E2: Christ the Light;
the Roman Heathens

In the left-hand window Christ is portrayed as “I am the Light of the World[John 8:12]; below this is a group of Romans represented as taking part in heathen sacrifices at the temple of Jupiter. We have several such altars as relics of the Roman occupation at Hexham. The priest stands in front of the picture and brandishes over the victim the sacrificial knife. The worshippers kneel before him. In the background a figure of Jupiter. A thunderstorm breaks over the scene and suggests the impending cataclysm which is to sweep away Roman idolatry. The idea is Christ the Light drawing the heathen to Himself.
The text: “And the idols He shall | utterly ✤ abolish[Isaiah 2:18] lends further to this idea.

Erected by Mrs Ann Hyslop in memory of her husband John Hyslop and their son Andrew (succesive headmasters at the grammar school); unveiled by Mrs E Sidney Savage.