 Remember a hallmark card when you carry enough to send the very best. The makers of hallmark cards bring you a true story from the life of Lydia, starring Miss Helen Hayes, Hall of Fame. Here is our distinguished host, Mr. Lionel Barrymore. Welcome to the Hallmark Hall of Fame. On this Easter Sunday evening, we bring you a biblical story from the life of Lydia, Woman of Philippi, the dramatic account of a wealthy Greek businesswoman who risked her life to save the Apostle Paul. And we're especially proud to star in the title role one of the great ladies of the American theater, Miss Helen Hayes. And now here is Frank Goss. Every word you use paints a picture of you. The right words can add charm and brightness to that picture. That's why so many people choose hallmark cards to express their personality and messages to friends. For hallmark cards are carefully designed to carry the thoughts you want to send. To say what you want to say, the way you want to say it. And the hallmark and crown on the back says, too, that you carry enough to send the very best. Lionel Barrymore appears by arrangement with MGM, producers of Executive Suite, starring William Holden, June Allison, Barbara Stanwyck, Frederick March, Walter Pigeon, Shelly Winters, Paul Douglas, and Louis Calhurn. And now, Mr. Barrymore brings you, transcribed tonight's true story, starring Miss Helen Hayes on the hallmarked Hall of Pain. In the first years following the death of Christ, his apostles traveled far and wide, telling the world the glory of his resurrection and of the life eternal. And so, one of them, Paul, by name, came to Philippi, chief city of Thrace, an important Roman colony. And in this city, there lived a wealthy businesswoman, and her name was Lydia. I am searching for the captain of this vessel. I am told his name is Palo. Search no longer, unknown pal, and you have found Palo. You may drink with him. I came here to speak to him. Aren't someone else woman I'm drinking? This vessel was to be loaded and to sail by dawn. It is high sun time now. What does my vessel to do with you, and to are you woman? I am a Roman citizen, Greek, and the owner of the merchandise this vessel is to carry. My name is Lydia, a Philippi. Proud name, a proud woman. Why do my goods still rest on the dock bleaching in the sun? Claudius sees over here... Well, here of this, I know, and I will point out to him or his soldiers, as I point out to you, the fault is not mine. This is not the only vessel that is idle and unmanned of crew and workers. Where are the men, the crews, the workers? Have all gone to listen to a traveller. A traveller? Yes. Traveller is of the fathering that believes in the resurrection of the man named Christ. He spoke to others I have known in Galatia and Mycia. A Christian. I have heard of this new religion. It is the same trouble they are stamping out everywhere. And the more they stamp, the more it grows. You defend it, Greek? I do not defend it. I wonder at it. And a man would. He said that in his lifetime, before he was crucified at Calvary, he worked wonders, healed the sick, crazed the dead, and self-included. Lies or lies? Of course there are lies. They say this one they all listen to can also heal. Doctors can only deal with herbs and invocations to the proper gods. This man is a single god and a single faith. I am repeating what they tell me, dear madam. Enough. Where does this traveller speak his blasphemy and what is his name? You will find him by the banks of the river. He is from Tarsus. He is an apostle and his name is Paul. We are his offspring. Do not search for him in a temple. Nor look for his likeness as in gold or silver or stone, graven by art and man's device. Where is he to be found? I repeat, who is your god and where is he to be found? Who asks? I, Lydia of Philippi. You are the one called Paul. I am Paul. Tell me of this god I cannot see, apostle. He is everywhere. He is the god that made the world and all the things therein, the Lord of heaven and earth. He lives not in a temple made with hands. He is in the temple of yourself, Lydia. Fools! Idiots! Our god, the ones we all know, insure your peace. His god brings only unrest and takes you from your work. You waste your time and yourselves listening to him. Or can he tell you a way to fill your stomachs without work? I tell of a way for them to fill their hearts and their souls. Sit, Lydia, and rest awhile and be one of us. And listen to this heresy about a god I cannot find. Why do you stare? Perhaps he is within you now, without your knowing it. Look for your god, Lydia, and then you will see him. Rattery is wasted on me, Nestor. Rattery is never wasted, dear lady. What would you have of this poor and humble man? You are neither poor nor humble. I've heard tell that your wealth is beyond computing. I have also heard that you gained it by presenting to the superstitious and the gullible a young girl who interprets the future, a soothsayer. I have been privileged to translate Mithya's thoughts to those who ask. You wish to learn of your future? Mithya! She's gentle and childlike. See? Come forward, Mithya. I have heard she is dumb. Is she without tongue? She is with tongue, but it will not move, not since her birth. Is that true, Mithya? See? She nods her head to say yes. Sit, dear lady, sit, and put questions to her. I will define every nod of her head for you. I am not here about the future, Nestor. I notice that your shop and the shops of others are uncrowded this day. Even as my goods lie profitless on the dock. True, true. All have gone to hear the lies of the Apostle. He's a Christian, a lawbreaker. I am a Greek, but you are a Roman citizen. You can prefer charges. And I shall. But Roman law demands proof before action can be taken. Ah, you have some delightful plot to silence the Apostle? Yes. He can be silenced with this silent girl. Bring your Mithya and follow me. You are certainly not hostile. I am certainly a possible be in a Roman jail before night. Hail, believer of Christ! You have returned, Mithya. Yes, I have returned and I have brought this girl with me. Forward, Mithya, forward. She is dumb since birth. She wishes her tongue loosened so that she may speak aloud and praise your Lord. Her name is Mithya. Is this so, Mithya? She nods. Do you wish to use your voice to praise God? Lydia, tears grow large in her eyes. Do you believe in one God and one life? She nods again. Yes. If your God heals all Il's Apostle, he would heal Mithya, would he not? I know not for what purpose you brought her here. But she is already healed. She has found her Lord. Then let her find her voice, Apostle. You have told me you can cure any Il with your faith. I cure no Il. I spoke of my Lord and my God. Then entreat him for her. Ask your God to let her speak. She is asking God herself. She is proclaiming in her heart that she believes in her resurrection and in the life eternal. He has succumbed to the trap, Lydia. Look, he touches her throat and her lips is though in anointment. If she does not speak, you have a charge. I am a witness. Can you speak, Mithya? Can you speak now of your love for God? I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to be heard. Can speak of my love for God, his love for man. Do all that you have got. He is a miracle. No, no. He cannot be. Lydia, come back. Lydia! You sought me not, Lydia, but ran from the river banks. Yet I feel that you sought him. I sought my life, Paul. I seek it now. Where is my life? All of your life you find in him and in no other. Will he forgive me? He has already done so. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved and thy house. Then tell me of this man who lived and died and lived again and was a God. Tell me of him, apostle. Tell me and make me a Christian. In just a moment we bring you the second act of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Remember how you look forward to May Day when you were a youngster? That was the exciting day when you and your friends filled May baskets with flowers and left them on each other's doorsteps as a token of friendship. Well, that delightful custom has become popular again through Hallmark May baskets. Children love these pretty paper baskets they can make all by themselves. For Hallmark May baskets are cut out ready for little fingers to assemble them without glue or scissors. Mothers, teachers and nursery school supervisors are finding that making Hallmark May baskets is a wonderful way to keep children happily occupied. And giving these gay baskets filled with flowers, cookies or candies teaches a child the delight that comes from an act of friendship and thoughtfulness. Now, a package of five Hallmark May baskets in different designs costs just 50 cents a package. Look for these May baskets with the familiar Hallmark and Crown on the package. The symbol you always want on your cards because it shows you care enough to send the very best. And now Lionel Barrymore brings you the second act of our true story of Lydia starring Miss Helen Hayes. That the woman named Lydia found her heart open to the Lord. And when she was baptized, she besought Paul the apostle and bade him enter her house and stay there. And then one day... Yes, Missia, it is my former master. She has come to see you. Fear him not, Missia. He has no power to hurt you. But I am afraid he is clever and ruthless. The Lady Lydia. Go, Missia. I will join you presently. Yes, my lady. Her new voice is tinkling. Not like coins I could have but tinkling. What do you want of me, Nesta? I heard you have embraced the new religion. You were there. You saw the power of his faith and the glory of God as did all the others. One named Paul. He stays in your house. Your apostle is here from time to time. Why do you ask? Exclusive, Lydia, this Missia... She was my sous-sère, remember? I interpreted and I became rich. And do you recall the day you came to me with a scheme to expose the apostle? Yes, Nesta. And I am ashamed. Ashamed that you helped steal my livelihood? What? It was you, Lydia, who took the girl to Paul. It was Paul who did this to me. What are you saying? That I, Nesta, or a Greek, have charged him with theft. But even now the soldiers have taken him to the marketplace. If you hurry, exquisite Lydia, you may be in time to see the apostle die. Dear Lydia... Anthony! The magistrate presented the apostle to the people and I presented my charges. They are now debating the sentence. Ha! They bring him out now. His arms are bound to the rod. Oh, yes, yes, as it should be. He has violated Roman law. While the verdict is being justly determined, at my suggestion they will flog him. No! Ha! That's what it is! Who whimpered? Yet he is silent. Are you in more pain than he, Lydia? Before he's even tried. I must end this scene. And what can you do? The proconsul, Claudius Caesar. I am influential. I am a Roman citizen. Wait, dear lady, wait. And think. You place yourself in danger if you intercede on the apostle's behalf. You might suffer his same fate. Oh, Lydia, I have affairs of state to settle. He is an innocent man of great good. Listen to me, Claudius. Now he lies in a jail. His back is stripped of flesh where they have beaten him. Yet there has been no trial, no sentence. Yes, I'll call it to the attention of my officers. Now, if you will please be pleasant enough to allow me... I will allow you nothing. One moment, Lydia. You're speaking to a Caesar. For such speech I hold your life in balance. I entreat for this man. I entreat for justice. And you make me consider the effrontery of the stories I've heard of you of late. Of how you, an important woman, a Roman citizen, have been baptized in this Christian faith. And of how you embrace it and its followers. You see, I'm not unaware of your association with the apostle. But I still entreat you. I have no wish to do this. Once more I ask you to leave here. The man is a Jew. He has no rights under the Roman law. He is fortunate they did not kill him before the verdict only beat him. I am new in this faith and I believe in it. I am yet too new to have learned the ways of submission and humbleness. And perhaps this is my sin. You call yourself a Caesar. But you are blind and stupid. Stop! I charge you with the crime of defiance. God, God! And Claudius Caesar, I charge you with the crime of blindness. The apostle of Christ is broken and bleeding in your jail. He has brought to your subjects and to your citizens a life and a belief that will make them whole. And yet you could allow him to be put to death. Much as I will allow you the same faith. God, stay! What is it? My dear, outside the building is not safe. Hurry! The very earth shakes with the injustice of this faith. The streets assure them the quake has ended. Call for the doctors and the priests to administer. Yes, my Caesar. This woman, wait. Lydia, I have forgotten my temper. Have you forgotten your plea? No, I could not. Take her to the jail. We must confine somewhere other than the jail. It was destroyed. What? And those in it? Well-speak, gosh! The most strange thing, my leader. Though the jail is a crumble ruin, no prisoner is hurt. And parties out immediately. No, they have not escaped Caesar. They merely followed a prisoner named Paul to safety. They sit quietly and listen to his words of comfort. Are you certain? As I am a Roman soldier. Must see this man. See him, see for yourself, Claudius. Then condemn him, if you can. Look above the others, put his back to us. It is curly torn. Rightfully so, great Claudius. Who is this man? His name is Nestor. He is the one who has made the charge. Indeed, indeed. And though the earthquake came, I am still present to uphold the Roman law, under which I have little right, but under which I live. They certainly seem to death. The law will be upheld, Greek. God, bring the one named Paul to me. Your command, Caesar. You mean, you will let a sentence of death be carried out against Paul? The charge still rests. But for not escaping when he had the opportunity, it might be commuted. It would be an injustice. He stole my livelihood. Silence! That is no form of mercy. His worker to spread the story of the resurrection and the life eternal, languishing in a prison, you take away his work. I did not design his work. I interpret the law. Then I repeat my charge against you, Claudius. And I will make mine against you, if you aggravate me further. Bow, prisoner. You are before Claudius, Caesar. I bow to God, not to man. I say... Stay your hand. Paul, you should have escaped when the time was ripe. They still will sentence you. Fear not, Lydia. Our life is yet to be lived in another kingdom and another world. Comfort in the Lord, woman of Philippi. Comfort in the Lord. He is back for me, Caesar. See how he is. Let me look on this man. God, the doctrine, the charges. If you confirm the sentence, if it stands, then confirm your charge against me and put me to death also. And let the city know of your injustice. She pleads for him, but she pleads against Roman law. Marcus, I was an officer in the Roman army. I was. You persecuted the new faith, yet you have embraced it. I have lived it from the moment when God asked me to. Paul, a persecutor. Like you, Lydia, I once persecuted. And like you, I believed and repented. What of the charge? What of the charge, Caesar? There is no charge. This man is a Roman citizen. He cannot be charged by a Greek. Release him. But this cannot be. And take this man away. Come. Injustice! Injustice! Injustice! Paul, I know not what faith you hold inside of you. I know I have seen it this day. And you will see it again, Claudius. The Lord is everywhere. Take him to your home, Lydia. He may stay in Philippi and do as he wishes. Farewell. By bringing him to me, you have served the Lord. And you will spread his word. And you, Lydia? My life is for my God. And my home is for all his servants and all my goods. I will learn my faith by serving. And be at peace. Yes, Paul. Now the apostle went out of the prison and entered into the house of Lydia. And he stayed there many days. And he spake unto the people. And when he heard the resurrection of the dead, many, many played through him and believed in the Word of the Lord. Pays and Mr. Barrymore will return in just a moment. Hasn't this happened to you? You find in your mail an unexpected card from a friend. And a surge of delight goes through you. You think, what a grand person she is, how nice of her to remember. And your whole day becomes brighter. And the best part of it is, you get that same glow when you send the card too. Thoughtfulness warms both the giver and the receiver. That's why it's such a good idea to stop at a fine store where hallmark cards are featured and choose a variety of cards for your friends. Not just for their birthdays, anniversaries and big occasions. For those, of course. But there are many, many hallmark cards designed too for the little occasions. For those unnoticed days that can be made memorable and happy by your remembering. Because you choose hallmark cards, you pay your friends the added compliment of going to a fine store and personally selecting the right design for each individual taste. The right greeting to say, just what you want to say, the way you want to say it. And the familiar hallmark and crown on the back tells them too that you will carry enough to send the very best. And now here again is Lionel Barrymore. Helen, when we started planning our Easter Sunday program for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, we wanted to give our listeners something special. And I can think of nothing more special than having the opportunity of airing your performance tonight. Well, I thank you very much, Lionel. I'm very happy you invited me to take part in such a beautiful story. It certainly was a fitting choice for Easter Sunday. But then all of the stories you have on the Hallmark Hall of Fame are most interesting, I guess because they're always about real people. What story are you planning for next week, Lionel? Next week, Helen, a little known story from the life of Stradivarius, that remarkable genius who lived centuries ago and created the finest musical instruments in the history of the world. You will hear this unusual story next week. Oh, how wonderful. I'll surely be listening. Good night, Lionel. And I hope the joy of Easter stays with you always. Thank you, Helen. Thank you. Until next week then, this is Lionel Barrymore saying good night. Santos Otega, Louis van Rooten, Everett Sloan, and Ted Osby. Listen to the Hallmark Hall of Fame on television next Sunday when we bring you an exciting true incident from the life of Marquis de Lafayette. This is Frank Goss saying good night to you until next week at the same time when you'll hear a true story from the life of the world's foremost violin maker, Antonio Stradivarius. And on the following Sunday, May 2nd, you'll hear a dramatic incident from the life of the famous former manager of the New York Yankees, Miller Huggins, as told by Joe DiMaggio on the Hallmark Hall of Fame. This is the CBS News. This is KMBC, Kansas City, Missouri.