The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-28
ADJUSTMENTS.
The Passion play.

was called "Chrlstos FASHION," All
through the middle age different
dramas OF this nature were portrayed
lchlehy by religious orders During
the crusades many similar plays were
given for the purpose of stimulating
the people to activity in the saving
OF the Holy City from the hands u
the Saracens.
In 1888 the village Of Oberammer-
Igau, in Bavaria, was visited by ter
rible plague. On its cessation the
entire population made a VOW to per-
form the Passion Play Of our Saviour
every tenth year, out Of gratitude, and
as means of religious Instruction.
VOW which has ever since been faith
fully observed. The inhabitants of
this secluded village have a rare
union of artistic ability and cultiva-
ton, with perfect simplicity. Their
familiarity with religious subjects Is
even beyond what is usual in the AL
pine part OF Germany, and the spec
tacle is looked upon with the same
feeling with which 1t or1ginated-de-
vout and edifying. The impersonator
of Christ considers his part an act OF
worship. He and all the rest who
are to participate in the enactment
are selected for their holy life, and are
consecrated to their work with prayer
and fasting.
Every village girl has an ambition
to portray the part Of Mary, the moth
er OF Christ. In order to attain this
they must not, evenin thought, do any
thing contrary to the virtuous and
pure character of the mother Of on"
Saviour. Not to be considered fit to
take part, however small, in this grant
play, is, in Oberammergau, considered
a great disgrace. To take part
away from an actor Is shame that
can hardly be borne.
When properly equipped and pre-
scented there is not an attraction be-
| fore the world today in the way of an
entertainment, so impressive, so pleas
ling, soul stirring, heart reaching, and
uplifting as Is this wonderful creation
in moving picture form That it is
doing the world great good no one
| deny.
1t is our intention to give as near
an exact reproduction of the original
| Oberammergau play as possible. The
| highest point is reached in the art Of
ilife-motion photography. These who
see it will be interested and instructed.
| There is nothing In the production
tudC C1u DC gu SoSA Sheoiouc
irreverent or offensive to any chris
tian of any denomination.
Every man, woman and child will
not only enjoy it, but will be held
Ispellbound at the sight OF the fascin-
ating and sublime life size moving
pictures.
Every parent and Sunday school
teacher should take advantage Of this
opportunity to wildly impress upon
the children these scenes in Christ's
that never, can De
effaced while the lamp Of this life
holds out to burn.
| In no other way, short Of personal
visit to the village of Oberammergau,
| in Bavaria, at the time of this stu
pendous enactment, can so lasting
realization of the crucifxion of Christ
be made It fixes the mind upon it's
great subject-the Christ Clearly
and distinctly does it unfold the
scenes and incident of His life: por-
traying it so plainly, SO beautifully.
that the smallest child shall know and
understand the beautiful, sublime and
sample story Of the Passion Play. See
lit at the Orpheum Thursday and FRI
day.-Advertisement
At the Hlppodrome.
Francis x. Bushman, the world
renowned screen idol, is featured at
the Hippodrome theatre tonight in
Essanays latest release: "Provi-
dence and Mrs. Urmy." This photo
paly is an exceptionally clever COM
edy drama in three acts, and is sure
to please the most critical. Francis
x. Bushman Is splendidly supported
in this play by such favorites as Bev-
erly Bayne. Helen Dunbar. Rapley
Holmes and other celebrities of note.
Patrons of this theatre should not
miss the opportunity Of seeing this
photoplay, because of the fact that
the Handsome Francis" as he is
sometimes called by his followers,
appears at his best in Providence
and Mrs. Urmy."
the first of the Who Pays?" series
patrons Of this theatre that this Is
not a serial story, but series of
twelve separate dramas, each one a
complete story in itself. based upon
twelve vital questions Of life, all I'M
der the recurrent theme, Who Pays?
The theme Of the first drama Is OF
undiiuted realism, being the tale of a
man who was wedde dto his art and
took unto himself a wife, of how his
art proved jealous mistress and his
wife a social failure. Also OF the
price Of Olympus and Of mortal
who came to naught. The story in
short form is as follows:
Fame, with her scorching finger,
touches lightly the forehead of Youth
then fits away, intangible and elu-
sive. Sometimes, and this is rare,
Youth comes up with Fame and
clasps her jealousy to him. But here
is the tale: A young singer, aglow
with the fervor of inspiration, eager
for the social intercourse his art
may open the way to, gets married.
He marries a woman whose concep-
ton of ideal happiness is simple do
mesticity. Opportunity comes-no
need to knock, he has been waiting
J,{1 ~