Newspaper Publicity in Elmira, N. Y.
By M. W. DE L’HOBRE.
THE tent effort in Elmira began on July 7. Realizing the importance of obtaining the widest publicity possible for the principles of the third angel's message, we determined to get every sermon reported in our morning newspaper if possible. Accordingly I obtained an interview with the editor of the Elmira Advertiser, and told him what we were planning to do and something of the importance of the line of truth we intended to present. He seemed interested, and stated his willingness to publish reports of our sermons. This paper reaches about thirteen thousand homes each day, and is the leading morning newspaper in the Southern Tier. The sermons published were from one-half to a whole column in length, but usually about two thirds of a column. These have attracted considerable attention. We hear of persons in different parts of the State who are interested through reading the reports. Some of these have been visited, and are taking their stand. We heard of quite a number who did not attend a single meeting at the tent, but were eager to read every sermon published. From two villages in Pennsylvania came the news that people there were discussing our printed sermons, and believed that we were teaching the truth. One farmer and his wife drove thirty miles to hear the truth preached at the Elmira tent. Only a few of our articles have been cut down, and we have been favored with a good location on a prominent page almost every time. We had an article published nearly every day for five weeks, then just as we reached the Sabbath question and the work of the Papacy, the editor went away for a two weeks' vacation. The assistant editor was a Catholic, and of course offered some objection to publishing articles that exposed the aims and workings of that church in this country. However, we succeeded in getting published about three sermons a week for the last three weeks. We realize more than ever that the17newspaper furnishes a wonderful means of reaching the people with the message. More than twenty persons are keeping the Sabbath as a result of this effort. If all these new ones unite with the church, our total membership will be one hundred. We intend to publish reports of some of our Sabbath sermons through the winter. Elder and Sister H. W. Carr were associated with me in this effort.