Using the Press by Floyd E. Bates

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 2, 1913

Using the Press

By Floyd E. Bates

In the rapid progress of the third angel's message in the world, God is using many means of making that message known to those who know it not. The spirit of prophecy tells us that the great inventions of our day have been called into existence for the express purpose of spreading God's warning to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. One of the greatest of modern inventions, the printing-press, has only recently been used to any great extent to publish through the daily newspaper the message committed to us. This new departure has already proved itself a valuable instrumentality in the promulgation of the third angel's message, and those who have been actively engaged in this branch of the work have found it successful beyond their highest anticipations.

In connection with the tent efforts of the summer season in all parts of the country, experience has proved that the newspapers are a ready and accessible means of advertising. An article carefully and attractively written will seldom fail of publication in the newspapers in one or more cities near the one in which the tent is pitched. It is a wise plan for one member of the tent company to make it his special work to furnish the newspapers of his city with daily reports from the meeting; and if they are in readable style, little difficulty will be found in inducing the editors to publish the articles in full with good head-lines. This is without question the best method of reaching the large numbers of people who otherwise would fail of knowing anything of the truths presented. It aids materially for the reporter to make a personal friend of the city editor, showing himself agreeable and ready to comply as far as possible with whatever suggestions the editor may make in connection with the work. Much care must be used in presenting in this public way many of the testing truths which distinguish us as a people. Such subjects as the seal of God and the mark of the beast have to be written up with care; not, of course, in any way hiding the truth, but using proper caution and tact in bringing these subjects before the public in such a way as not to drive away any in whose hearts an interest and a desire for truth might be caused to spring up.

An excellent work can be done in this line in connection with our State camp-meetings. Such an effort was put forth at the recent Iowa camp-meeting. Two weeks before the meetings began, we wrote to a number of the leading dailies of the State, explaining to them the nature of the meeting to be held, the date, and something of the speakers to be present, and giving them a hint as to the number of people expected upon the grounds. From these letters, which were made personal in as many instances as possible, we received eleven replies, and to these papers, throughout the meeting, were sent daily reports giving a synopsis of the business sessions held as well as a brief outline of the sermons preached. It was found advisable not to devote too much space to the consideration of the topics presented except those subjects which could be made of public interest.

During the course of the camp-meeting, several sermons were delivered telling of the rapid advance of the Seventh-day Adventist work in foreign fields. They were written up with the idea of giving the people a general view of the extent of our foreign work. This article was perhaps the most widely used by the papers in the State of any written at the meeting. We received copies from some of the newspapers, who were handling our reports, and it was a notable fact that the editors were very liberal in giving to this article attractive head-lines and prominent positions in their dailies. This was true to a slightly less degree of several other articles, and it was found that almost any subject, the Sabbath question included, would be published quite completely by the editors if it was carefully and attractively written. Actual experience has proved that this method of advertising is one of the most effective, if not of the greatest influence, in bringing the people out to our public efforts. Many persons of honest intentions who are sincere in their belief that the church to which they belong is right, and who would not read a direct advertisement in the form of a bill or a card, will take up and examine a newspaper report, and thereby be induced, either through curiosity or an awakened interest, to investigate the truths hinted at in the daily report. Many times the first report fails to accomplish the desired end, and it is necessary for the reporter to be faithful in giving his daily reports that all may be sooner or later brought into contact with the truth. Specific instances might be given where persons previously opposed to the truth have become interested in it through noticing day after day a short article in the daily newspaper, and it is not uncommon for people thus interested to take a stand decidedly for the message. One family in Iowa who were led by the reading of the daily reports to attend the meetings, finally took a decided stand for this message. The history of this particular instance may be of interest to workers engaged in this line. The father of the family was a man of prominence in his line, but not affiliated with any religious organization. He had long been dissatisfied with his spiritual condition, but knew not how to better it. He came to the tent through curiosity, enjoyed the sermon, and returned the next evening, when he became interested in the truths presented. He soon began telling his wife of what he had heard at the tent, but she, an avowed Catholic, refused to take any interest in it at first. One evening as she was perusing the columns of her daily paper, she chanced upon some head-lines that attracted her attention, and read the article. It mentioned the tent-meeting, and she through curiosity accompanied her husband to the tent that evening. They sat on the outside and listened, but soon became so interested that they moved to a rear seat in the tent. They came night after night, and their interest grew rapidly, until finally they decided definitely to stand for the truth.

This is only one instance of many which might be sighted, but it serves to show the importance of newspaper publicity in our work. There are many technical points which cannot be touched upon in this article, but which the reporter will soon work out in practise. The daily use of the newspaper is bound to bring results. FLOYD E. BATES.