_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.