Newspaper Work in the Columbia Union Conference
By W. L. Burgan
THE biennial session of the Columbia Union Conference, which was held in our church in Baltimore, April 28 to May 10, was well advertised through four of the five daily papers there. These papers circulate not only throughout the State of Maryland, but are read in other States along the Atlantic coast. The Morning Sun and the Evening Sun, which have the favor of the Catholic Church (that church has one of its strongholds in Baltimore), were quite liberal in the publication of reports, as were the American and the Star. That the reports of the convention were read was evident from the many comments that were heard. Men in different walks of life told various delegates and workers that they had been reading of the convention. An editor of one of the papers, in conversation with one of our brethren, said that he was greatly surprised at the remarkable growth of the denomination. He had read one of the reports telling of the success in the union conference during the past two years in the giving of tithes and contributions to missionary enterprises. This editor, after expressing his surprise, asked, “Are you growing just as well in souls?” This question was significant, and indicates that the world has its eyes on us as to how much success we are making in saving souls for the kingdom. The city editor of one of the evening papers was so impressed with some of the remarks made by Elder Evans during one of his studies in connection with the ministerial institute, which appeared in one of the morning papers, that he had one of his reporters interview three of the leading clergymen on the subject. and published their opinions, which made a very interesting account. The three clergymen agreed with Elder Evans in what he said concerning the ministry, and their remarks carried heavy, black-faced headlines. This article aroused considerable comment, and served to bring our work prominently before the readers of that paper in a favorable manner. Our ministers present Bible truths in a unique manner, which arouses comment; and no opportunity should be lost to get the truth thus presented before the public through the great agency of the secular press. It should be our constant aim not only to awaken an interest in the minds of editors, but of the clergy and laity of other denominations, and to arouse them to write letters to the papers agreeing with the position we have taken. In this way the message will spread, and the earth will soon be lightened with the glory of God. It was more than encouraging to talk with our workers at the Columbia Union meeting, and learn that they have been using the newspapers to advantage in connection with their efforts to herald the glad tidings of gospel truth. One worker told of getting seventy-one advance notices and reports in the newspapers from sixteen Sunday night services. Some of these reports were nearly a column in length, presenting in no uncertain way the leading truths of the third angel’s message. He found the editors very friendly. One week when this worker was ill, the editor sent for the report. Another editor stated that the reports he received were the best he had obtained since entering the newspaper world. This brother found the newspapers of great service not only in spreading the truth, but in advertising and in increasing the attendance at the meetings. One woman came nine miles on the train to hear a subject announced in the paper in connection with the report of the previous week’s service. Another feature of interest was the class of people attracted through the newspapers. They included two ex-mayors, one member of the State legislature, several lawyers, doctors, and dentists. The influence of this series of meetings was felt all over the country; and when the judgment books are opened, they will reveal many souls who have learned the song of victory through the agency of the evangelistic use of the newspapers. A brother in Ohio told of the interest an editor has taken in our work through a business proposition the two entered into. This proposition was also in the interest of our church as well as in the interest of the editor. The editor proposed to contribute three dollars to the church for every yearly subscription our brother secured for the paper, which amounted to $5.10. Our brother has secured a number of subscriptions, and the editor has been prompt each time in giving to the church its share of the subscriptions. The editor also gave this worker a liberal contribution toward the church before the subscription proposition was entered into, and has since become so interested in our work that he has invited our brother to contribute freely to the columns of his paper, and a number of interesting articles dealing with different phases of the message have already appeared. A worker in West Pennsylvania told us of the liberality of an editor in the city where he has been laboring. This editor has published extracts from numerous doctrinal sermons, with the result that a number of persons have been attracted to the meetings who otherwise would not have heard the message. Our brother in that place is much pleased with the interest the editor has taken in our work, and means to continue to furnish articles to the paper, which enters hundreds and hundreds of homes. Brethren and sisters, the work is onward, and the success that we have already had through this medium ought to spur us on to greater efforts to win souls for the blessed Saviour.