4.V CHURCH PLAY The Conquest of a Continent A Dramatization of the Sixteenth Chapter of Acts By W. A. FITE Pastor of Ivanhoe Park Christian Church Kansas City, Mo. ^^-^5^=^-^ Copyrighted All Righu Reserved TMPg2-009354 m V9 i92i tCI.D S78'.)6 /\ ^ The Conquest of a Continent By W. A. FITE ACT I — Puzzled Missionaries Time — A. D. 52. Paul's second Missionary Journey. Morning Place — Troas. Paul's room at tavern PROLOGUE: Acts 16:6-10 (To be spoken before curtain) (Paul lies on cot. Silas sits at table reading- sci'oll.) Silas — Is not Son Timothy coming to-night? Paid — It is now time he was here. (Timothy enters.) Timothy — Is Paul sleeping? Paul — No. Just resting. Timothy — How do you feel now? Paul (rising) — Much better. Timothy — What plans, beloved leader? Paid — Son in the Gospel, you unduly honor me by calling me "leader," for in this great mis- sionary enterprise in which we are engaged, the real leader is the Holy Spirit. One is our Mas- ter and all we are brethren; and we seek his guidance in every place we go, in all we do, in all we say. And thus I have no plans of my own. I have been waiting for the plans from on high. You well know our own plans have been frusti'ated again and again by our divine Guide. After leaving Antioch, in Pisidia, we thought of visiting the great and populous cities on the Mediterranean coast of Asia. There were Ephesus, Smyrna, Sardis, and in all seven great cities which seemed to us a waiting har- vest for the Gospel. Silas — But we were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word there. This indeed seemed strange. Paul — Then we thought to turn our faces east- ward or northeastward. There was Bithynia, The Conquest of a Continent which seemed a most inviting field. And then farther to the east lay the great lands of China and India with their teeming millions sorely in need of this Gospel we are preaching. Silas — But again the Spirit of our Master suf- fered us not to go thither. Titnothy — Since we could go neither east nor west and had come from the south, there was only one course left to us and that was north. And so our journey has brought us here to this historic old city of Troas. I had thought, Brother Paul, that ere this you may have found out God's will for our future travels. Paul — I have, and in a most unusual way. I know now what our course shall be. It was only yesterday that I was suffering intense pain from this bodily affliction — this thorn in the flesh — which it is not the Father's will to remove. The doctor who came to see me is named Luke. After he had prescribed for me and I got to feeling better., we fell into conver- sation. He seemed anxious to know more about me and our party. I told him that we were missionaries, sent forth on the greatest errand ever entrusted to men. I told him we were neither nomads of the desert, salesmen of busi- ness, nor governmental officials, but humble servants of the Most High God who had been commissioned to preach the Gospel of his Son, Jesus Christ. (Silas and Timothy reg-ister great interest.) S:?7as— What did he say? Paul — Imagine my great surprise when this man told me he was a believer in Jehovah. He said that he had been a pagan, but having attended a synagogue of our Jewish people, he had been led to repudiate the pagan deities whom he had once worshipped and had accepted Jehovah as the one true God. And then he asked to know more about Jesus, whom I had mentioned. Well, though I was sick and did not feel much like talking, I did not miss my opportunity of pre- senting the claims of Christ. The Conquest of a Continent Tiviothy — Isn't it wonderful how these opportuni- ties open to us to present the claims of our Lord? Silas — Indeed it is. Every day the chance comes. Sometimes to one, sometimes to many. Paul — Well, as I told him our story, I saw his face light up with a light never seen on land nor sea. He said that all his life he had been waiting for just this message. I can never forget the way he looked me straight in the eye and said, "Stranger, I came to prescribe for jou, but you have prescribed for me. I not only accept this Christ of whom you speak as my' personal Saviour and request baptism in his name, but I would gladly help in carrying this message to others." Timothy — When, then, will he be baptized. Paid — I told him that you could baptize him this afternoon. Timothy — It will be a very great pleasure to do so. Silas — And so the number of baptized believers grows. (Knock. Timothy admits Luke.) Paul — Welcome, beloved physician, (Introduces Timothy and Silas.) This is my son in the Gospel, Timothy. This is my co-worker, Silas. Luke — Most happy, indeed, to meet you both. Silas and Timothy — We are greatly honored. (All bow quite low.) Paul — Have a seat. Dr. Luke. I was just telling my friends here of the incidents of yesterday when you knocked. Luke — I hope you have told them of my accept- ance of Christ, my eagerness to be baptized, and my desire to accompany you on your labors. Paul — I had just gotten that far when you came in. Luke — Then you did not tell them of my ambi- tions for us to preach the Gospel in Europe? Paul — No. I was just coming to that point in my story. Luke — I should not presume to dictate, nor scarcely suggest, but I should like to see you go The Conquest of a Continent to Philippi. There is no synagogue, but some women meet on a river's bank for prater each day. Silas — But should we not go where there is a synagogue, for a synagogue furnishes us an audience? It makes the opportunity. Paul — But what we seek is a willing hearer, rath- er than a waiting audience. In the island of Cyprus we found Serg"ius Paulus, the govern- or of the island, who became a Christian ; here in Troas, Dr. Luke. However, my newly found friend's appeal did not yesterday impress me. But last nip'ht I had a vision. How very vivid it was ! I saw a man of Macedonia standing and beseeching us, a man v/ho did not look un- like you. Dr. Luke. This was what he was saying: "Come over into Macedonia and help us." And so I have concluded that God has called us to preach the Gospel to Europe. Silas — Truly this was an oracle of God. We can ail agree with your conclusion. Timothy — Since we now know God has called us to preach the Gospel in Europe, I shall find out this afternoon when we can secure passage in a ship sailing for Neapolis. Luke — I should like to call your attention to some of the historic facts of this city in which we row sojourn. About a thousand years ago, the Trojan war was fought in and around this place. Here Greek and Trojan fought for su- premacy. Paris, king of Troy at that time, having abused the hospitality of Menelaus, the Spartan king, whom he visited, by carrying off his beautiful wife, Helen, brought on that long war which the great poet, Homer, has immor- talized in his Iliad. Silas — I have heard of that war. If the Greeks would go to war over a lost woman, surely the church should be desperately in earnest over lost souls. Paul — Right you are, Silas. And there is only one way to save men and women, and that is by the Gospel which we preach. It is the only power unto salvation. The Conquest of a Continent Luke — There occurred here also another very j]:reat historic event about 500 years a^o. Xerxes, the Persian monarch, marched 1,800 000 men into this territory on his way to conquer Greece. Here he had built a g-reat and high throne from which he viewed the land, the sea and his immense army. The monarch, as he looked upon the pageant that passed before him, remarked that in a few years not a man of that immense host would iDe alive. It is said, "As the lesson of mortality passed over him, he gave way to tears." Well, you doubtless remember the results of that invasion of Eu- rope — Thermopalae, Salamis, Mycale, a scat- tered and defeated army, a wiser and sadder king. Timothy — Paul, you sit on no throne, but you are greater than Xerxes. Silas — And you with three missionaries shall mean more to Europe than Xerxes and his millions of men. It's Bible, not battalions, love not legions, missionaries and not military lead- ers, preaching not the power of autocracy and wealth, which must conquer Europe. Luke — I feel most happy to be associated with you men in this conquest of a continent. My heart is aflame with this message of salvation. I am anxious to give it to everyone who will receive it. And I have not onlv a desire to be a personal evangelist, telling it to individuals and groups to whom I may be privileged to preach; I have another ambition. I should like to say modestly that I have had unusual and rare educational advantages for one of our time. Few if any of my fellowmen have had better. Since Christ came into my heart on yes- terday, I now have a greater ambition than to practice medicine. It is in my heart to write the life of this Jesus who has saved me, and to give to future posterity the early history of his church. Paul — These are most worthy ambitions. You shall realize them. I am sure; and -r^iy thz Holy Spirit guide you to write infallibly the The Conquest of a Continent life of our Lord and the acts of his apostles. (Rises.) Let us, then, go forth girded with divine strength, with no weapon except the truth of God, no armor except the panoply of salvation, to the conquest of a continent, which neither Trojans nor Persians could subdue. We go not to bring death, but life — life abundant, life eternal. (CURTAIN.) ACT II — The Gospel Preached in Europe Time — Few days following last act Place — Beside River Gaggitas. Stage suggestive of out of doors PROLOGUE: Acts 16:11-15 (Lydia and several women. Women are kneeling- as in praver. They arise. Sing- "Nearer My God to Thee." ) Lydia — For several months we have gathered here by this river's bank each Sabbath day for the study of the Hebrew Scriptures and for pray- er. We are all believers in the great God, Jehovah, who made the heavens and the earth. Some of us belong to the Jewish race, some are Gentiles. You Gentile women have turned from the worship of Greek and Roman deities to worship Jehovah, You once honored Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Minerva, Venus. Now we know that these are only names of deities who have no real existence. As we have studied together the Hebrew prophets, we have learned that Jehovah would send his son into the world, the real incarnation of the one true and living God. Has he come? We do not know. We hope he has. We have been praying much these past weeks that if he should come in our day, we might hear about him. (Enter Luke, Silas, Timothy and Paul. Women register fear.) Luke — We humbly beg your pardon, ladies, for this apparent intrusion, which we are quite sure you will grant when once you have learned The Conquest of a Continent our mission. We understood that there was a place of prayer out here by the river's bank, and we, no doubt, have found the place to which we have been directed. Will you be kind enough to tell us if we are right? Lydia — Yes, gentlemen, this is a place of prayer. We can readily see that you are not officers of the law, and may, therefore, hope that you have not come to disturb the quietude of our devotions. L2(ke — We come not to disturb you, but to help you in your devotions. Introductions are in order. I, myself, am named Luke, until re- cently a physician by profession. These, my friends, are Paul, Silas, Timothy, missionaries of the great Jehovah whom you worship. (All bow.) Silas — We come to bring you good tidings. Our message is the most important that this world has ever heard. With your permission our friend, Paul, our chief speaker, would like to address you. Lydia (To the women) — What say you? Shall we hear him? Women — Let us hear him. Paul — I count myself most happy in this privilege of speaking to you. I naturally infer that you are familiar with the prophecies of Hebrew Scriptures, since you are worshippers of Je- hovah. If so, you are aware that God made promise long ago that he would send his Son into the world to be its Redeemer and King. Our mission is to say that the Christ has come. Jesus of Nazareth was that Christ. In his per- son he fulfills all the prophecies concerning the Messiah. He was born of a virgin, born in Bethlehem. He healed the sick, cast out de- mons, raised the dead, spoke as no man ever spoke, and in accordance with Scripture, died upon the cross for the world's redemption. But death could not claim him, and he came forth from the portals of the tomb in that same body in which he had been buried. For 40 day? he was seen by his disciples and spoke unto The Conquest of a Continent them things concerning the Kingdom of God. Then he ascended to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High, intend- ing in due time to return to this earth over which it is his right to rule. Until the day of his second advent, he has commissioned all who would become his followers to preach his Gospel. In him we are saved, without him we must perish. He offers pardon, peace, the gift of the Holy Spirit, eternal life and resurrec- | tion /glory. jj Lyd'a — These are strange but very glad words. ! For months we have been praying God to send us this knowledge which you bring. These : words sound too good to be true, Timothy — But they are true. Ladies, we assure ^ you they are, most true. (Addressing the men.) We now can see why we were com- pelled to go north instead of west or east; why v we should be led into Europe and not into Asia and the far east. It was the prayers of ! these good women that brought us here. In response to the appeal made at Heaven's s throne by these women, God sent us across a i continent and led us here. Men — Truly God answers prayer. Lydia — What must we do to become participants in this salvation of which you speak? Paul — The way is plain. It is one way for all. AD. who would be saved must accept the Sa- viour whom God has provided. Lydia — What must we do to accept Him? Paul — Believe in Him. Forsake sin, that is re- pent; confess His name; and surrender your- self to Him in the baptismal burial. Lydia — Then I accept Him and crave to obey Him in baptism. All — We all accept Him. Timothy — The river is near and the ordinance of baptism may be attended to without delay. Lydia — In an hour we shall meet you at the fords of the stream, prepared for our baptismal dedi- cation. t CURTAIN.) The Conquest of a Continent ACT III — Spiritualism versus Christianity Time— One month later Place— Philippi. Home of Lydia. Drawing room suggestive of luxury PROLOGUE: Acts 16:16-24 Timothy — Think you, companions, that we are most fortunate in being- entertained in such a comfortable home during our sojourn in Phil- ippi? Paul — Indeed we are. But such was the promise of the Christ. When here on earth he said, "Whosoever shall leave house or brethren or sisters or mother or father or children or lands fo-* my sake and the Gospel's sake, shall re- ceive an hundredfold now in this time and in the age to come, eternal life." Timothy — Did he not say that with these good things we would also receive persecutions? Paul — Yes, He added that word. We have found hospitable homes and many friends in Christ in every city to which we have gone and in most every city we have also been persecuted, and who can tell that before we leave Philippi some persecution may befall us here? Timothy — We shall hope to escape these evil things here. (Lvdia, behind scenes, sings, "My Jesus I Love Thee.") Silas — We can forget our persecution when souls like Lydia's awake to new life. This woman is a great business woman. Her revenue from purple cloth amounts to a large sum each year. But now since she has found Christ, she tells me that she expects to make larg'e outlays of the money to extend the kingdom. She said to me the other day.. "Silas, I wish I could preach like Paul, for I feel like we all should be telling ' this salvation story ; but since I cannot preach, I can support with my money those who do." I told her she would share in the reward, for we all have not the same talents. 10 The Conquest of a Continent Luke — Yes, and her interest is not limited to the giving of money. She has been instrumental in leading every one of her servants, her entire household, to accept Christ. Paid — Lydia has become an example of what every Christian should be. The number of Christians should grow in geometrical propor- tion. If everyone should win those in their own homes, then business associates, then friends and strangers, winning them one by one, our Gospel message would soon conquer Europe and the world. That was what our Lord intended and expects. Every Christian saved should become a soul saver. It is not group preaching, speaking to multitudes, which will save the earth's teeming millions, but personal evangel- ism. Converts must represent hand picked fruit. Tiinothy — Paul, have you noticed this heathen girl which has been following us day after day and saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God who proclaim unto you the way of salvation"? Paul — Certainly I have noticed her. My sym- pathy has gone out to her. Satan has bound this dear child. Her mediumistic powers have been commercialized by unscrupulous men, to whom she brings much gain by her sooth-say- ing. L7ike — Is there no way by which we can help her? Paul — Certainly. We can cast out the demon, for our Lord has given us power over these un- clean spirits. But if we were to cast out the spirit, the probabilities are that we would be cast into prison, for her masters are rich and powerful and have great influence with the authorities. (Note: The following- paragraphs within the brackets may or may not be used ac- cording to local conditions. It is an answer to spiritualism. Some churches may want to use it and others may not. It is not necessary for the continuity of the play.) [Silas — I understand that in the evenings this girl holds seances, claims to tell fortunes, lo- The Conquest of a Continent cate lost articles and hold communications with the dead.] [Paul — There is no doubt but that she possesses supernormal power, but it is not from God. It is from Satan. As for communicating with the dead, that is an absolute impossibility. This demon which has gotten possession of her mind and body impersonates those who have died. It speaks in their name. For instance, a moth- er loses a son. She is anxious to have some word from him. She hears that this girl is able to establish communication between her and her son. She atends a seance. The demon speaks through the girl and says, "I am your son, John." The mother believes it. The de- mon then proceeds to give a most unsatisfac- tory message, but the mother goes away think- ing that she has talked with the spirit of her son. The demons have no intelligible message. They "chirp and mutter." Their talk is mere twaddle and worst of all it is lies, base lies, the devil's blackest lies.] [Luke — Isn't it sad that people should be so de- ceived?] [Paul — It is. But Satan will resort to any meth- od to destroy souls. He takes advantage of sad hearts, hearts in the throes of bereavement. He knows the anxiety of men and women to know the state of the dead and thus deceives them. We who have been taught by the great Teacher, God's Son, the only one who could tell us any- thing about the other world, know the truth. The remainder of the world is in darkness. How important and imperative, then, is our mission.] [Luke — Would you mind telling me just what the great Teacher taught about the state of the dead? Remember, I am a young Christian and have not learned everything.] [Paul — I take pleasure in doing so. I think I can make it very plain to you. There are just two places to which people can go at death. These place He called Heaven and Hades. He, The Conquest of a Continent Himself, is now in Heaven. It is the Father's house of many mansions. He spoke much of this place in the days of his flesh. It to him was a place as real and tangible as this earth. Into it just two classes of people go — children and Christians. Concerning children he said, "Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." A Christian is one whom Christ has forgiven and who is trying to live in accordance with His will. While sin is upon the human soul, it cannot enter the father's presence and into His home. But He died upon the cross that the sinful soul might be cleansed. And now the way into the holy place, that is Heaven, has been opened by the blood of Jesus. That was the significance of the rending of the veil in the temple when He died. Hence, He said, "No one can come unto the Father ex- cept by me." and "I am the way and the truth and the life."] {Luke — But what of Hades? Paganism throws no light on the state of the dead. You have seen on our cemeteries such mottoes as "Death is an endless sleep," and "all hope abandon who enter here."] {Pa7d — He taught Hades was the place of ail the discarnate spirits of men and women whose sins were unforgiven. The spirit disembodied is the same spirit as it is in the body. It pos- sesses reason, memory, rationality, feeling, in- terest — all the powers of personality and indi- viduality as in the flesh. When one dies he carries everything he is in this life either in Heaven or Hades except his body and his prop- perty. But Heaven is a palace, Hades is a prison. The one "the house of many man- sions"; the other the place of "spirits in prison." And from both places there is no escape until the resurrection day, when the spirits of men shall be reinvested with bodies. How utterly preposterous it is, therefore, for these spiritualists and mediums to claim to be talking with the dead.] The Conquest of a Continent [Luke — But we do not find many people afflicted like this poor girl, do we?] [Paul — No. There are not many now; but the Holy Spirit says that in the last days, just previous to our Lord's return to earth there will be many all over the world, even good and wise people, because they shall not know God's revelation who will give heed to "seducing spir- its and doctrines of demons."] Silas — My suggestion is that regardless of con- sequences we heal this unhappy, Satan bound child. Paul — I think we should, not only for her sake but also for our own sakes. We do not want recognition from the emissaries of Satan. Our Lord, Himself, would have no such recogni- tion, and when here on earth the demons cried, "We know who Thou art, Thou Son of God," he cast them out. If this girl follows us tomorrow, and makes that wierd cry which she has been accustomed to make, in His great name we shall cast it out. It may mean flogging, prison, even death, but we shall demonstrate that the Son of Light is here and that the prince of darkness is no match for him. (CURTAIN.) ACT IV— Truth Vindicated Time — Next morning, 4 A. M. Place — Jailer's house. Drawing room PROLOGUE: Acts 16:25-40 (There may be two scenes to Act IV. Scene I would be laid in lowest dungeon at midnight. Paul an'l Silas sit with backs to audience, their shirts bloody — dyed red — their feet fast in stocks. Stage dimly lighted. They bow their heads in prayer and sing a stanza of "My Faith Looks Up to Thee." At the conclusion of this stanza the earthquake takes place. This can be done by sounding bass notes on piano back of stage, rattling a strip of sheet metal, and shooting off two or three cart- The Conquest of a Continent ridg-es of flash-light powder. The light goes out at the time. After last flash of light jailer at back of stage shrieks because he thinks his pris- oners have escaped. Paul cries out, "Do thy self no harm for we are all here'' Jailer calls for light, comes in and trembling falls down before Paul and Silas. Paul says, "Arise. Be of good cheer. The danger is past." Jailor says, "Let me conduct you to my own house." Leads them out. Curtain. Then scene 2 as follows:) Silas — Do you feel more comfortable since the jailer has washed your stripes? Paul — Yes, quite a great deal. Silas, this has been a memorable night. As the sun fell to rest ten hours ago, we were receiving the worst flogging men ever received. Silas — And for no other reason than that you re- leased that poor bound girl, and struck from her clouded mind and tired body the shackles of Satan. Paul — It was all on account of the cupidity of men. The girl was bound by a demon, but her masters were bound by money. What sin is worse than covetousness? It enslaves the soul strangles the highest aspirations and persecutes with relentless fury the innocent persons who cross its path. God pity the victims of money- madness. God says of this sin that it belongs to the same class of sins as witchcraft, idolatry, theft and immorality. It is the love of money and the lust of the flesh which is to bring the wrath of God in the last day upon the sons of disobedience. Silas — Yes, it was this sin of mammon-worship that flogged us, threw us into the darkest pit of the Philippian jail and put our feet fast in the stocks. Paul — But while our bodies were bound, our spir- its were free. "Stone walls do not a prison make. Nor iron bars a cage. Minds that are innocent and quiet, Take these for a hermitage." Silas — Christ had made us free men; we could sing and pray in prison. What must those prisoners have thought as they heard the hymns The Conquest of a Continent of the church coming from the lowest dungeon at the midnight hour from men whose backs were bleeding and whose bones were breaking? Paul — They must have known that there is some- thing in our lives that is not in theirs — The dif- ference is Christ. Silas — But not only were the prisoners listening. Someone else was listening. They heard us sing, but God heard us pray. Is it any wonder that the earth rocked, and the prison doors flew open. He who came to proclaim release to the captives, by His earthquake struck off us 01^ r shackles, even as He released that demon bound child on yesterday. Paul — A night can mean much to a human soul. Ten hours ago the jailer was a pagan, now he is a Christian. Si^as — Yes, you saved him not only from suicide, but from perdition. I seem to hear now his shrieks in the darkness as he was about to fall upon his sword, and then your clear voice rang out in the blackness of the night, "Do thyself no harm for we are all here." Paul — And when he brought us into his house, he asked that question which every sin-con- victed soul must always ask, "What must I do to be saved?" Silas — And through the ages your answer will be the answer which shall be given to sin laden men and women, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved." Paul — Yes, Silas, there is no other name by which poor, sinful men are to be saved. Silas — That was a great sermon you preached to-night, Paul. It must have been one o'clock this morning when the jailer gathered his household here to listen to the message of sal- vation. You forgot the hurt on your back. You did not seem to remember that the blood had matted your shirt. No time in your life have you so preached Jesus. I can never forget that sermon. And when you spoke of confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, The Conquest of a Continent repenting of sin and the baptismal burial, I saw a new light come into every face. I knew a spiritual revolution was taking place in every heart. Paul — I had not quite concluded when the jailer spoke up and said, "Let us be baptized this very night." This is the only time we have ever baptized anyone between one and two o'clock in the morning. Silas — And such a supper after that baptism ! Not having had anything to eat since yesterday at noon, I was prepared for it and did justice to it. (He goes to window, looks out.) Day is breaking. Such a night! Yet it is worth the suffering, a score of souls have been saved. (Jailer enters.) Jailer — The magistrates have sent to let you go; now, therefore, go in peace. Paid — Not so. Brother Jailer. They have beaten us publicly in the market place, uncondemned, we had no trial and we are men who hold Roman citizenship. Then they threw us into prison. Do they now thrust us out privily? Not so. But let them come themselves and bring us out. Jailer (In great astonishment) — You, Roman citizens? I will, with all dispatch, bring these words to the magistrates. And you may count on me to help spread this Gospel for which you have suffered this night. Paul — Again we shall be free. But whether free ou bound, salvation to lost souls is our mission. (CURTAIN.) (The effectiveness of this play will be enhanced if each player will learn perfectly his lines, and be able to g-ive them in a natural, easy, conversational style. It is advisable that several practices be held before the play is produced for tlie public. The costumes are simple, as the long- tunic was worn by men. Bath robes would answer the pur- pose. Drapes of any color may be worn by women. Sandals or slippers should be worn, turbans or head bands. See Bible pictures for sug-g-estions.) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■RP. 016 103 278 5 ^