The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-05

part that the children took was quite as
impressive as that of the older actors. In
short the multitude, numbering perhaps
more than five hundred people, were not
acting-they were living through the
scenes of the worlds greatest tragedy
From the noble carriage of Joseph Mayer,
VINO spoke the prologues, to the smallest
enid standing on the steps of the portico
10 see the Christ go by, there was not the
slightest evidence that any one knew
there was an audience before him, but all
were absorbed in the affairs OF that dread
fui day in Jerusalem nearly two thousand
years ago. If these people attempted to
act they would fall they are not actors
they are imbued with the spirit of the
Master and feel the burdens and. sorrows
that weighed Him down
Anton Lang was the ChEistus, and by
far the most impressive figure. His mart
ing from Mary brought tears to the ewes
of the most Indifferent. The sweetness ana
tenderness of his 'Mutter, meme mutter.'
are wholly indescribabl and the hour Of
agony in the garden was shared i'm q al
renee that indicated, if not reverence. at
least awe, on the part of all present The
crucinxlon scene lasts about twenty min
utes and is painfully realistic. The man
undoubtedly suffers greatly. He seems to
ue actually on the cross and the horror
that the watchers feel when he makes his
last cry and realize the earthquake and
the darkness communicates itself to the
audience.
The play lasts, with brief intermis-
sion at noon. from s o'clock a. m. to $50
o'clock p. M, and the day was hot, but
not a person among the 1900 left the
room, and even the children remained
through 1t all attentive and quiet
l am far more than repaid for coming
so far to witness this grand exhibition OF
faith, because ii Is only the faith of
these people that glorifies their work. OF
the thousands who attended these per-
iormances during the two days, not one
IN my hearing expressed himself adverse
~ Inc conviction comes to me this
hlght' here In this village In the Tyrol
mountains, that faith is not dead and is
not TO ole. but will redeem the world: and
under the Influence of the strange scenes
that have passed before me I pray that
1t may be so.
l did not accept the invitation to VISIT
at their homes the principal characters
as prefer remembering them as thew
appeared on the Oberammergau stage.
II has been sneeringly said that the
MagoaIene served beer to those who
lodged at her fathers home, and that
others smoked and drank beer as other
people. do not know. The family with
Whom we lodged, and who throughout
wree SO solicitous for our comfort. had
parts, but I did not inquire concerning
them 1t is true that I saw the man
who acted the part of the Beloved Dis
clple with so much tenderness and love
smoking cigar like an ordinary man
out 1t did not shock me. If I understand
the Christian religion at ALL II enables
a man to carry the spirit OF the Master
INTO all the affairs and concerns of life
however humble. If, under certain con.
oltlons, the drinking of wine or beer ia
proper, then man may do so without
appearing hypocritical or irreligious am
not stating a conclusion or arguing about
fact. Here people drink beer. and vet
seem very temperate. They regard II as
a necessary part of their diet even more
fuily than Americans regard tea or coffee
Holding this belief 1t does not follow
that they are acting a part" in attempt
ing to give their expression of view or
opinion touching the divine tragedy
shall go away from this peaceful VII
iage OF 1,4OO people tomorrow morning.
hoping, feeling, believing the mysteries
or the life and death OF our dear Lord
and Master more fully. more completely
than ever before, very thankful indeed
that L have had the privilege of Journey
ing here during the summer of 1900.
"A, ] Smith