The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-02

years the pastor OF the First Baptist
church In this city and has thousands
OF friends in Virginia and the South,
who will be glad to read what he has
to say.--Editor Religious Page.l
knew beforehand that the sole
cause of its attraction lay in the spi-
TT in which 1t is rendered--that the
villagers offered II as an act of wor-
ship to Almighty God, and would rem
der II with equal reverence and care
II there were no spectators from the
outside world. ] found this presup-
position great help to the realiza-
ton of my only desire in going--that
the Christ might be made more real
to me In the climatic act of his life.
Such a spirit Is quite necessary In
any one who goes to see it. I wish
they would not call IL Passion Play.
II IN an Interpretation, not play In
the ordinary sense of the word. Every
Interpretation dcma nds a responsive
nature. and this Interpretation rea-
sonably asks Of the visitor spirit
that responds Ia the redemption OF
man by the Cnrift. in the sacrifice of
himself according &c the prophecies
OF me old Testame emit
The Christus Mt Homo.
Most fortunately, by the kindness
of my friend, Mr.. Frame, travelling
agent, ] was the guest OF the Christus.
Anton Lang, and his sweet wife. who
was solofst in the play OF 1900.
They both gave me q most cordial
welcome. You look tired she. said.
Come and have a cup Of tea before
you go. Their pure, graceful Eng
lish diction won my heart. wished
greatly that l might see their home
life in Its normal state. without the
presence and pressure OF so many
visitors. But the glimpses of it which
] did get satisfied me that IL would
closely approach the home life In
Nazareth In spirit and aim. Anton
Lang was the same man in his home
as on the stage-devout, simple. mod
est IN receiving the many congratu-
lations offered him, putting the coins
gladly given for his autograph into
box for the support OF his orphanage
In the village, Christ-like in his whole
demeanor. His face through the en-
tire play was an interesting study TO
me--hrmness. mingled with gentle
ness: purity, toyfulness shining
through the deep psthos that often
oversha5owed it, specially In the scene
of Gethse'nane. behind the agoniz
Ing sorrow OF that scene there was
the calm, strong confidence of his
final victory through the path OF
suffering. Il go with JOY. o my Faith
er, to meet what Thou hast ordained
for me" He was not acting II. He
felt IL too deeply for tears. His face
will always help me into the reality
Of the Christ.
TIE him liz largely due the reverence
If the whole play In many scenes
the movement Is intense, the action
swift and vigorous, Hut II In never
irreverent | never saw such per
feet harmony OF intensity and rever-
ence. A single gesture Of his would
have marred the harmony, as each act
moved towards the elimination on
Calvary. But 1t was never seen. For
this reason only / wish every Ameri-
Fan preacher could see II.
The Pivot OF tie Play.
II Ii Interesting tn see how large
part tha cleansing of the Temple
court plays in the whole TRAGEDY
Scarcely anything liz more striking
than the development of the conspi-
racy against Christ Initiated by the
priests. who see In the anger of the
traders their opportunity to raise pop
uiar indig nation TO the highest point
At first the people, even to the chill
drep. are with Christ. But the trad
ers demand satisfaction and repara-
don for their loss. caiaphas and An
peals that win the people over. And
when the great rabbie OF two hun
dred come angriIs on the scene. laugh
at Pilates appeal to their reason and
pity In the sight Of the scourged.
thorn-erowned Christ, cry In scream
ing tones. ITO the cross with the
Naxarens.' Sentence him. the de-
ceiver." and PLATE weakly Yields to
their demand. dramatically breaking
the wand ao holds in his hand as the
sym Dol of his Office, as ne says. Take
him and cruelty him. But see. -
wash my hands. ! have no share In
this blood guilt. we see the begin
ming of 1t was In the earlier scene OF
Christs zeal for Il clean house OF
worship and prayer. 1t Is a stgnift-
cant lesson for to-day.
A Contrast In Repentance.
/ never saw such y thrilling lesson
of repentance az in the representa-
ton of Judas The cleansing of the
Temple court disclosed TO him the
doom OF Christs popularity. That
means poverty and shame for him.
The Master will not heed his appeal
10 make some provision for the flu
ture. The memory OF the three hun
dred pence which that foolish wo-
nan wasted In an empty honor to
Christ irritates him. That would have
ksen competence for life. Now I
must look about for some means of
When he 10 approached
with an offer of q great reward II ne
will give information OF the nightly
abode of Christ he consents without
any thought Of what he II doing. he
il simply making his fortune what
harm in telling where his Master
can be found at q certain hourf That
Is not treachery. If Christ ts impris-
oned he has his fortune laid BY. II
Christ Is victorious and reveals him
self in his majesty. then he Will throw
himself repentant at his feet. He
never repealed q penitent who came
to him" 'Ah, Judas. YOU are clever.
But the words OF Annas, He must
de-, haunt him. Surely the council
cannot drive 1t that far. He viii have
no part In the blood OF the Innocent |
you have made me . traitor" Here. |
We bloodhounds, 10 your blood money"
az he throws down the coins. Now
he finds he cannot repent. He has
slain the power. murdered, the capa- |
city for repentance. "Accursed ava |
rice, thou hast made me blind and
deaf" mo peaance can make my
crime rood; there IL no hope for me. |
scum OF mankind" Only remorse IL
his possibility. And 20 when In the |
ID 81 appearance he takes the scarf |
from MS shoulder, rolls 1t into cord.
ties II tightly about his neck, and fees
into the darkness. | prayer for every |
man / knew that ne might not deaden |
ard destroy the God-given power OF
In his nature. but cherish |
a. A.,. s.yfS Date hr,ax