The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-23

WAS found at the Union Square Hotel.
When asked by the reporter to speak Of
the Passion Play," he shook his head and
said:
II cannot; l don't know what TO say"
"You know that It is strongly opposed
by the clergy hereT
ing about. It Is the grandest spectacle !
ever saw. Il can not produce In the spec
ta,or any other feelings than those Of the
deepest reverence, and even awe. we
never played to large houses In Fan Fran
cisco; but noticed the same faces in the
audience every night; myself used to
feel overcome with the solemnity OF the
part was playing. ! was unwilling to
undertake It at 6rst, but now never want
10 play anything else. II the public will
support me, Is6all devote the remainder
Of my life to this great work. / have no
desire to 60 back 10 the routine work OF
the stage at all. believe ! can do more
good by this representation than any Of
the ministers from their pulpits"
Lewis Morrison, who has lately come
from California expressly TO act Pontlas
PLATE In the Passion Play, was sitting In
the entrance OF the hotel smoking cigar.
When questioned by the reporter be
said:
"What do 1 think Of the Passion PlayP
Does not my coming from San. Francisco
to play part that does not begin until the
niece Ia nearly ended speak for itSeltf |
am profoundly impressed with the spirit
of that play. You can hardly comprehend
the feelings with which the actors APP
nroached their work. The light, careless
demeanor that generally marks their &C
zion during the enlr 'dets completely disap.
peared. Every one felt as II he were in
q temple where . solemn service was
taking place. I will tell you an incident
that shows how We felt. ONeill and |
have acted together for years. ant l know
all his habits. He always carries in bis
dressing case short meerechaum'pipe
The first night Of the Passion Play he
came into the dressing room after his first
pcene, and sat down. For q few minutes
he did not speak. Then mechanically,
from sheer force Of habit, he reached Tor
his pipe. When his hand touched it he
seemed to awake. He started and looked
at me. said: Don't Jim; not now'-snd
he didn't.
At this point Saint P. Morse, the au.
thor Of the play, approached. He said:
"This work is the browning effort OF my
| life, believe myself TO be a teacher OF
religion as much as any preacher. These
mel and women who act are my acolytes,
nv incense bearers, my choir. lspent
Eve years and half in Jerusalem study.
ing the passion plays as presented by the
monks. | studied the 0berammergau play,
and came to the conclusion that those
priests were hiding precious jewel in an
unseemly setting. believe l have set It
in more fitting way. l have not selected
my company on account oil any reputation
attached to its individual members, but
because Of their fitness TO portray the char
acters in the play. There is not one soil
tsry word that can be said against the
moral character OF the people who will
play in this piece.
Upon one thing you may depend. The
Passion Play" will be presented. Itcan-
not be legally stopped; We learned that
in San Francisco. am certain that alter
the religious portion OF this community
learns what il Is my church will be better
attended than those presided over by the
ministers"
At the Baptist preachers conference
yesterday the Rev. DR.. Herman ]. Eddy
alluded 10 the prevailing sentiment OF
ministers Of all denominations, as report
ed in the Tribune yesterday. against the
production OF the passion Play" in. this
city, and said that he thought 1t time that
the conference took action in the matter.
He offered the following resolution, which
was passed unanimously:
Reso'red, That in view Of the projected
production Of the Passion Play" by one
Of the theatres Of this city, as conference
We protest against such sacreligious use
OF the most sacred things in our religion.