It has been said, "A picture is worth a thousand words". Likewise,
a sermon with a little "show and tell" is remembered by the hearer.
Jesus and the apostles commanded the attention of multitudes with "show
and tell" and thousands were saved by the power of their message. The
preacher at my home congregation in 1960 (or so), preached about the "Wedding
Feast at Cana" and I marveled at the demonstration of changing clear
liquid into red liquid, (I remember none of his other sermons).
Water Into Wine Instructions:
I called Dr. Robert Dietz, the head of the Physical Sciences Department
at Bakersfield College and asked for his help which he graciously offered.
Dr. Dietz gave me a small quantity (an ounce or so) of "phenolphthalein",
a red dye which is clear in its normal state.
I then went to the super market and purchased some "ammonia"
and "white vinegar" (something about PH factors). (My total knowledge
of chemistry and be demonstrated by mixing vinegar and baking soda and watching
the "fizz".)
Instructions:
In a 1 quart pitcher, mix 2 ounces of ammonia and 1 quart of tap water.
To prepare the second 1 quart container, measure 10 drops of the "phenolphthalein"
dye. Allow the dye to dry (evaporate) in the bottom of the container.
As the "clear" ammonia water is poured into the second container,
it will become a deep pink color (rose').
Variations:
I asked Dr. Dietz how to reverse the process to make the liquid clear
again. The acid in vinegar will counteract the ammonia and return the dye
to a transparent state.
I experimented a little, and found it takes a more potent mixture of
vinegar and water. I found it takes about four (4) ounces of vinegar to
counteract one (1) ounce of ammonia.
Another variation:
Next, I thought it would be neat to pre-dye a piece of cloth with the
dye and ammonia, then "immerse" it in the vinegar solution to
illustrate the cleansing action of baptism.
I was able to place a piece of white cotton cloth in the ammonia and
dye mixture and indeed dye it "dark pink". But, alas, as soon
as the ammonia evaporates, the dye again becomes clear (this precludes
dying the cloth ahead of time).
However, the dye is indeed still in the pre-dyed cloth. By dipping the
pre-dyed cloth first in an ammonia solution to activate the dye, it turns
pink (leaves the solution a little pink as well). Then, dipping the cloth
in a strong vinegar solution "takes the red out".
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