Pioneers Were Strong Advocates of Writing for Newspapers
By Walter L. Burgan
ENCOURAGING reports have been received from brethren attending a number of the camp-meetings thus far held this season, telling of their success in getting articles dealing with these camp-meetings published in the local newspapers. It was indeed encouraging to receive copies of papers that included on the first page prominent accounts about the meetings. Large, black head-lines announced the fact that Seventh-day Adventists were in session, and not only did the editors place the articles in conspicuous places, but views of the camp-grounds were printed in some of the papers. These reports extended over the full circulation of the papers in which they were printed, and through this means thousands, perhaps, became better acquainted with the great movement our denomination is carrying forward. It is also quite probable that scores and hundreds who would not let go their prejudice to take Bible readings or read our tracts were among the most interested readers of these reports. The newspaper, which is the only thing that can carry the truth with it into practically every home, could and does serve a wonderful purpose for just such persons. This medium will, no doubt, be the means of enlightening such people on what we believe and teach and the progress we are making with the last gospel message in the earth, and finally lead them to accept the message of love and mercy. It is interesting to learn that the pioneers of our work were advocates of using the newspapers for spreading the gospel, especially during the camp-meeting season. In the Review and Herald of Dec. 1, 1885, in connection with the proceedings of the General Conference held in Battle Creek, Mich., is an interesting report submitted by the camp-meeting committee on advertising. The report, which deals quite extensively with the importance of writing for newspapers in connection with our work, ought to encourage all our brethren to put forth greater efforts in writing for the press. The report was signed by C. H. Jones, A. R. Henry, and J. L. Prescott, and that part concerning newspapers is as follows:— "Your committee appointed to consider the matter of camp-meeting advertising, respectfully submit the following for your consideration. We recommend— "1. That some four or five weeks before such meeting begins, a corps of active workers go to the city where it is to be held and canvass it thoroughly, holding Bible readings, etc., as the way may open, but making no mention of the camp-meeting until it is noticed in the daily papers. "This company should be under the direction of the president of the conference, or some competent person who can direct in the work; they should also make friends with the publishers of the leading newspapers, so that a week or two before the meeting opens, short notices of our work and the coming meeting may appear; also arrangements should be made with them so that during the meeting full reports of the sermons may be published. In order to secure this, it may be necessary to subscribe for a certain number of copies of the newspaper wherein the reports are published; but we believe that a strong effort should be made to carry this point." This recommendation, submitted to the General Conference twenty-eight years ago and adopted, is a very forceful recommendation for today. The advice in it is sound; and if followed, it should result in much good by attracting persons to the camp-meeting who would not otherwise know about it, in enlightening the readers more with what we teach, and in giving the camp-meeting and the facts contained in the reports greater publicity than all the believers in attendance could ever accomplish in the small amount of time it takes for these powerful mediums to circulate over the territory they cover.