The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-02-03
The SelZach Passion Play.

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In the pleasant valley at the foot Of
the Hasenmatt, ten minutes by railway
from Tolothurn, in German Switzerland,
nestles the peaceful village of Selzach,
where this summer of 1909 for The fifth
time was enacted the Passion Play.
The idea of sacred theatre originated,
of course, in Oberamnlergau in Bavaria.
1t was in 1890 that a group of the inhabi-
tants of Selzach were enabled, through
the liberality of a foremost citizen, to
visit the Passion Play there. They re-
turned to their lowly hamlet wonderfully
impressed. They determined to employ
their long winter evenings in the study
of the Bible, that they also might work
to the greater glory of God and the ad-
vancement of His kingdom. They decid
ed upon a version of the Passion Play
consisting of '.tableaux vivants" and
dramatic dialogue.
The first representation took place in
the winter of 1893, in the small concert
hall of the Hotel de la Croix, in Selzach.
1t was decided success, and gave them
so much encouragement that they re-
solved to improve the whole, add appro-
pirate music and give public perform
ances during the summer months.
Soon the fame of this unique sacred
theatre spread abroad, and not only the
Swiss, but strangers from without the
borders, came in considerable numbers
to listen, enjoy, and be edited. 1t is
now almost a national institution. In
the past sixteen years performances
have been given five different years.
They begin generally in June and end in
September. The performers are paid
but little, each preferring to give his
services solely from religious sentl-
ment. So the proceeds were set aside,
in great measure, and used to build the
present Passionspielhaus. 1t plays upon
| the heartstrings to witness such per-
Torrance. Everything is done so rever-
emily, SO carefully, and in so truly re-
/
ligious a manner. The story of our Gre
alton and Fall, the marvellously pictur-
esoue history of Joseph, the pathetic
finding of Moses, the providential Mama
in the Wilderness, the wonderful giving
of the law on Sinai's Mount, all are por-
traved before us in those early morning
hours.
Then follows the Angelica Salutation,
the Angels appearing to the Shepherds,
the Star of Bethlehem, the Birth of
Christ, the Alteration of the Magi, the
Flight into Egypt, Baptism in the River
Jordan, The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus,
the Divine Friend of Children, down to
the clamorous Entry Into Jerusalem.
Then there is an intermisslon for rest
and reflection until 2.30 p. M, when the
spirited dialogue begins with ''The De-
signs of the High Council The gorge
GUS robes of the High Priests, Ananias
and Caiphas, sparkling with gems, and
rustling with silk, and their proud and
naughty gestures contrast strangely with
the simple mien and humble garments Of
the Christ.
The spectator listens breathlessly as
the majestic yet simply sweet story un-
folds.
In the tableau, "Jesus, the Divine
Friend of Children" live sheep are in
troduced, with the peasant lads tending
them. They browsed peacefully, making
an idyllic scene. One lamb nosed about
and licked his young masters face The
lad gently laid his hand upon the animals
neck until the curtain went down. 1t
was beautiful sight, with the little chill
dren crowding about the Divine Master
and clinging to His robes. In 1.-THE
Flight into Egypt Mary and the Child
are seated upon a small gray ass, led by
Joseph, which is most appropriate as
our Blessed Savior was born in a stable
with the oxen and the sheep. 1.-THE
Parting at Bethany" is especially pa
thetic. Many in the audience wept, as
those tender German words vibrated in
the air, fraught with the immensely of
a great and willing sacrifice.
Zach. Colt, sic kommt, die Scheidestunde.
Und sic schlagt die tiefste Wunde
Maria in dein Herr!
Wer ermisst den Mutterschmerzy'
A hush is in the air, the tense expectancy
of the awful drama about to be enacted.
as scene after scene of our Blessed Lords
Betrayal, Capture, Accusation, Scourg-
ing, Growing with Thorns, Meeting
with His Sorrowing Mother, His Cruel
fixion, Death on the Cross, Descent from
the Cross, Burial in the Sepulchre, follow
in succession. Then comes the Resur-
rection Morn, with Mary Magdalene in
the garden. And finally the glorious
Ascension, when the music breaks forth
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