Wanted--A Theology (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1908. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... V DEGREESJ- beings; religion is the brightest, gladdest of all things. It is impossible to make these declarations too positively; one can not exaggerate here. But this is very far from being the common thought. There has been exhibited in New York City an antiquarian curiosity, one of the old morality plays, called "Everyman." It is meant to be a facsimile of the ancient play. As a piece of antiquarianism it is admirable; as an exhibition of religion it is most horrible. But it is true to its original, and sets forth religion as received in the old days. The sad fact is that it is the same sort of religion that is received too largely in the present day. Let me give the plan of the play: First Death enters, a most dreadful make-up. In deep sepulchral monotone he makes himself appear as terrible as most people think he is. After he is through declaring how he is to lay waste humanity for time and eternity, Everyman, the subject of the play, appears upon the scene, running in to the stage, with a guitar in his hand, singing a merry tune, keeping step to the music with his dance. He comes with a dash upon the horrible Death, standing in the middle of the stage. Death gives him a good scare, and so thoroughly frightens him that he drops his guitar, and goes on to make himself unspeakably wretched in hope of escaping hell. The whole progress of the play grows darker and darker until Everyman is wrapt in a monk's dress and cowl, and dropt into a most forlorn grave. Then appear angels and suggestions of an extravagant happiness. Of course this whole thing is a travesty of true religion. But it fairly represents the religious ideas of that day; and these ideas have made such a deep impress that they reach even the thought of this time, centuries later. Everything most dull, w...