Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-17

The performance of the Life and
Times of John Wesley drew a splen-
did audience at the Opera House last
night. This was the first time that
this religious drama has been produc-
ed, and judging by the effect OF last
evening it is destined to become
greatly popular everywhere. The per
Torrance was not only interesting In
itself, but was exceedingly instructive.
giving those who had the privilege of
seeing and hearing it a better and
clearer idea of the basic principle OF
religion upon which Methodism was
founded and the methods which have
made the denomination as great and
wide-reaching as it is to-day.
1t shows plainly that the beginning
of Methodism marked a reformation
in religious thought and teaching, and
that its success is principally due to
the purpose, as closely followed by
Wesley, to furnish a system OF re-
ligion for the masses, the common
people. The various scenes produced
last night were all impressively real
istic and brought out wildly the in
cidents in the life and times Of the
great reformer. Every performer &C
quilted himself with credit and faith
fully portrayed the character he was
to represent. The persons who imper-
sonated the different characters die so
with an ability that would not have
been eXcelled by some professional &C
tors. Among those whose efforts are
deserving of particular mention were
Bentley Jones as Rev. John Wesley,
Prof. O. Doehn as DR.. Doddridges and
Rev. George Whitfield, E. Elson Brew
ster as Rev. Charles Wesley, Robert
Darrah as Vicar, Col. Robert White
and j. p. Rogers as judges, Judge
Cranmer as Sir Marmaduke GWynne.
and numerous others of which the lack
of space will not permit mention. Mrs.
H. E. Monroe, a popular lecturer. told
the story of Wesleys life i'll graphic
and striking language. Her lecture
was delivered in parts, intersperslng
the play. She was aided by large
number of stereOpticon views.
The play was participated in by $50
local talent, who were attired in
eighteenth century COSTUMES. Tie first
feature of the programme was the allie
nj hn n
the Wes,eys preach. This was very
pretty and effective and was joined in
by a hundred persons, who sang the
chorus, children Of the Heavenly
King" The next was the Holy Club
scene, giving a dialogue between fif-
teen Oxford students and showing ;he
origin of the word methodist" and
the beginning of the itinerancy Of the
church The male chorus in This part
was particularly fine. The most dra-
matte feature was the informal. trial Of
the two Wesleys before three justices.
This showed first, the costumes of the
period; second, the w0fH of Wesley
from his own standpoint; third, it re-
produced the history and music of two
of Rev. Chas. Wesley's hymns. In rer-
dering these hymns S. Elson Brawst er
as Rev. Chas. Wesley, took the part CT
sOlOist.
The representation of the first wo-
mans missionary meeting was pictur-
esque and striking. Miss Anna 3. IT.
win represented Lady Huntingdon, a
valuable patron of the Wesleys, in their
early struggle to establish the Meth
odist Church. Other ladies of nobility
of that period who Interested them
selves in the growth of Methodi SIN
were represented by Mrs. o. Howard
Brenneman, Miss Jessie Wheat, Mrs
F. Stanton. Miss Sue Caldwell, Miss
Alice M. Walters. They We're all at
tired in handsome costumes typical Of
the time. Mrs. F. Stanton sang cXqui-
sitely solo, reinforced in chorus hy
the full company. This seem brought
out the reconciliation between John
Wesley and George Whitfield, and the
sending out of the first missionaries
The closing scene was a process! Onal
Parliament of Nations-in which
each performer carried a flag of the
country into which the gospel had won
its way. The chorus 10, He Comes in
Clouds Descending was sung in a tri-
umphant manner amid the waving Of
flags.
The performance so splendidlv and
satisfactorily rendered last night, will
he repeated tonight and at matinee III
Saturday afternoon for the children.