Short Skits,

SHORT SKITS

READER When this Aclvent message began, God chose plain, simple people such as we are, to carry it on. Many of them were very young when they began their work, and almost all of them were poor. It is good for us to know what these pioneers of the Message did, for it can inspire us to carry the torch they passed on, to its final triumph.

The man who God used to start the Second Advent message in Americawas Willia~ri Miller. He was living on a farm in Low f-iampton, New York, when he began to study tlie Scriptures. This led him to a study of the prophecies. From this, he came to see that the cleansing of tlie sanctuary must come in about 1844. H e understood that to mean the end of the world, Miller felt he should tell it to others, but he hesitated to start. Let us visit his sister's home in New York.

This is the liome of his sister.

Call of William Miller

Scerre: Hr~rne of Gui&ornI.s. Mr. crrlrl Mrs. G. artd lltree clzildre~t

Mrs. G. I don't know what we are going to do. The minister is away, and who will preach to us next Sunday?

Mr. G . Sylvia, couldn't we get your brother William too come over and talk tousand the neighbors tomorrow about the coming of the Lord? You know he has stuclied that sul~ject for years now.

Mrs. C. 011. I'm afr:~id William wouldn't do it. You know lie says lie is no preacher. Of course be has spoken to us about the prophecies, but he wouldn't speak in public.

Mr. G. Well, he ~leedn't preach. We'll gather the neighbors in here, and he cancome and sit and talk with us.l'liat's enough. Why, if he believes the Lori1 is coming about 1843 or 1844, he has to tell it. The world must know.

Mrs. G. 'The prophecies are right, aren't they, Silas?

Mr. G. The prophecies are right, and William's figures seem all right. That's why I want him to come to talk to us, so we can get it all straightened out.

Mrs. G. You might send Irving over to see i f he would come.

~ n r . G. Irving, saddle the brown mare and ride over to Uncle William's. Tell him the Baptist minister is away, and we want him to come over tomorrow and talk to us and the neighbors about the coming oE the Lord.

( Iwing: I-Iadn't I better cut across tlie Lake, Pa, at Brennan's landing? 1 canget a boat

there.

Short Skits

Mr. G. All right. Quickest way to get to Low I lampton.

Irving: All right, Pa. Goodbye.

Miller:

Voice:

Miller:

Voice:

Miller:

Voice:

Miller:

Miller:

Irving:

It is the truth, I know it. Ilere i t is 1831, and the prophecies all show tllat the sanctuary is to be cleansed about 1844, and Cllrist will come. It be true.

Go and tell it to the world.

1 can't go, Lord.

Why not?

011, 1'111 11~11 :I preacher. I'm a plain farmer. I 11:lven't the ul)ility. But if God would open the way, 1 would go.

What do you nleail by opening tlie way?

Why, if I'm asked to speak publicly i n any place, 1 will go and tell what 1 find in the Bible about the Lortl's conling. But surely no one will do that, I must go out to the field now to plow.

Why, good morning, lrving. What brings you over to Low llampton so early in tlie nlorriing?

1:ather wants you to corne over to our place tonlorrow and talk to us on the coming of cllrist. 'I'lle minister is away, and we'll have all the neighbors come to our house, so you can have t l ~ e wllole churcl~ there.

(Miller Ienves--l~ace\ 1111 crttd tko~c~r~. Goes otrt (o n ~ u ~ ~ l c govc nr~d prayas vcty crgi/a/ed.)

Voice: Go and tell it! Go, and tell it!

Miller: I low can I go?

Voice: Go arid tell it to the worlcl.

Miller: I will go, I will go. (Goes LO ho~tse) 1'11 go, Irving. ltight alter dinner we'll go.

Reader: Frorn this sirnple beginning, Miller traveled far and wide, preaching to tllousands tlie message of tlle soon conling of the Lord, all over New York, New England, and up into Canada.

JOSEPHBATES APOSTLE OF THE SABBATH TRUTH

Captain Joseph Bates:

Prudence Bates:

James M. Hall:

Mr. Drew:

Jack:

Prop Manager:

Narrator:

by Lynne E. Buhler

Characters and Props and Costuming:

Wearing a dark suit, a bowler and hat, round glasses on his nose, holds in his hand a pamphlet with the title 'THE HOPE O F ISRAEL" by T. M. Preble and a Bible.

Wearing a long skirt, white blouse and an apron with hair pulled back.

A neighbor. Wearing a suit, he uses a cane to walk with.

Postmaster. Wearing a long sleeved white shirt, vest, and visor; carrying envelopes, letter for Captain Bates, General Delivery, New Bedford possibly a scale for weighing the mail, money to make change for $10.00. Delivery boy. Wearing a cap, shirt sleeves rolled up.

A person to arrange stage and place correct sign for each scene.

Either one or two people cando this. It is much more effective to have this memorized.

Play

-rator: Whatever Captain Joseph Bates did, he did well. He was no half-hearted worker. As a sea captain, he determined to be the most efficient captain on the seas. When he discarded tobacco and alcohol, he gave themup forever; he even established one of the first temperance societies. When he accepted the views of William Miller about Christ's second coming, he put all his money and efforts into preaching this message. When he learned of the importance of the fourth commandment, he observed the very next Sabbath.

Joseph's wife Prudence, thought him impulsive and overly enthusiastic. While more cautious than her energetic husband, she eventually followed his lead.

As our story opens, Joseph has just returned from Washington, New Hampshire where a group of Adventists have begun to observe the seventh day. H e is near the bridge between Fairhaven and New Bedford when he encounters his neighbor, Mr. Ilall.

SCENE I:

Place road sign:

<--New Bedford

-- > Fairhaven

(IltrN etrters rt~crlkitrg ri~itlr (I rrrtre, he is otl ( I tr~orning walk and looks around etljoyitlg the scetlety.)

(Joseph Bates wnlkbig ~vith Bible arrdpcrt~rphlet by T. M. Preble, "THE HOPE OF ISRAE1," evrlr~irrru to IrirtirelJ: Ile rloev tlot see tlrrll right U I V U , ~ nnr1prtrse.s right it1

front of hit~r.)

Bates: I'm convinced! After all this studying, I'm sure!

Ifall: (C(111itlgout) What's the news, Captain Rates?

Rates: (Noticitrg flu11 for the first tittle he ~vlrirls crrorrr~rl atlrl unsrvers.) The news is the seventh day is the Sahhath of the 1.ortl our Gotl!

I lall: (S~oprisctl) Wllat is this? Where tlitl yo11 get s~rch nn itlea as that, Captain Bates?

Bates: (Bcgitu to pnce) Brother Ilall, I've just returned from Washington, New I lampshire, where I studietl with some Atlventists. (P~rtrser to re1ic.h this new cotrl~ictiott.) I'm cor~vinccd that t l~e seventh tliiy is Gotl's rest clay. (flundr Hall ( the [~nrt~l)lrlet by I'reble.)

Well, Well! You interest me! (Il'itlr KEAl. ititere.rt, looks atpatti~)/ilet.) I'll have to study this for myself and see if i t is m e ! Well, Well! Good day, Captain Rates! (Slrrrkitig his hear1 utirl recrtlit~g n s he ai ts tn~rtteri~ig.) Well! Well! Imagine that!

(Bntes crlso erirr)

Narrator: Drotller James Ilall (lid s t ~ ~ t l y and accept the message. IIe also kept thevery next Sabl~ath!

Captain Rates had heen a motlerately well-off man when he retired from the sea. But he had spent all his money in spreading the message of the second coming of Jesus, until one day he hat1 nothing left hut on York sl~illing, worth a l~o~r t 12 112 cents.

SCENE 11: I'lace two chairs ;111cl a s111all table on llie slilge. Ilen~ove sign post ancl place sign "Rates Ilesitlence" on desk.

(Rtites errte~:s arrtl i s sittitrg (rrt lriv rle.di lvritirig, his I i ~ t is O I I the otlier chair.)

(1.nok~ rip rrr tho~rgh thrf~lig./l n high ,c~i~lc/olc'.) 011, how I love the Sabbath! I MUS'I' write Illis little 1)otrk . . . tile worltl inust know the news. I don't know where the money will come from to publish it. God will provide. . . Now I must ( write. (Begitis kvt iring rrgtriri.)

Prudence:

Bates:

Prudence:

Bates:

Prudence:

Bates:

Prudence:

Bates:

Prudence:

Bates:

Prudence:

Bates:

(E11ter.s wiping her hands on her apron.) Joseph! Joseph! I haven't enough flour to finish the baking.

(Glaces up.) How much flour do you need?

Oh, about four pounds, (Turns to leave and answers over shoulder.) I suppose.

(Dons hat and moves toward the exit.) All right, I'll get it for you.

(Bates returns, leaving his hat on the first chair and sits at his desk to write I must continue writiilg.)

(Enters a bitflustered and confused.) Joseph, where did this flour come from?

h look^ up quickly.) Why? Isn't there enough? (Stana!~ andgesturespleadingly,) You said you wanted four pounds.

You! (Pointing at Joseph incredulously.) Captain Bates,, (Starts straightening Joseph's hat a little too vigorously.) a man who has sailed vessels out of New Bedford to all parts of the world, have been out and bought FOUR pounds of FLOUR?

Wife, (Pausesandpaces mwiou.sly.) you may as well know I spent the last money I have on that flour.

(Criesoutin fmtration.) What arewe going to live on?l (Sitsdown quickly,pauses and begins to weep quietly into her apron.) What are we going to do! I? (heels beside her and reaches out to sootlze her.) Prudence, I'm going to write a book. (Buildingexcitement.) I'mgoing to have it published too. (Confidently and with a sense of well- being.) The Lord will provide.

(Stands up and moves away quickly in tearful anger.) That's what you'always say! (Pauses, reproachfully.) The Lord will provide? (Exits weeping).

(Stares afier Prudence with little or no understanding, shakes his head as though to clear his mind and turns to return to hk writing, afer ashort whilegets restless.)

I feel impressed there might be a letter for me at the post office. (Rises, janu on hat and moves to exit.) I'll go see.

SCENE 111

Replace Bates Residence sign with a Post Office sign.

(Drew enters and begins sorting, weighing and stamping mail.)

Bates: (Removes his hat and eagerly inquires.) Mr. Drew, Is there a letter for me?

Drew:

Bates:

(As hesearches) Yes, there is, CaptainBates! (Surpriredas hediscoversletter and exclaim) Postage due, five cents!

(Learls forward andstares.) Mr. Drew, I'm out of money. (Gestures) I don't even have five cents to pay the postage. (Wirh irtterest) Can you tell me where the letter is from?

Drew: That's all right, Captain Bates. Take it and pay some other time. (Handing letter ( to Bates.)

Bates: No, I will not take the letter until I pay for it. (Moves toward door.) I never go in debt. (Turns back with conviction.) However, I feel there IS money in this letter. (With a smile.) Will you please open it. (Gestures) If there is money, you may take the postage out. If not, I won't read the letter.

Drew: (Opens letter and holds up money in amazement.) Yes! Here's a ten dollar bill! (A little dazed.) I'll make your change.

Bates: Thank you and Good day! (Places hat on his head and begins to leave.)

Drew: Good day! (Returns to mail business.)

Bates: (Talking to himself.) Now, I must go buy some groceries.

Jack: (Bounds in, stops to tie shoe.)

Bates: Hello Jack. (Passes Jack and then whirls around with a new thought.) I need you to do something for me.

Jack: (Standing up.) Hello, Captain Bates! What can I do for you?

Bates: (Reaches into his pocket and brings out money and a list.)

Please take this to the store and buy a barrel of flour, some potatoes, sugar and other things. Then deliver them to my house. (Laughs, places one hand on Jacks shoulder.) Probably, Mrs. Bates will tell you they don't belong there, (Laughs ( again.) But, pay no mind! (Enjoying the thoirght.) Unload the goods just as I have told you, on the front porch.

Jack: Sure, Captain (Tips his hat, runs to exit and calls back.) I'll do just as you say.

Bates: (Adjusts hat.) Now, I must go to the printing office and order a thousand pamphlets on the Sabbath. (Straightens shoulders.) The Lord will send me more.(Exits)

SCENE IV:

Replace post onice sign with Bates' Residence sign.

Bates: (Resumes writing.) Now, let me see, where was I . . . ?

Prudence: (Rushes in and attempts to drag Joseph out to see.) Joseph! Just look out there (Pointing) Where did all that stuff come from? The delivery boy wouldn't believe me when 1 told him this couldn't be the right place. (Gestures) He left it all and drove off! (Tugs his arm again.) Look at all those groceries!

Bates: (Leans hacksornewhat amused.) Well, I guess its all right.

Prudence: (Getting to thepoint.) But where did it come from?

Bates: Why, (Smiling, then laughs as he says) the Lord sent it!

Prudence: Oh yes, (Sarcurtically) the Lord sent it.

(Bates reaches into hispocket for the letter.)

That's what you always say! (In amperation)

Bates: (Hands letter to Prudence.) Read this, and you will learn where it came from.

Prudence: (Reads letter.) Oh, Joseph, I'm ashamed of my lack of faith. (Puts hand on Joseph's a m and looks into his face and says feelingly.) Truly God does care for us. (Joseph and Prudence continue to look at letter through narration.)

Narrator: Joseph Bates was more convinced than ever that he could depend on the promise, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God ... and all these things shall be added unto you." He did write his Sabbath tract, 'The Seventh Day Sabbath: A Perpetual Sign in 1846. With this tract, Captain Joseph Bates introduced James and Ellen White to the Sabbath.

The respected Captain was the oldest member of our church pioneers and became the first president of the Michigan Conference in 1861.

CaptainBates was a spiritual man with the courage of his convictions. We thank God for this faithful captain who is often called the "Apostle of the Sabbath Truth."

SISTER WHITE'S FIRST VISION

Girl 1:

Girls 1,2:

Girls 1,2,3:

Girl 1:

Girls 2,3, Boy 1:

Girls 1,2,3:

ALL:

Girl 1:

Girls 1,2:

Girls 1,2,3:

Boys 1,2,3:

Girl 1:

Girl 1,2:

Girls 1,2,3:

Boys 1,2,3:

Girls 2,3; Boys 2,3:

Girls 2,3:

Boy 2:

Day 3:

A Choral Reading Composed by Esther Cummings Actions by Frances Blahovich

Glory! (Hands held extended orst chest high.)

Glory! (Hands extended out face level.)

Glory! (Hands held above head.)

(Moment of Silence.)

I am rising. . . rising from the earth! But where are the Advent people? (Stand 011 tiptoes looking around with arms stretched out and up.)

Look again! Look a little higher. (Right hand held just over eyebrows-looking up at a focalpoirzt.)

There they are on a straight and narrow path, high above the world. (Right hands pointing to focalpoint.)

High above and traveling toward the city. (Continue to point, keeping eyes aN lookirzg at focal point.)

A light! (Hand held cupped beside face us to block out the light.)

A light! (Cup hunds like girl I . )

A bright, bright light!

This is the midnight cry lighting the path along the way that the people might not stumble. (Standing erect with right hands making and upward sweep and then buck to sides,)

Jesus is leading them!

Leading them forward.

Leading them upward toward the city. (Pointaguitt with harzdtowurd focalpoint.)

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and you will go safely. (Shadeeyes with right hands rrnd contin~re looking at foccrlpoint.)

(Mournfirl, discouraged) Oh, we are grown weary and tired of watching, weary of waiting and walking so far. (Group shows signs weariness, drooping at waist with hands drooping.)

It can't be God who has led us this far, the light wasn't really our God. Pay no heed to it. (Shake heads in di.scouragemerlt nzotion in a negutive manner with hands.)

(Ap~~rehemiveb) Darkness is deepening! (Step buck, fear in voice.)

I can't see . . . I'm falling. (Falls to thefloor.)

All:

Boys 1,2,3:

Girls 1,2,3:

Boys 1,2,3:

Girls 1,2,3:

All:

Boys 1,2,3:

Girls 1,2,3:

All:

Girls 1,2,3:

Boys 1,2,3:

All:

Boys 1,2,3:

Girl 1:

Boys 1,2,3:

All:

Boys 1,2,3:

All:

Boys 1,2,3:

Girls 1,2,3:

(Begin loud and fade away.) Falling! . . . Falling. . . falling . . . (Bodies droop again.) (

(Moment of silence.) (Fallen boy arises.)

(Loudly) Thunder and quaking are shaking the earth! (Stand erect.)

God's voice is sounding the day and the hour when Jesus will come.

Holy Spirit, shine on us! Come, Lord Jesus. Come! (Holdamsoutwardm thoziglz pleading.)

h, in the east, a small cloud is coming-a black cloud as big as the hand of a man. (Pointing to focalpoint, make a fist "the size of a man's hand.")

Nearer and nearer, brighter and brighter, and on it is sitting the Son of Man. (Looking upward take a step backward a~tonislzed.)

Who shall be able to stand? (Extend a m forward in a questionitzg manner.)

Awake, awake you that sleep in the dust. Awake, awake and arise! (Right handy pointing as to graves on the ground.)

The graves are open and the dead arise clothed with immortality, The one hundred and forty four thousand shout. (Raise hands slowlyj?om 'kra~~es" to slzoulder height.)

Alleluia! (Jump zq with kar~dr held high above heads.)

Now we are free!

Jesus Himself bids us enter into the city of light. H e gives us harps and palms of victory and to each a crown, jeweled and bright. (Play harps,pplace crown on own head.)

Enter in! (Tunz and sirzglefile fomz a circle facing in.) You have washed your robes in my blood and stiffly stood for the right.

(With awe.) We all stand under the tree of life and marvel at its glorious fruit and the beauty of the place. (Group looks up as to the tree of life.)

Some standing by would learn of the trials through which we passed-but we could not speak them out.

Alleluia! (Amts reacliing up-sltouting.)

We cried,

Alleluia! Heaven is cheap enough.

Alleluia!

Alleluial (Each alleliiia should be a little louder.)

All Heaven is cheap enough!