Polk Hall A, situated to the right of the main auditorium, was the scene of a most interesting exhibit of the various types of material aids which the advent ministry is using to attract and win the multitudes of today. This display of evangelistic materials and publicity methods proved to be one of the most popular exhibits of the General Conference. It extended over the entire length of the east wall of Polk Hall A and covered a considerable part of the north and south walls also.
Throughout each day of the Conference session large and small groups of evangelists were gathered here on a keen hunt for newer and better ideas. It was the workers' rendezvous. Here I saw such seasoned evangelistic veterans as R. S. Fries and C. T. Everson discussing with younger men the relative merits of this or that method of publicity. Here interns, as well as proved and successful workers, were noting suggestive ideas, up-to-date and more gripping titles for sermons and lectures, better layouts for handbills, etc.
The southeast corner of the hall was taken up by a display of H. M. S. Richards' Voice of Prophecy radio evangelism equipment. Here were samples of all the printed publicity materials which are used in this remarkable soul-winning work. A near-by table held a combination recording and public-address system. Ministerial workers were able to hear what their voices sound like over the air as their recordings were played back. On another table were placed a number of scrapbooks neatly compiled by leading evangelists, and containing handbills, cards, and newspaper advertisements, together with pictures of congregations and baptismal groups in their various efforts.
The latest film strips produced by the Mayse Studio were on display. Kodachrome 35 mm. slides, displayed by Wilford Goffar of Portland, were also noticeable, because of the beauty and richness of their coloring. The question of which were the better—double or single frame slides—was much discussed by champions of both types.
Perhaps the most outstanding exhibit was that of the ministerial department of La Sierra College. Dominating the north wall was a colorful sea scene made of plywood, comprising a number of sections, and approximately thirty feet in length. Rising above this scene were plywood cutouts of the various prophetic symbols—the red dragon, the woman with twelve stars, the two beasts of Revelation 13, the four beasts of Daniel 7, and the ram and the he-goat. Underneath this whole exhibit were the words "Hall of Prophecy." These in turn were flanked by two appropriate quotations from the writings of the Spirit of prophecy relative to the wisdom of using material means to make the truth stand out clearly.
Nearby were arranged the proposed prophetic charts which are to be published by the Review and Herald Publishing Association. Workers were invited to vote on their preference as between the naturalistic and modernistic designs. Keen discussion took place regarding the most appropriate symbol for the United States in prophecy. Some favored the lamb; others preferred the figure of a buffalo. -
The Bible worker's task was not overlooked. Here were small plywood cutouts of the sanctuary furniture, prophetic symbols, etc., averaging about nine inches in height, each standing on a wooden base. They were designed for the use of the worker in the homes of the people.
Some very fine specimens of the work that can be dont by the artist-evangelist by means of chalk talks were displayed. "Christ the Rock of Ages," "Christ the Pilot," and other striking subjects were illustrated by Albert Munson, with black and colored chalks on a white background.
A blueprint gave details of some interesting new features to be incorporated into a portable tabernacle which is to be used at Washington, D. C., by J. L. Shuler, and others of varying forms and sizes were on display.
One effective method of advertising was the window card or bill seventeen inches wide by nine inches high. It is placed in the rear side window of an automobile, and secured on the inside of the window by gummed paper. Another form of auto publicity was the bumper advertisement. The latter is, however, at the mercy of mischievous children and the weather, whereas the bill inside the automobile window can be preserved indefinitely and used week after week. To save expense a gum-backed slip of paper, seventeen inches wide by four inches deep, on which the title and date are printed, is fixed over the bottom of the window bill to advertise each new topic.
A complete series of newspaper stories and reports of sermons used by one worker in his effort demonstrated the great possibilities for much wider publicity. Some of us have been grossly neglectful of the press. We just have not bothered. Let us capitalize on these great possibilities for keeping the truth before far greater numbers of people during an effort.
The major space of the Ministerial Association display was taken up by a large and varied selection of handbills, window cards, billboard signs, and newspaper advertisements and write-ups. Much variety of style and design was noticeable in the make-up of the advertising matter. Almost without exception, it was impressive and yet dignified, as befits the sacred and solemn nature of the message we preach.
Looking over this whole array of material, I felt that it accorded with the spirit of that notable statement in "Gospel Workers" which every evangelist should read frequently. It says; "While they are to labor earnestly to interest the hearers, and to hold this interest, yet at the same time they must carefully guard against anything that borders on sensationalism. In this age of extravagance and outward show, when men think it necessary to make a display in order to gain success, God's chosen messengers are to show the fallacy of spending means needlessly for effect. As they labor with simplicity, humility, and graceful dignity, avoiding everything of a theatrical nature, their work will make a lasting impression for good."—Page 346.
Altogether, the wide scope of the evangelistic materials and advertising publicity displayed demonstrated that our evangelists are utilizing modern and effective means for bringing the truth strikingly before the people of today. In the spirit of that mighty and challenging call to a still greater evangelism which went forth from the General Conference at San Francisco, let us apply ourselves still more diligently to the acquiring and utilizing of still better methods that shall attract attention, arouse interest, create desire, and win to a full acceptance of the truth.
