I have been asked to describe the device with which I illustrate the leading prophetic symbols of Daniel and the Revelation to such great advantage in an evangelistic series. The background, as shown in the cut, is nine feet high and twenty-two feet long. It has an upright two-by-four at each end, and is boarded all the way up in two horizontal sections. Three feet from the floor of the platform, this background wall is separated horizontally into two parts, although it looks like one wall to the audience.
This lower part of the background wall, three feet in height, is nailed, at the ends, to the front of the upright two-by-fours. The upper part of the background wall is nailed to the back side of the same upright two-by-fours.
This leaves a space of about two inches through which the models can come up as I use them, and thus they appear to be coming up out of the sea. The upper wall drops two inches below the top of the lower wall to prevent anyone from seeing through between the two divisions. Over these two sections of the background wall is tacked a beautiful hand-painted sky and sea, and at a distance there appears to be no division. The services of a commercial artist could be secured to paint the background.
The models, or symbols, are made of flat galvanized iron. They are nearly life-size, and so are painted that they appear quite natural. Suitable pictures can be obtained from our standard charts. These models are all operated by an assistant behind the curtain, and are lifted and moved by means of a hair wire that goes over the top of the background, running over large spools.
The symbols of the three angels are attached to another invisible wire running horizontally across the background, so that when moving they appear to be flying in the midst of heaven. The larger the background the more effective the presentation. These angel-symbols also can be drawn across the background by an invisible wire.
The curtains are operated by the same assistant, and are large enough to completely cover the background, so that the entire scene is concealed until wanted. The cost of the project is approximately $150. This method of illustration is very effective in holding the attention and interest of the congregation when one is speaking on the prophecies.
Muskogee, Okla.
