The Indianapolis journal., 1890-12-21

Crucifixion of Christ Exemplified in Start
ling Manner Before Ignorant Mexicans.

Crucifixion of Christ Exemplified in Start
Chicago Times.
Col. j. L. Daugine, a gentleman who has
travelled extensively throughout Mexico.
was telling quartet of his friends In the
rotunda of the Palmer House, yesterday,
some of his experiences in the land of the
burro and sweet banana. Lecturers come
to Chicago to tell you of the Ober- -Ammer-
gau Passion Play" said the Colonel. but
l have seen a cruclhxion at Magda-
lena, state of Sonora. which, for dra-
matte intensity, surpasses anything the
peasants of Ober-Ammergau have ever
given to the world. Last spring was in
Magdalena. 1t happened to be during Holy
week. One morning Colonel Moore, of Gin
fixlon. We went to the Church of San
Francisco. where the services were con-
Quoted. 1t was 10 o'clock when we reached
the place. With great difficulty we man
aged to get inside. There were neither
jammed. Every available inch of space
on the tagging floor of the church was
crowded with the faithful in kneeling atti-
tudes, prostrate, praying, moaning and be-
wailing as only Me;Sican ;T Pious and half
center of the church at the rear. A large
wooder cross stood up prominent right be-
hind it. On one side of the altar was q
curtain of red plush and near it large
6Eu-CHdir. SOOu altoT We euboTeO tuo pauTc,
q fat old fellow. sleek and shiny, came for
ward and began the services Then ayouth
mounted the altar. He was fair, auburn
haired young man, l should say twenty
two or twenty-four years old. That
was the Christ. From this time on the rep
resentation of the crucifixion was given
faithfully and with such intense realism
that for days afterward l could not shake
the picture off my mind. There came
Christs accusers.. Jews, etc. They snubbed
H. Ill -
tlogged him. and gradually drove him from
the altar. few moments later they re-
appeared with him. This time they were
carrying a limp form. Ropes were pro-
cured. These they fastened under his arIL-
pits and around bis shoulders. AT a signal
drawn up. Then two of the per
scouting Jews procured ladder
which they set against the cross. got
arms on each side of the cross. and actually
drove the nails through the palms of the
hands and the insteps of the feet. could
scarce believe my eyes. The people in the
church were bemoaning and bewalling
aloud as if their hearts were breaking
Convulsive sobs and outcrles filled that
building. The priest went on with the
services, however. as though it was most
ordinary affair. fa
Il cannot tell you inst how long these
been in the church nearly five hours. At
the proper time an individual dressed as a
Roman soldier approached. lance in hand.
the crucified figure Deliberately he raised
the lance and pierced the side of the cruci-
fed. A stream of blood gushed out and
flowed all over the barred breast. And then
the church seemed to grow dark. and in q
few moments 1t was impossible almost to
recognize any thing in the room. When the
light returned the body had been removed
E. &t.xaA La n,&x xx~<~
in the armchair next the curtain, whi ,h till
that time had been empty. She was dressed
like madonna and evidently was in
tended to represent Mary, the mother of
Christ. While stood thus looking the
Roman soldiers again reappeared. This
time they carried the limp form of the cru
Gifted. They went directly to the madonna
and laid the bleeding Christ In her arms
You should have heard the sObbing which
broke forth from that vast audience. 1t
came all of sudden and was the most
heartrending cry ever heard. Men, women
and children sobbed aloud. Some hyster-
ical women were actually tearing their
hair beating themselves and in various
other ways showing their great grief. /
thought had then seen enough and we
walked out"
"Is it possible that this young man was
actually cruciiiedW
II should have explained" replied the
Colonel. that the limp figure used in the
CTuCluAlOu Was d WAX uSuiO, Out tuc pOOI
devils never knew it. The delusion was
complete and it Is soartlstically so carried ont
that very few among the thousands who at
tend these services on Holy week ever find
it out. OF course these services are never
attended by the higher classes. poems and
Indians forming the bulk of the male audi-
ence. But / saw many women present who
were evidently women of rank. and good
standing, and intelligence. Their piety is
so great, however, that they are perfectly
fna M m vbnla
thing is so real, too.
"Go TO Magdalena during Holy week any
year and you will see what have related
to you."