Newspapers Attract People to the Truth by W. L. Burgan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Feb 12, 1914

Newspapers Attract People to the Truth

By W. L. Burgan

THAT brethren in the Central Union Conference are strong advocates of the newspaper work, is shown by some experiences told by a few of those who attended the biennial session of that conference in College View, Nebr., January 13-25. One brother, laboring in the West Kansas Conference, told an interesting experience he had with a newspaper editor in connection with a tent effort held during the summer.

After the meetings had continued about three weeks, and synopses of sermons had appeared at frequent intervals in the local paper where he was laboring, a minister of another denomination told the editor that members of his flock had complained to him about the reports, and that they wanted further articles suppressed. A representative of the editor who had charge of this particular news, told the minister that he would not suppress the articles, as they were of news value, but would give this minister the

same privilege of expounding his doctrines in print as had been granted the Adventist preacher. The minister refused this privilege, and made a strenuous demand that the Adventist articles stop. No attention was paid to his complaint, the articles continuing throughout the effort.

Another incident in connection with some newspaper efforts put forth by another brother in the same conference, is of much interest because of the fact that it was through the publication of one article that a man and his wife, who are now sincere believers in the third angel's message, were eventually led to the truth. The minister in question had published an article in a Wichita paper, and the brother who later accepted the truth, read it in his home place, some thirty or forty miles from Wichita. He began a correspondence with the minister, stating that he had read the article, and urged our clerical brother to inform him as to when another series of meetings would be held, as he wished to attend.

A short time before a canvasser's institute was to be held, the minister notified the inquiring friend, who attended. The man became deeply interested in the programs rendered, and eventually accepted the message. His wife also took her stand with us.

Now, the newspaper containing the report from our preacher brother, was the means of introducing the truth to this family. How many more families are there in this great country of ours who are longing for the truth of God's Word? Brethren, the newspaper is the one medium that can carry the truth with it, that enters practically every home. Why not use it more? There are many more souls to be saved before Jesus can come, and the newspaper is an agency that must take a prominent part in searching out the honest in heart. It goes into nooks and corners of the earth where the living preacher has never been, and it will take the truth with it, if the teachers of the truth just give it some of the precious light in the form of articles to carry along. Brethren, use the papers at every opportunity, and help lighten the earth with the glory of God.

Much enthusiasm was displayed at the College View meeting over the results that have thus far been attained through the newspaper work. Workers in the various conferences of the union told some of their experiences with newspaper editors in connection with their ministerial labors. It was encouraging to hear them tell of the willingness of editors to print reports from them, and also of the interest aroused as the result of the publication of these reports. Others told of the activity of the enemy of souls to get editors to suppress articles dealing with tent meetings, but they rejoiced over the fact that the columns of the papers were held open to them despite opposition.

Conference presidents in this union are enthusiastic over what has already been accomplished and over the possibilities before them of giving the truth through this medium. In conversation with a number of them, they told of what their laborers are doing, and how persons for miles around have been attracted to the meetings through published reports. These leaders stated that they are continually giving their workers encouragement in using the papers more and more in connection with their evangelistic endeavors. One conference president said a man living sixteen miles from a city where a tent effort was being held, became interested in the newspaper reports, and drove to the tent for the purpose of purchasing some of our books to get more light on these subjects. This man is interested in the great truths we teach.

We can never tell how many will want to purchase books giving this glorious message by having first been attracted through newspaper reports, and no opportunity should be lost to use this powerful agency for the spread of the gospel.

The Lord greatly blessed the efforts put forth in giving publicity to the meetings in College View. The Lincoln papers published long reports, especially concerning the ministerial institute, and valuable instruction was given for the readers of these papers. Much favorable comment was heard from business men of the city, who said they read the articles with interest. Reports were also sent out to other cities by the press associations, thus giving the meetings very wide publicity.

W. L. BURGAN.