New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-22
DRAMATIC READING OF JOB.
THE BIBLE STORY GIVEN AS THE EPIC
OF THE INNER LIFE.
,,,ss w. r,-,,rr,v GIVES STEERING BIOGRAPHY
HER READINGS FOR THE CHILDREN Or
,trr. ETHICAL. SOCIETY SCHOOL.

MISS IDA BFNrEY GIVES STIRRING BloEhhHh
HER READINGS FOR THE CHILDREN OF
THE ETHICAL SOCIETY SCHOOL
The chiIdrens department Of the Society OF
Ethical Culture held its annual entertainment yes
.ordav afternoon at the Tuxedo Maison-ave. ana
Fiftv-nntb-st one Of the attractions OF the pro-
eramme was the readings given by MISS lua b0"-
fey. who has been heard through the last winter
at many private homes in many parts OF 'he co''"
try as well as before the public "heh Sle mas
contributed her services to aid a number OF char-
ties which have Appealed to her for help Inc
readings yesterday were from the works OF Na'e
Douglas Wlggln and Mary wilkins.
She has read in London also on the occasions OF
her sotourn in that city. and has appeared al inc
homes OF many prominent people. among "'oh
may be mentioned the Duke of Sutherland. the
Duke OF Westminster. Alma Tadema and Dr.
Lenox Brown The interpretations she gave at
that time Of New England life as shown in the
works OF Mary wilkins We're declared by the
Princess Christian. who heard ther to be both
original and amusing.
The latest addition to Miss Benfeys repertoire
Is the rendering OF the book OF job as dramatic
reading This viii be given AZ Chautaula ms
summer. and in most unprecedented way as Il
will be read AT a special meeting on Sunday even
Ing August @ No such reading has ever been
given before ~ woman at the sunday services
held Chautauqua. Prior to that date the same
reading will be given AZ Bay View, Mich the sec
ond in importance Of any meeting places OF me
Chautauqua movement on August 6. and 10. and
at Lake Side. ohio August IL ana H. The st.
James translation Of job is the one used
The idea Of converting this part Of the Scriptures
INTO dramatic readings vas taken 10y Miss Bonfcy
from the work done IN this direction by Elizabeth
Fry an EnGshwoman who many years ago gave
Bible readings of a similar kind in the corridors Of
Newrate Prison. Interest IN the book was how
ever frs, awakened in the American reader by
hearing Professor Felix Adler refer to Il in one 81
his lectures as = magnificent poem. In speaking
of the way I'm which she took IT up Miss Beui'y
said a Tribune reporter.
II was not looking for grand literature. but this
took possession OF me. and impressed com
pletey with its power. and OF course. with It's
pathos."
When asked for her conception Of tho Book 81
Job Miss Bentley said Il Will quote 10 you. FIRST.
these words: job is the epic OF the inner life
Job was the great doubtcr. Job IS the greatest
tragedy in literature but II s. tragedy which
ends happily Froude Carlyle and La Fontalne
understood and appreciated this book. II seems -
me that It's value IS due TO its human interest It
is Just as fresh and real to-day was when it
was written. Anything that is vital with human
interest cannot grow old. Dillon says there are
people who have been impressed with job that
they think It is a biography. believe II to be an
autobiography. cannot prove this OF course any
more than you can prove that Shakespeare wrote
his own works. Your feeling on the subject must
depend upon how deeply you have studied the au-
thor.
professor Felix Adler makes the assertion that
II would have been impossible FOR the man who
wrote so spiritual poem Job to have written
anything material as the prologue The pro