The Photo-Drama of Creation - The Herald

Publisher's Foreward
The dawn of the twentieth century saw many new social and religious changes
being proclaimed. Modernism and humanism were gaining control of theological
thinking.
The tendency of the newer thoughts was to question the authenticity of the
Scriptures. But there was a notable exception - a small religious movement originating in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Though it too challenged the staid orthodoxy of contemporary
theology, a deep reverence for the Bible as the inspired word of God and a firm faith in
the blood of Christ kept it aloof from the fast-moving trend toward higher criticism.
Rather than discard or rationalize the Scriptures, this group preached a stronger
faith in the Bible, based on the principle of harmonizing Sacred Writ with the character of
God. Emphasizing topical Bible study, these Christians were fortified against the
creeping infidelity of the modernist movements.
Forceful and dedicated leadership gave this movement a high degree of
prominence and publicity. Though heavily attacked with innuendoes and undocumented
personal charges, the movement spread steadily. To many sincere Christians, the
simplicity and clarity it brought to Scripture interpretation was like a breath of fresh air.
New adherents worked hard to spread it still further.
The efforts of this group climaxed in 1914 with the production of one of the most
remarkable religious exhibitions the world had yet seen--"THE PHOTODRAMA OF
CREATION." At a cost of approximately $1,000,000 an eight hour four-part audio-visual
presentation was assembled. Pioneering the use of motion pictures with synchronized
records, it was shown in the leading theaters of the United States and Europe. In three
years it was viewed by over 16,000,000 people and won enthusiastic acclaim.
This small book is a reprint of an earlier one containing the message of that
remarkable presentation. Very few changes have been required to make its words as true
and relevant to today as they were to a world entering upon the earth-shaking events of
the First World War.
The present publishers have been careful to change none of the author's original
concepts, making only those corrections necessary to update its facts. (However, this
electronic version has none of these changes and holds true to the original text .)
Much of the art and pictures in this edition have been changed, however, to
enhance its message with a graphic background as fitting to our times as its original
graphics were to that time. Some of the original art has been retained to capture the
flavor of the original production.
With the hope that this book will benefit its readers today in the way that the
original benefited thousands in the early 1900's, the publishers are glad to present to you -
"THE PHOTODRAMA OF CREATION."
THE PUBLISHERS