The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-25
BREAKS ALL RECORDS
Success of THE German RefOr-
nation Presented Last
Evening.
METROPOLITAN HALL CROWDED

Chois Boys and the Monastery at
Erfurth---The Church Militant, "A
Mighty Fortress is Our Cod
rhe largest audience that ever as
sembled in Metropolitan. Hall was
there last night Soon after the doors
opened the box-office was closed ana
the selling of seats discontinued. The
standing Room Only" sign was hung
out as soon as the doors opened.
"The Reformation" is the success OF
the season.
1t is q lecture viNant-a running
story of the life of Martin Luther and
the course of the German Reformation,
illustrated by excellent stereopticon
views. interpersed with the presenta-
ton of the mostanotable scenes OF that
stirring time.
The play begins with q beautiful al
legorical procession representing
Theology Entering the Union. The
large chorus sings the Gloria in EN-
celsis.'
This is followed by Mrs. II. +. Mon
roe's lecture on the life OF Luther, IL
Illustrated by fifteen striking stereopu-
con views. This affords a clear and
pleasing introduction to the play.
Luther's monastic life is then shown
NV n scene from the monastery at
Erfurth. Luther was first to introduce
church music in the language OF the
people. For this he was severely de
nounced bv the monks. In this scene
4 large surpliced choir appears, sing
ing Coward, Christian Soldiers,
while an old monk curses Luther for
his innovation.
Mrs. Monroe continues the story OF
Luther's life, presenting forty views OF
scenes made famous by the leader OF
the Reformation.
Then comes the most imposing
scene of the entire play, the Diet OF
Worms. The trial of Luther before the
Diet is presented in the most graphic
and impressive way. This scene IS the
climax Of the play.
Thomas Carlyle says: THE Diet at
Worms was the most important event
of modern times"
The scene was brilliantly presented
here. The Emperor in the royal robes,
the red robed Cardinal, the Bishops,
the Princes, the Priests, and Luther
himself in his simple garb OF black.
Near the Throne was the richly uni
formed Imperial Guard, special de-
tail of Knights Templar; to the left
were the soldiers of the Cardinal, a
squad of Governors Guards; to the
right were the soldiers of the Elector.
a detachment of cadets from the Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College.
Time and again the audience broke
into applause as the trial proceeded.
The acting of Martin Luther and OF
the Cardinal was superb, and the En-
peror was an imposing and stately flg-
are. The Elector filled his part well.
The Bishops and princes and the
friends of Luther acted their parts
with discretion. and acquitted them
selves with credit
twenty views of Lnther's life story
came after the trial scene.
The most beautiful scene of all, the
nuns and novices leaving the convent,
the Emperor having ordered all con-
vents and monasteries closed. The
Abbess and the nuns in their black
costumes were devotion typifed, and
he novices in purest white were like
the children of Heaven untouched by
the world. The solo by the nun, only
a STEP" and the solo by the novice,
ASHAMED of Jesus" were rendered
with feeling and pathos that reached
its highest in the supplicating chorus
of the homeless devotees, Lead, Kind
~ Light
And while a soft unearthly light was
shed over the scene, the noyices knelt
in silent prayer
Mrs. Monroe then concludes the life
history of Luther with ten more im-
. pressive views.
The entertainment ends with grand
allegorical march, representing the
Church Militant, IN which all the
persons in the play take part.
The sword drill of the knights
Templar and the drills of the Gov
ernors Guard and the A. and N. cadets
were very well done and were much
applauded. The costumes Of the Ger
mans were handsome, and set of TO
advantage the pretty girls and hand
some young men who represented the
people of Germany The States Of the
Union. represented by fair women,
dressed in pretty costumes, trimmed
in American red, white and blue, made
a decided success. The stars and
stripes added much 10 the color play
of the closing scene.
The play closes with the singing Of
Luther's battle song. Elm Feste Burg"
~ mighty fortress is our God.
NOTES OF THE PLAY.
President Winston as Martin Luth-
ere cannot be improved upon. He is
Luther himself
Mr. ED. Chambers Smith ought 10
have the Red Hot conferred on him by
Pope Leo. There is not a better Cardi-
nal in the papal College.
Mayor Russ as Bishop was unani-
mously voted distinction, though
many though, he was the Jolly
Friar."
Messrs. Starke Bachelor, Henry
I.itchford and Watkins Richards burst
out into actors at a bound, and all
made hits.
DR.. Turner. as the Abbot, was per.
lection, and that's all you can say OF
any man.
Miss Monfoe's lecture is Interesting
and we'll delivered, and the stereopti-
con half-tone engrayings are excellent
Master James Higgs is a graceful lit.