Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1916-12-29
FIFTH
PRESENTATION
The Pageant Of the Holy Night Gl'en
In P0mfret
A Miracle Play OF the Nativity

that was profoundly touched by the
ever beautiful presentation. The Gus
tom Of repeating this celebration Of The
Christmas season, year after year, has
been established so quietly that com
pasaliveIy few are aware that one Of
the most wonderful spect aeies to be
seen in the country Is given in our
very midst.
II Is OF interest that this Mystery
Play was Of the very first OF Com qua
jty celebrations Of Christmas. 1t had
its initial performance five years ago,
the date of the first vast municipal
celebration in VI addison Square, Ne"
York, with its splendid tree from the
north woods. The following year
dozen or more performances OF the
sacred scenes were formed on the Pom
fret celebration, and each succeeding
year these have multiplied In number.
Notable amongst other Christmas
paqeants is that given at Worcester
two years sgo, and beautiful outo
doors spectacle given on the rocks Of
Lawrence Park, BFonxville, y. y
last season. Ii would be impossible
10 oyerestimate the degree 10 which
the spirit Of Christmas has been re
stored and stimulated by this feeling
towards some general community eX-
preston Of the significance underlying
the greatest festival Of christendom. II
has done much TO counterfeit the sof-
did and selfish extravaganza growing
yearly more extTemei it has done more
iozfouse q spiritual and hnmanislie
participation in Christmas.
From the very first year Of lis per
formanee, the Pomfret masqae has
neutrality-suspicious., mol only through
out New England, bnt all over The
country for its marvellous beauty, aud
the devoutness and solemnity which
marx its performance. Ii has never
been, from ills inception, spectacle
presented for the entertainment OF an
audience; but, on the contrary, II Is a
participation on the part OF each actor
in those scenes that have come down
TO us as the setting of the first Christ
mas. The :plsy is scarcely less I'M
pressive from behind the scenes than
from the front Ali is orderly and sig
nificsnt, permeated with solemn
sense of depicting scenes of profound
solemnity.
The shepherds abiding in the field,
pursue their humble way. IL Is cold
they collect fnggots, and kindle hrer
about which they gather tc rest in Ills
warmth, while some OF their number
keep watch In the distance. 1t Is still
and dark, save for the light OF stars
overhead. There is a sense OF mystery
impending. Some OF the shepherds
feel IL; little by little il communicates
itself TO others, while some are stoiidly
cain and unperturbed. Suddenly oui
OF the darkness there is light. In
the distance appears the Angel, bring
ing 10 them tidings OF great JOY. Start
led, sfraid, overcome, they dra"
back away from the shining presence
but. as The message unfolds, they ar
won from their fear, and fall to pom
dering the sign given by the angel
The assurance that they shall find tn
babe wrapped in swaddling clothe
and lying In manger. AS they lin
ger, still hesitating, suddedly th'
heavenly host augment the scene, VIII
their trumpets of gold and their harps
ehoiring the splendid message of gior
10 God in the highest, and on earth
peace, goodwill towards men.
The shepherds assemble in excite
ment and argument as 10 what thes
things msy mean. They confer Il
sether: some doubt and question:
they are for Ignoring these marvel
others are eager TO be gone: they pc
suade one another with impeiling gsi
lures, they determine 10 20 TO Bethh
hem and behold ail these mysteri'
that have been told them. Final
they sci forth, two OF three retafniu
TO scatter the tire and look TO u
flocks. Having made their decision
they hasten on the way, and con
with speed TO the manager, where the
are to behold, Mary and Joseph, al
The babe. CONSERVATION oyercom
them at the sight that greets then
There, indeed, from the straw lille
manager, shines forth the radiance tn
is 10 glow throughout world of darl
ness for centuries 10 come.
They are but simple country fol-
these shepherds: they are of yaryiI
minds rs 10 what this great thing ms
be that has come TO them. Some fiir
themselves down in worship aud Al
Grafton In the straw of the stahl
while Others question and peer, an
argue together in awed wonder; bl
all. in the end, are bowed low befo
the mysteries of this marvellol
niEat Of nights. Al last they go foFll
unwilling 70 sleaye the splendid sn
lovely sight: they go forth and mai
known abroad the saying which vi
told them concerning this event.
Now, with vsst pomp and eeremon.
come the Wise Men OF the East, Kin,
Of the Orient In great magnifican'
OF dress, IN pompous pageantry ths