The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-10-06
0BERAMMERgAU's PERIL.
An Amcrican Methodist Rinister La
ments the Loss ofthe simplicity and
Artlcssness OF the Past.

Artlcssness OF the Past.
(The Rev K. J. Helms In lions Herald.
A few Of the readers Of zion's Herald
will next year visit the famous Passion
Play at oberammerEau; thousands win
read with interest descriptions Of the
same. The American people are pretty
generally acquainted with this strange
play, which Is given every ten years by
these quaint Bavarian country folk.
Many will DO grleved to hear that the
very simplicity and artlessness which have
made this play famous, and In the past
one OF religious power and attractive
ness, are threatened with destruction 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 intimation we had Of the
change that had come over this ar-famsd
honest country folk was at the railroad
station ut Obareau. whence we were to
go by team to Oberammergau. The tam
sters hal learned to recognize an. Ameri-
can. and they therefore demanded five
prices for our fare. Evidently they had
net fefors met a poor American, and
what YVES their surprise and chagrin to
find the writer and his wife, rather than
endure their sxtortion, start out afoot to
walk the necessary eight miles. lt was
an exhaustive undertaking, climbing
that long mountain side, but the brac-
ing air OF these bavarian Alps and the
magnificent views OF these alternating
wooded and barren and craggy peaks,
made us feel many times, when we
stopped t, rest. that We were more than
repaid for standing up for the American
principles of equal right and fair dealing.
After four hours We reached Oberam-
mergau, quietly nestled u nder the cross
crowned peak of an overtowering noun
tain and apparently taking It's MONDAY
nap to the music OF the purling. clear
Ammer River that flows through the
centre Of the town. The rattle Of few
pieces of co quickened o gastnaus pro-
prietor to provide very balatahle meal,
latter the usual much waiting of th 10
| country and let 1t be said at very
moderate price. We were glad to eat out
on the sidewalk, that we might avoid the
fumes of poor tobacco and beer that nlled
TIE dining room
Dinner being over, we eagerly sought
the place Of the Passion Play. What was
our disappointment to see that the grassy
blDb WutEc tub DAtub COuutry D6ODi6 IOT~
mefly came aud watched this religious
festival in reysrent wonder was all dug
out and over the same large steel frame
work was being erected, reminding one
of gigantic camp meeting tabernacle
| or theatre. 1he 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. l. o. :,
how many dollars. will be brought to the
place next year. That their anticipatlons
are great Ia evident from the extensive
preparations which are being made to
accom- MEDIATE the guests.
The names OF those who will take the
different parts in the play-sxoeps the
chorus-will not be known till October.
We found, of course, feverish interest
among some Of the aspirants. A com-
mittee consisting OF the burgoma ster and
eighteen others has the selecting That
there should be some unholy wire-puliinR
for positions, as there was among the tir st
disciples of Jesus, would not be surpris-
ing.
Our time was 80 limited that we could
not interview many of the former actors.
Joseph NJ eyer, the former Christus, was
SO busy furnishing orders of his own wood
| carving for admiriug English patrons
that be could not be seen. he is well and
vigorous, 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 Tx that difficulty.
Peter Rendsl, the son-in law of Meyer,
who played the part OF John, will, SO
| reports cay, have the same part again. A
talk with him, wherein he manifested q
modest, sweet character In spite OF the
lionizing he received from William 4.
Stead in London. shows him to be man
eminently lifted to act t1e character of
John. We regarded ourselves fortunate
In being able to purchase from him, one
of his OWE wood carvings of Christus at
very moderate p-ice. Meyers son. also
a very modest man, will again have
charge Of the chorus of 500 voices. The
angel In the Harden of Eden and Geth-
| semane 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
will be given to rehearsals, and the play
sil be first given to the public on the
23d OF May next.
We returned TO the railroad station by
bins at ones xth of the price charged us
in the morning. Is 1t strange that as We
left this beautiful little town we WOE
dsred "Will this great religious fssti val
OF centuries degenerate into twentieth
century theatre as the old time camp
meeting has Into lecture and recreation
ground2"