Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-02-15
VINEYARD
CR|T|C|zES
BEN HUR


ing the early part OF the winter. the
performance at one of the coast cities
of the play dramatized from the novel
Ben Hur." The production was mag.
nficenCly staged and large audience
went into enthusiastic raptures over
the very real presentation OF the char
lot race scene. Renders OF the novel
will remember that Ben Hur jew
driver. after many prosecutions, Sc
cures at last in the chariot race a
chance TO get even with his old enemy
The Messiah, and that he deliberately
overturns his enemys chariot and
throws him onto the track amid the
debris of the wreck.
Ben Hur is the hero. it will be re-
membered. of this tale of the Christ.
and is represented to he noble and
high-minded man. while his enemy Is
base and despicable. The reauer's or
spectators sympathies are enlisted in
behalf of the hero, and equally, he is
led to condemn his enemy At the
climax, in the chariot race. at the per
formance, the audience cheered and
applauded with enthusiasm the spec.
tacle of a man deliberately numbering
for 1t was no less than that, another
man who had wronged him.
In itself. the applause for a good
man doing under temptation. a wrong
act is nothing unusual; but when 1t
is remembered that the story so spec
iously labeled "A Tale of the Christ"
presumes 10 be story dealing his
vG,t.
that the hero may be supposed to fair
ly represent the principles and faith
Of the religion founded in his name. IL
becomes difficult to reconcile Ben
Hur's professions with his deeds. In
stead OF turning the other cheek. as
commanded by the man whose di-
sciple he was. he plans the certain de
struction of his enemy, and the whole
Christian world, with few exceptions
shouts vociferous approval
Ben Hur is after all Sunday school
story mixed with ingredients a trifle
stronger to suif> . mature experience.
In the regulation old time Sunday
p school book. the good boy always did
right and the bad boy wrong. and the
bad boy always got the best of the
deal until the last chapter. and in
that. providence finally miraculously
turned the tables and rewarded the
good In Ben Hur, as providence don't
seem to be on deck, the good boy
takes matters into his own hands and
kills the bad boy off And all the
good people cheer. Why shouldn t
they? Isn't it right for the good peo-
pie TO triumph over the bad?
Ebert Hubbard, commenting on eN-
travagant ruins, In the January Phil
istine. says: AT Charlottesville. Ind,
in the mad rush of chariot race for
fame. Hoosler Ben Hur built a pri-
vate library out of the profits of a
literary fluke, at so monstrous a cost.
that the owner felt lonesome In IT,.
and now the key turns rustily in the
lock to admit the gaping visitor who
sees a chair and table and pens and
unfinished Mss. arranged by the in
genious caretaker"
In marked contrast to the reception
accorded by the Christian world to
Ben Hur. it is interesting to note the
excitement caused by the appearance
and popular interest in another novel.
dealing in theological problems but
FROM a different point of view.
The Reign of Law" is the story of
an ignorant country boy who decides
to study for the ministry He works
with the negroes In the old Kentucky
hemp fields TO earn the money. He
is tender-hearted, faithful. persever-
Ing. conscientious, and with all of
these qualities. he is also shrewd. As
his studies advance. instead of the
mysteries OF faith clearing mp. as he
expected they increase, and he is
Mortified to find that he is beginning
10 doubt the Bible. instead of having
his faith increase with fuller knowl.
edge. With Puritanic ideas OF skep-
tics, he grieves over his lack of faith
and weeps bitter tears over his condi'
ton. He finally decides that the
world is ruled by natural laws. beyond
which it is impossible for the human
mind TO penetrate. Throughout the
story the reader Is convinced of the
hero's honesty and singleness of heart
yet Notwithstanding this, the ortho
h'N 'N'iSi'hioAo nave Nlltu WIN put
voice, Away with him" Almost as
many sermons have been preached
against THE Reign of Law" as there
We're in opposition to Mrs. Humph
rey Wards Robert Elsmere"
The spirit Of the inquisition is moi
dead yet. and many there be who ap
plaud evil that accords with their owr
opinions and is exercised in support
OF them. and who are ready to cry
cruelty him" at the one who dares IL
differ with their views no matter how
honest he may be In his doubt
Yet the world moves. The "Reigr
OF Law" was popular in spite of The
preachers. But few days ago II
Denver the chancellor of Denver Uni
versiiy. which is a Methodist demon
national college. Catholic father anc
Jewish Rabbi agreed to the follow
ing statement:
THE Bible is literature. Bibllca
idolatory has encouraged an arrogan
familiarity with God which Is fata
10 better religion"
The church in Boston which wal
mostly rasDonSihle for tho narsacutiny