Foreward.—Scattered efforts have been made to utilize the radio in heralding our message to the millions, but not proportionate to its possibilities. For years this journal has had periodic articles on radio's advantages and tangible results, written not by theorists, but by men who have had successful experience in radio preaching. Contrary to the common understanding, these local efforts have not usually been expensive--a fear factor that has deterred many, together with the idea that limitations in presentation are too Marked to make it profitable, and that results are too scattered and intangible to warrant serious use.
With a desire to ascertain the facts upon these points, and to learn the present status of use, the Ministry on May 3 sent to all local and union conferences in North America, and to each foreign divisional office, a questionnaire asking for exact information on the place, time, frequency, length, cost, and results of broadcasting, together with a summarizing word as to known results. Sixteen of the fifty-two conferences and missions in the North American Division responded, and their interesting and informational data are here presented. They will repay study. Only one union conference, as such, is making major use of the radio,—the Southwestern. Elsewhere in this issue an article tells of this somewhat in detail. Only one foreign division—China--is making a major effort over the radio, this being in both Chinese and English. The terse notations attached to the various responses are self-explanatory, and follow here without further comment.
Brethren in the ministry, let us capitalize the radio. There are 18,000,000 sets in North America alone, and statisticians assert that there is an average of three listeners to each set. So there are some 54,000,000 radio listeners in North America alone. The radio is not a novelty, but an integral part of modern life, which can be made to serve magnificently this cause. We shall yet see marvelous uses of the radio.
It will be observed that the unanimous testimony of all who have used the radio is that it is of value in proportion to its wise and consistent use.
L. E. F.
Philadelphia, Pa.—Radio is (1) breaking down prejudice; (2) sowing seed; (3) bringing us contacts with interested people; (4) actually winning souls to the truth; (5) breaking down family opposition to church members; (6) giving opportunity of getting behind closed doors of Roman Catholics. Had splendid letter from divinity student here who would not reveal his name. He said: "Your sermons stir me to an uncomfortable degree, with all fairness to your faith. . . Hope you will continue your splendid work." Radio station is anxious for me to be on air permanently. Have letter today requesting me to come in for new and better contract. People are uniting in requesting I go back on air. Pray for us here in old Philadelphia.—George S. Rapp.
New York Uity.—I have broadcast seventy-three times within the past year. I find it a great help in my evangelistic work. Interested people listen in, and it helps them to decide. Others who will not attend my meetings, listen in. The publicity of the broadcasts helps. The press always announces my program. I am now operating (May, 1934) under the title, "News Forum of the Air," taking my listeners behind the headlines and giving them their prophetic meaning. Have conducted "The Advent Church of the Air," and will begin over again this winter. Have told the story of our foreign missions, and am always announced as a Seventh-day Adventist. Was on the air thirty weeks before going to Africa, over WGI, in Boston, in 1923-24.—B. M. Heald.
Hazelton, Pa.---The radio has been of inestimable value in molding public opinion. As a warning agency it reaches countless homes which could not otherwise be touched. Our estimated radio audience is about 200,000. Our weekly broadcast has become one of the most popular in this section through the seventeen months we have been on the air. While radio is rather indirect in its results, we have at present a class of about ten preparing for baptism as the result of our radio work.—S. H. McLennan.
Fort Worth, Tex.—We are using but a fifteen-minute period weekly, costing $75. We feel that it is better to broadcast briefly over a nationally known station of high standing rather than to have a longer period over a local station of low power and unknown ethics. The name of our program is, "The Rise of a Message," and the plan of the broadcast is to acquaint the listeners-in with the history and message of Seventh-day Adventists as relates to world events and to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. The main thread of each description is carried by the same speaker. Short quotations from the prophecies and their fulfillment, and short descriptions of the life and experience of those connected with the early days of the movement, are presented by other speakers. Brief selections of music are interspersed between the various sections of each broadcast, and there is one regular musical number toward the close. We are not allowed to solicit funds over the air, but we announce our books and periodicals at the close of each program.—Roger Altman. [A. full report appears elsewhere in this issue.—Editors.]
Carthage, Ill.—While in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I was invited to speak on Christmas Eve. I took the choir with me, and we prayed earnestly that we might be able to tell effectually the story of the birth of the Saviour. -The next morning a wealthy lady phoned for an interview. Her interest began with that radio program, and she later united with the church. My radio work in Carthage also started on Christmas Day. I was invited to come the next week. Then I was asked to speak weekly. The station owner requested that I speak for a period of three months. He told me to feel free to tell just what I believe from the Bible, thus opening the way for me to give the full message. A very interesting feature of my broadcast has been the "Question Period." For twenty weeks two copies of Present Truth were mailed weekly to those who requested them. Two people have accepted the message, and several have expressed their joy in finding truth they had never known before. Requests have come to me to speak in churches in different cities as a result of my radio work.—A. D. Bohn.
Columbus, Ga.—Very large interest created by radio. Town well stirred, and we are baptizing twenty-three this week as a result of this and cottage meetings. Interest still continues. I consider it the greatest field open to the evangelist. Should be used in all places possible. Owner and several of station staff interested in our message. Fine response from the first.—R. H. Pierson.
Harrisburg, Pa.—At present I am broadcasting a half hour weekly from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and every Sunday at York. Thirty minutes regular free time weekly, with paid time for some months over the same station, show in. results some forty souls and two gifts for missions totaling $200, besides tithes, etc. Prejudice was broken down. Homes opened for Harvest Ingathering and Bible studies. Read carefully "Testimonies," Volume VII, page 25. Radio is one of those prominent departures from the ancient ways of working that we are to follow.---H. A. Vandeman.
[Elder Vandeman uses a neat announcement, a slip with a cut of the speaker and bearing the words: " 'The Little Brick Church,' 615 N. 17th St., Harrisburg, Pa. Broadcasts over Harrisburg Radio WKBO, Thursdays, 4:00.4:30 P. York Radio WORK, Sundays, 5:30-5:45 P. M. Hear the man who makes the Bible plain. His message will appeal to you. 'Listen in.'"]
North Platte, Nebr.—Our radio work has removed much prejudice and given us many friends. A number have become interested in the message and have taken studies, some uniting with the church. My program has consisted largely of giving studies on the International Sunday School Lessons. They have included the books of Genesis, Exodus, Mark, and now Matthew, and a temperance topic once a quarter. It has given me opportunity to touch upon every phase of the message.—E. G. Hayes.
Sioux Falls, S. Dak.—We began broadcasting a year ago, Brother Skadsheim taking it after our opening broadcast. This station reaches Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska. It has had a stimulating influence for good upon our members, and has brought a number into the truth. One brother who was baptized is financing this effort. Recently the South Dakota Conference voted $100 to assist because the good work was extending into their territory. In Des Moines, Iowa, I am using fifteen minutes weekly for "Questions and Bible Answers by Pastor Fries, Seventh-day Adventist Church." Two brethren are financing this broadcast. —R. S. Fries.
Battle Creek, Mich.—The radio is our only form of advertising for the Tabernacle Sunday night meetings, which it has built up and is maintaining strongly.—C. B. Haynes.
Duluth, Minn.—In our recent effort in Duluth we used the radio as an advertising plan. A number of people attended as a result of listening in. Many cards of appreciation were received. This is the only broadcasting that has been done in Minnesota for several years. —V. J. Johns.
Montgomery, Ala.—When you can broadcast only one day per week, Sunday is the best day, as more are listening in, and the hour of 5:155:45 P. NI. is advantageous for advertising your Sunday night sermon. Many who hear your radio talk will come that night to hear the subject you advertise. It also gives a good opportunity to advertise the entire program for that week. We have over one hundred new Sabbath keepers here as a result of our recent effort.—J. L. Shuler.
Meridian, Miss.—Our church is fortunate in having as one of its members a man who has influence with the local radio station, WCOC. This station is of sufficient strength to be heard as far away as California. This earnest Christian, whose uppermost thought seems always to be for the church and its interests, sought opportunity for our members to give programs of sacred music over this station. While without professional singers or pianists in the church, yet from the first the appearances seem to have been appreciated. We were given a regular hour that the public might become acquainted with the time and expect us weekly at the appointed period. We continued our programs regularly over quite a long period, until the recent illness of some of the members of the company necessitated a temporary cessation. The manager and owner of the station often reassures us that he is awaiting our return, and will again give us a regular hour. Several things have been accomplished by our radio work. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been a prominent feature in every pro-grain through announcing the singers from the church. And while the message which we believe has not been preached as we usually think of a preaching service, yet the songs of our message have been kept prominently on the air. —Burton. Castle.
Plans are already made to broadcast a thirty-minute sermon each day during our camp meeting. This will be the third series of sermons which have been broadcast from this station.—R. I. Ideate.
Los Angeles, Calif.—[Evangelist H. M. S. Richards presented a full and intimate picture of his broadcasting plans, methods, and results in the June MINISTRY, which see. Brother Richards is perhaps doing our most extensive work in radio lines, speaking over four different stations, and weekly broadcasting four of his regular evangelistic sermons direct from the tabernacle. We will not repeat the details h ere.]
China Division.—The Lord has providentially opened the way for us to broadcast a series of "Timely Messages From the Word of Truth" over Station XMHA, the most powerful station in Shanghai, which reaches all parts of China, as well as Japan, Manila, and Singapore. We have signed a contract with this station till December, 1934.—F. E. Stafford.
Following a half-hour broadcast in English, there is a broadcast in Chinese by one of our leading Chinese workers who uses my subject material. Brother F. E. Stafford, who is looking after the work in Shanghai, is sponsoring these programs, and expects to keep them up through the year. The cost is very reasonable, and one of our foreign brethren here in Shanghai is meeting the expense. We believe that we can do much in this way to create an interest in this truth.—Frederick Lee.
A most interesting and attractive printed announcement covering the broadcasts and printed in both English and Chinese reads as follows on page one : "Radio Addresses. Timely Messages From the Word of Truth, by Frederick Lee, Author and Lecturer. Half-hour programs over Station XMHA each Sunday morning from 10-10 :30, beginning March 11. See next page for the list of subjects. Music that inspires ! Prayer that uplifts ! Words that bring hope ! Listen in on these vital programs." On page two : "These addresses are brought to you under the auspices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, an international organization, well known for its spiritual, educational, and medical activities. Subjects : March 11—The Hour, The Man, The Message. Just the message for you. March 18—The One Priceless Book. Do you have it in your library? March 25—The Architect of the Universe. A message of hope. April 1—The Meaning of Our Times. A message from the world's news. April 8—Efforts Toward Peace. Win they succeed? April 15—The Coming of a World Empire. Whose empire will it be? April 22—The Impending Judgment. Are you ready for it? April 29—The Standard of Right. Do you know what it is? Any one interested in further study of these subjects can secure free literature by writing to F. E. Stafford, 1207 Yu-Yuen Road, Shanghai."]
Central European Division.—Up till now, so far as I am informed, there is no broadcasting of our meetings and lectures in this part of Europe or in our mission territory.—Guy Dail.
Northern European. Division—I know of no use of the radio by our workers in Northern Europe. A little while ago it came our turn in Copenhagen, among the various religious bodies, to give a statement of our views, and Pastor T. Tobiassen gave what was regarded by our people as a very fine statement. This, however, is the only use of the radio of which I have heard.—W. T. Bartlett.
Southern European Division.—I know of no preacher in our division who is employing the radio. We have men who give a talk occasionally and who have been invited to take part in some programs. But in many places they permit neither religious nor political addresses over the radio. We have made efforts in different places to have sermons broadcast, but in vain.—A. V. Olson.
South American Division.—Very little radio broadcasting has been done in South America, scarcely enough to report. While attending the biennial Chile Conference session in April at Santiago, the evening services were all broadcast through arrangement with one of the local broadcasting companies. Brother Andre Ascione in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, has been broadcasting one evening a week regularly. This was during the first part of this present year. I give herewith a list of some of the subjects he presented:
First Part: The Gospel and Present Conditions.
1. A World That Has Lost Its Bearings.
2. Latin America's Greatest Need.
3. Does the Future Hold War or Peace for Us?
4. The Church, Liberty and Christianity.
Second Part: Christ's Social Precepts.
1. Fraternity.
2. Solidarity.
3. Religion and Happiness.
4. Infinite Value of the Human Being.
Third Part: The Christian Life.
1. What Shall We Believe?
2. The New Birth.
3. Faith and Obedience.
4. Impelling Faith.
5. Living to Serve.
6. The Return of the Master.
—N. P. Neilsen
