The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-03
The Newc of Selma.

, Jesus and of the similarity between the treatments accorded to Him and to Ma chfah, who is represented in an Old Testament Tableau as being stricken by A courier because he dared to foretell to Ahab the approaching death of the King of Israel. The chorus retires and the raised curtain discovers scene be- fore the house of Annas, the high priest. The time is night. Annas with his col leagues and servants enter upon the street and here Annas speaks of the sleeplessness that has come to him be- cause of his uncertainty of the ultimate fate of Christ. He cannot sleep until he is sure of His death; and he sends Es- dras out to seek news of Him they perse- cute. Again Annas speaks of his doubts
 of success in the prosecution of the Sa- yior and in his growing impotence sends another messenger to bring tidings of Christ.
 But soon Esdras returns and brings
 word that the Gallilean is bound and be- ing brought before the high priest. An mas rejoices for he sees before him a glorious career without a rival. In a short time Judas and those who had been sent with him to take Christ enter soon followed by the Temple watch in the midst of which comes Jesus bound and led by ropes.
 Annas compli nsnts Judas upon his as.uteness and sonsratulates him upon his success "for," he adds to reassure Judas, "this man will die.' And at this shocking announcement Judas, who had betrayed his Master |, stands amazed In grievous terror: he had not looked for the death of Christi;
 had never expected suoh dreadful result fvrav k,to nha yya ha
 cannot sad will not be responsible for
 His blood.
 But his repentance comes too late for Annas tells Judas, you have done your part; the rest IS our affair" And Judas. realizing the awful thing he has done, breaks forth into sorrow and lamentations and draws apart from | the crowd around nim.
 Then Christ Is led to the balcony where Annas and the priests have taken their
 stand and here Is held a mock trial. There Is complaint because all of His followers have not been arrested with Him and the story of His capture Is re-
 lated, the telling of the miracle of | Christ restoring he ear of the high priests's servant, who had been attacked | by Peter causing surprise and anger Christ Is questioned about the miracle puI He IcNndiHS Slieul ullii ne IS CoHl-
 manded to speak, when He says, "I speak
 openly in the synagogues and temples | why ask Me? Ask those who have heard | me-"
 Refusing to explain Christ angers An
 mas and Is led away by the soldiers whc beat Him as they drag Him from the
 street and exclalm. Away to the house | of Caiaphas; he will explain" | Annas also leaves the stage and imme- | diately afterward Peter and John enter | They speak of Christ sorrowfully anC
 without hope for they fear 1t was Ht | that was led by the soldiers They are
 accosted by Esdras with whom they talk
 their identity being unsupported. They
 leave the stage severally and the cur. | tain falls.
 The next act begins with the tableau oi Nahab stoned by the sons of Jezebel ant l the tableau of the suffering of Job, who
 Is derided by his friends and family.
 On both these tableaux the choru.
 chants appropriately.
 | The next scene Is the bed chamber o Caiaphas, who exultant over the capture
 of Christ thanks the priests for theil
 success and calls together the counci
 to try Jesus for there must be speed,
 justice. Christ is led into the chamber
 and formally accused. He remains silen
 but finally answers Caiaphas "I am tn,
 Messiah"
 Then the death sentence Is pronounced
 and Christ is led out after which Gaia phas and the others complete the plan.
 for the trial and execution.