluctant foot Where the brook and river Florence has a throughly congenial part in Zekial Homespun ; nothing half so gooa has been done in the line of character work in the past decade, Until Isaw him asthe farmer Billy Florence was o great few of the good old sting system of 1 thought Cap'n Cuttle the most de- lightful impersonation I had ever scen; now 1 don't know which I like pest. There was no sophistication or obtrusion of the individual in Florence's Homespun. Ho was actuilly. the honest yeoman him- self, There was a heartiness in the personation, a naivete 5o unconscious of the actor, 5o d titute of the sct device, so_clearly and un- Tuistakably played out of the hoart, that one could not help but wonder where the actor was who could take up the mantio of Flor- ence when he lays ittenderly down at the signal of Old Age. Mr . Bangs, another of the old timers, played Tord Dauberly, and played it very well. Sowell, indeed, 'that one _could not help but congratulate one’s self in being present to witness his suceess, Frederick Paulding, who is to become a star next year, bit of acting as Dick Dowlas, while Viola Allen invested the part of Cicely with interest. Mme. Ponisi who played Lady Dauberty, Is to New Yorkers what M. Drew s to Philadelphians, the most d lightful old lady in' the world. Her preseice in a bill is. sure of bringing out a housefull of friends, who applau! her en- + trance with even more favor than they do the sta Her performance was delighifully pleasing and it was a real treat to see her in so thor- oughly a congenial part. The rest of the cast were quite in keeping with this rare copartnership of art, Yesterday afternoon the Grand h 1d ano- table andience, assembled to witness the pro- duction of *“The Rivals,” by the Jefferson- Florence company, The company is much the sameas it was last year, and the performance as highly en- joyable as that of a year ago. Mr. Joferson was an inimitable Bob Acres, not only representing the Bob of Richard Sheridan's cabinet, but the world he lived in, Asa critio once sald: *There is lavender i his clothes, canary on his lips and ehivalry in his boots, though all imaginary." Mr. Florence's ~portraiture of Sir Lucius O'Iriger grows more mellow and more unctuous with the years, Thero Is uo question that Mr. Florenc fully illustrates the spirit of Sir Lucius, as 1t fluttered in the mind of Sheridan. What more need be said! Ot Mra. Drows highly seasonod Mrs, Malaprop nothing better can bo said than what has been said by the oritics of this country. 1018 s0 great a portraiture that one cannot Delp but marvel av the versatility of this, the youngest old woman on the stage. Mr. Bangs played Sir Anthony in a very refiued manuer, probably he is riot so humor- ous s his predecessor in_tho role, Mr, Var- rey, but still he makes it & much more de- lightful character study. The Lydia of Miss Allon could have been more languid aud yet not in the least have de- tracted from ber piquant loveliness, Mr. Paulding plays Captain Absolute re- markably weil and emphasizes his claim to belng one of the very best young actors now on the stage, One can haraly believe it, but Mrs. Drew and Mr. Florenco played together in a stock company at Providence forty years ago. Yes and M. Drew played in “lhe Heir at Law” with Joe Jefferson’s grandtathor. This grandfather of the present comedinn, another Joseph Jefferson, from whow tho present takes his name, was born in 1774 and died in 1832, Ho was & nativeof Plymouth, Englana, and came to America in 1705, Mrs. Drew was also born in Kngland Janu ary 10, 18IS, She was therefore seventy- three years old last month, Asa cnild oc- tress sho was known as Louisa Lane. Sho camo to this country when a mere baby with her mother Mrs. Kinlock, who, up till her death which occurred in Philadélphia three years go, was & great first nighter and Dever missed an opportuuity of sceing her | duughter on the stge. After o tour as a juvenile star Louisa Lane jolued the bowery theater and next came t and married’ Honry Hunt. After ho sho becume Mrs. Géorge Massop. Her ud husbaud was a fine singer and clever comedian who died suddenly and a year later his widow married comedian John Drew, The latter is also dead, Drew’s theater in Philadelphia baving been owned and man- aged by him previous to bis demise, His widow now owns aud manages the property. Mr. Florence was bora in July, 1831, and r, Jefforson in 152, Tae LovNokm. Bronson Howard's beautiful and popular play, **Shenandoah,” which closes a success- ul engagement at the Boyd this (Sunday) eveuing, Is founded on certain wcidents of thelate war, principal among which is the fashion of | | Mortimer | “Larki | eral ve John Sleeper | Brougham | the | famous ride of General Phil Sh Winchester, “twenty miles away sceno depieting “Fighting Phil,” as he rode 1 the line “amid a storm of huzza entost features of the perform But it is not the grim glimpses of war are glven in it that have popularize andoah,” Tt is the sweet human na- the tender heart touches, the appealing of a sclaierly love-making that is intro- d at proper points » woolng of Gier trude m by Colonel Kerchival West goes dir very woman's heart, and the lette just before the retreat of the union forces from Winchester is a full rev clation of the covness and clevern f the sex under the circumstances There is abunda hamor in it, too, and it possesses all the qualitics of a ‘successful and great play. At the t o nd opera house this evening extract of jollity and fun, in the form of the brilliant musica ¥ will be given full ss ful engi sof that city suid: * ‘Lark- farce comedy present- t the Warder Grand last night, is a good better than its .unpromising pictol uting would indicate, 1t has the c sential of farce comedy success —clove ple. They are all clever, and_there are se y successful merrymakers. The pro- “tors of this enterprise, both as to its writ- ing and its manseement, had nothing in mina but aspecialty dish for the present popular , and in *that object they secm to hay eded, ns most of the features were en- st night and some of them se times, Two ‘Lavking' husbands, one with u trusting wife and one with an exacting betterhalf, a mischeyious servant girl aud her buteher lover, and two pol men *he principal characters in this gallopade. The play is introduced with a topical song by Miss Dollic Foster, entitled, “I Wouldn't Have You Know ' for the World.” It is new here, but itis remin- iscent. It made a very exceptional hit, con- sidering that it was the first featurc pre- sented. But Miss Foster, who is c remindful of Kute Castloton, isa p pleasing soubrette and unmistakabiy th of the company. She has a good voi has also Miss Lida_Wells, who play trusting wife. Miss Nellio Asherton’ is an [y handsome woman and drosses Mr, H. J. Mortimer does some very acceptable w Mr. James MeAlpin makes L hit with pugilistic tendencies.” Reserved 5 cents, will go on sale at The engagement of Maggie Mitchell, who has long been one of the prime favorites of Omaha’s theater-going publie, opens tomor- row cvening at the Boyd bill _bei “Fanchon,” Tuesday she will pl and on_Wednesday evening I in which she has emphasized her former suc- cosses. or years Maggie Mitchell has been Amer- ica’s leading soubrette in the widest meaning of that much abused word. Her creations are all life-like and, in their way, just as dis- tinet s thoselof Jeffersonand Florence. They re full of vivacity and innocence and they depict. with equal vividness the humorous and pathetic, Miss Mitchell is a great lover of animals, especially horses and dogs, and at her sum- mer home at Eiberon, N.'J., she has an ex- tensive stable, in which eight horses, well cared for and finely groomed, await hor or- ders, Attived in a close fitting habit, she is up and across the country long before the restof the houschold, and itis by taking so much exercise in the open air that she gets a complexion that is the admiration of all who know her, while it gives her rugged heulth and an unus strong constitution, Cora_Tanner who comes to Boyd's opera house Thursday, Friday and Saturday next, week at the Columbis ter, Chicago. i tendered Miss Tanner, as she stepped upon the stage, was one of a naturenever to be for- gotten. It was in Chicago that Miss Tanner, as a girl of fourteen, made her first appear- ance as an actress, There were manv warm onds in_ the audience who had ched pride and_ pleas dually brightening star of this brave Chicago girl. Miss Tanner commenced her theatrical edu- cation 1n the days of the stock, with that su- perb disciplinarian, J. H, McVicker of Chi- cago. It wasunder bis tuition she had the opportunity of studying with such mistresses of the dramatic art as Cushman, Adelmde Neilson, Lucille Western and others, Her close attention and devotion to the simple duties of the beginner, attracted the atten- tion of the great Cushman, who on one oc- casion called Miss Tauner to her side and spoke thus encouragely to the young girl: Child,” asked Miss Cushman, **do vou wish to become an actress?”? “Oh! of all things,” replied Cora. “I see you are attentive,” said the great tragedienne, after a caveful sur- vey of the girl, *I believe you have talent, study and try to forget you are pretty." Manager Lawler of the Eden Musee again this week presonts a fine list of specialty, vaudeville and variety uttractions, together with o number ef freaks, curiosities and oddities. Captain Baldwin, the armiess painter, can well be termed the armless Bougucreau, so_well does he execute his pamtings with his pedal extremeties, He was born without arms and has educated himself to dispense with those useful mem- bers. The Nebraska triplets will be put on this week. These wonderful little_children were born in Howard county, Nebraska, seven months ago, and are healihy, fat and cunning, Their father is a noted Grand Army man, well known throughout the staid. The children will delight the many mothers who may visit them In the two theatres o special programme ha been a and a number of first class d. The Korten sisters in iptive song, “Tne Lone Grave," are quite a novelty, Paul La Drew, the wor- derful fomale impersonator and burlesquer, is a fun maker of the first water, The An' on brothers are singers of national repu- tation, especially Master Perry, who, it is as- serted, can sing threo notés higher than Madame Patti, The New York circus opens a_month's en- gagement at the Coliseum next Tuesday evening. There are twenty people in tho company, many of them having been con- nected with Barmum's and Forepaugh's shows: Winter circuses are a_great featuro in castern cities, and it is to be hoped they will prove as attractive in the west. The company fs_an unusually good one, aud will no nlloum prove a great attraction during Lent. - THE SPOILS OF OFFICE. Democratic Clerks are Getting the Henefit of Them. “There will be a new man coming to take your place, tomorrow,” was the wordiag of several notes that were lefton the desks of republican clerks Friday, The slaughter commenced in the ofice of Plumbing ITnspector Denms several days ago, when Chris Boyer and Henry Dunue, two of his inspectovs wore let out'und their places filled by democrats. Friday evening Ed Taylor, who served as an inspector under Duncan and one year under Dennis, was told that he need not report for (duty yesterday or any other day, and yesterday morning a deinocrat was in bis place. The war was carried into the city clerk's oftice and Ed Cone, the journal clerk of the past three years, removed to make room for Charles Mattheisen. Harry Counsman, late deputy eity clork, was also told tostop work on the tax list, a job hewas placed at by City Clerk Groves, This raised quite a row, as Groves promised Counsman work until the taxroll was completed. ~The work has been aid out and fairly started by Counsman, and his democratic successor will have an '‘easy time of1t. Hoth Counsman and Cone blame Groves for their removal and claim that there Was 1o cause for it at all. In_Dennis' oftice, Phil Smith, who was Chaffee's opponent in the councilmanic fight in the Seventh ward, has sueceeded Boyer and A, Murphy of the Second ward has taken Taylor's place. No one has been put on the tax listin Counsman’s place, “MeDonald, the new police court clerk, is a republican,” said one of the removed clerks yesterday,” “and Groves still has one re- Publican working for hun aud 1 suppose they will soon join us.” el No. 11 of the Switch- men’s Mutual Aid association of North America will give its fifth annual ball at Exposition hall on Monday evening. The switchmen are the happiest lot of all the labor organizations, and their entertainments are always enjoyable aflairs, s Mr. Ovide Musin, the celebrated violinist, has been created officer of the order of Nisham Tftickar, by the bey of Tunis, Omaha lodge FAST IN THE WILDERNESS. Its Annual Oommemoration Will Bs Ice augurated the Present Week, LENT AS OBSERVED BY VARIOUS CHURCHES, The Methodist Hospital Project and the Genceral Conference—Work for the Mission—News of Local Church The forty days season of fasting and prayer known as the “Lenten Season,” be- gins this year on February 11, which is next Wednesd This event was originally a time when Christians abstained from eating anything but the plainest of food and gave up to a great degree all secular and social pieas- ures and oceupations, The time was called “Lent," it s sa lengthen and because the ancient Greeks lived through that season principa'ly upon the lentil plant. Modern society has very much modified the formerly strict rules for tho observance of the lenten season. It is in- tended, of course, to commemo- rate the forty days fasting of the Lord in the wilder and is made a time of special sorrow for sins com- mitted and of fervent and sineere supplica- tion to God for stmplicity and purity of heart. Many of the evangelical churches have ceased to observe Lent in the manner of 1ts early observance and others simply mako itaseason of partial relaxation from the luxurious and fashionable enjoyments of the age, There are a great many people, how- ever, in the churches which hold on to the observance of Lent as u part of their creed who spend much of the time during these forty days in quiet meditation and prayer and” in self inspection, secking carnestly and honestly to free themselves from the natural sinfulness of the flesh aund acquire more of the_pure and unselfish mo- tives that characterized the life and labor of the meck and lowly Nazarene, who prepared himself for the trying scenes of his eventful life by a forty days’ fast in the wilderness. The call sent out by the Episcopal church for its members to preparo for the lenten season contains the following as its more prominent injunctions: “Again our mother church sends forth the lenten call for per chuldren to fast 1n regara tosensual gratifica- tions, worldliness in every form and all earthly pleasures, She calls you away from these toa feast of spiritual things, to solemn thoughts of repentance, to a more fervent faith in our suffering Saviour, to a more fre- quent and carnest use of the means of grace, toa closer walk with God in Christ, to a re- newing of the Holy Ghost. “Seek to understand yourself, Set apart some period of each day for the resolute scru- tinty of your own character. motives to their source. Test vourself by Christ's teaching. Take his precepts oho after another, in turn, and ascertain to what extent you are living them out. Lent is a t:me tosearch not for the ‘mote’ but for the ‘beam.’ Alms-giving is linked with fasting and yer by our blessed Lord. Lent is a time of special self denial aud gives, thercfore, in- creased means for the exercise of alms-gv- ing. Paying our debts, providing for our own necesssities, whether spiritual or phy cal, expending money for our comrort, whether at Llome or in church; none of these things are giving of alms. Remember this Lent the poor and the needy with larger gifts for the Master’s sake, and he will repay you with richer gifts of grace,” Bishop Patricks lays down the following rules for Len “Let every one of us lay aside on this Lent our fine clothes, and let us retire ourselves as much as possible, making no visits, nor will- ingly receiving any, if nothing but civility oblige us to it, ‘Lt the time be spent in this retirement, n reading and prayer; in examining our cou- sciences, and bewailing our offences: in_tak- ing a view of the miscrable state of mankind, and imploring the Divine mercy towards them, in laying to heart the suiferings of many of our Christian bretlren, and such like exercises. . “Let the rich, especially those who live de- licously, deny their appetites, keep a slon- der table, and punish their excesses with a harder fare, “Drink no wine nor strong liquors without ity: make no feasts nor accept of in- ns to them, ve alms liberally, and frequent the pub- lic prayers: forbear music and dancing, and such like pleasures. “Winally, iet there be a general abstinence from all manuer of recreutions, unless the preservation of hoalth make them necessary, and then use them privately, Leave the playhouse quite empty, and make the churches full; go to 1o public shows, nor meetings, but spend the time when you come from chiurch, in setting things rightat home,” The neral Conference, hop John P. Newman of the Methodist church returned last Tuesday night from professional tour of eight months. During nis absence he visited the Sandwich islands and Japan and held conferences in Oregon, Washington, Mississiopi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, He attended the s nual etiug of the Methodist bishops in Washington and the nual meeting of the church extension society in New Yorl He conferred with the late Secreta Windom regarding the proposed force bill and the necessity of the republican party giving earnest attention to the financial condition of the country, Speaking of the work necessary to secure the Methodist general conference for Omaha in 1802 Bishop Newman said : “'All that is necessary now is to get a reli- able guarantee that thé $25,000 needed to en- tertain the delegates will be forthcoming when called for, and I anticipate no serious dificulty in that respect. Therewill be dele- gates here from every civilized nation on the face of the earth, and Omaha can well afford to pay for their entertainment and reap the great benefits that must come from bringing s0 many people to Omaha.” The Methodist Hospital, “It would have made your bones ache,” said a well known Tue Beg, ‘o have heard the deliberations of our minister’'s meeting last Monduay morn- ing. It was the regular, weckly meeting, and the hospital schemé came up again, This time ame up in anew form. were several ladies present, and informed the clergy that were almost rcady w proceed with the hos- pital. They had sccured a very favorable option on a iome and had secured the dona- tion of enough furniture o furnish four rooms compiete. They had secured subserip - tions for almost #1,000 beside and they had only begun to canvass. They felt sure that they could soon secure enough assisiance to open the hospital and begin to treat patients. Now the ministers were pleased to know that the ludies had been successfulin soliciting funds for the hospital but they thought that the ministerial association should legislate some upon the management of the nospital, This hospital scheme has been talked over and over again andall their talk has amounted to nothing. But when the ladies got hold of the scheme it began to move, The winisterial brethren are bubbling over now with advice and proposed rules and regula- tions for the ladies’ pital.” Y. M. C. A, Notes. At the members’ reception on Monday even- ing, Feoruary 9, in addition tothe business to be transacted, an attractive programme will be rendered, including the following num- bers : Solo, plano- they Wak ngof the Lions".... Miss Alma r. .- Euterpean Quartette \ Hull, Mintou and Johnson. Jay Dream” . Strelezki Miss Belle Daily, Luterpean Quartette Selection Mesars. J ohnso Solo, soprano— Selection Extensive arrangements are being made to fusure the suceess of the reception and an in- teresting time is expected. Refreshments will be served. None but members admitted. The geveral sccretarios of the Nebruska assoclations will meet in conference at Ne- braska City, February 13 to 15, A full at- tendance is expected The New York concert in the Star course of the Omaha Young Men’s Christian ussociation on March This club bas a very excellent reputation tor superiority in concert work, Among the Workers. J Twenty-three persons united with the Cas- d, because the days begin to | Trace your Methodist minister to There vinphony club will give a THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: fUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1891 ar stroet Presbyterian church last Sun- ore are 1,610 Sunday sellodl scholars in the ten Sunday schools of the'Congregational churches of O'maba. Rev, Charles G. Sterlingof Pine Ridge agency preached last Sunday at the Lowe avenue Presbyterian church, The Knox Presbyterian chirch 1s expori- | encing a great revival 1 spiritual interest | and many are jolning the church before the Omaha day ternoon anhood and its Possi- { commercial college | upon the subject of **\ bilities."” The St Avenue chu qu all) meets, cvening at tho Manse, on street near the church. Rev. Charles W. Savidge still continues the special services at the Newman Methoaist | ehurch aud many are leaving the paths of sin to cast their lot with the church, Rev. A. W. Lamar of tho First Baptist church has beon requested 1o go to Fremont and assist in a union meetiug to be held by the Baptist and Presbyteriun churches of that city. The Hanscom Park Mettodist church 15 in the midst of the most enconraging revival that has e been known in that part of the city. The church has been remarkably | quickened and scores are joining for the first time, Rev. i. L. Houso of the Beth-Eden Bap- tist church will probably £o to Minnesota next May when he relinquishes the work of liis present pastorate, He is troubled some with throat difficulty and thinks a change of climate will be a benefit to him, Tuesday evening, February men’s Forelgn Missionary socic Methodist Episcopal chutch will anese tea at the churck, Twentieth ana Dav- enport streets. Young ladies in Japanese costumes will serve refreshments. Evangelist N Hoopingarner ameeting at the eward street Methodist church and is meeting with marked success. He is a young man of great earnestness and has considerable unctuous power that wins his hearers to the gospel he expounds. M. Ware of the Second Presbyter- h is meeting with remarkable suc- cess in his revival services which in‘progress for several weeks, Thirty-sev people have united with the church and still the good work goes. Thisis the day upon which all the Congrega- tional churches in the United States are ex- peeted to make the annual contribution to th home missionary work. The four mission churches in Omaha will be supported by the three self-supporting churches of the denomination, It will re- quire £1,200 to assist the four mission churches, which are Saratoga, Cherry Hill, Hillside and Park Place. The greater part of this amount will be raised by the First and the St. Mary’s Avenue churches. The Omaha Christian Endeavor union held its regular semi-annual business meeting last week and elected the following officers for the ensuing .six months: President, T\ P. Cramer of the Second Presbyterian church; vice-president, L. K. Lucas of Seward street. Methodist Eplscopal church; recording secretary, Mr. L. E. Roberts of the First Methodist Episcopal chuvch; corres- ponding secreta Miss A. Hathaway of Hillside Congregational church; treasurer, E. G.Jones of the I Christian church. The union is ina flourishing condition, both spiritually and financially. There was a house full of children at St. Timothy mission Thursday night to attend a phonographic entertainment. The man with the talking machine failed to appear, how- ever, and Rev. Reedy, who has charge of the mission, was obliged to arrunge a programme of songs and recitations right on the Aill the unexpected vacaney. Witht ance of May Kilberry, Efie Ellber Peterson, Touie Peterson, Gundy Frances Ellberry and Miss Lou R Reedy madaged to give the cl very enjoyuble entertainment, and notwith- standing the disappointment on account of the non-appearance of the phonograph, the little ones went home well pleased with' the eveniug's entertainwent. RELIG L0 th C! ey wenty-soventh tau- 10, the Wo- of the First glve a Jap- is holding Rev. Mr. Junor of New York citwhas made a sort of religious census of that town. He estimates that there are jn New York 22 heathens, Rev. W. E. C. Wright of Kentucky, field superintendent of the Boston Missionary so ciety, has been looking over the ground at Helona, Ark., with a view of establishing a rormal school for coloved people under the auspices of the society. Rev. Neville Fanningof the Oak Park Congregational church at Minneapolis was taken suddenly ill at the conclusion of the morning sermon last Sunday and died soon after of apoplexy. The subject of his text was: “Is Life Worth Living?" Archbishop Williams of Boston will cele. brate on March 11 next the twenty-fifth an- niversary of his episcopate. It will be a grand event for the Catholic church as there are 1:0 parishes, aggregating half a million people, to participate in the celcbration, Rev. Silas Wright, a colored preacher of the A an Methodist Episcopal church, whois quartered at Rock Springs, Md., where there are many colored miners, is a typical negro, and will some day be as famous as “De-Sun-Do-Move” Jasper. He is brightand speaks fluently, Among the delegates appointed by the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, to the coming Ecumenial Methodist conference, are Governor Seay of Alabama, and Jarvis of North Carolina, Senator Col- quit of Georgia, Judge A. D, Bright of Ten- nessee, Chancellor Garland of Vanderbilt university and General R. B. Vance of North Carolina. The great congregation inthe Church of the Unity, in Boston, broke forth in hearty applause last Sunday when Rev. Minot J, avage, their pastor, aunounced his deter- mination to remain with them rather than go to Chicago. Mr. Savageis in his seventeenth year in the Unity pulpit. Ho said that he ‘could serve the cause of free thought and of true religion as well in Boston as anywhero else, Of the 8,570,367 Catholics in the United States, according to the oflicial directory of the church just issucd, the number in this section is put. down o Province of St. Louis--St, Lon 5 Cheyenne, 7,000; Concordia, 12,000; Davenport, 5,000; Dubuque, 150,00 ; Kansas City, 28431: St. Joseph, 17,591; Leavenworth. 60,000; Lin- coln, 20,0005 Omaha, 60,000; Wichita, ' 8,000, Provinceof St. Paul—St. Paul, 160,000; Du- luth, 48,3043 Jamestown, 20,000; St. Cloud, 80,0005 Sioux Falls, 40,000: Winona, 56,000, — Dr. Birney cures catarri, Bee bldg. e b THEOSOPH Itis astonishing to note how few peoplo have a clear notion as to the meauing of the theosophical movement. Some look upon theosophy as a new dispensation with Mad- ame Blavatsky as its pope and prophetess. Others again seem to be possessed by theidea thatit isa kind of a hanky-panky business for the propogation of insanity and the pro- duction of phenomena. And yet as a matter of fact this grand old title covers a system of philosophy more profonud than any now ex- isting, and more subtle than even the m physics of moden German thought, But it is not aloae to its ideas that theosophy owes its pre-eminence, for it is intensely practical. be- ing founded on an intimate knowledge na- ture. Modern science viewed thronzh a theo- sophic lens assumes a beauty and a depth of meaning which no lover of knowledge can af- ford to lose. But it is not with science that theoscphy has principally to do, but with life in all its various forms of manifestation. And it may with perfect truth be called ‘‘the science" of life explained by a transcenden- tal idealism which may be called the science of light. This latter term seems probably more vague and poetical than is suited to practical tastes of our age, but it is due to the fact that from a study of the sublime teachings of & wisdomw religion, into which theosophical writings claim to form themselves, we emerge with a clear concep- tion of the existence around us and in us of hereal something similar to sunlight, but ch is active for us only as an invisible snce, and which is aptly called the light of cons This all-pervading energy of self-perception wransforms everything, whether organic or inorganic, into couscious existence, To this conception of & universe of light begot of the activity of an infinite consclousness may be traced ‘the explanation of the word theosophy. 1t means, accurately translated, “the wisdom of the Gods,” Every atom aud molecule, | more and more 1to contact wih the: Monday | | mythical every shape and form of earthly life, is the entation of n ray of this light of life whieh, in them, are personified. So that rays nsciousness hecomo imprisoned in nia 1 bodies 1s. Theosont y, the to unravel the myste efore, when it tries s of nature is brought aptive essonces and explains ever more fully the workings and the wisdom of ‘‘the Gods." Theosophy has often met with undeserved rebuff from people who might otherwise have been tempted to study it, through an initial understanding suggested ' by the meaning we attach to the word, Divine wisdom (its literal translation) docs not mean the wisdom of God in the senso attached in our day to the term, but rather tha “the gods' ac- cording to the ideas post d_on the subject by the Alexandrian school of philosoph and this suggests to us either the belief in mythology ; or else, if explained, the explanation secms too far fetehed to be eviously entertained. ‘That this latter Should seem so Is not to be wondered at,since ovefore we can_understand what is meant b, “the gods'® sufticiently to realize tho pract realty of their existence, wo must undertake a thorough analysis of the nature of physical aud psychic life, and learn how these ‘blend ina spiritual union more or less latent in every form of matter; endowing them with a godlike potential In theage of faith which characterized ‘the rise and decline of Greek etbical philosophy, when the word theosophy first came {nto use, the existence of the-gods was an ; and this blind_acceptance first vulgarized and then entirely dostroyed the delicate conceptions which underlay their raison d'etre. It is to be hoped that in these days of criticism and of reason, no such_fate awaits the revival of these ancient truths, a revival which gives them all the added signiticance due to our present knowledge ot nature. Still it must beadmitted that faith is nec- essary at the outset of theosophical inquiry (an inquiry which rewards the student with conceptions of life far surpassing the dreams of the most enthusiastic votaries of modern science). And this is surely not too much to ask, for md give an unquestionable faith to the operation of the existence of a personal God. While even the skeptical are necessarily compelled to make use of this faculty. For just as no relgion can get along withou uo_action in even everyda S taken unless we have faith in p it out. Therefore, theosophy pleads for that faith which precedes the first act of inquiry. It says, *You nced only to have enough to carry you through the work required by a study of the facts and theories which 1 shall present to you, and then if you have used your reason, faith will become knowledge.” But these are not the only dificulties with which theosopby hus to contend with; there is one obstacle woven into’ the very spirit of the age, and which po: sesses o powerful deterrent influence, the prevailing spirit of monotheism, 1f welook at life from a materiulist’s point of view we fecl sure that there is but one “first cause,” while theosophy seems to talk of of many. If we are behevers in church dogmps, we recognize the propriety of but one God, while here we have a_pluralit We shall, in fact, put up our hands in virt ous horror, wiiether we are saint or sinner, a professed ' follower of the churches or of materialism, This determined monotheism would indeed prove fatal were it not that theosophy is in striet agrecment with this idea. True; it of- fers to teach us the wisdom of ‘‘the Gods,” but it also recoguizes one, the cause and the Father of all, before whom it bows in silence, refusing even to name Him. Here on_this distant apex of the universe, both philosopher, waterialist, and churchman may meet in one common bond of union. For here is the ultimate idea which ration- alists arrive at, the one God monotheism claims us the source of ull, Tuosias Wit Fellow Theosophical society, Holly Lodge, England. A contributor writes that wny questions bearing upon_theosophy, submitted to through ik Bee will bé cheerfuily answered by him, 1ANS, Sy L AND DRAMATIC, music. In a recent interview Mrs. Thurber Said she would revive her operatic scheme next season. Marie Van Zandt is singing with great coss at St. Petersburg, and is said to earn $1,000 per night. Mrs, McKee Rankin, Kitty Blanchard that was, has been engaged to appear in a great revivalof “TheTwo Orphans” with Kate Claxton, A New South Wales critic ungallantly re- cords Lis opinion that Mrs. James Brown Potter's voice resembies the tones of a pho- nograph doll. Miss Helen von Doenhof, formerly of the Boston Ideals; Louis Lablecne and Emma Abbott's Montegriffo have gone to England to join the Carl Rosa company “Shipwrecked” (i, e. “Schiffbruchig”) is the somewhat sensational title of & new opera just completed by Paul Geisler, and to be brought out by the indefatigable Hamburg wmpresario, Pollini. Arrangements have been made for the presentation of “The Henrietta” in London inthe spring at the Avenue theater. T purt of Bertie will be plaved by an comedian, Mr. Robson not caving to go abr Colonel J. H, Mapleson will be Hen Abbey’s right hand man during the ope son next r. At present he agent in London, but what he does not know about Italiun and French opera isn't worth knowing. Justin Huntly McCarthy and F, Burn- and, each of whom had conceived the idea of writing a play founded on the story of Ar- men,’ have agreed to work in concert. Their piece, when completed, will be produced by Mrs, Langtry. There is something sublimely funny in Al- vin Joslyn's unconsciously egotistical remark that hé has “had all the glory the reaching the topmost rung in the ladde dramatic fame,” This has been but once—when John L. Sullivan hittle speech about **me 'n Boott."* That vecalist who caused s0 much curiosity ana some anxiety as to her fate—Miss Laura Schirmer—has come to the surface again, ap- parently none the worse for wear, 1f sho were, as the stories went, in the sultan’s harem, she has withdrawn therefrom, and al- thougli hailing from Constantinople, is now safe and sound in Paris, where she is renesw- ing her studies in music. We are accustomed to thinking of Edwin Booth in tragic parts, but there are still *a few of us left”” who love torecall his triumphs as Don Cisar, as Benedict and in other classic comedy oles, says the Detroit Free Press. One of the 'most delightful of his lighter impersonations was Petruchio, He grasped the subtle humor of the part and portrayed it, from first to last, with uncom- mon brightness, He seemed not only to be controlling a lovely but too high-spirited wife, but to be reading her and his auditors a moral lesson in a pleasant vein. His ex- pression of tenderness, in voico and manner, toward the penitent Katherine was delight' fully natural, and in the very midst of his rent brusquerie there was a softeni w about his specch, as if he really v heartsore at having to appear coarse and commanding toward a woman whom he longed to take in his arms and pet like a spoiled child, of discounted made that e L “WRONG END FIRST. Dr. Duryea's Criticism of the Publ School System. The second meeting of the Omaha Teach- ers’ association was held in the high school building yesterday morning. There were about sixty of the teachers present. The comumittee appointed to draft a consti- tution and by-laws made its report. The constitution was adopted 1 detail, with some amendments, among them being one pertaining to membership, mak- ing any one in the city interested in school work, eligible to membersnip in the association, The membership fee was fixed at § per annum, Dr. Duryea was introduced by the chi man, and_stated that his understanding of the aim of this association was the increase of powerin the work of teaching, He was afraid, he said, that his hearers had oo often met with resistance in the administration of their powers, but he had nothing to say, par- ticulariy, on that point. Tho true aim of the association as he un- derstood it, was to promote the growth and development of the mind of the pupil 5o as to bring out its best featuros iz order to make it strong o fight the battle of hfe, Mostof his hearers, ho said, had attended normal schools and had varied experience in the methods of successful work. The best efforts of tbe best teachers were which thus become potential | | thata t SIXTEEN PAGES often unsuccessful and the speaker devoted his attention to the causes of this failure and the best means to overcome them, The fail ure was often the lack of co-operation on the partof the pupil. Failare often from a lack of interesting features school work: The speaker in the said he a easily conceive acher might delight in teaching and | contemplate with pleasure the results of work well done. He spoko of a well known | teacher in Boston who had a class of twelve pupils. These were boys who were eager to | develop their minds and co-operated with tt teacher. When a boy showed a failure to re- spond to the teacher's effort, he was sent away and his place filled by another. This method, the speaker rewmarked, was impossivle in a public school, but it served to illustrate his theory that a teacher could only be successful when the pupils co-operate with him, The public school system v pized “wrong end first”” A teacher would begia with the lowest grade and gradually enlist each ll;l the pupils who were williig to try their est St we enable the teacher to do that work | which is necessary in the first grade, thero would be less need of it in _the sccond and still less in the * third, If the co. operative principle could be instilled iuto the minds of the pupils in the lower grades there would be less necessity for suc work in the higher grades, If the schools were properly organized thore should small classes in the lower grades so that the teachers may be able to work upon the sensi- bilities of the pupils: then the higher grades could be as large as needed. resulted | | having wrades, Ac | was expe fluenc was thought | great min, of school desirab 1o cor ofticers wit daenty tary: tary; commit Cooper, McCarthy. Miss The speaker denounced the system of giving | a teacher fifty small pupils’ in the lower ! Miss he regular will be field on the first Saturdays in Octo- ber, December, I'¢bruar He favorea hayi twelve or twouty in the lowest grade rding to the modet d to do all tho work form the pupils into any effort on the pact asses wore made sm ble to influence her pupils by her persons but with the classes 1 tho lower & s were imy The only hope of any change in the systom through the by od and matter voters before very thought then th: In closing he d £ood to be derived from influencing the sense of honor in the pupil results might bo attained course of his expericnce he had had occasion espond with the leading educators of urope, and had been informed that the most iccessful system had boen b ance on the honor of the p At the conclusi the association h the P, Lewls, president; L. o Miss Mattie Powell S, Bui Cooy mi the small classes of 1iden, the teacheg and trans- ducated beings without of the pupils, If the . tho teacher might system of large ades, such personal ine ticable. present the doctor could do y wstilling {uto the boys the necessity of intelligent men at the head s, Theso boys would be many years and it was i change must bo wrought. welt at Somo length on the pooplo and teachors Through this the most In tho sed on o reli- pils. 1 of Dr. Duryes dod to th following result Blak recording seere- esponding secre- eeutive nker, cor’ v, treas cotings of the association April and June. 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