Evangelist Cardey differs from most of his colleagues in evangelism in that he announces but one Sunday night meeting at a time. And he does not disclose at the outset that he is a Seventh-day Adventist. Evangelist Mitchell, on the other hand, stresses the full series planned, and capitalizes his identity as an Adventist.
In matters of method, there is doubtless no one best way for all. Circumstances alter cases, personalities vary, and local conditions have a determining influence in the choice. But in the interest of candid discussion, and the hope that the wisest plans may prevail, we place these contrasting procedures operative in the field before our workers. The advantages of better methods always outweigh the disadvantages.
Editors
The Consecutive "Single" Meeting Plan
By O.D. Cardey
A favorable location is an important factor in the success of an evangelistic effort. Too often meetings have been held in halls or vacant stores that are not at all representative of this message. The most popular theater or lecture hall in the town is the ideal one to secure. A substantial class of people will come to such a place, who would shun the other. I rent the theater or hall for one Sunday night only, with an option for ten or twelve consecutive Sunday nights. As in this practice I differ from most of my colleagues in evangelism, I have been asked to give an outline of my method.
After securing a hall, I begin advertising the Monday before the first meeting, and advertise all that week, but announce only the one service. To my mind there are several advantages in this plan. If a series of meetings is advertised, many will plan to attend some other night instead of the first. On the-other-hand, -if- tlier kilOW of onYy one meeting, and understand they will miss something vital if they stay away from that service, those interested will decide to attend. If the right kind of advertising is done during the week preceding this meeting, the theater will almost invariably be well filled for the first service.
In advertising in the papers, I state that Evangelist ——— from ——— has been secured to speak at a mass meeting in the ——— theater on Sunday night, giving the subject and other interesting details. The article is written as if prepared by a reporter. I do not state that I am a Seventh-day Adventist, as many would remain away because of prejudice. The first meeting is always advertised as a "Big Mass Meeting." Something is written about the music, and I endeavor to secure local talent to help in the singing. If there are good instrumental musicians available, I sometimes get several to assist, and then give favorable individual mention in the paper, naming the instrument each one plays. This gives a local touch to the service.
On the two sides and back of several autos I have a canvas sign--placed advertising the service. Outside the newspaper, I have found this to be one of the best methods of advertising. In some cities I have had signs placed on the front of the street cars. Window cards also bring results, but the newspaper is the best medium. Several advertisements should be placed in the papers during the week, with a large one on Saturday.
Broadcasting announcements over the radio throughout the week brings results, as does also the plan of having the church members systematically call the names listed in the telephone directory, inviting them to the service. Use all these different methods to call the attention of the people to the service, if you wish your advertising to bring results. Once reading about the meeting in the paper is not enough. Whatever the people read, wherever they look, and wherever they go during that week, they should see, hear, and read about the meeting that is to be held.
If these methods are followed, there will most likely be a crowd at the first meeting. Then it devolves upon the evangelist to get a crowd back for the second and succeeding meetings. At the conclusion of my initial mass meeting, I ask the audience if they have enjoyed the service. Almost all present will usually raise their hands. I immediately ask if they would like another meeting similar to the one just held, and hands will go up all over the audience. I then state that I will arrange for another Big Mass Meeting.
I have found this plan very successful, and the audience is all back the next Sunday night. The papers print the sermon, with an announcement that there will be another Big Mass Meeting in the theater the next Sunday night. Another advertisement or two in the paper during the week will bring results the second week. This is the plan I follow, holding cottage or sectional meetings throughout the week.
St. Catherines, Ontario.
The Advantage of the Fully Announced Series
By J.G. Mitchell
If there ever was a time when it was 1 wise for our ministers to hide their identity, I believe that time is past. If we are to inspire our audiences with confidence in us and in the message we preach, we cannot afford to keep them in the dark as to who we are. From the very first, whether in virgin territory or in cities where the work is well established, I like to do thorough preliminary work with literature in the section of the city where the effort is to be held. The laity take this literature to the homes of the people, telling them they are Seventh-day Adventists, and would like to leave the paper with them each week for a number of weeks. They inform the people that it is entirely without cost—all that is asked is that they read it. When the tent is erected, these helpers announce that their minister has put up a large canvas pavilion on — Street, and leave announcements with those who will receive them. All this inspires confidence. The literature awakens an interest, and the favorable contacts made by those who have distributed it will help the first meeting.
In the handbills and the newspaper advertisements, I always tell the people that I am an Adventist. I also put it on the sign in front of the tent. This pays well. The people will take the message straight from the shoulder, and will make better Seventh-day Adventists, too. Usually I preach three weeks before I touch the Sabbath question. By this time my audience has been shown that Seventh-day Adventist ministers preach on other subjects than the Sabbath, and they will ask for the Sabbath. I usually keep all the written questions about the Sabbath until I begin that subject. This helps to keep up the interest.
I have worked both in virgin and in worked-over territory, and with all my heart I believe in the program outlined. In fact, I have never held an effort in any other way. "We are not to conceal the fact that we are Seventh-day Adventists."—"Testimonies," Vol. VI, p. 81.
As to the question sometimes asked, "Why do you advertise a whole series of meetings?" I would say that there are too many "fly-by-night" evangelists inflicting themselves upon the public. Often they are simply after the money they can get, and are there one night and gone the next. I let the public know we are here to stay, and that our work is of a permanent character. This disarms suspicion.
Moreover, advertising a whole series of meetings, and telling the people what they are going to hear whets their appetite for what is coming. I find them planning weeks in advance to attend the meetings. Some put off their vacations, and some stay over when on vacations, in. order to hear the rest of the series. One woman, on vacation from California, stayed six weeks longer than she had planned, in order to hear the entire series. She and her daughter accepted the truth, and went home baptized believers. This is not an isolated instance, but one of many.
In advertising a whole series of meetings, the evangelist receives more consideration from the press, from the printers, and from his audiences. His opponents will begin to fight, it is true; but all this is free advertising, and helps fill the tent or the theater. The more our opponents fight us, the less money we shall have to spend for advertising.
Let us remember that neither Christ nor His apostles ever hid their identity. "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither," was the whisper that went the rounds when the apostles came to town. The Reformers never hid their identity. I believe that if from the beginning of this movement we had advertised the fact that we were Seventh-day Adventists, we should be far ahead of where we are now. God rewards us with greater success when we take Him at His word, and enter the conflict with colors flying.
Miami, Fla.
