The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-25
CHURCH PAGEANT 2 SCORES SUCCESS
Birmingham Methodists In The
 Apostles Of Light Re- create History 4

Nineteen centuries or sacred history rolled back in impressive pageant across. the stage of the Phillips High school auditorium Thursday night, in what is considered one of the most . brilliant and impressive religious spec s Apostles of Light a pagent- drama was presented under the. aus pices of the Methodist churches of Bir- , mingham, being sponsored by the wom- en of the various congregations of Bir- mingham, Bessemer and their suburbs. The missionary pageant is the official production of, its kind of the cente- nary movement of the NJ. E. church, 1,south, and was written and staged ex-' pressly for the purpose of bringing to the attention. of Methodists of the south, the achievements of that big missionary enterprise and the necessi- ty for full payment of all money sub- scribed to that cause throughout the denomination. s,,s..
 Birmingham Chosen
 Owing to the magnitude of the pro- duction, Birmingham was one of selected number of cities in the bounds of the denomination where it was deemed possible to stage the pageant drama. Through the efforts of Mrs. W. F. Price, president ofthe Women's Missionary society of the North Ala bama conference, Methodists of Bir- mingham united to present the offer ing here. And owing to the fact that it was possible to find here an artist 94 capable of staging such an elaborate : performance, the pageant-drama will esgtand out as one of the notable events in the/ religious life of Birmingham. T1 col. ed the performance, is due much of the credit for, highly successful program. For sympathetic interpreta tion,, and skiliful training of the cast of 500, Mrs. McLin's achievement last night is an added triumph to her capable work in the field of expression and dramatic art.
 Wondrous Effects
 Striking scenic and lighting effects accompanied the interpretation of Christianity's rise as depicted in the Apostles of Light" The cast was made up entirely of Birmingham Meth odists, and included the leading min isters and laymen of that denomina- tion. Special musical numbers and chorus of approximately 200 trained voices added much to the effective ness of the production. The chorus was organized by Mrs. W. J. Adams and included the best voices in Meth odist choirs of the city. The chorus was directed by Stephen Allsop, di- rector of the T. c. I. chorus, while the 20-piece orchestral accompani- nlent was under the direction of Otto Miller. Individual soloists were: Erie Stapleton, Louis Pendleton, Mrs. l.. D. King and Owen Gillespie.
 A hi0h y1nint in tho r,a 0aa nf fhA musical introduction to the ninth mo- tive, Interpreting the work that is go- ing on among the negroes of, America and Africa. For this motive the ne- gro spiritual, "Listen to the Lambs" !" was given by students from the Col ored Industrial school.
 The Apostles of Light" historic and symbolical presentationrof the rise and spread of Christianity, and is de- signed as an epic of the work of mis- sionaries, who are represented as torch bearers of the Gospel.
 Ass It began with beautiful interpreta- !, tion of the birth of Christ, passed into periods of pagan beauty at Rome, bar barrie splendor in early England; rus tic simplicity and stateliness in colo nial Amercia,. and the picturesqueness of color in the modern countries of
 
 Of unusual merit were the John Wesley and Asbury scenes, in which parts were portrayed by Methodist ministers of Birmingham.
 Review of History
 The first half of the pageant-drama was largely historical, showing out standing events in the progress of the evangelization of the world, and reached a climax in the new impetus given to missions through the inauguration of the centenary movement in the M. E. church, south. The remainder of tie pageant showed something of the work of the Methodist church, south, in it's home and foreign mission fields, and ended with a final plea that the people of the church finish the task they began and continue to carry on until Chris tanity has spread to. every land and to all peoples.
 The production, beginning with the prelude representing the Coming of the Light" or the birth of Christ, was divided into motives" corresponding to the dramatic "act," each of which was preceded by an introductory interlude by a prophet on either side of the stage whose speeches gave the spirit of the various scenes. The part of the elder prophet, or Prophet of the Cross" was effectively portrayed by Dr. Ira G. Hawkins, pastor of Walker Memorial Methodist church.
 The part of the younger prophet, or Prophet of the Star," was dramatical- ly rendered by George Lewis Bailes, Birmingham attorney.
 The entire pageant-drama was im- pressiye, not only from the standpoint of it's sacredness, but from the angle of its cosmopolitan assemblage of color and historic beauty and scope. There will be another performance Friday evening at 8 o'clock.
 INIS ArKr AHI nHp