The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-06

the crowds entering from every direction
then saunter about, examining the hand
some wood-carving, a speciality here, and
amuse ourselves in picking those who
shall play on the morrow, selecting them
by their long hair and conscious look of
superiority. Indeed, it seems public ben
eft, for many of the little girls and boys
play about in paper curls, as they are to
represent some angel or cherub in the i'm
mense tableaux vivants; perhaps we have
seen the st. John or the st. Peter, or the
horrid old Judas, but they will all appear
much better in their regulation dresses,
and in their appointed roles on the NOR
row.
Seeing the Passion Play.
Early in the morning, by 5 o'clock, at
Oberammergan, we were aroused from
our slumbers by the loud firing of the
cannon on the meadows below the Kofel,
announcing that the Holy Festival has
begun. People are soon seen hurrying to
the churches for mass, and then to the
open amphitheatre, to secure the best
seats In their particular quarters, those
OF the "loges" only are numbered and re-
served. Great crowds are assembled by
Z o'clock, and at 8 the echoes of three
more cannon are heard reverberating
through the mountains, and the play be-
gins to a crowded house, for it will hold
5000 persons and every seat seems occu-
pied. We sit quietly in our places amid
this vast throng, among whom we recog-
nize many English and Americans, and
the white cravated clergy from all sec
lions and all beliefs. Many contending
thoughts and emotions arise in our minds
and hearts We listen to the low muir
muir Of voices behind the curtains, for the
actors are all at their "devotions" before
beginning, and our programme informs
us that there are taOo preludes, one of
prayer and one of nature. Truly moth
ing could be more beautiful than the lat
ter; the bright sunny morning with few
feecy clouds, the blue open sky above
our heads, the voices of birds singing in
the trees, the green sloping hills beyond
the stage, and the high mountains for the
distant background. But the immense
stage is Just before us, said to be after
the Grecian model, with its proscenium
proper; the boards in front for the chorus
of voices; behind on either side the houses
of Annas the high priest, and Plate, and
on each end the two streets of Jerusalem.
The curtain soon rises on the tableau of
Adam and Eve expelled from the Garden
of Eden, and while we are regarding it,
comes the murmur Of distant voices, grow
ing louder as they shout, Hosanha to the
Son of David who comes in the name of
the Lord" Little children scatter palm
leaves in the way, and all shout and
praise the name of One who comes among
them, meek and lowly, and sitting upon
an ass.
What is Said About It.
And Just here comes the question which
has agitated this year the whole Christian
world, at least in Europe and brought
down many denunciations from the pull
pit. Is it right for mortal man to per-
senate the Saviour, even in play designed
in earlier times to instruct the masses :?
In medieval days, some concede, the reli-
gious drama was admissible, but is it right
now, in this advanced state of civiliza-
ton? There are strong advocates on
both sides; some who see it, are melted
to tears as they follow the steps of Him
who suffered on through his agony, and
crucifxion, and resurrection; others con-
denim it as pious (O fraud, and are not
in the least moved. Some suggest that
such remembrances of His suferings do
chasten the proud spirit of men and be-
get humility; others, that it makes them
too familiar with an agony that cannot be
fathomed yet others, that it is a most
excellent Sunday School lesson to these
rude illiterate mountaineers, who per-
haps, would never imbibe such instruc-
tons in any other form Truly, all will
confess who see it, that the acting is mar
vellously good and artistic, for these
simple wood-carvers and peasants
Amiable people say that these men and
women and children enter into it all in
pious frame of mind, conscientiously
performing religious drama in which to
instruct the masses. Your readers have
all read of the VOW these peasants made
more than two hundred years ago, that
if God would stop the plague then de-
vastating the whole neighborhood then
they would vow to perform the Passion
spiel every ten years, and they have faith
fully performed their self-imposed task.
What was to them first religious duty.
now assumes a mercenary aspect and
brings much gold into their Golfers.
A Blasphemous Spectacle.
Tho posgion p1ov, Jocor;bo1 =, e..