The independent-reporter., 1910-12-08

The speaker OF the PrOl0RueS Is
Anton Lechner, who is drawing mas
Ter in the schools. The chorus wear
beautiful, many eolored garments, ex
eept on two occasions. just before the
crucifixion and just after, when they
appear clad all in black.
From the moment that the chorus
enters the stage in the Prelude until
the betrayal in the garden of Gethse-
name, the great audience sit breath
less, except for the occasional sigh
and shudder of sadness which passes
over it as lightly as whispering
breeze moves the leafy trees.
The first tableau is emblematic of
the fall, and represents Adam and
Eve flying from Paradise. The tempt
er snake is hanging from tree while
an angel with flaming sword stands
forbidding their return. The second
tableau which follows on a short Pro-
logue, represents the Alteration of the
Cross Around the cross are num-
Der of women and children. All of
whom point or gaze at the cross. This
was one of the most beautiful tab
leaux
The entry into Jerusalem is one OF
the most remarkable scenes in the
whole play. The crowd, in their
many colored costumes, children. men
and women waving palm branches
and shouting "All Hail to Thee, Thou
Son of David" precede, while Christ
clad in a long garment of grey over
which was cast a flowing robe, rides
upon a tiny ass, almost too small TO
support his weight. John, the be-
loved disciple, leads the little ass and
carries in his hand long pilgrim
staff. Hosannas to the Son of David
are heard on every side. All, how
soon, how pitifully soon are these
Hosannas changed to jeers and Kisses
and the son of man who came to save
the world has no where to lay his
head.
Jesus advancing to the Temple, sees
the money changers and priests busi-
ly engaged in bargaining. Striding
forward and raising his voice, he calls
upon them to leave the Temple say
ing, There is room enough outside
for your business. My house says
the Lord, shall be called a House of
Prayer for all nations; Ye have made
it a den of thieves" Then with one
vigorous movement of his arm he
ONtIluluo tlIC laplCo anu tu' itAi'S
seizes a rope and twisting it twice
with it drives out the traders.
The Council of the Sanhedrin gath
er late in the night. In the highest
place sits Caiaphas clothed in rich
and beautiful vestments, with Annas,
the aged high priest, on his left and
Nathaniel on mis- right. To the San
hedrin, Nathaniel speaks, laying forth
the grievance of the people and be-
seeching them that they take some
immediate action lest the very law
of Moses be upset by the innovations
of the Galilean. At an opportune
moment the traders make their ap-
pearance and the council promise
them that a reward shall be given to
whomsoever shall make known to
them the nightly resorts and where
abouts of Jesus. One OF the traders
promising that he knew one of the
followers of Jesus from whom he
could easily gain some information
If a sufficient reward could be Offer
ed, the council without delay give
him the desired authorization and at
once break up, all repeating In one
voice, Praised be the God of Abra-
ham, of Isaac and of Jacob"
The fifth tableau shows the bride
in the Song of Solomon. The bride
is beautifully arrayed in the midst
of bevy of companions in the ira
ditional flower garden. Christ, of
course, is prefigured by the absent
bridegroom, the lamenting bride, who
appeals to the daughters of Jerusalem
is the Church, the Lambs bride of
the Apocalypse.
One of the most affecting scenes
in the whole play is the leave taking
at Bethany.
Jesus accompanied by his disciples
sets out to pay his last visit to Beth
any. To them, he thus spoke and
said, "Ye know, dear disciples, that
after two days is the feast of the
Passover, so now. let US make one
last visit to our friends In Bethany
and then go to Jerusalem where in
these days all will be fulfilled which
has been written by the prophets con
cerning the son of man. The disci-
pies were puzzled by his words, un-
derstanding not his meaning and
turned to him for explanation. Jesus
answered and said unto them, THE
hour Is come that the Son of Man
SlUuIu Ue SlOl lACd' fSitiyI 'NA''J'
say unto you, except a corn of wheat
fall into the ground and die 1t abideth
lone, but if it die it bringeth forth
much fruit Now, this is the judg-
ment OF the world. Now, shall the
prince of this world be cast out. And
if be lifted up from the earth will
lraw all men unto me-
The disciples still uncomprehending
question him further saying, Thou
who canst raise the dead canst not
die. What can thine enemies do unto
hee? One single word from thee
would annihilate them all" Turning
to the others Jesus said, yet little
while is the light with you. Walk
while ye have the light, lest darkness
cyertake you
BY this time, having come near to
The village of Bethany Simon Lazarus
who was raised from the dead, with
Martha and Mary Magdalene ap-
Droach. With them Jesus enters into
the house of Simon and sat at meat
saying, Let us now, beloved dfsci-
ples, enjoy with thanks the gifts
No Time Wasted.