Theme Park of Temptations
One man’s vision of “The Road from Earth to Heaven”
Behold this fascinating pictorial map created by W. J. Dittmar, an illustrator of ragtime music sheets in the early 20th century. The map, titled The Road from Earth to Heaven, was first published in 1932 for the Union Gospel Press, a Christian publishing company. It depicts the road through life as a theme park, with various attractions, temptations, and pitfalls along the way.
The map is divided into two sections: the lower half shows the earthly realm, where people arrive at the entrance (lower left) in buses, cars or on foot (or in the case of the Speed Mad, in the wreckage of a car).
The upper half shows the heavenly realm, where the ultimate destination is the plane trip from Heaven’s Station to Eternity With The Lord.
On the way to heaven, travelers have to avoid many potential pitfalls. “Theme park” attractions along the road include:
The Glittering Pit: a large hole filled with money, jewels, and worldly pleasures, where many people fall into and never come out.
Do the Best You Can: An Easy Way: a sign that leads to a wide and smooth road that seems pleasant but ends up in a dark tunnel with no exit.
Friendly Card Game: a table where people gamble their money and souls, and end up being thrown into the River of Failures.
Not to mention other trials along the way - Worldly Pleasures, Subtile Temptations and the Elevator of Pride
The map was created during the Great Depression, a time of economic hardship and social unrest in America. The map illustrates some of the challenges and temptations that people faced during that time.
W.J. Dittmar was a self-taught freelance artist living in Williamsport PA. He eventually became the primary artist for the popular Vandersloot Music Company. His covers adorned more than 100 music sheets published by the Williamsport company. Some of his music illustrations were blatantly racist:
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A Bold Plan to End Homelessness (1890)
This detailed pictorial view is one man’s vision to rescue a nation of 3 million destitute who were enslaved in Victorian England. (One tenth of the population was destitute and homeless at that time). William Booth was an evangelical preacher. In 1878, he used a military model (with titles derived from military ranks) and created …
Title: The Road from Earth to Heaven. W. J. Dittmar.
Author: Dittmar, W. J.
Date: 1932
Love this, Peter. This basically describes the the theology of the church that I grew up in. Constant reminders that I was a sinner during my formative years.
When I was old enough, I ran like hell, but some 60+ years later have a slightly healthier relationship with a loving g/God though I do believe that we are all broken individuals - too focused on self and not on others. If we were, we wouldn't see all the oppression, pain, and suffering.
I love the crash of the plane titled "Good works "
Yes, the Jesus of the New Testament is only interested in our adoration -- not in anything we might do for "the least of our brethren."