Newspapers in the Lake Union Conference Attract Persons to the Truth
By W. L. Burgan
Notwithstanding the fact that the newspapers were devoting many columns of space each day to the Mexican situation, which necessarily caused them to shorten most of their other articles and to refuse to publish those of minor importance, the four dailies in Battle Creek, Mich., devoted considerable space to reports of the biennial meeting of the Lake Union Conference, which was held in the Tabernacle, April 14-26. These four papers circulate over a considerable portion of eastern Michigan, and are read by many thousands of people. Not only did the papers gladly accept the articles prepared for them, but three of the papers sent their own reporters every day to gather further features in connection with the convention. These reporters exhibited a persistency for news that was quite noticeable, and they did not stop with the regular proceedings, but interviewed brethren on various doctrinal subjects, and their write-ups aroused more than usual interest. The interest shown by the newspapers and the importance they attached to the meetings were in direct contrast to the way some of the papers in that city had looked upon our work in the past. Prominent headlines on the front page of the papers were placed on a number of the reports, indicating that the editors considered the news from our convention of general interest, as national and international events usually find their way on the first page of the papers. The Detroit papers, which circulate over the length and breadth of Michigan, also published accounts of the meetings. These papers wield a powerful influence, and reports from different sections indicated that the articles about the Battle Creek meetings were being read. It was very encouraging to attend this meeting. Brethren from all four States in the union conference territory were enthusiastic over the success they had had in securing the publication of articles along different lines in their home papers. Some told how the reports in the secular press had attracted strangers to the meetings who subsequently accepted present truth; others told how the newspaper reports had helped them in securing the attention of the people, and also in meeting them in their homes. One of the ministers in the West Michigan Conference, a strong advocate of the newspaper work, said that he was successful in getting published an extract of every sermon he preached during his last tent effort in one of the large cities in his conference. He said that two of the most substantial of those who accepted the truth were attracted to his meetings through the newspaper reports. One is a physician, and not only is solidly on the Lord's side, but contributes very liberally for the advancement of the cause. This same minister said he met a reputable gentleman who told him that he had been reading the sermons with interest, and that they convinced him of the Sabbath truth. W. L. BURGAN.