Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-11
OBERAMMERGAU'S PERIL.
The Loss of the Simplicity and Art-
Iessness of the Past.

The Rev. +. Helms in lions Herald
A few of the readers of lions Herald will
next year visit the famous Passion Play
at Oberammergau: thousands will read
with interest descriptions Of the same. The
American people pretty generally
quainted with this strange play, which is
given every ten years by these quaint Ba-
varian country folk. Many viii be grieved
to hear that the very simplicity and art
lessness which have made this play famous.
and in the past one of religious power and
attractiveness. are threatened with de-
struction by its popularity
Resting a few days this summer about
fifty miles from Oberammergau. my wife
and ! determined that one day of our rest
should be used in pilgrimage To that
place. The first intirnatfon had Of the
change that had come over this far-famed
honest country folk was at the railroad
station at Obereau, whence We were to go
by team to Oberammergau. The teamstcrs
had learned to recognize an American, and
they therefore demanded five prices for our
fare. Evidently they had not befUrr met
poor American, and what their sur
prise and chagrin to find the writer and his
wife. rather than endure their eXtortion,
start out afoot to walk the necessary eight
miles. 1t was an exhaustive undertaking,
climbing that long mountain side but the
bracng air of these BaVarian Alps and the
magnificent views of these alternating
Wtcted anu barren ana tfdSSA peaks Iidlt
US feel many times, when we stopped to
rest that We're more than repaid for
standing up for the American principles of
equal rights and fair dealing.
After four hours We reached Oberammer-
gau, quietly nestled under the cross
crowned peak OF an overtower.Ds noun
tain. and apparently taking its monday
nap to the music of the puriins, clear Am
mer river that flows through the center Of
the town. The rattle OF a few pieces ot
coin quickened a g&SthauS proprietor to
provide very palatable meal (after the
usual much waiting OF this country. and,
let it be said. at a very moderate price. We
We're glad to lat out on the sidewalk, that
We might avoid the fumes Of poor tobacco
and beer that flied the dining room.
Dinner being over. we eagerly sought the
place Of the Passion Play. What was our
disappointment to see that the grassy pat
where the picus country people formerly
came and watched this religions festival in
reyerent wonder was al dug out. and over
the same Il large steel framework was
being erected. reminding one of 4 gigantic
camp meeting tabernacle or theater. The
old stage is all that remains of the former
place. This may be used again, and il may
not The talk of the town is how many
foreigners, +. e., how many dollars. viii he
brought to the place next year. That their
anticipations are great is evident from the
extensive preparations which are being
made to accommodate the guests.
The names OF those who will take the
different parts in the piay-except the cho-
rus-will not he known til October. We
found, of course, feVeTiSh interest among
some Of the aspirantS. committee con-
s.stinG of the burgomaster and ej-hteen
others. has the selecting. That there should
be some unhoiy wire-pulling for position,
as there was among the first disciples Of
Jesus. would not be surprising.
Our time was so limited that We could not
interview many of the forncr actors.
Joseph Meyer, the former Christus, was so
busy furnishing orders of his own wood
carving for aimiriug English patrons that
he could not be seen. He is we'll ana Wig
orous. and the only argument used against
his taking the same part for The third
time is that he is getting gray. A little
hair dye may fix that difficulty. Peter Rem
del, the Son-in-law of Meyer. who played
the part of John, will, report says, have
the same part again. A talk with him.
wherein he manifested a modest, sweet
character, in spite of the lionizing he re-
ceved from William T. Stead in London,
shows him TO be man enlinently fitted to
act the character of John. We regarded
ourselves fortunate in being able to pur-
chase from him one of his own wool cary
inss of Christus at a very moderate price.
Meyers son, also a very modest man, will
again have charge of the chorus of 800
voices. The angel in the Garden of Eden
and Gethsemane scenes We found very
much under the influence of the bad spirit
of strong drink. He hopes to take the same
part again. 1t is fortunate for him that
the same temperance views do not prevail
here as in America. The entire winter viii
be given to rehearsals. and the play will be
first given to the public on the :a3d of May
next.
We returned to the railroad station by
bus at one-sfXth the price charged US in
the morning. Is 1t strange thar as we left
this beautiful little town we wondered,
Will this great religious festival of CEN
turtles degenerate into a twentieth century
theater, as the old-time camp meeting has
into a lecture and recreation ground?'