RURAL DRAMA 241 



THE MIRACLE PLAY AT POMFRET, CONNECTICUT x 



ELLA M. BOULT 



Two months earlier our Neighborhood Association had been 

 organized, and had already proved itself responsible to every 

 call upon it. We had not believed that its varying elements 

 would make common cause so readily. It had developed a sur- 

 prising unity of interests, and a sympathetic and hearty coopera- 

 tion in developing those interests. And now Christmas was 

 approaching, supreme season of festival and celebration. What 

 should we do to commemorate it we, whose very foundation 

 stone was brotherhood, community of interests, fellowship, good- 

 will? 



Back of us were three church societies: the Congregational, 

 sentinel and saint of every New England village ; the Episcopal, 

 always proudly assured in its sense of power ; and the far-reach- 

 ing, never flagging Roman Catholic. All three are generous in 

 their response to the material demands of Christmas, as they 

 are devout in spiritual ministrations at this and all seasons of 

 the year. From all three, and from without the church, we draw 

 our membership. Not only are we of many creeds but of many 

 vocations, and especially of many nations. Our Irish and 

 Swedish membership equals our native Puritan elements; we 

 have a number of English and Scotch members, and a few Swiss, 

 Italian, Portuguese, Canadians and Negroes. 



As to vocation we are largely working people, and are of all 

 trades domestic workers, day-laborers, carpenters and builders, 

 preachers, teachers, painters, plumbers, merchants, farmers. It 

 is true that in our community we have a large number of the 

 leisure class, so called. Who shall say that they are not the 

 busiest of all classes? Certainly from them we may draw a sym- 

 pathetic and helpful portion of our membership. 



Above all it (the festival) must be expressive of the great event 

 that it commemorates. Throughout the ages Christmas has never 

 weakened in its tremendous significance. Bells ring, candles 

 glow, greetings and gifts and good cheer abound ; but always, be- 

 low these surface manifestations, there is the Manger at Bethle- 



i Adapted from Country Life in America, 25:49-56, December, 1913. 



