tion_. What have you to say about his having died with sealed
lips?

_Answer_. Mr. Conkling was too proud to show wounds. He did not
tell his sorrows to the public. It seemed sufficient to him to
know the facts himself. He seemed to have great confidence in
time, and he had the patience to wait. Of course he could have
told many things that would have shed light on many important
events, but for my part I think he acted in the noblest way.

He was a striking and original figure in our politics. He stood
alone. I know of no one like him. He will be remembered as a
fearless and incorruptible statesman, a great lawyer, a magnificent
speaker, and an honest man.

--_The Herald_, New York, April 19, 1888.

THE CHURCH AND THE STAGE.

_Question_. I have come to talk with you a little about the drama.
Have you any decided opinions on that subject?

_Answer_. Nothing is more natural than imitation. The little
child with her doll, telling it stories, putting words in its mouth,
attributing to it the feelings of happiness and misery, is the
simple tendency toward the drama. Little children always have
plays, they imitate their parents, they put on the clothes of their
elders, they have imaginary parties, carry on conversation with
imaginary persons, have little dishes filled with imaginary food,
pour tea and coffee out of invisible pots, receive callers, and
repeat what they have heard their mothers say. This is simply the
natural drama, an exercise of the imagination which always has been
and which, probably, always will be, a source of great pleasure.
In the early days of the world nothing was more natural than for
the people to re-enact the history of their country--to represent
the great heroes, the great battles, and the most exciting scenes
the history of which has been preserved by legend. I believe this
tendency to re-enact, to bring before the eyes the great, the
curious, and pathetic events of history, has been universal. All
civilized nations have delighted in the theatre, and the greatest
minds in many countries have been devoted to the drama, and, without
doubt, the greatest man about whom we know anything devoted his
life to the production of plays.

_Question_. I would like to ask you why, in your opinion as a
student of history, has the Protestant Church always been so bitterly
opposed to the theatre?

_Answer_. I believe the early Christians expected the destruction
of the world. Th