Using the Newspapers in Louisiana by Walter L. Burgan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1914

Using the Newspapers in Louisiana

By Walter L. Burgan

An excellent illustration of the numerous opportunities our workers have to get articles published in the newspapers is found in the recent experience of Elder E. W. Parmele, president of the Louisiana Conference. He says:—

"Several months ago I spoke on the Eastern Question in Lake Arthur. The editor feared he would not be able to use my matter, as he had no linotype machine, and not a very good force of typesetters. I volunteered to set the type for him. He gladly accepted my offer, so I rolled up my sleeves and went at it. In this way the whole story went in. I then went to Lake Charles, and took a copy of the Lake Arthur paper to the editor of the American Press, a daily, and asked him if he should like to use it in his Monday's issue, as I intended to speak on it in our church on Sunday night. He accepted it gladly. I then went to Shreveport (I was out visiting churches), where I showed the Lake Charles paper to the editor of the Journal, and asked him the same question, to which he gladly assented.

"Then I went to Ringgold. There I called on the pastor of the Methodist Church with a copy of the paper, and asked if I might have his pulpit at one of his Sunday hours to present that subject. He immediately told me that he should have no service on Sunday, as that would be his day with another church, and according to an understanding with the Baptist Church of the place, his congregation would go to their church, the Baptists coming to his church when their pastor was away. He advised me to see the Baptist pastor. I did so, and after he had read the newspaper story, he said he should be glad to bring the matter before his deacons. The result was that I occupied the Baptist pulpit that night, the Methodists and Seventh-day Adventists all being there, and a good many others besides, as the Baptist pastor had announced it in the morning service. It seemed to me that this was attained by having the newspaper story with me for him to read, so he could see about what I should say. At the close of the discourse, he said publicly: 'I told you, when I returned from the Baptist convention, that I wished you could all have been there to hear Brother —— preach on the prophecies; but I want to say that I heard nothing there that could compare with what we have heard tonight, and I am not sure but that we have heard the truth. I rather think we have.' He continued in that strain for some little time.

"At Welsh, two weeks ago Sunday, I spoke on 'The European War Fulfilling Prophecy,' in the morning and evening, in the Baptist church. The sermon I reported to the newspaper, occupying more than one and one-half columns. I took that report to Lake Arthur and showed it to the Baptist pastor there, with the request for his pulpit Sunday morning. This was granted, and then we requested the pastor of the Methodist Church to dismiss his congregation after the Sunday school and come over in a body to the Baptist church. This they did, and we had an enthusiastic meeting, all apparently accepting what was said. The matter was published in the Lake Arthur paper."

This experience ought to encourage every minister and evangelist in our denomination, as similar opportunities to spread the message over a wide field are frequently appearing. Other interesting reports have just been received, showing that our workers are still using the war in Europe as a basis for articles treating on the signs of the times and the nearness of the Lord's coming.

WALTER L. BURGAN.