New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-26
TIE BIRTH or JESUS IN DRAMATIC FORM

In the basement of st. Demands Roman
Catholic Church in West Fourtecnt1st thers was pre-
sented last evening dramatic represen alton OF the in
cidents OF the birch of Christ In the Sunday school
of Roman Catholic churches among the deoOra-
lions of Christmas tide is frequently representa-
ton of the Christ Child, lying manger
surrounded by the Virgin Mary. Joseph the snep
herds and the three Kings Father, Healy, OF ST. Ber
nard's hureh has gradually elaborated this by intro
ducng persons take the place Of images until he has
produced spectacular drama In the basement Of the
church last night erected stage and foOtlights
scenery. and all the OF dramatic reprrsen
tatOn The basement, which seats about 1000 people
was filed by the Practitioners who took the representa-
ton seriously and for the most part seemed to regard
with the reverence which the depicted deserved
The place Of IA orchestra filed by piano. and at
the rIgnt Of the stage was choir OF young girls,
who sang between the scenes carols and
Christmas hymns, such " Hail. Thou Long
Expected Jesus" Hark the Herald Angels Sing " aud
Come Hher. We Faithful" The first represented
the Annuncation. 1t a character and IN the
centre young lady dressed the Blessed
Virgin. To appears the Angel Gabriel ami greets
her with the words, " Hail. Mary, full OF grace.
Blessed thou among women" and tells her
that she shall bear O who shall rule Ills
people Israel. Immediately the opens and
number Of angels are with him and the choir chant the
anthem Holy, holy, hoy Lord God OF SaDaOth."
The second scene Is garden, ana In II IL walking st.
Elizabeth. The virgin TO VISIT ncr, ana after
short dialogue the TWO 90 INTO the house OF ZaGh'
anas when Is III the background, ana the
snort interval the curtain rises
ON scene representing plain III lndla. shepherds
with their Pastoral crooks watching their nOcks BY
night, while The moon aud stars shine over the helds
of Syria suddenly there appears angel, sings
Glory God in the highest and on earth peace good
will 10 men," The angel then Tells the shepherds
OF the BIRTH OF Jesus and other angels join him and
| sing Gloria IN Exeelss Dec. Then the
ana those on the stage Join in singing the carol.
The fourth sc Is interior OF King Herods palace
| tfah al
courers and hs guard IN gtGerng armor while ON the
steps OF the throne SIT several pages The Magi come IN
DO King OF the jews. Then comes a scene repre-
sentIng the alteration OF the Mag. 1t is
forest scene with stable nc side where IN a
manger lies figure representing the infant Saviour
on side Is ST. Joseph, aud the other the Virgin.
choir sing: Brightest and Best OF the sons the
Morning" Angel, shepherds aud whterobed children
pears in the arch of window above the manager. the
again changes 10 the Interior Of HerOds palace
he Is distressed by the fuhment OF the prophecy tbat
king shall be born to the Jews and delivers sooquy
III winch no cay Au'tnaI PROPHECY nauhletn no az"
feel that one Is born 10 rob me OF my sceptre ana ny
crown for IS IL not written And tnou Bethlehem IN tns
Judea Tor out OF thee shall call ruler who shall RUE
my people srae'" He then determines ON the Slaugh
ter p s S S ana G5s the Se KIN
giving the order tries the effect OF song saying Nheh
nav play before me- the
great of palace open and the nils and yaeysO
Judea are seen sleeping in the moonlight. and Ia the
distance the walls and towers Of Jerusalem. long
of Young gtrls In beating eymbils and
an GesESS S tSs Sy5.
10 ballet but suoh dance "a Miriam might have
forth with tnbrels and with danoes" and sang above
the waters OF tho Red Sea- "rhe Lord hath trumphed
goriosy." The scene closes with ta6leau represent
| Ing the slaughter OF the Innoeents.
The scenee consists only OF procession or little
and VINO sing: We are Jeslis's little Children" The
whole concludes with the manger scene again, all the