Zealots and evangelists are always convinced and preaching that the present day is decadent and a decline from some mythic, perfectionist past time which never actually existed. You'll never keep the tithes coming in by saying "Well, actually things are much the same as they have been for the last three hundred years."

Subtle hidden message:

"Waste not, want not"

One of the consequences of Bible readings in school was that people learned as kids to conjugate old-timey verbs. People can't do that today.

This god here is more strict than the government in North Korea.

Who owns the hat on the bench?

[Get thee hence. - Dave]

Ooops...parked in the wrong lot.

Were these signs once common like the Burma Shave signs and leading to a final sign, "Wilt thy come and worship at The House of Old English?"

... that this billboard used to be a car hood?

Was that formerly a hood?

Amen brother.

I could understand if we were talking about the present day. But 80 years ago? Had there been a downturn in religion in the preceding years that a sign like this would indicate a revival of interest?

I can't wait to hear what the Esteemed Shorpy Analytical Faculty says about the origins of those two ridged panels that make up the sign's "wings". Surplus washboards? Floor pans off a Hupmobile? You guys are the best... what wilt thy judgment be?

That sign is a painted hood of a 1920-1930s era car, possibly a Ford Model A. It looks like the vent louvers have been pounded flat on each side. You can see the hinge running down the middle. The lift handles have been removed from each side. Waste not, want not!