Newspaper Publicity

In these days when every wind of doctrine is blowing and there are con­stantly increasing allurements and at­tractions to lead men and women away from God, it becomes essential that for success in evangelism there must be understood and properly applied the up-to-date methods which attract the attention of the public.

The popular evangelists of the day recognize the importance of utilizing the newspapers for informing the gen­eral public concerning their program, and have reduced to a science the art of securing publicity through the press. Some of these popular evangel­ists employ experienced reporters for conducting a systematic publicity cam­paign through the newspapers pre­paratory to their opening service, and as a result the attitude of newspaper editors is most favorable to such an­nouncements and write-ups, for evan­gelism is a matter of general public interest today, at least to the extent of affording another means of enter­tainment.

Seventh-day Adventist evangelists cannot hope for success in reaching the public without giving due con­sideration to the importance of having announcements of the meetings pub­lished in the newspapers of the city where the meetings are to be held. And the day is long past when Sev­enth-day Adventist evangelists had just cause to fear that announcements of their meetings would not be ac­cepted by the editors of newspapers. Everyone should appropriate to him­self the promise of God recorded by Isaiah, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: . . . I will help thee."

That the public press is a means recognized by God for the advance­ment of truth, is clearly stated in the following words: "There is great need of men who can use the press to the best advantage, that the truth may be given wings to speed it to every na­tion, and tongue, and people."—"Gospel Workers," p. 25. Not only is the sig­net of Heaven placed upon newspaper publicity, but the call is made for men who will seek to use the press to the best advantage. A study of newspaper methods and publicity rules is an es­sential part of evangelistic work.

In view of the soul-stirring program for a mighty forward movement in evangelistic endeavor, which marked the last Autumn Council, held in Omaha, Nebr., are we not duty bound to throw every bit of our energy and power and consecration into one grand united effort to make the evangelism of the third angel's message a mighty power in the world? And there must at the same time be a recognition of the part which newspaper publicity contributes toward the success of the evangelistic effort.

Souls are languishing in despair, longing and praying for light and guidance. They know not which way to turn to find a solid foundation for faith and hope. The newspaper fur­nishes the one direct channel of at­tracting the attention of these bewil­dered millions, for they are constant readers of the daily press; and the advertisement of a meeting, an an­nouncement in the news column, or the sermon printed in full, will be the means of salvation to a far greater number of men and women than can be safely estimated. Let us make greater use of the press, and thereby give wings to the truth, for speeding it to every nation, tongue, and people.

N. B.—A mimeograph document of eleven pages, giving hints and suggestions to evan­gelists for success in newspaper publicity, will be furnished without charge, by appli­cation to the Press Bureau, General Con­ference Office.