The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-31

seem probable that the stories, the BIZ
ographical and historical portions of the
Bible would prove attractive beyond a
perhaps brief period OF their novelty.
They are not richer in human nature,
in life experiences. than other forms
of literature, and in their simple set
tings not so we'll adapted to presenta-
ton. Hence, think the Bible will new
err in any large sense be dramatized.
The book of Job is a dramatic parable.
Nor would it be helpful to public in
telligence and morality Religion has
been too much objectivized in the old
world. Everywhere one meets with
these objectivized to the sense percep-
ton to the sense side of religion. The
spiritual calls for the ideal: Is helped
more by the reflective, the philosophy
cal, and hence, beyond the sacred in
architecture and the instructive and
emotional in the liturgical forms of
worship, the pulpit oratory Will con-
tinue to take the place of the drama.
Of course there may be even more
than we have had of stereopticon pres
entation and illustrated biblical lee
lures, but the theater Will never take
the place of the church, and we should
hope that the churches Will not try
to take the place of the theater. Inc
need of these great years is FOR more
teaching, a larger vision of the deep
truths of life, of being.
Fl. w. THOMAS.
In reply to your question, Should the
Bible be dramatized?" understanding 1t
to mean, Should such dramatizations
be presented on the stageY l should
say most emphatically, NO: Some
portions of the Bible, as job, for exam
pie, are dramatic in construction,
though this is obscure if not entirely
concealed in the King James version.
To have these portions so printed as to
disclose their literary form is very
decided gain. The revision of 1881 ana
1884 is an advance in the right dlrec-
ton. The polychrome Bible, now is
suing from the press under the edltor-
ship of Prof. Paul Haupt of Johns Hop
kins university, will he a still further
and notable advance.
But the presentation of biblical scenes
and incidents on the stage is abhorrent
to the reverent feelings OF nearly or
quite all Christians, The Passion
Play" at Ober-Ammergau, in Bavaria,
might be thought to disprove this. But
that play is distinctly a religious mat
ter, and one witnessing it has no feel
ing of being in a theater, as | found in
1890. To dramatize biblical scenes, put
them on the regular stage between
comedies, farces, etc. with all the or
binary accessories. could not fail to de-
grade them in the popular estimation.
The drama acted is art, and the motive
of art is distinct from the religious mo-
tive. The Bible is for religion, and for
instruction only as that bears upon re-
ligion. 1t seems to me to have no place
upon the stage.
TUNIS S. HAMLIN.
Church of the Covenant, Washington.
/ am heartily in favor of doing any
thing legitimate to promote the teach
ings of the Bible. But | seriously ques-
ton the feasibility or usefulness of Dr.
Gunsaulus' proposal. Much of the sub
iect matter of the holy scriptures could
not be dramatically treated The iso-
lated case of the Ober- Ammergau is no
safe criterion and all who are acquaint-
ed with it know that it is only given
under exceptional circumstances and
that it's discontinuance is highly prob
able.
The best method of presenting the
Bible is in deed and word, life and min
istry. s. PARKS CADMAN,
Metropolitan Temple, New York City.
Chicago Chronicle.