[Illustration: THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH]
The Abingdon Religious Education Texts
David G. Downey, General Editor
GEORGE HERBERT BETTS, Associate Editor
Shorter Bible Plays
BY
RITA BENTON
[Illustration]
THE ABINGDON PRESS
NEW YORK CINCINNATI
Copyright, 1922, by
RITA BENTON
All Rights Reserved
The right to produce these plays for religious and educational
purposes (without personal profit), is freely granted.
All professional acting rights and moving picture rights are
fully protected by copyright, and any individual or company desiring
to produce these plays for profit must make application to
the author and pay a royalty as agreed upon.
Printed in the United States of America
TO MY MOTHER
AND HER "SUNDAY" CHILDREN
Unto her little child, a mother saith:
"The Lord is everywhere, so have no fear."
The child is quieted to have her near.
Like unto God a mother comforteth.
And for her little child a mother prays:
"That he may love me much, but love God more!"
But 'tis our mothers that we all adore;
And for our mothers, give we God the praise.
For childhood clearer sees God's wondrous grace,
Sees God's love shining in his mother's face.
Copyrighted, 1922, by Rita Benton
CONTENTS
PAGE
EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 5
NOAH'S FLOOD 11
THE PROVING OF ABRAHAM 38
MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES 44
UP, UP FROM EGYPT TO THE PROMISED LAND 53
THE CALL OF SAMUEL 63
DAVID AND GOLIATH 74
THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON (Longer Version) 99
THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON (Shorter Version) 116
THE GOOD SAMARITAN 122
MANGER SERVICE 129
ILLUSTRATIONS
THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH _Frontispiece_
_Noah's Flood_ PAGE
NOAH'S WIFE 10
A SON OF NOAH 15
WIFE OF NOAH'S SON 20
A SON OF NOAH 24
WIFE OF NOAH'S SON 26
THE ANIMALS LEAVE THE ARK 29
THE RAINBOW 32
_The Proving of Abraham_
ABRAHAM 37
_Moses in the Bulrushes_
MOSES IN THE BULRUSHES 43
THE DAUGHTER OF PHARAOH NAMES MOSES 49
_Up, Up From Egypt to the Promised Land_
A PAGE OF PHARAOH 52
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAIL THE PROMISED LAND 59
_The Call of Samuel_
THE CHILD SAMUEL WITH HIS PARENTS 62
THE PRIEST ELI REBUKES HIS DRUNKEN SONS 65
_David and Goliath_
DAVID 73
THE CHALLENGER FOR GOLIATH 93
_The Judgment of Solomon_
THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON (Longer Version) 98
THE CHILDREN (Shorter Version) 115
To the kindness of Edward D. Waters we are indebted for the use of
many of these photographs.
EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
Increasingly the church is coming again to use religious pageantry
and plays for instruction and worship. In the earlier history of
religion the dramatic expression of religious aspiration and feeling
was almost universal. The dramatic impulse is deeply grounded in
human nature, and may be made to appeal to the highest attributes of
reverence and devotion.
Children should usually themselves be the actors and not mere
spectators. In acting Bible stories they learn how intimately the
past is linked to the present, and how the struggles of to-day after
truth, courage, love, are like the struggles of the patriarchs and
prophets. The stories become more vivid, their charm grows, as we
study them in action--our own action. And when we have finished the
production of a Bible play a portion of the most beautiful of all
literature is ours forever.
In a portion of the plays they act out, the children should, under
wise leadership, devise and prepare their own parts and lines. Along
with these spontaneously planned representations, however, should
come a fair proportion of carefully prepared simple artistic plays
adapted to the age and understanding of the child and calculated
to teach the lesson desired. Besides teaching their own particular
lessons, such plays will serve as a model and standard for the
children in preparing their own presentations.
It is the purpose of the present volume to offer a collection of
shorter Bible plays of high standard, great beauty, simplicity, and
careful adaptation. All of these plays have been used many times over
with groups of children in church schools, and their value thoroughly
proved. The editors offer the book to the church public believing it
will be a helpful factor in the field of religious education.
COSTUMES
The costumes used in these Bible plays have been largely copied from
Tissot's illustrations of the Bible.
A straight piece of bleached or unbleached muslin, seamed at the
sides up to arm-hole, with a slit for the neck, has been found the
simplest foundation costume.
Variations on this are:
A girdle.
Sleeves.
Fringes.
A cloak of contrasting color, of the same pattern as the slip, but
open in front.
Several yards of material of contrasting color, thrown over the head
or shoulders, or draped.
Strips of cloth, four to six inches wide, sewed the length of the
costume. Black strips against white make an effective costume.
For the head use a square of white cloth bound round with a thick,
dark cord.
For women the cloth may be lighter. They may wear two girdles instead
of one, with the material puffed out between the girdles. Their veils
also should be of lighter material; over these a heavy mantle may
hang, if desired.
Barefoot sandals or Japanese sandals will do for the feet, if antique
sandals cannot be made. In many cases it is preferable that the
actors go barefoot.
For bracelets, crowns, scepters, fans, buy sheet copper or brass, tin
shears, and cut as desired. These will last forever.
For soldier costumes, make brilliant, short tunics. Belt these in
with a twelve-inch strip of brown buckram, which, in turn, is tied on
with a bright cord. Use cone-shaped caps.
Egyptian costumes may always be indicated by a belt with a broad
flap in the center, reaching from waist to hem. For headdresses, use
striped cloth; draw the two front ends under the cloth and pin at the
back of the head.
For Babylonian costumes, take several yards of material; sew fringe
to the ends and one side; pin one end of the goods at the back of
model; wind goods about waist of model so as to form a skirt, and
pin to end of goods; carry the rest of the goods around, under right
arm, over left shoulder, about neck, over right arm; tuck in and hold
in place by a three-inch belt. For head-gear use tall caps rather
resembling a sugar loaf. Use heavy white canvas; this may be painted
or fringed.
Try to use strong, bright colors, with white and black and brown.
Avoid navy blue, turkey red, baby blue or pink. Try to use the same
color-values.
SCENERY
A sea-blue curtain is the one essential.
[Illustration: NOAH'S WIFE]
NOAH'S FLOOD
THE PEOPLE
MESSENGER OF GOD.
NOAH.
HIS WIFE.
SHEM.
HAM.
JAPHETH.
WIVES OF SHEM, HAM, JAPHETH.
IDOLATERS.
ANIMALS.
(The number and kind of animals must be left to the costumer. Where
the animals mentioned in the play are left out, mention of them must
be omitted.)
THE PLACE
SCENE I. _The building place of the Ark._