The Press - A Force by F. W. PAAP

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 29, 1915

The Press — A Force

By F. W. PAAP

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. . . . And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. . . . They come to thee. . . . Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.” Isa. 60: 1-5.

Here is a wonderful prophecy reaching down to our day and time. It breathes a message of hope and courage. If the church of Jesus Christ will heed the admonition and arise to the high plane of spiritual strength and efficiency brought to light in the preceding scripture, she can call to her assistance every “force,” every mighty power and factor, in the world. Zion’s Leader is infinite in resources, infinite in power. It is his plan that the forces of the Gentiles shall contribute something toward the final and full triumph of his people and his work.

One of the mightiest forces of the Gentiles is the public press, and today this potentiality is surely coming “unto thee.”

It was a very pleasing sight to see such liberal consideration shown us by the press in connection with our camp meetings in the North Pacific Union. Brother E. A. Rowell was enabled to secure, free of charge, a full page in

the Sunday Portland Oregonian. Several fine views of the camp were shown, as well as pictures of different speakers, and a full and faithful write-up of our teachings and this movement. The results cannot be anything but advantageous.

Much the same consideration was shown us by the daily papers of Spokane and Tacoma, and consequent upon such publicity the outside attendance was very large at all these meetings; and a fine class of people assembled every evening to hear the message presented in its various phases.

The brethren succeeded in getting several thousand extras of the full-page advertisement of the camp meeting, and these our people bought readily, for the purpose of supplying their friends and neighbors. This is a good way to do missionary work,—a good way to get the truth before the people.

The Press Bureau has come to be a powerful auxiliary in this movement. Our people throughout the field are using to good advantage the timely, up-to-date articles supplied through this channel. It is very gratifying to know that we have a message consistent in all its parts,—a message that we are proud to see in black and white.

Our text speaks of the forces of the Gentiles. The marginal rendering is “wealth.” The fourth verse speaks of sons and daughters coming. Isaiah the prophet beheld a great soul-winning campaign in operation, a great awakening on the part of God’s people, and a harnessing of the forces of this world for the finishing of the work. Surely we have reached the time when we should make the most of every opportunity, and press the battle to the gates.

F. W. PAAP.