The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-20

"A second rendition of the drama will
be given at the Central Congregational
| church tonight.
A. L. s.
Another View.
The drama is not in the nature of
theatrical entertainment and does not
aim to please the critics or give les
statement of DR.. Sheldon. The real
purpose of drama is to teach the ef-
fect1venesS of true Christianity, and to
show how far the average man or
woman who processes to be a follower
of Christ comes to attaining to the
ideal.
The difference between the life of
comfort and ease enjoyed by the ma
Jorlty of socalled Christians is suggest
ed, and contrasted viyidly with the
state of existence which through ad-
verse circumstances or environment is
the lot of masses of city humanity. 1t
is even shown that minister of the
gospel is subject to getting into a rut
at times, which throws veil over his
eyes, and makes it impossible for him
to see many of the little deeds of
kindness he could perform, were he
to stop and ask the question what
would Christ do ?''
The participators in the religious
drama when the first little f1utter of
stage fright was over entered into
the true spirit of the occasion, and the
new atmosphere, the Imagination pic
turing the settings which would have
obtained were the scenes actually hap
pening in real life.
In fact no stage setting seemed
necessary. The shifting of a table or
chair now and then was sufficient
One was able to picture the rest.
1t is interesting to glance at the list
OF the young people who participated.
Miss Ina Kendall, who took the part
of Virginia Page, an heiress, and did
it as one who had thoroughly entered
into the spirit of one who devotes her
life to doing good in the world, is in
reality the daughter of a well-to-do
banker in Valley Falls Her sister,
Ida Kendall. appeared in the drama
as Mrs Maxwell, wife of the pastor.
Then there was a professor in the
cast-Prof. R. F. CIark-who, al
though he did not have a heavy part,
conducted himself in admirable style
as Donald Marsh, president of Lincoln
college.
Morris Sanders, son of President
Frank K. Sanders of Washburn col
| lege, while rather young for his part
-Rollin Page-had the audience right
with him from the start. From fell
| low with no ambition in life but to fire.
Quent the clubs-a slow speaking,
droll sort of chap-he was trans
formed into a man with an aim, and
who showed his earnestness in every
action. F. L, S.
AS Seen by "An Outsider
For a good many years now, Charles
NJ. Sheldon has been pointing the way.
Like all successful men, he is a dream
er who makes his dreams come true.
| The dry rot of inaction which has af-
| ficted SO many churches does not OBJ
tain at the Central Congregational, be-
cause it has an every day working pur-
| pose to serve the community in many
practical ways. The book I'm His
| Steps, was radical departure in
pointing a moral from the pulpit and
it instantly obtained worldwide fame
for its intimate application of the teach
ings of the lowly Nazarene. Its power
and it's simple strength reached beyond
| the orthodox believer and gripped the
scoffer until his own narrow vision was
enlarged and he was astonished to find
| implanted the desire-though ever so
feeble and fickering-to help others.
The presentation of the Sheldon story
at the church last night with charac-
ters that walked and talked was an
other radical step forward in modern
| church service. 1t was truly Shell
donesque in it's simplicity and its force
| fullness. However much individuals
may differ with Edward Norman as
to the proper methods of conducting a
daily newspaper, his sincerity and earn
estness of purpose will be admitted by
all fairminded critics. The very credi
table reading of Professor Lanes ex-
cellent adaptation last night disclosed
several intense dramatic situations that
would carry it far If staged and pre-
sented by a modern manager on a Sc
| cular stage. At the risk of being charg-
ed with making extravagant compari-
sons, the writer maintains that the in
terruption of Maxwell's sermon by
| Jack Manning the tramp, suggested
the same spirit of defiant protest which
moved Jean Vatican in the Dumas
drama to steal the loaf of bread for his
starving children. The consequences
were vastly dissimilar, of course, but
| there was the same fierce elemental
combat with fixed social conditions.
The death of '+Loreen''-a proud sacri-
fee for the friend she loved and who
had believed in her-had its counter
part in the death of "Thais,'' in the
moving tonal drama of that name; and
with Mary Gardens splendid delinea-
tion with the weird, old world settings
and the background of rich orchestral
accompaniment, would have been quite
as effective.
"In His Steps" as church play,
without stage trappings or artificial
aids of any sort, is a powerful and in
spring drama, having for its motif the
idea of personal service and the desire
ito help others.
JOHN P. FRITTS.