During the winter months we have been holding radio services in the studio of Mr. Roger Babson's broadcasting station, located in Wellesley Park, Massachusetts. He is furnishing this service to us at a little less than cost—$31.50 an hour. The use of this station enables us to reach practically all New England and far into Nova Scotia in the east, where there is little interference from large stations. The cost is about one eighth of that of some of the larger Boston stations. Another consideration in the choice of Mr. Babson's station is that the owner is a man internationally known, of excellent character, and very discriminating as to the nature and quality of his broadcasts.
Our services are devoted to the singing of our distinctive Adventist hymns, a real Adventist sermon presented from the affirmative viewpoint, and a question and answer service. We have chosen the Sunday dinner hour from 1 to 2 P. M., when many people who would otherwise be at church or away from home are available. In our question service we avoid public answering of questions which are calculated to arouse antagonism. Such questions are answered by mail. These letters give us direct contact with interested ones, which we feel is helpful.
We are using as our theme song that majestic advent hymn, "O Lord Jesus, how long?" That it is proving to be a favorite is shown by the fact that we often hear it now as a request on other broadcasts, although we never heard it until after our service made it popular. We have been very frank from the first in announcing that ours is the regular broadcasting service of the Seventh-day Adventist Temple in Boston. We repeat this announcement at intervals during the hour, leaving no one in doubt as to whom we represent.
In addition to making new contacts with interested ones, we are using the radio to announce our regular Sunday evening services in the Temple. Inquiry has proved that this form of advertising is practically as effectual as a reasonably sized advertisement in one of our daily papers, which would cost about half as much as an hour's broadcast. When it is realized that this announcement repeated three times takes not more than five minutes of our broadcasting period, it will be seen that we have in the radio an effective advertising service.
Recently the manager of the station manifested a real interest in our service, and being secretary of the Kiwanis Club of conservative Wellesley, he arranged for me to repeat my sermon on "Approaching Armageddon" at the Kiwanis Club. In attendance were a judge of the superior court, the superintendent of the public schools of Wellesley, and many others of local note. Deep interest was manifest, and new friends have been made for the truth. I have been asked to repeat the same address before the Rotary Club of Malden, Massachusetts, and before the Orangemen of this commonwealth. We are praying that these contacts may enable us to reap a good harvest of souls among these people.
Boston, Mass.
A Practical Baptismal Certificate *
BY J. L. Shuler
In the place of questions there are ten positive propositions to which the new member signifies and signs his acceptance. Also the certificate is so arranged as to cover not merely the candidate's acceptance at the time of baptism, but points out that continual obedience to these principles is necessary on his part in order for him to remain a Seventh-day Adventist in good standing.
I also have these same ten principles printed on a card, without the certificate feature, to be studied previous to the baptism and admittance of the candidate into the church, at which time the regular certificate is given. When people come forward to present themselves for membership, or indicate in a private way their desire to take their stand with the church, we give them one of the cards containing these ten principles. They are asked to take the card home, and give the propositions careful consideration. Then we call on them at their homes, go over each of these points, definitely explaining them in detail. If they are in harmony with them, we receive their signature to the card, and their names are enrolled for baptism and membership. The signed card is filed with the pastor or chairman of the church board. Then they are questioned publicly, and their baptism and admittance follow. After this we present them with their certificates.
I am sure this definite lining-up of each person is of great value in building solidly in our evangelistic work. And by placing this card in their hands we are able to get at each point more definitely than without it.
Raleigh, N. C.
*The certificate here reproduced in reduced size, was devised and is personally used by Elder Shuler. The actual certificate is 8 x 9 inches, and is printed on a fine quality of bristol board. The text of the ten principles is in 6 point type. These, without the certificate heading, are printed on a separate card 4 x 6% inches, with date, signature, and address lines, as at the close of the complete certificate shown here, for use as described.—Editors.
