Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/280

 268 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOrLE German, which led to the remark of Philip Melancthon, in his ' Apologia ' of the Augsburg Confession, that ' the custom of singing hymns in the German language had been universally practised.' Mystery Plays Sacred dramatic representations kept pace with the increase of sacred song. The close study of this ques- tion furnishes a prolific means of understanding the development and inner working of the German mind. From the earliest Christian times divine service assumed, so to speak, the symbolic character of sacred drama. The great Sacrifice of the Mass itself is a com- memorative representation and rehearsal of the great world-redeeming tragedy of Golgotha. Each of the five parts marks the progress of the propitiatory offer- ing, and unfolds, as it were, before the eyes of the people present the great religious subject contained in it. Hence the great masters of music have found in the Mass the most inspiring subjects for their composi- tions. At High Mass the personal actors, so to say, ' the priests, the Levites, and the people,' keep up con- tinuous dramatic intercourse, speaking to and answer- ing each other. Everything appertaining to the service — the altar, the vestments, colours, even the very plan and architectural style of the churches — are sym- bolical. In the vesper office, with its antiphons, psalms and responses, parts are severally assigned to the priest and people. During the processions both the clergy and the lay helpers in their various dresses, the guilds and associations with their distinctive badges, tapers and flags, contributed to the dramatic effect.