Effective Use of Literature at Tent and Hall Meetings
THE study of how to use literature effectively in connection with our evangelical efforts becomes of paramount importance when we consider that the success which attends the efforts of ministers is not due alone to the preaching, but in a great degree to the influence of the reading-matter, which enlightens the minds of the people, removes prejudice, and renders many susceptible to the influence of the truth when it is presented to them.
There is no duty more binding upon the people believing the important message for this time than that of placing the literature proclaiming it before the public; for this is distinctively a reading age,—a time when people everywhere depend more upon what is written than upon all other sources of information combined; hence a constant study of the most effectual methods in the use of the publications proclaiming the third angel’s message in all its phases, and the application of the best methods found in actual use, are a duty we owe to the world.
As true as it is that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” so true is it that in proportion to the conviction of the importance and efficacy of literature will be the effort exerted for its distribution. In this paper we are not limited by the wording of our subject in the expense involved, nor the forces to be employed in making the literature effective in the proclamation of the special message we are commissioned to give to the people; so we present some suggestions and methods irrespective of the expense involved, yet with a firm belief that the means needed can and will be provided by the people for whom work is being done; for in generous sowing lies the hope of liberal financial returns, as well as a bountiful harvest of souls.
Because Paul said, “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe,” some have been foolish enough, in practise at least, to limit the meaning of “preaching” to sermonizing, and to expect the people to forsake sin and long-cherished teachings of error, and to espouse a very unpopular faith in the face of the strongest opposition, through occasional extemporaneous and often disconnected discourses. “Preaching” has a much broader meaning than mere lecturing; and before our work is finished, and ere it is revived and restored to its former progress in evangelical conquests, our literature must be much better appreciated and scattered like the autumn leaves.
In every hall or tent effort our literature should be made prominent; not only by a large supply and variety conspicuously and conveniently displayed in the hall or tent, but in addition to this, by the constant tactful efforts of the ministers to interest the people in it, and to induce them to purchase a generous supply. A sermon should never be considered complete unless there is interwoven with it a clear, interesting, comprehensive description of a book, pamphlet, or a tract covering the subject of the discourse; and with this explanation of the publication should be given persuasive advice to all to purchase and to read it. Then suitable persons should be stationed at the exits, with copies of the publication advertised. These individuals are not to pose as objects of admiration, but as solicitors and expounders of the merits of the publications recommended by the ministers. There will be those present at each meeting who will never return, and they ought to have, in addition to what they have heard in the sermon, other seeds of truth, without which they may never be convicted, but with which, though time may lapse before their attention is again called to the publications, they may be led to the full knowledge of the message.
Instead of a small unattractive table in front of the speaker’s stand, on which lies a few volumes, there should be a regular literature display stand, arranged in terrace form, nicely covered with material that will best exhibit the literature, and a large collection of publications neatly and tastefully arranged thereon. The mere presence of this display, with no effort on the part of any one to call attention to it, is further reaching than many appreciate. When we enter the home of any person assuming to be a leader in any department of human affairs, or even those in the humblest walks of life, we are impressed favorably or otherwise with the evidences of his proficiency in his respective calling as revealed through the presence and arrangement of the publications in that home. If this is true in private homes, it is proportionately more so in public places where a new denomination is representing advanced light and knowledge; and we maintain that an attractive display of literature in a tent or hall is more potent in every way than any other decorations, and is absolutely indispensable in the effective use of literature in connection with our tent and hall efforts.
Few public efforts should ever be held without having some appropriate literature for free distribution at the close of the services. This may consist of a leaflet, a folder, or even a tract of eight or sixteen pages, pertaining to, or possibly entirely covering, the subject of the discourse, and even containing more than was presented in the sermon. The people can not retain all the points made by the ministers, and constantly need to review and study them over and over again. They should be constantly impressed with the fact that the literature offered them contains more upon the subject presented by the minister than was possible to present in one discourse, and that its contents are in no particular inferior to the sermon preached.
Our literature should be made effective in answering the many questions propounded by the members of the congregation. Instead of long personal explanations, which are always good when time and opportunity permit, the workers should be so familiar with all our literature that they can with tact at once cite the publication, and even turn down a corner of the page where the particular question asked is answered. These publications always contain much more than the question sought; and the people, having purchased them to find the question desired, will read more of the book than that which pertains simply to the question first sought; and besides, the truths taught in the publication will be presented in a more compact, logical, effective manner than it is possible for the workers to give in verbal statements.
When a special subject is presented from the desk, the very best publication on that subject should be at hand, and time should be taken to say much more about it and the importance of all having it than the accustomed belated after-benediction announcement, “We have here on the stand a pamphlet treating upon the subject presented this evening. If any one would like a copy, the price is only fifteen cents.”
The admonition of Paul not to be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, is especially applicable in the effective use of literature in connection with our hall and tent efforts. The wisdom of the serpent, combined with the gentleness of the dove, should be used in securing the names and addresses of all regular attendants at these meetings, and a person who knows his business should be sent to their homes as a representative of our literature; not merely for orders for books, but for the salvation of souls through the knowledge of the message contained in these publications.
As far as possible every community adjacent to a hall or tent meeting should be frequently supplied with a full descriptive list of our various publications, containing an announcement of the meetings, and an invitation to attend the services. People are interested in books, and will examine a catalogue of publications much quicker than they will read a mere announcement of a lecture; and as they read the titles of our books, which are new to them, and know they can hear the topics they suggest at the meeting advertised, they are more likely to make an effort to attend the meeting.
In conclusion, I beg leave to suggest that the how to use literature effectively in connection with hall and tent meetings, will be constantly revealed and developed under all the varying circumstances with the growth of the conception of its importance in evangelical work, and that a full realization of its power for good is the thing most needful now, for “few realize what can be done in reaching the people by interested efforts in a wise distribution of our publications.”