Passion Week In Jerusalem  

There was not a more enlivening nor more intensely interesting part in the programme of the Lake Maxinkuckee Chautauqua Assembly for 1905, then the oratorio, "Passion Week in Jerusalelm'. It was rendered complete with all the circumstances that fully developed this great construction such as fine scenery, brilliant costumes, calcium light in verious colors, and with the best histrionic and musical talent.

It was a supreme representation of the greatest subject on the earth. Since the days of Holy Week in Jerusalem it has been the aspiration of men to re-enact the scenes and bring to sight and hearing the soul-saving truths and lessons of the crucifixion and ascension of Christ. Great painters have laid upon canvas their immortal productions in which nearly every scene from Gethsemane to Olivet is depicted.

Great musicians have told the story in harmonies of voice and instrument that have thrilled the world

oratory has beautifully essayed the taske to deepen the impression of the story of the evangelists.

Each of these great efficiencies of the cross have wrought well in their spheres of thought and action

A purely dramatice representation of the life of Christ during the last eventful days at Jerusalem, like the Passion Play of Ober Ammergau, is not permissible, at least, outside of Bavaria, for the reason that an impersonation of the principal characters in the "divine tradgey", is considered sacrilegious.

In this acceptable production of literature, song and characterization, there is a combination of art, oratory and music that gives a perfectly proper and realistic representation to osight and hearing of that great transaction out of whihc came redemption and immortality.

The "Oratorio" is given in three parts. part first - "The crucifixion", in which the person of Christ, from the time of the institution of the "Lord's Supper', to the entombment, ins represented by stereopticon views of the great Christological paintings of the world:

overture - Rock of Ages - City of jerusalem - Herod's Temple - The Lord's Supper - Gethesamne - Betrayal - Christ Led To Judgement - House to Caiaphas - Christ Before the Jewish COuncil - Before Pilate - Christ Scourged - Crowned with thorns - Pilate's Wife's Dream - Leaving the Praetorium - Christ Falls Under the Cross - On the ROad to Clvary - Elevation of the Cross - Crucifixion - The return to Jerusalem - Descent from the Cross - Enshroudment - Journey to the tomb - "Bear Him Home" - The Marys at the Sepulcher - The night of the crucifixion.

Part second - "The sepulcher" - is represented by living characters, the three Marys, Procla (Pilate's wife, Joseph, Nicodemus, two Jewish priests, Caiphas, Pontius pilate, Centurion and Roman soldiers, three angels and a transparency representating the tomb of Christ.

"Prise Ye the Mighty God" - Procla and ROman Ladies - Procla's Dream - "Spring Song" - The Centurion - "Soft My Harp the breathing Be" - Joseph, Nicodemus and Two of the Marys - 'by the Rivers of Babylon" - A jewish Preist - Centurion and Guard for the Tomb - The Tomb - The Midnight Watch - "SLowly the Daylight is fading" - Chimes - Mournful Music Fills the Air - thunder - Flashes of Light - Angels Appear - The Guards Fly - Pontius Pilate and Caiphas.

Part third is made especially joyous, beautiful and impresince by the appearance of the Marys, with the angels, at the illuminated tomb, and the penanence of the entire body of singers in the grand chorus:

The First Easter Dawn - "Something Between Night's Noon and the Morn of the Lord's Day the Savious rose from ther dead" - The Virgin Mary - "I am forsaken" - Mary to the Saviour's Tomnb - Light in the Hall of the Dead - The Vioce of Song in Realm of SIlence - the Lord is Risen Indeed - Easter Tide - Three Angels Appear - " O Blessed Morn That Saw the Lord Arise" - Christ is Risen - The Cross Appears - "In the Cross of Christ I Glory" - "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"

happily for the better rendition of the piece, the character representatives were among the ablest the town afforde. Miss Ethel c. Streeter presented the character of procla in a manner that showed the character of this woman, of whom but little is said in history, but of whom much that is truly great might be left in justice upon the historic page. Procla was, undoubtedly, a true friend of Christ.

In a very effective, but quite faultless, manner, Miss Streeter effected the living personality of Mary of Magdala, the queen among women of constancy. There is not a more beautiful character, the Virgin Mother excepted, in the Bible, than the woman, "last at the cross and the first at the tomb".

On this occasion the Virgin Mother was personated by Mrs. C. D. Behmer. Mrs. behmer is a Christain mother, is quite commanding in appeareance and has a fine contralto vioce. This is a difficult and delicate role to fill, bout on this occasion the character was fully and charmingly represented.

Mary, of Cleopas, by Miss Minnie Shilling, as in the Bible, was strong and effectively characterized.

The angels, Misses Mertie Medbourn, Jennie Keen and clara Wiseman, appeared and acted as we suppose the angels did on that eventful "morn of the resurrection", as nearly to the fact as it is possible for ordinary mortals.

Mr. Chester Zechiel effected the character of Joseph of Arimathea. Mr. Zechiel is a fine tenor singer and has talent as a dramatist. His characterization would satisy the most severe critic.

The meeting of Pontius pilate (Dr. B. W. S. wiseman) and Caiphas (Mr. Henry Stahl) was intense and dramatic after the first order. Dr. WIseman possesses rare talent as a speaker and is capable of high order of dramatic action. he was at his best on this occasion. Mr. Stahl has ability to make a character speak in full developement.

In the drama of the piece Mr. Edwin Zechiel appeared ably and to the effective purpose as the Centurion in the great tragedy, as did also his command of the Roman guard - Messrs. levi Osborn, Harry Medbourn, CLyde Wisemand and Harry Menser. In the costume of the ROman soldier there soldiers made a magnificent appearance.

There was not a harder or more effective worker in the entire cast of characters than Mr. Frank C. Baker as a Jewish priest. He bought out the varied and conflicting emotions under which the jewis priests were being presse. They did honor God, were loyal to Moses, jealous for the temple service, but were unalterably opposed to anything that savored of change in the Jewish policy or a change in the ancient customs of the Hebrew people. Mr. baker had a very difficult part to perform. He did it well.

Misses Susie Shilling, Allie Wiseman and Clara SHilling revealed the life and times of the ROman world in the time of Christ, as was manifested by the ROmans in the distant provinces of the great empire.

Mrs. S. E. Buswell and her daughter Elsie made themselves indispensable in the quartettes and choruses.

The oratorio could not have been given without a pianist, this it goes without the saying, but how much better if the pianist is a skillful musician as was Miss Licretia Rea, the pianist for this occasion. Miss rea is equally skillful on the piano and organ, but her ability was taxed to some degree to render the variety there is in the oratorio.

Prof. Eli Miller, president of th the Chautauqua assembly, was much in evidence, because of his skillful management of the choruses and the part he took in the rendition of the oratorio.

There was no more indispensable operator than Capt. H. F. Noble, who gave the panoramic representation and managed the calcium light for the stage and tableaux.