The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-19
DR.. WHARTON REPLIES.
He Tells What the Passion Play is In
tended 10 Teach.

Rev. DR.. II. W. Wharton, who Is giving
| nightly productions Of the Passion Play
at the auditorium for the benefit Of his
| orphanapos after reading the criticisms
/ Of Bishop @. 9. Penick, published in The
/ Times OF yesterday in regard 10 such per
| fOrmanccs, has made the following reply.
Of have read with deep interest the
remarks of Bishop Penick concerning the
Passion play and beg leave 10 submit "a
few words by way Of explanation
Allow me 10 disclaim any personal
feeling whatever, and 90 express my re-
spect and reverence for the good Bishop
| and his opinions.
"The motive which prompted me 20 en-
gage this exhibition was two-i0ld. I
have "a large number Of helpless little
orphan children dependent upon me.
whom + have found as ] have gone over
the land preaching the gospel from New
York 20 Florida. When ! have solicited
; funds for their support ] have been met
with the reply that each denomination
should support fits own orphans and
many Christians find excuse iu saying
they must support the orphanage Of their
own church.
CAS- our orphanages are strictly nom
denominationol and the children born OF
parents who know no church and many
of whom are outcasts. ! must appeal go
The general public for their support ln
doing this IL / could set forth the story
of the Cross good would Dee accomplished
every way.
"As 20 the propriety Of this presenta-
ton ] beg TO differ from the opinion of
the Bishop This is not acting in the
sense OF the theatre. TO me such a dis
play Of our Savi0rs sunerings would DE
horrible in the extreme. in fact IL is not
play az all The name does not give
clear conception of IT'S import.
"It is am act Of worship by simple
hearted mountain peasants telling tho
story or the Cross IN "a most pathetic
and powerful manner.
THE exhibition which have IS the pic
ture OF that performance IL takes the
audience 20 the very spot and permits
them TO look on and understand as never
before. what our blessed Lord passed
through. Jesus said. "If / be lifted up
from tho earth viii draw all men unto
me-" Paul said. 1--WE preach Christ
crucifed" The Passion play does both.
with a devotion and reverence which dis
arm an criticism. IT, simply does what
Bishop Ponick and ~ other faithful
preachers Of the gospel do az every SER
vice. 81 sets forth not I'm words only. but
In pictures the life death and resurrec-
ton Of Jesus our Savior.
But what is the effect? "Bv their
fruits ye shall know them" DO the peo-
pie attend and how are they affected?
They attend by thousands. Little chill
dron beg 10 90 again and again. and the
profoundcst thinkers find a realm for
Thought and study never opened 10 them
before. As / stand some times and look
upon the sea Of solemn faces. many
moved 90 tears am confident I'm the
belief that I am doing the public great
benefit and honoring the mime OF our
Redeemor by the Introduction OF the
Passion play 90 the people OF America.
rs it asking too much 10 request that
the good Bishop and an others. at least
see the play before they condemn It?
Gle Will remember the words of Nico-
demus 90 the Sanhedrlm when they
passed Judgment upon Jesus and ordered
his arrest, Doth our law judge any man
before it hear him. and know what he
docth?' J0hn vii. Sd.
% shall be pleased 20 furnish free adj
mission 20 any one who wishes TO I'M
quire into the merits OF this wonderful
production. II. NJ. WHARTON.