The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-02
ouEnAmMERGAU MIRACLE PLAY.
Why It's Present Vogue Does Not
Make the villagers Mercenary.

correspondence OF the Boston Pilot.
prominent writer. and one no, gen
,r,uy credited with religious tendencies.
srer having witnessed the now ceisbrat-
ell Passion play. represents himself as
losing restlessly the entire OF the fol-
lowing night unable TO drive from his
mind the conviction. This Is the story
,rat transformed the world" leading to
,bs reiterated conclusion. Yea, and will
f-ansform g." The realization IS shared
u.s. almost every one else who has wit
fessed this years decennial exhibition.
carried out as at Obermmergau. the
f.-ength OF The miracle play for chs pur-
nose OF instructing and impressing the
irieftered masses IS fully realized, yet Is
,4ually suited 20 the cultivated. For all
tst. public sentimens would not In our
day pronounce la favor of the extension.
Perhaps only at OherammerEau would
fHch a performance be recognized, and
tt only when the peculiar conditions
under which the representation had it's
origin are appreciated by all as they are
lr the performers. Il Is not too great
O. stretch 10 state that such a perform
once would be. elsewhere. impossible No
mere actors could be trained into the
deep religious significance attached to the
s.tl0n by these simple villagers-action
shat Is the perfection Of art by lie pure
artiessness. The spectator marvels at
The grace OF movement and the complete
ifungness OF costume. dialogue, music
ard manner exhibited In the performance.
'rlf holds In breathless attention and ad-
mration day amer day. for eight hours.
sa audience OF over 500 persons, many
o' whom may be devout, most of whom
Hff al oh Set aa
rIesslveness OF the wonderful exhibition.
tmost everyone Is familiar with the
Celebrated vow 90 an entire people that
toward the close OF the sixteenth century
bound tho Inhabitants of this part OF tho
IayariAn Tyrol 10 the decenuial thanks
giving performance. and which with but
fw omissions, have been continued over
90 years. Inquiry to-day tends in the
direction of the disposition OF the de-
aIendants OF those who with aingleness
% purpose and earnest devotion made
iae promise. 50 far Il is generally ad-
m.tted that the spirit debating the cele-
hrltion IS. as far as those taking part In
s. are concerned. maintained In its purity
tl; the influx Of such multitudes, and the
cesire OF 50 many to get autograph SOU
Nenirs OF tho leading characters. and the
evident gain that Is 10 result from the
EFFORT 10 supply such demand. viii be
tHadity ACKNOWLEDGED az ttndnE 10 Ak
let the primitive simplicity that. regard
Jess whether strangers witnessed the cele-
bratiou or not. relgiously fulfilled the
VOW Undoubtedly the income Is great,
tut the expense OF the production Of the
representation. In which between 900 and
o. people take part ~ not Uncomfortable.
Tho hall now rooted IN. except the stage.
ana with plain but comfortable accommo-
dat Ions for seating 1000. was no small ex-
panse, which is greatly increased by the
outlay for 90 many and 50 varied cos
Tunes Though this legitimate outlay OF
much Of the money received is admitted
bs reasonable. many non-Catholics and
equally frec-spoken Catholics hint 81
money as the object OF the continuance
81 tIs celebrations The same unbiased
authority. ndvertcd TO as being so deeply
Impressed. In following inquiry on this
p..r-. states that after the expense stems
above enumerated each villager, who
taxes part. receives from the receipts only
mail sum. representing Compensation
Jog the time taken from his ordinary avo-
cation and devoted 10 preparation OF his
part What remains is religiously distrib-
ufei 20 tho poor OF the entire district.
such a statement removes the suspicion
of mcrCenary motives In those connected
with the control OF the celebration. The
arrangement Is reasonable and Just 70
those taking part, az none can boast OF
amy position more comfortable than that
eft an ordinary mechanic-slost Of them
i-lug engaged ia wood-carving, an art
tr which they excel.