Introduction

Among the many varied gifts bestowed by God in such abundance upon Robert Hugh Benson was the power of setting forth in very simple words, but with deep intensity of feeling, the great mysteries of Religion. He used this gift some years ago to depict the coming of Our Divine Saviour into the world at Bethelehem, when he wrote the Mystery Play which has been rendered so effectively more than once by the children of the Westminster Cathedral Choir School. At the request of their headmaster he has now given them — and the gift has come quite unexpectedly as a legacy of love — the story, set in dramatic form, of the Passion of Our Master. Those who read it will realise with new vividness the meaning of those sad hours, every detail of which has been taught to us from childhood. And those who witness it portrayed in accordance with the author’s spirit and his minute directions, will surely find in it pictures that will become the substance of many a sorrowful, penitent, and most loving contemplation of the stupendous mystery of our Redemption. Those who read, and those who see, will alike think of him who in so short a time accomplished so much; who was taken from us so suddenly, and, from the human point of view, so prematurely; who has left so many to mourn his loss and feel his absence; and together they will pray that, if any evil still hide from him the Light on earth invisible, it may be speedily removed, and that his eyes may gaze with full contentment upon the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Whom by so many methods it was his joy, during his sojourn in this world, to make known to all who were privileged to listen to his words. May he rest in peace.

FRANCIS CARDINAL BOURNE.

Archbishop of W estmins ter.

November 1914.