In order to assist workers in securing information that may be helpful in presenting current matters that re-enforce the truthfulness and seriousness of the advent message, the General Conference Committee has provided press cards through its Press Bureau, giving holders of the same the status of newspaper reporters.
Hundreds of these cards have been issued to persons in different parts of the world, with the -urge that they be used wisely and discreetly. Never were they intended to secure free admittance merely for personal reasons to places where an admission charge is made.
The appointed representatives of God's church on earth must be alert never to bring reproach upon the cause by attempting to obtain favors on press cards when they know they are not attending to secure facts that will help them advance the message. Neither are they to "crash the gate," as it were, at places where tremendous crowds are attending, such as an exposition, and where the management soon learns that large numbers of our representatives are attempting to take advantage of them by seeking free admission on these cards.
Press cards may properly be used at church conventions in order to secure seats around the press table. They may properly be used to hear some gifted speaker or representative of a government whose words would have a bearing on the fulfillment of prophecy, or to attend some other kind of gathering where the one seeking admittance believes that he can gather facts that will help him in his public ministry. But to go to a place where multitudes from every corner of a country are attending, and "flash" a press card on a gatekeeper who has strict instructions not to honor any kind of pass, save the ones issued by the management, is decidedly wrong; and such a course makes an exceedingly unfavorable impression, not only upon the gatekeepers, but also on the management, concerning both our organization and our methods of doing things.
As secretary of the Press Bureau, and therefore being responsible for distributing these press cards among my fellow workers in the Lord's cause, I earnestly appeal to all to exercise discretion, tact, and good Christian judgment when using our press cards, that no stigma or reproach may be cast on the work which God is directing.
Washington, D. C.