The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-12

since many of the lines spoken by
the characters are direct quotations
from the Scriptures or from the PRAYER
Book
And, although the symbolism is of a
simplicity thar lends itself to the I'M
outstanding OF the very young, Miss
Hobart has, at times. imbued il with
further and deeper emblematization
that fills the adult observer and hear
er with profound admiration for its
poetic conception. if 1t does not cause
him to choke and swallow at the very
| thought of the belief or hone that It
represents.
When the curtains are drawn apart,
a sturdy little boy in clothes that sug-
gest work in the fields is discovered
| busy about his labors at the foot of a
great cross of white and red roses. He
is christopher. Servant of Mother
Church He kneels in silences and in a
moment enter two little pilgrims. a
boy and girl, seeking the cherishinE
mother of children. The servant of
the church departs, finds Mother
Church and brings her to the wander
ers from the Land OF Darkness. the
two. questing little pilgrims. who well
come her and ask that she will tell
them all those things that they ought
TO know. so that they may go back
into the Land of Darkness and do good
to those who dwell there.
Mother Church Is woman. gentle
and soft OF voice, guiding and teaching
even these, the little children, but she
is also the church militant; upon her
head is a shining helmet, at her side a
sword. and upon her breast flames the
red cross of the Crusaders.
She bids stout little Chrstopher
bring TO her and the pilgrims those that
together make the Book Beloved. and
one by one they come. Mathis and
Evensong, Litany and Baptism. Cate
chism and Confirmation, Holy Com
munion and Psalter Clearing David
! harp, Matrimony and Visitation of the
Sick, and all the rest that may be
found in the wonderful book. Each is
rim costume, and each bears a banner:
Morning and Evening Prayer carry
high standards that read together
Day by Day We Magnify Thee; Holy
Communion. all in white and accom-
| ranied by three baby choir boys, bears
reverenuy Lift Up Your Hearts; Wis
itation OF Prisoners walks with De
liver Us From EVIL" and all are sup
FLIED with standards betting their Of
fees. And. before each one announces
legally and proudly the object OF his
existence. a concealed choir sings one
of the quiet. or joyful. or mighty hymns
CT the church.
Most beautiful of all, Visitation of
the Sick has taken her place, IA nurse
CARRIED girl with the banneret. Yet
VIII l Trust in Him," and Mother
Church sends for Burial of the Dead.
Comes then no black. sorrowful figure
to distress children and make the
hearts Of saddened grown-ups to ache,
hut young girl in flowing white. hold
ing yellow petaled lilies, and lifting
her written song of JOY, THE Lord Is
Risen!' while For All tho Saints Who
From Their Labors Rest" rings out,
with it's glad refrain. "Alleluia"
TREY all even the 'alandur Pre-
face and Ratification. bound together
~ the Bookbinder and out into the
standing audience they come. singing,
the audience with them. 80 Sion Haste
Thy Mission High Fulfilling" for re-
member that this is all for the pur-
pose of sending teacher into the Rag
gcd Mountains.
And. with the single exception OF
Miss Lindsey Powers. who represents
Mother Church with dignity and quiet
effectiveness. all the actors in this mod
ern mystery play are revcrcnt chill
dren. filled with the solcmnity that is
inspired in them by the knowledge OF
what it all means, yet unafraid. play
ing their little parts and reading their
brief lines with the utmost sincerity
and often with real fervor.
While many of the characters in this
beautiful childrens drama are common
only to the rtualistic churches. the
general theme of the book lis OF strong