nd people gathered in curiosity or in awe to
see the representation of this simple tale? How comes it if there were
no dynamo at the other end of that long coil of centuries, that the
light should still be shining at our end today? Shining alas! not so
brightly as could be wished, but to shine at all, is that in itself not
miraculous?

Through all the ages it has shone with varying luster. And still it
shines. The dawn of a new day as I write is breaking upon this
mountain valley. The cocks are crowing in the village, recalling the
apostle who in the midst of the threatening soldiery denied his Lord.
And even as Peter went out and wept bitterly, and ever after became the
stoutest and bravest disciple of the Master, may it not yet be with
those of this generation who also have denied their Redeemer?

Who knows? The transformation would be far less startling than that
which converted the Coliseum from the shambles of imperial Rome into
the gigantic monument of triumphant martyrdom, far less violent than
that which made the German forbears of these good Ammergauers into
Christian folk.

But if the transformation is to be effected, and the light and warmth
of a new day of faith, and hope, and love, are to irradiate the world,
then may it not be confidently asserted that in the old, old story of
the cross lies the secret of the only power which can save mankind?

II.--THE INTERPRETATION OF THE STORY.

Wherein does it modify orthodox opinions? Chiefly in humanizing them,
in making the gospel story "palpitate with actuality" to quote the
French phrase which Matthew Arnold loved to use. These people on the
stage at Ober-Ammergau are not lay figures, mere abstract
representations of the virtues or the opposite. They live, breathe and
act just as if they were actors in a French or Russian novel. That is
the great difference. These poor players have brought our Lord to life
again. In their hands he is no mere influence of abstraction, no
infinite and almighty ruler of the universe. He may be and no doubt
every one of the Ober-Ammergauers would shrink with horror from the
suggestion that he was any other than the second person of the trinity.
But they have done more than repeat the Athanasian creed. They have
shown how it came to be believable. If that poor carpenter's son by
getting himself crucified as one part fool and three parts seditious
adventurer could revolutionize the world, then the inference seemed