Press Bureau Work by W. L. BURGAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 17, 1912

Press Bureau Work

By W. L. BURGAN

MINISTERS and other workers in different parts of the United States are taking advantage of the opportunity to have some phase of the last gospel message heralded to the world through the columns of the newspaper, with the result that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination has probably had more extensive advertising this year than it had had during any ten years of its existence.

It is very encouraging to receive through the mails practically every day letters from our brethren in which they say that they have been writing for their home papers, and that the cause has been advanced through the publication of their articles. Along with their letters, quite a number have also sent clippings of the articles published, and a perusal of these clippings makes us rejoice in the fact that others are cooperating in this great movement to give the light of the gospel to untold multitudes who would not otherwise learn about it.

It is also encouraging to read in the various union conference papers statements by our brethren that they are writing for the press, and that interested persons are being attracted to the meetings through the reading of these reports. One of the brethren assisting in a tent-meeting in Sacramento, Cal., stated, in a recent issue of the Pacific Union Recorder, that the papers in that city have been giving liberal space for the reports of the meetings. A brother in Jackson, Miss., says that he recently held a ten days' tent effort in that city, and that a paper there published an excellent report of the meetings nearly every day. He further says: “These reports were read by many who were not able to attend the meetings, and were also the means of bringing some to the tent.”

One of the workers in Oklahoma reported the camp-meeting of that conference for the Oklahoma City papers, where the meeting was held, and after stating that it was his first real attempt

at reporting, continues: “I was quite surprised but very much pleased to see the way in which the daily papers here opened their columns to our reports. I became quite well acquainted with the city editors of the three papers, also with some of the reporters, and had some good talks with them about our organization and work. They were glad to talk on these subjects, and seemed to wonder at the magnificent work we are carrying forward, and thought it a great undertaking.”

Other letters of similar character have come to the Press Bureau office, which clearly indicate that not only will the men in these offices, who are wise in this world's knowledge, gladly publish articles about eternal truth, but will as gladly enter into an investigation of the wonderful principles which Adventists hold; and our brethren through the handing in of their reports will find many opportunities to go more deeply into the principles of the gospel with these men, and such visits may bring salvation to them. Newspaper editors and reporters, though they are almost entirely occupied in delving into the things of the world, are, nevertheless, susceptible to the teachings of the blessed gospel; and when one finds a tender spot in the heart of any of these men, he can soon realize that such a person is just as hungry for spiritual food as are men in other walks of life.

W. L. BURGAN.