The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-02-01
BARABBAs, A DREAM OF THE
WORLDS TRAGEDY BIZ MARIE
CORELLI.

WORLDS TRAGEDY BIZ MARIE
| CoRELLI.
Barabbas is q story written of the
time OF Christ's cruciixion. In it, the
/ Nazarene is the central figure HIS
personality dominates the whole mar
ratiye. HIS character is the touch
stone By which are tested the char
acters of all the men and women in
the book.
The scene is laid in Jerusalem, Pom
thus Plate is the Roman governor of
Judea. Caiaphas is the high priest in
Solomon's Temple. The country is in
disorganized condition.
! Several attempts have been made to
overthrow the tyranny of the Phara-
sees and the Roman officials. One OF
such solutions was led by Barabbas.
For this crime-for murder-and also
for robbery. Barabbas has been con-
fined for eighteen months in dark
and noisesome dungeon of the prison
house. His soul is black with sin and
with british rage at his punishment.
name IS Judith, and she is the most
beautiful of the Jewish woman. 1t is
because Pharasee slandered her, that
Barabbas slew him. There is in an
adjoining cell to Barsbbas his accom-
pills, Hanan, weak man, feverish
and malicious. He cannot endure the
solitude and the lonely cell; therefore
| 1, L., Do a
day that ever he did meet the man that
slew the Pharasee.
Thus, with hatred and anger in their
hearts, the felons are miserable
enough. and each wonders when will
dawn the day of his crucifxion. Han
nan hears the surge of a vast multi
tude of people passing over the streets
of Jerusalem. He remembers it is the
Passover; it is the day of that feast on
which each year criminal is
pardoned by the people. Feebly, he
hopes the populace will give him lib
erty; and scarcely has the thought
crossed his brain before he hears the
tramp. tramp Of soldiers nearing the
dungeon. the clanking- of their swords
against the stone pavement. and the
rusty. iron door of Barabbas' cell be-
ing opened. The guards bid Barabbas
to come forth; and Barabbas thinks it
is call to crucifixion.
.lf go to my DEATH" he says faint
ly." Il pray thee give yonder man
food. He mas starved and thirsted all
day and night, and he was once my
friend.n There is somewhat of noble
ness and generosity in the rugged
jew. Barabbas.
On entering the hall of judgement,
the party of soldiers and their captive
hear yells of Cruelty himl Cruelty
himl But tbs not of the Pharasee's
murderer they speak. 1t is of young
Prophet. from despised Nazareth, for
whose death the mob does Glamour.
This man hath made Himself the Son
of God. He hath consorted with Pub
licans and sinners. He hath healed
the sick on the Sabbath day, and above
all, He hath preached against the men
of high places, the Scribes and the
Pharasees, therefore is He brought 10
judgement
!, Barabbas looks at the Victim as He
T stands beneath the rail of Plate s
judgement seat. He looks al the calm
beautiful figure of Christ, the figure
which seems Ito absorb into itself ali
the. stateliness, all the whiteness, all
the majesty of the lofty tribunal, as
) well as all the shining light that falls
through the window and sense OF
the wonderous purity and goodness OF
7 this young Prophet comes into the
murderers' mind, and tor the first
time in his life, he loaths the sinfulness
of bis own soul. Then when the
beautiful face looks toward him with
such depth of pity in its eyes great
worship comes into the heart of Bar
abbas, making him long to be cruci-
fed instead of this just man out OF
i Nazareth.
i The scene in the judgment hall is
we'll painted. The efforts of Pilot to
save the Prophet. the mingled awe and
admiration which he feels for his
Victim and the faint terror that there
is something supernatural about the
patient Prisoner before him, are strong
i ly portrayed. Likewise is the char
acter of Caiaphas, its eager malice and
| hypocracy fully drawn in this chapter.
Marie Corelli has much sympathy
for Pontius PLATE. She depicts him as
sensitive, full of compassion, and with
all. very bold. He is bold in his dis
regard of the Infatuated Jewish mob
and the no less infuriated public
officials. The gradual knowledge that
dawns upon the judges mind that this
Being is not altogether of earth, the
manly love .he renders him for bis
forbearance aud gentleness, and the
effect of Justitia's warning: "Have
thou nothing to do with this just man,
for have suffered many things in a
dream tins day because Of him." are
but steps to that climax when Jesus.
perceIving the struggle of Pilates
mind. turns to him. saying: He that
delivereth mo unto thee. hath the great
er sin, "and theRoman governor washes
his hands free of the trial. On the
road to Calvary. Barabbas denounces
the mob for releasing him and cruelty
ing Christ, and Simon of Cyrene bears
the burden of that cross under which