Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-10-20
RELIGIOUS PAGEANT
Beautiful Ceremony at Christ Church
Tuesday Night

Tuesday night the religious ana
historical pageant "as given III
Christ Church yard. The OctoDeer
weather was perfect, clear ald mia
and halny without the faintest RIP
ple of a breeze to rufflc the plumage
of the angels wings or to mt even
fold of their flowing white drapery.
The setting was ideal, from the up,
per windows of the church streamed
forth flood of light Illuminating the
tops of the trees while nearer the
earth CLEANED the electric lights tnat
shone like stars in the darkness, such
a number of them there were that ir
seemed like the milky way. The plat
form was illuminated by electro
lights from the top of the cross, and
over all the full moon shone.
Long before the pageant began the
people assembled but the gates were
not opened until Captain Gardner
with his light infantry arrived, they
were detailed to keep an open space
between the Parish Hall and the plat
form, and never was order better pre-
served.
Then the gates were opened and
the throng of people admitted, so
much emphasis had been laid on the
fact that although a wonderful spec
tular effect was to be expected, yet Its
religious significance vas pre-cmlnent,
and the people entered into the spirit
of the pageant. When that grand old
HYMN was sung-"Oh God, Oar Help
in Ages Past" the angles led The way
across the church yard ranging them
selves on either side Of the cross.
Then came the three voices represent
cd by Dr.. Morton, Mr.. Carpenter, and
Mr.. Hall who took their places on
the platform in the foreground. The
Greek church was represented by Rev.
Thomas Daniels. pastor Of the Greek
Orthodox Church Saints Constantine
and Helen vested in beautiful pale
blue robe equivalent to the chasuble
and stole of the western church he
was accompanied by Mr.. Ginolopolis
both of whom were brought by DR..
Samuel Wallis These three took their
position near the platform, repre-
scnting the church ministering 10 the
world. the choir came next and took
its position to the west Of the plat
form.
The service then began, and grad
ually the nations of the world drew
near irresistably attracted by the
great white cross that was the CEN
tral figure Of the whole pageant. The
parts were wonderfully wcA taken,
the Indians, the mountaineers. the
japanese and the Chinese. the Turks,
the Esquimos, SpaniardS, MeXicans.
Immigrants. and all the other ma
tions were most faithfully and ac-
curately costumcd, each and all were
drawn to the cross and each group
knelt down before it. 4 squad of the
Light Infantry advanced following
the other groups and saluted the cross
then later when the sanctus was. sung
they knclt with the others. As the
service progressed the voices of the
clergy and the familiar hymns held
the audience in a quiet reverential
frame of mind. the recital by DR.. Nor
ton Of this past century of missionary
effort brought the story wildly again
of those whose life work had been
consecrated to missions, and it was a
record to inspire.
The pageant closed with the clergy
leading then the white robed angels,
each carrying a cluster Of ascension
lilies. then the choir singing 'All Hail
the Power of Jesus, Name with all
the nations following.
1t was a glorious triumphant pag-
cant and from an artistic point of
view great success, but from a
spiritual view point its success lies in
its stimulating power to fight on as
soldiers of the Cross and to help es
tablish the kingdom of God through
out the world. The heroes of the past
100 years are calling in no uncertain
tone take up our quarrel with the
foe, to you from falling hand wee
throw the torch. be yours the task to
raise it high" Shall we fail them?