Magic Lantern - The Bible

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good:

Genesis 1:3-4

The Bible

The Old Testament

The quality of the Scripture slides varied strongly. A writer that called himself A Mere Phantom describes a series of slides called Scripture History in no uncertain terms: '..... slides in which subjects of the most sacred character are treated in a manner more calculated to excite ridicule than reference, are comparable only to the vulgar and inartistic outlines which were once so common on Dutch tiles. It will be readily understood that the style and colouring which might not be inappropriate for such subjects as clown and pantaloon would be altogether unsuitable for illustrating the events narrated in sacred history.' However another writer, Olive Cook, describes a religious slide with words of praise: 'With the projected figure of Christ on the Cross this anonymous art rises to a level beyond the sphere of entertainment. This calm, jet-bearded, muscular form, a commanding symbol of strength rather than suffering, brilliantly luminous against its stark black background, seems more alive than the breathing audience and impresses itself on the memory and imagination as only a pictorial masterpiece can do.' Sources: A Mere Phantom. The Magic Lantern, How to buy and how to use it. London 1870. Olive Cook. Movement in Two Dimensions. London 1963.		In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters..... And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Genesis 1: 1-2; 2: 2
	French, ca. 1900. On the paper frame is the trademark "E. Mazo Paris" printed. Elie Xavier Mazo was a French publisher and lantern and slide manufacturer.
	And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. ....... And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2: 8-25
		Hand coloured slide in a wooden frame, ca. 10 x 18 cm. Also see: Adam and Eve.
		And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? Genesis 4: 8-9
	Slide in a wooden frame measuring 4"x7". Labelled on the side of the slide "Hoffmans Life of Jesus" and stamped on the wood "T.H.McAllister, Optician, NY".
	And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. ........ There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. Genesis 7: 7-9
		Slide in a wooden frame; ca. 10 x 18 cm.
The accompanying Scripture texts are derived from the King James Bible. This version of the Bible (known in England as the Authorized Version), was prepared by 54 scholars appointed by King James I, June 1604. Extant records show that 47 scholars actually participated. They were organized into six companies, two each working separately at three locations for seven years on sections of the Bible assigned to them. The resulting translation was published in 1611 and was generally accepted as the standard English Bible, used by English-speaking Protestants for more than three centuries.		And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. Genesis 22: 10-11
	Square magic lantern slide 'Abrahams Sacrifice'. Manufacturer Newton & Co, London.
	And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11

		And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. ......... And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Genesis 32:24-26.

		And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Exodus 15:20-21
	Square magic lantern slide 8.2 x 8.2 cm,
	And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive. Genesis 46: 29-30
		Slide nr 4 of the set 'Life of Joseph' made by Theobald & Co.
		And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2
	Slide in a wood frame titled on side of the frame: 'Moses and burning bush'; ca. 1880, ca. 10 x 18 cm.
French lantern slide depicting some episodes in the life of Moses.
	Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine (Goliath), and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. 1 Samuël 17: 51
		Slide in a wooden frame; ca. 10 x 18 cm.

Ye are the light of the world......
Let your light so shine before men.....

Matthew 5: 14-16

The Bible
The New Testament

Cook describes the oldest, often very primitive painted oblong lantern slides depicting Biblical representations, as follows: 'The drawing is strong and rhytmical, with the heads exaggerated. ... these powerful figures, when cast life-size upon the screen, unconsciously achieve what the most scholarly efforts of the Gothic Revivalists failed to do: they recapture the full, robust flavour of medieval art. They delight us, as medieval imagery delights us, with the marvellous unity of vision they express. The personages of the Scriptures, Christ and the Saints, are presented as grand symbolic figures, and yet they are so much part of every day life that they can be treated with the utmost familiarity and on occasion with ribald humour.' Source: Olive Cook. Movement in Two Dimensions. London 1963.		And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2: 7
	Square magic lantern slide 8.2 x 8.2 cm. Decalcomania.
	....Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary?.... Matthew 13: 54-55
		Story of very first Christmas, nr 27. title: Jesus in workshop of Joseph.
		And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened... Mark 1: 9-10
	Slide in a wooden frame, ca. 18 x 10 cm, glass 7,5 cm Ø.
	And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10: 13-14
		Slide 8,3 x 10 cm. Marked: Hofmann.
		But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Mark 5: 33-34
	Glass slide 8,3 x 8,3 cm.
	..... and that night they caught nothing. ... Then Jesus saith unto them, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. John 21:3-6
		Magic lantern slide 8,2 x 8,2 cm.
		And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway; Luke 8: 52-55
	Slide in a wooden frame measuring 4"x7". Labelled on the side of the slide "Hoffmans Life of Jesus" and stamped on the wood "T.H.McAllister, Optician, NY".
	And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. Mathew 15: 34-36
		Square magic lantern slide 8,2 x 8,2 cm.
		But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Luke 10: 33-34
	Hand tinted magic lantern slide. 'The good Samaritan', 8,3 x 8,3 cm, made by Newton & Co.
The accompanying Scripture texts are derived from the King James Bible. This version of the Bible (known in England as the Authorized Version), was prepared by 54 scholars appointed by King James I, June 1604. Extant records show that 47 scholars actually participated. They were organized into six companies, two each working separately at three locations for seven years on sections of the Bible assigned to them. The resulting translation was published in 1611 and was generally accepted as the standard English Bible, used by English-speaking Protestants for more than three centuries.	And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Mathew 26: 26
		Quite a different scene as we know from Da Vinci. 'The last Supper'. 8,3 x 8,3 cm. Manufacturer unknown.
		....Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. John 19: 17-19
	Photographic slide measuring 8 x 10 cm labelled "Nailing Christ to Cross. Arpais."
	And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Luke 23: 46
		Unknown.
		Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Luke 24: 5-6
	Slide in a wooden frame, ca. 18 x 10 cm, glass 7,5 cm Ø.
	And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:9
		Magic lantern slide labelled 'Ascension, Masonic, Dissolving'.

	See also: Just a lot of magic lantern slide sets depicting Biblical stories.