Article November 14, 1931 Issue

Item of Interest

Visitors to the services of The Mother Church who have been away for a year or longer are given an agreeable surprise when they see flashed upon the wall behind the Readers' platform the figures of the hymn a moment after the First Reader has announced it. These figures and the word "Hymn," which can be seen from practically every part of the great auditorium, are brilliant but not dazzling and are about seven inches in height. When the last note of the hymn is sung these illuminated characters disappear as instantly as they came. This new feature has been greatly appreciated by the many who come in after the hymn has been announced, as well as by those who did not clearly get the number when given from the platform.

For some time past the Directors have had under consideration installing hymn boards showing the hymn numbers such as are used in churches of other denominations here and in many of our own churches in other countries. The need for some such convenience has been particularly felt in The Mother Church, where all late comers are held in the corridors until the singing has begun, frequently more than a hundred entering then through the twenty-six doorways leading into the main floor and galleries. Not long ago sample hymn boards were made, and one afternoon were being inspected by the church officials when one of the department heads declared the figures could be cast electrically on the flat surface of the two pilasters on either side of the Readers.

In a few months the present device was completed and installed, which for its simplicity and reliability of operation leaves little to be desired. It is probably the only one of its kind in the world. The figures are cut from a narrow strip of thin brass which is wound on a spool until the desired figures appear before an electrically illumniated lens which magnifies and projects them upon the wall. The lens and roll of figures are placed inside of each of the two ornamental pedestal lanterns on either side of the platform, which are lighted at every service. The mechanism is so connected and synchronized that the organist easily actuates it from his seat, readily bringing the desire figures into position before turning on the light behind them.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Item of Interest

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access