The independent-reporter., 1910-12-15

I
air of simple dignity which impress
es even PLATE.
The Council having found Jesus
guilty, without the formality of a.
trial, now bring him before Plate ask
ing him to pass sentence of death
upon him. This he refuses to do,
angrily asking them why he should
deliver over a men to death unless
he is satisfied that his crime Is wor-
thy of death. Sending away the
Council. PLATE questions Jesus, ask
ing him if 1t be true that he has de-
sired to become the King of Israel?
The Jesus answered unto him and
said, MY Kingdom is not of this
world II my kingdom were of this
world then would my servants fight,
that | should not be delivered to the
Jews; but now my kingdom Is not
far from hence Then said PLATE,
Art thou King then?" Jesus
answered, Thou sayest that | am a
king. To this end l was born, and
for this cause came into the world
that | should bear witness unto the
truth. Everyone that is of the truth
heareth my voice"
| shall never forget the quiet SIM
pie dignity of this speech. German is
said to be one of the harshest of Ian
guages but the Bavarian German
spoken in the deep full musical voice
of Anton Lang is something always
to remember A servant approaches
with message from the wife of Pi-
late who begs that for her sake and
on account of a dream she has had
the night before that he will have
nothing to do with sentencing Jesus.
PLATE sends back word that he will
respect her wishes and will also do
all that he can to saVe him.
Recalling the council he learns
from them for the first time, that
Jesus is come out of Galilee. and so
he is It once relieved Of his difficulty
and jurisdiction and orders that
Jesus be t. ken before Herod. who is
King OF Galilee and who is even then
in Jerusa lem to be present at the
feast.
JESUS BEFORE HEROD.
Before Herod standing near his
throne, clad in scarlet robes and
wearing a golden crown upon his
head, the Council brought Jesus.
Having laid the case before him ac-
cording to their own light and learn
ing that the prisoner is one of his
own subjects, he questions him and
seeks to learn from Jesus the mean
ing of dream he had had the night
before. Jesus remaining silent, he
then desires that he show him some
of his famous magic, To all of which
Jesus remains silent. Whereupon
Herod, wearying, pronounces him a
King. of Fools, bids his couriers throw
over him a kingly robe and sends the
council back to PLATE, refusing to
concern himself with the affair.
THE SCOURGING AND CROWN OF
THORNS.
Tableaux eighteen and nineteen
precede the scourging. The first rep
resents the bringing of Joseph's coat,
all stepped in blood to the Patriach
Jacob. The distress of Jacob is
vividIy expressed. The latter the
sacrifice of Isaac. Isaac, a black
curly haired boy lies on Mount Mori-
ah while Abraham who is about to
slay him with bright falchion is
restrained by an angel who points to
4 ram In the thicket.
FROM PLATE TO HEROD FROM
HEROD BACK TO PLATE.
A plaything of the horrible raven
ing multitude they led him, the
weary patient Jesus, who by the lift
ing of his hand could have crushed
any foe. Thirsting for his blood,
they VOW that if he is not now con-
demned by PLATE, they will appeal to
Caesar himself. PLATE speaks to
them plainly, saying, Il have found
nothing in this man worthy of death.
| will, to meet your desires, have him
scourged and let him GO But. to this
the council will not listen. PLATE be-
lieving that the Priests seek to per-
5ecute Jesus because he is more pop
ular with the people. tells them in
plain words what he thinks and says
that he will leave it to the people.
who will soon assemble to demand
the release of one prisoner according
to en- old custom at the passover
feast, saying. "Ye know of the muir
derer Barabbas, who lies in chains,
nd OF his evil deeds. Between him
and Jesus of Nazareth | will let the
people choose. The one whom they
ask for, him will | release. Release
Barabbas, and to the cross with the
other! cry the Council. "Ye are not
the people," said Plate haughtily, the
people will speak for themselves" p"
Meanwhile l will have this one
scourged.
PLATE entering his house. Caiaphas
turns to the priests and bids them go
into the streets OF Jerusalem and
bring back their friends to demand
the release of Barabbas. The SOL
diers now lead Jesus away to the
Praetorium and the scourging be-
gins. Let me pass lightly over this
scene; the patient noble figure seat
ed on a stool, hands tied behind him
to a pillar. The blood crimsoning
his fair flesh and later the mantle
and crown of thorns which the SOL
diers jeeringly place on his head pro-
claiming him now a King, the press
ing down of those cruel thorns, until
] the blood starts ceasing only when
summoned by PLATE to the judgment
hall.
JESUS OR BARABBAS.
Then was Jerusalem In an uproar
the traders and priests ran every
where stirring up the people against
Jesus. All, fiekle people-he whom
you followed so loyfully into Jerusa-
lem but short time ago ye now are
eager to condemn. Incited by the