New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-15

7 pTOfo9f lnnlmsf pTUWUrTTOn pIdJ.
evo it to be my duty whether it docs any good
WHAT ROBERT CoLLYER SAID.
The Rev. Robert Coyer wa5 found at his homo in
! East Jhirty-nnth-st. In response to tho question
as to what he thought of the production Of the
| Passion Play in New-York be said:
" / am dead against it,"
"Have You nothing moro to say than thatp
"What more DO you wantF Isn't that enough"
"The public would like TO know your reasons"
"Well think II is very coarse and evil thing to
play such in play a New-York theatre. at the
best it is only a chapter out Of the dark ages. The
| thing they have been watching at Oberammeignu.
could look upon ten years ago with that curious
interest that attends all ancient things. rs sirIg-
| cling survivor of the mdde-age mysteries But
| think the exhibition that they gave last summer
| was a very bad thing. because ~ became mere
| show. which people from all parts OF EuroDe-dId
| even of Amerca-were Hooking TO see. 80 the
| thing Ought now 10 pass away and never be seen
again. Certainly the very last place ~ the world
Tor II is great civilized city Ike this Understand
me- ! am Opp0s d to the production of the Passion
Play altogether. do not think 1t any worse III
| theatre than would IN hail, or "A church. OF q
store. the woods. Its day is done, and let
| II cease"
ATALK WITH DIR. AR.uTAGE.
| The Rev. Dr.. Thomas Armitage, pastor OF the
| Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, is known to haye
| liberal views in regard to amusements in general;
but Inc IS opposed to the production OF the Passion
Iay, ana ready 10 express MS OplhlOus nc sdlu'
IL am unable TO see what need there is, in the
great feast of amusements, Tor this particular sort
of ailment. | can understand how both tragedy
and comedy and even farce, may meet certain wants
of the mind but cannot see anything IN this in
termixture of the venerable and horrible but what
viii appeal TO the morbid sense OF the crowd
I would about rs soon get up a play
10 show how God made the world as
to show how He redeemed it. Any other
play form Of play takes mp an idea or an emotion,
and cxpOunds and applies 1t. But we need no inter
pretatlon of The cruclXIon oi Chflst that we nave
not already; and especially we have no need OF one |
that appeals 30 lde curiosity win inc douDtiul
speculation that 1t may possibly promote YenerdtiOn
or JOY fear confess l cannot see enc emotion |
or thought. one single phase either If the heart or
intellect. that IS TO be benefited by such an exhibit
ton can understand how the assumption OF the |
semi-dvue IN Christ by man may place HIM IN
some attitude apparently above the human; Dut
what is to be gained by tl We associate God with |
the great cnds OF the cruclhXlOn at all |
times and in peculiar phase of Divine expression.
But this not the sort Of expression that Is found
on the stage. lake tie play OF " hlug Lear, Tor
instance. There by means OF scenery and mechan-
zeal cOntrivauces, see represented tremendous
storm. That Is moi SOmuch an imitation OF tine Work
OF God II superficial picture of an external as
pect Of nature. Bu, you cannot by the human cOan-
fenance, voice gestures, express the inner emo
tiOns and Divine Imaglnugs rs they exist ~ the
breast OF the Son OF God. therefore, such perform
ance dstast siul, because there is an attempt not
only 10 penetrate the feelings OF humanity, but 10
hold UP 70 the eyes OF men the raDle secrets
of the Divine bosom by mans skin and for the mere
qualification of mans curiosity. lt seems to lie that
II is unhcaithiu: IL must De great shock to seAsi-
tive minds of a devout cast.
Il have 10 rcpulsiye feelings toward the the
afro rs ficl. am souy 90 the
drama abused and made means Of pander-
ing 10 the lower appeutes OF men. l should
h.. cfy lad 30 ~. u Irged OF ali offensive charac-
terisiics. | must say that men connected with the
stage clu scarcely expect any unreasonable
prelude 10 b, removed o. even slightly s0itened
10y any hing SD 1agranty offensive 10 the feelings
and good ti,te If the better portion OF the com
munIty. 1 believe the drama might be made q
great intellectual teacher. II 60 and see Lear
or Hamlet | can return home with the feeuug
that have learned something about q hitherto I'LL
known species OF human character. l can 20, wheA
my mind Is weary, to see good comedy, in which
innocent humOr pIOyOkes harmless mlrth / can
get rest and strength from such mental reiaXa-
lion. But grieye TO see any element introduced
into thedrdma hlCh Is pTjuilClal 10 Its Interests
The presentation If the Passion Play Is lar wOrsej
FOX 10 is making n recreation OF the most sacred
that ever took place on EARTH IL IS foolish
and even wicked attempt 10 represent the feelings
and thought, of God by His creltuf s."
COMMENTS or 4 ROMAN CATHOLIC PASTOR.
Tie Rev. Dr.. Edward McGlyun, pastor Of St.
Stephens Roman Catholic Church spoke as follows:
81 am decidedly opposed to the production Of the
p isslon Play IN tins city. | hardly know what to
say in regard to the matter want to give every
credit for good motives and conacIentou, action,
bat | cannot see how anyone can have clear
conscience in producing play that must Of
necessity be painful 10 all deyout persons. The
called Passion Play at Oberammergal is in reality
an act OF religion, and in many important points IS
tota j. different from ordinary theatrical representa-
lioas in character, motives and object. 1t is
well known that the play was begun and has been
continued in iu'hIlInant o. a religious VOW made
l 10 name Of z whole community TO obtain relief
from pesli once and To perpetuate the memory OF
O. answered prayer, aud IN thanksgiving to God |
tor bright cy Ieucc IF HIS great mercy. The per- !
formers, it is wei Known, are selected with the
strictest regard 10 theG moral and religious char
acter. Unless thcy can bear examination III this
spect their dramatic ability, however great, will
avail them nothing. They are chosen by tue [
votes OF their mel ghbOTs, vino are q
gualuted with their characters The performance !
pr pared under the direction OF me pdlsn priest.
ne play. in lis present form, Is the wOrk OF pious
and learned men of the neghOOrlng BeneJictne 5
uOuasc cry. The morality of the villagers. the SIM
pucIty of their characters and their profound IT,
lgious convictions, are such that no Objectionable S
person has ever been allowed to bear part III the
repIesent alton. All unite To make their performance
Is different from theOrdInary drama rs day from
nj ght as the simple rustic character of their
,oundlnes is from the oppressive atmosphere and v
lTIhclai glare 81 crowded netropOhan thea re. II
In ftct, thls drama az OOerlmm ryan Isentcrsd upon "
md participated ~ by the performers and spectators
- solemn rel giou' PROCESSION, or even more y
acrcd rite, III one OF our chur; hos OF cathedra.S.
The entire community would be holried at the t.
that solemn high mass Tor in | d
stance was 10 be performed by scratch company !;
ii player, before proniscuo audience IN Booths
ihca Re. / an not sure th1i Mr. Abbey intends TO &
.aiu. Bat t viii DE hard 10 convince the h
at large that his expectation is b
iot 10 reap IuItuhc rom iuIs representa- a
ION. Tie general Christian community z
yl frOwn 10 down. No better argument or Illus r.
ration OF th5 need be sought than tie fact that, Is
While the whole world has nOthluR but words Oi 81
raise respect and even admiration FOR the PERFORM b.
nee ut Oborammcrgau, there Is an equally general b
nd instructive horror Of attempts at imitation q
horn OF the surroundings and conditions winch n
make that performance "a unique one to-day IN all
he world. / remember notable instance OF this.
few years ago an advertisement appeared III the NJ
.OndOn papers stating that the PASSION Play would Il
e introduced at the Aquarium in that city. III
he walls of this building often sheltered audiences M
yhlch witnessed the shooting OF scantily dressed hi
women from the mouths of cannOns, and many W
Their elegant and refreshing amUsenents. lhe V.