Then the Chorus Leader, or some one appointed by him, when the Masque is almost ready to begin, will rise at the centre—visible above the heads of the Chorus and the people—and will speak to the assemblage, perhaps in his own words, or perhaps—using some portion or all of the speech here given—he will speak substantially as follows: THE CHORUS LEADER Neighbors and Friends—we have been singing together: Wherever friends sing together out of their hearts There God sings with them. We believe many different ideas, many differing creeds.— To-night let us forget how we differ: Let us remember only how we believe in one great thing— One Spirit in common—and this is its holy name: SINGING TOGETHER. In old, old times, when plays were sung by the people, They built for them altars, sacred places of singing; And before their dramas began, They used to pray there And ask a blessing on the players, on the chorus and the people. And there, on those altars, they wrote the name of their Lord. Friends, we are gathered here now by an old, old altar: The altar of Song— Song of the people: old, young; happy, sad; rich and poor. We cannot see it with our eyes, But we know it in our hearts; And there we can read what is written—the name of our Lord, Whose hallowed name is called SINGING TOGETHER. Now out of our Singing will rise an Acted Pageant To tell an old story newly— The story of a Child. Over yonder, by the Christmas Tree—there is the Wilderness, The Place of Outcasts: Over there—is the Gate of a Palace: the Palace of Herod— Herod, the mighty king in the Bible, His place of Empire; And there—and there—are two Paths, that lead to the Tree. Now let us sing one more carol, And take our places; Then listen, and watch for a sign, while the Chorus sings: And when all is over—each of us, all together, Let us raise up our hearts and voices to one great Spirit That will make of us all one people: The Spirit whose glorious name is SINGING TOGETHER. So concluding, the Chorus Leader and his Assistant Leader will accompany their Choruses (the one—Chorus A, the other—Chorus B) to the places where they sit during the Masque (indicated on the diagram) in front of their respective stages. As they go to their places, the Choruses will sing the carol “Good King Wencelas.” Then, when all is still, the Masque of “The Evergreen Tree” will commence with the Chorus of the Wilderness. II.—EPILUDE At the conclusion of the Masque, it is not advisable that any other formal ceremony should follow. The participants, the children and the people will naturally be gathering about Santa Claus and partaking of the gifts from his pack, or otherwise sharing in happy festivity.