Memories of Calvary, Scene 1
SCENE 1
Night on Calvary Tall palms may be used on platform arranged to suggest a grove — lights are turned off or dimly seen. In the distance, on an elevation, is seen a wooden Cross, at the base of which kneels or sits the Anxious Seeker, robed in black .
Night appears robed in black and silver stars. Night soliloquizes, comforts Anxious Seeker, then departs. Anxious Seeker soon follows .
Before curtain rises invisible male quartette sings the familiar hymn, " Peace, Perfect Peace. "
Voice OF N IGHT (Soliloquizes) . Day has long since departed, over the sleeping earth, silence has fallen and the restless heart of man beats calm again in these, his slumbering hours, while there on Calvary's Hill stands out the cross and though Earth's shadows cast their endless lengths over all the vast expanse of the Creator's earth, they cannot hide from view this sacred emblem of man's imperishable immortal inheritance, they cannot dim the greatness of its glory.
But as for man, he sleeps, for he is a weary, poor, restless man, ever weary, yet ever striving, seeking always, yet still unsatisfied. He has traversed the earth from shore to shore, laying low the mighty forests in his pathway, holding back the onward course of rushing waters, awearied, yes, but relentless in his search for greater triumphs.
Deep down into the heart of Mother-Earth he has forged his way and brought up priceless gems from Nature's richest mines. Down into the almost unfathomable depths of mighty oceans he has laid his cable lengths, bringing near the distant lands, enabling man to send with speed a message to his far off brother man. He has hewn his way through mighty rocks of unnumbered ages. He has scaled the mountain even to its highest peak and builded there his magnificent palaces of home. Awearied? Yes, but not content, he needs must try the unknown regions up and beyond the floating clouds, and out of the mighty power of his mental concept, he has wrought the wonder of the centuries — the chariots of the air — by which men fly at will to heights such as man ne'er before conceived of.
But man's soul is not at rest, for, over and beyond his great achievements, stands out the Cross of Christ, the mortal and immortal Emblem of man's highest need and strongest hope.
O Calvary! Calvary! in thee, and thee alone shall man find peace and rest. (Discovers Anxious Seeker at the foot of Cross.)
But who is this in mournful guise beneath the Shadow of the Cross? Speak Mortal! Why art thou here in this, the gloom and darkness of Earth's silent hour? The Voice of Night now bids thee speak! What seekest thou?
Anxious S eeker . — O Voice of Night, I seek to know the meaning of this Cross: my soul is weighted down with longing for the higher way of life, and I did feel that, somehow here, beneath this Cross, my soul might find release, and I must here abide until the morning breaks. Dost thou know the meaning of this Cross?
Voice OF N IGHT . — O Anxious Seeker, 'tis the Cross of Christ, and beneath it is the Mount of Calvary. Have you not heard the wondrous story of Him, who suffered there and died?
Anxious S eeker . — Ah! Yes the story has been told, yet I, alas! but darkly can discern its meaning. O, tell me aught you know of Calvary's Christ.
Voice OF N IGHT . — O Anxious Seeker, in the days when man first felt the need of Life and help Divine, I looked from out my home, amid the shining stars, and I beheld on Calvary's Hill the Cross, where hung the Crucified, who gave His Life a ransom for man's sin. I saw the veil of the Mighty Temple rent in twain, I heard His agonizing cry. It is finished! It is finished! I heard the cry of mortals in their terror and their fears. But once again I looked, and Lo! the Cross was bare. The Christ had filled His mighty purpose. Through the vaulted heavens above my starry home I heard Angelic hosts proclaim: The Christ has risen! Behold! man's fettered soul is now redeemed forevermore. O, Anxious Seeker, have but faith and thou shalt truly find the Prince of Peace. And now, the morning breaks! Farewell, and when we meet again, may you have changed your robe of gloom for one of spotless white. Farewell! Farewell!
(Night disappears and lights are turned on gradually.)
Anxious S EEKER . — The Prince of Peace! Ah! now the light comes in: I feel His Kingly Presence in my soul! The Cross stands out in all its brightness now, and from the distance comes the sound of heavenly music, as if 'twere borne on Angel's wings. (Listens.)
I NVISIBLE M ALE Q UARTETTE sings the familiar hymn .
Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
Of our Life's wild, restless sea,
Day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
Saying Christian, follow Me!
Jesus calls us, by Thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all!
Anxious S EEKER . — Ah! how sweetly strange this music seems, as if in answer to my soul's desire. I will arise, I will put off this robe of gloom for one of spotless white to greet the Easter Dawn.
(Anxious Seeker departs and lights are turned on in full.)
Night on Calvary Tall palms may be used on platform arranged to suggest a grove — lights are turned off or dimly seen. In the distance, on an elevation, is seen a wooden Cross, at the base of which kneels or sits the Anxious Seeker, robed in black .
Night appears robed in black and silver stars. Night soliloquizes, comforts Anxious Seeker, then departs. Anxious Seeker soon follows .
Before curtain rises invisible male quartette sings the familiar hymn, " Peace, Perfect Peace. "
Voice OF N IGHT (Soliloquizes) . Day has long since departed, over the sleeping earth, silence has fallen and the restless heart of man beats calm again in these, his slumbering hours, while there on Calvary's Hill stands out the cross and though Earth's shadows cast their endless lengths over all the vast expanse of the Creator's earth, they cannot hide from view this sacred emblem of man's imperishable immortal inheritance, they cannot dim the greatness of its glory.
But as for man, he sleeps, for he is a weary, poor, restless man, ever weary, yet ever striving, seeking always, yet still unsatisfied. He has traversed the earth from shore to shore, laying low the mighty forests in his pathway, holding back the onward course of rushing waters, awearied, yes, but relentless in his search for greater triumphs.
Deep down into the heart of Mother-Earth he has forged his way and brought up priceless gems from Nature's richest mines. Down into the almost unfathomable depths of mighty oceans he has laid his cable lengths, bringing near the distant lands, enabling man to send with speed a message to his far off brother man. He has hewn his way through mighty rocks of unnumbered ages. He has scaled the mountain even to its highest peak and builded there his magnificent palaces of home. Awearied? Yes, but not content, he needs must try the unknown regions up and beyond the floating clouds, and out of the mighty power of his mental concept, he has wrought the wonder of the centuries — the chariots of the air — by which men fly at will to heights such as man ne'er before conceived of.
But man's soul is not at rest, for, over and beyond his great achievements, stands out the Cross of Christ, the mortal and immortal Emblem of man's highest need and strongest hope.
O Calvary! Calvary! in thee, and thee alone shall man find peace and rest. (Discovers Anxious Seeker at the foot of Cross.)
But who is this in mournful guise beneath the Shadow of the Cross? Speak Mortal! Why art thou here in this, the gloom and darkness of Earth's silent hour? The Voice of Night now bids thee speak! What seekest thou?
Anxious S eeker . — O Voice of Night, I seek to know the meaning of this Cross: my soul is weighted down with longing for the higher way of life, and I did feel that, somehow here, beneath this Cross, my soul might find release, and I must here abide until the morning breaks. Dost thou know the meaning of this Cross?
Voice OF N IGHT . — O Anxious Seeker, 'tis the Cross of Christ, and beneath it is the Mount of Calvary. Have you not heard the wondrous story of Him, who suffered there and died?
Anxious S eeker . — Ah! Yes the story has been told, yet I, alas! but darkly can discern its meaning. O, tell me aught you know of Calvary's Christ.
Voice OF N IGHT . — O Anxious Seeker, in the days when man first felt the need of Life and help Divine, I looked from out my home, amid the shining stars, and I beheld on Calvary's Hill the Cross, where hung the Crucified, who gave His Life a ransom for man's sin. I saw the veil of the Mighty Temple rent in twain, I heard His agonizing cry. It is finished! It is finished! I heard the cry of mortals in their terror and their fears. But once again I looked, and Lo! the Cross was bare. The Christ had filled His mighty purpose. Through the vaulted heavens above my starry home I heard Angelic hosts proclaim: The Christ has risen! Behold! man's fettered soul is now redeemed forevermore. O, Anxious Seeker, have but faith and thou shalt truly find the Prince of Peace. And now, the morning breaks! Farewell, and when we meet again, may you have changed your robe of gloom for one of spotless white. Farewell! Farewell!
(Night disappears and lights are turned on gradually.)
Anxious S EEKER . — The Prince of Peace! Ah! now the light comes in: I feel His Kingly Presence in my soul! The Cross stands out in all its brightness now, and from the distance comes the sound of heavenly music, as if 'twere borne on Angel's wings. (Listens.)
I NVISIBLE M ALE Q UARTETTE sings the familiar hymn .
Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
Of our Life's wild, restless sea,
Day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
Saying Christian, follow Me!
Jesus calls us, by Thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all!
Anxious S EEKER . — Ah! how sweetly strange this music seems, as if in answer to my soul's desire. I will arise, I will put off this robe of gloom for one of spotless white to greet the Easter Dawn.
(Anxious Seeker departs and lights are turned on in full.)
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