The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1905-03-22

dition of their lines by every member
in Laurens and Manager Vance is en-
titled to the thanks of the community
for securing this play. Any failure Of
appreciation on the part of an average
auditor like ourselves is perhaps charge
able to the difficulty of going back,
even in imagination, to the times and
scenes the play sets forth.
From 1905 backward to 1450, from
"Pinafore" or "Sergt. Kitty" back to
almost the very dawn Of the English
drama, is vast sweep of time, trip
from one pole to the other of the dra-
matte sphere. When it is recalled that
"Everyman" was written and first
rendered 100 years before Shakespeare
was born and 200 years before John
Bunyan had given "Pilgrim's Progress"
to the world the marvel is that in this,
the twentieth century, it can be played
at all. The antiquarian, the literatteur
or the historian would be first attracted
by it, but no reason exists why any one
should miss the wholesome moral inn
planted. How many plays written in
your day and mine do you think will be
doing service or even eXtant 500 years
hence? What then is the secret of so
wonderful vitality? There must be
some explanation. The canker of age
and tooth Of time covers with oblivion,
lest there be some vital spark, some
pure gold.
The explanation is perhaps found in
the fact that "Everyman" tells the
story of human nature which changes
III In eXternals and on-essentials only.
The exact, time and place and even the
authors name ,have been forgotten, but
his work lives on because of its fidelity
to eternal truth. The Nntrast be-
tween this breath from the musty ,.,ss ,r.asst
and the plays we have grown accus-
toned to is so great that one must sit
for time under the spell and magic
of even artists before you catch the
atmosphere of the theme or acquire an
insight into the truthfulness and force
of the delineation. Morality Plays were
the second form or general trend that
dramatic representation assumed, the
earliest efforts being classified as
Miracle Plays" or Mysteries, Ora
matizng the lives of saints and the
striking episodes of Biblical History
was the subject matter treated. A Gu
rious survival of these is the Passion
Play of Oberammergan.
The scene of action in the allegory of
"Everyman" is the nave of a Monas-
terry. The opening words are spoken
by Messenger, who announces the sub
Ject of the play. Then Adonai (The
Voice of GoD is heard recounting the
moral depravity of the Human race,
concluding by summoning Death to APP
pear and ordering him to bring before
the judgment bar "Everyman" who
typyities the race. Taken unawares,
10th to give up life, and enter upon the
last, long journey alone, "Everyman"
successfully begs Fellowship, Kindred
Goods and Riches to bear him company
but divining the nature of his mission
they successfully forsake the suppliant
Thus deserted, utterly disconsolate
"Everyman" seeks Good Deeds who af-
ter upbraiding him for his long neglect
conducts him to her sister Knowledge
who in turn leads him to the Holyman
Confession. Confession appoints him
pcnancc which he inhicts with the
scourge and retires into the monastery
to receive the sacrements of the priest.
On his return he wakes faint and is
cheered for brief time by Strength,
Beauty, Discretion and Five Wits, but
as his hour approaches they all de-
sert him and he expires at last aban-
doned by all but Good Deeds who at
tends him to the end and folds the cold
hands on his breast. Over the lone
watcher and her dead an angel descends
to sing his requiem and the epilogue is
spoken by a Doctor who after sum
ming up, delivers the moral
"This memorial men may have in
mynde
Yc herers, take, if of worth old and
yonge,
And forsakc Pryde, for he deccyveth
you in thende,
And remembre Beaute, Five Wits,
Strength and Discretion,
They all at last do "Everpmen" for.
sake;
Save his Good Deeds there dothe he
take
But beware, for and they be small,
Before God he hath no help at ALL
The impression made is powerful
one and the vivdness with which the
unknown work created, clothed and sci
forth these moral distractions is won
dcrful in its simplicity and force. Thl
present productions is guilty of no ire
weren't innovations.
URGENT MEASURES. She: ooh
Henry, that cow seems to be coming
awfully FAST"
Henry: "Er-yes. Pm afraid she has
lost her calf, and"
She" Well, do something about il
quick to make her see that you are moi
it?"- Chicago News.
THE GREAT QUESTION. Fond Young