We have now been on the air for four months with the Adventist Hour and "Tabernacle of the Air." I was able to secure very cheaply what is called "open time." Of course, if the station has an opportunity to sell this time at regular rates, I have to step aside. Sometimes this is very inconvenient, but it is better than keeping off the air because of inability to pay full prices. Our station is not large,—only 1,000 watts,—but we are sometimes hooked up with another station on Friday. I am working on other plans, which we hope will enlarge our range, giving us more stations and bigger ones. But it takes time to build up a recognized place on the air.
We print a "radiolog," which is circulated among our people, so they may supply them to friends who wish to know when we are on the air. We also place a copy in each letter written in reply to invitations I extend over the air. This "radiolog," printed in display type on orange-colored paper, reads as follows:
The radio people tell me that this is the first time any religious organization here on the Coast has been able to carry five hours a week and pay for it. We get our support from radioland; about one half comes from Seventh-day Adventists, but the support of other friends is growing. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday my regular evangelistic lectures at the tabernacle are broadcast. Then I have a late hour Sunday, 10:05 to 11 P. H., and today made arrangements for the period 9:30 to 10 P. IVI., Thursday and Friday evenings.
My remote control wire is a problem at times, depending on the location of the tabernacle. Just now this is very expensive,_costing $115 a month. But in the whole campaign so far, the expense to the conference has been only $65, and I hope to pay that back. The brethren are giving me whole-hearted support.
Every night I study the Sabbath school lesson for three minutes, covering three or four questions, and I have sold many Quarterlies over the air. I also read brief sentences from letters that help to build up interest and show how God is using the radio to bless men. Then I ask for support. Next comes the special music,—solo, quartet, or congregational singing,—and then the lecture. We always come on the air singing and leave in the same way, with choir or congregational singing at the tabernacle. When I go to the studio, we use good recordings as we come on and go off, as we cannot take the choir there. I speak about forty minutes, and we usually sing but two stanzas of a hymn. We refrain from mentioning Catholics or Protestants over the radio, and I do not speak on the change of the Sabbath or the mark of the beast over the air. I announce that I will speak on those topics on a certain night, and ask the interested to send for literature on the subject.
Speakers must be tested as to "radio voice." Not all who are good on the platform are equally good on the radio. A studio test—and nothing else—will tell. Animation and reality are necessary. People who would never get up and walk out of a meeting, will turn a dial. This should never be forgotten.
Because of local conditions and events, certain subjects should be given at certain times. When we are on the air, our topics have to be adjusted in the light of that fact.
I am happy to state that the goal of our tabernacle company to win 200 souls for 1933 was exceeded, as 330 believers were baptized.
Huntington Park. Calif.
* This story of Elder Richards' radio preaching came in the form of a personal letter to the editor. It was so interesting and suggestive that we are sharing it in its informality with our workers.—Editors.
