Mexico weekly ledger., 1888-09-27
"CHRIST ON CALVARY"
The Wonderful Masterpiece Paint
ed Over Again by Fay's
Fanciful Pen.
Correspondence OF the Ledger.

We yield ourselves to the spell of
the Indian summer-the twilight
of the year. In no other country
save North America is this charm
ing season so pleasant, where sum-
mer twilight deepens into night
even while the September sun is
gold above us.
The display of the Missouri
State Horticultural Association is
the largest ever shown ia this
State. They occupy the central
room on the upper fioor-the spot
last year occupied by Barr's ex-
hibit. Among the various counties
whose names grace the specimens
displayed are Greene, Bates, Ver-
non, Barton, Howell, Holt, Jack
son, Galloway and others. TT
would have been source of pride
aud qualification to me to have
seen Audrain county represented.
I know Of no county in the State
that can outrank her golden har-
vest fields, her stately woods,
her teaming orchards and her cheer
full homes. No finer show of ap-
Piles can be seen than those dis
played, while the agricultural and
mineral show is most interesting.
Here is seen lump of coal weigh
ing over 600 pounds, taken from a
Missouri vein.
The interest in the great paint
ing, "Christ on Calvary" by Mum
kascy, increases each day, especial
ly since DR.. Graham, of New York,
delivers a lecture before it twice
daily. This is companion-piece
to "Christ before Plate" exhibit
ed last season. It occupies, with
the framing and drapery, the
whole stage of entertainment Hall.
is certainly a masterpiece from
the workshop of a great artist.
Let us Iinger awhile in this en-
chanted spot, and gaze at the foot
prints of Calvary's sufferer. Our
minds 60 back in memory to the
cradle at Bethlehem. In imagination
we can see the gifts the Wise Men
brought to the humble manger,
while the star in the east shines
on then, gazing upward, behold
Him in His last mortal agony. The
head is bent low under its crown of
thorns-the face, expressive of the
sweet peace that came from His per-
feet trust in God, His Father. A
living presence seems to hover over
the scene, and the very stars seem
to pause in their course-the
two thieves are seen, Zone on the
right hand, the other on the left,"
as the book of inspiration tells US.
1t is impossible not to become in
terested in their faees-in one the
sullen brow of defiance, in the
other the head is turned, as if to
look upon the cross, listening as if
to hear from divine lips the i'm
mortal words, "This day shalt thou
be with me in Paradise" The
executioner, with his ladder from
which he has just descended, is a
central figure and repulsive one.
Indifference and cruelty fill each
hard line of the brutal face. At the
foot of the cross are the kneeling
women, grief, sorrow and shame
depicted on their faces. The
Mother of Jesus kisses the torn
feet, while Mary Magdalen stands
with uplifted hands and averted
face. John, the beloved disciple,
meek and mild, waits near, begging
now for the body of his Lord.
Scribes, Centllrians and Roman
soldiery fill the rest of the canvas,
many engaged in casting lots for
His clothing. The whole scene
thrilled me and stirred all the re-
ligieus emotions in nay heart. At