The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-02-03
THE SCULPTOR'S CHRIST.
STORYS STATUE AN ORIGINAL
AND BEAUTIFUL CONCEPTION.


a Marvellous Dream OF Years Ago Which
Furnished the Sculptor His Theme.
The Divine Master in a Modern
Land.
Story's last statue, a Christ, is an original
and beautiful conception. The dress is that
of an Arab; the cetoneth or under garment,
rich and full, bound round the waist with
soft sash, and the NEIL, an upper one, man
tie, which was the seamless garment we read
that our Lord wore. On the head is the kifyeh
or scarf, bound around by a fllet, which
forms a soft, visOrlilze framing above the
brow; the ends of this kiffyeh fall over the
shoulders and cover the long hair which you
see under the shadow OF its folds; this is the
napkin, as the English translation Of the Bible
calls it, which was taken off, folded and laid
beside our Lord in the grave. This costume
is most effective, for it has the rich, deep
folds of the Oriental quadrangular mantle,
and is probably exactly like the dress our
Saviour wore.
The person is that of a young man, tall
thin, but not emaciated. The right hand is
extended as if summoning you to approach.
The left hand rests gently on the drapeTy of
the breast. They are long slender, refined
oriental hands, modelled with feeling and del
icacy. The face Is singularly tender and
noble; handsome, with fine brow and
beautiful features. The eyes have a wonder
full outlook, spiritual and if they saw far
beyond mortal gaze. The expression of the
face is united to that of the Outstretched,
pleading, earnest hands. The words, "Come
unto me We who are weary and heavy laden
and ye shall find rest" seem to be uttered by
the lips, and yet the intense sadness of the
face is as if he had little hope that humanity
would listen to the call.
"FOR HAVE SEEN HIM"
sat some time the other afternoon looking
at this impressive statue. "Ave Maria"
sounded and the late afternoon shadows
gathered into the studio. The half lights
gave the figure Of the young Messiah start
ling likeness to life spoke, thinking aloud:
"And so he may have looked"
at ought to look like him, for I have seen
him" said the sculptor quietly.
started, and turned to know if had heard
the words or had dreamed them.
EYES," repeated Story calmly, lighting a
fresh cigarette; yves, and l will tell you bow
it was. 1t happened when l was young about
CO. ] was going in the hourly, as the coach
was called that ran in those days every hour
between Boston and Cambridge, for it was
long before the time Of the omnibus and
horse ear. Ofcourse, mean dreamed I was
in the coach. it was, as all dreams are, at once
strange and prosaic. Soon after l got out
side the coach, and we had started, l sud
denly became aware that Christ was seated
outside with the driver! Ny first i'm
pulse was to touch him; so l leaned
out and rested my hand on his garments,
when l felt sure it was Christi When
the coach reached the half way house at Cam
bridgeport every one got out, and Christ also.
did not, but sat looking upon him as he
walked to and fro. There were ordinary,
common people about, and the natural prosaic
actions of such a place going on. l was
aware that no one but myself saw that
strange being in oriental garments, moving
with stately steps backward and forward in
front of the busy little crowd which assemblies
at half way house when stage arrives.
But that did not seem strange to me, nor was
/ surprised at bis dress, so unlike anything
had ever looked on, for at that time was not
familiar with the Arab costume: / simply
thought There is Christi and every sense in
my body was alive.
''Then came the hustle of starting, and then
the whole dream ended-the vision disap-
peared For years and years that appear
ance has haunted me, and over and again I
have tried to give form and shape to that
face and person, which saw as plainly as
see you now"
No wonder, with the vivid memory of that
marvellous vision, our celebrated sculptor has
been able to give us such noble sembIance
of the Divine Master Rome Cor Inter
Ocean.