For a long time here at Union College we have felt that the tendency in teaching evangelism was too much on the theoretical side, and that greater benefit would be gained if the ministerial student observed evangelistic methods at first hand, and then actually participated in evangelistic campaigns.
The Spirit of prophecy makes this statement : "If a press can be secured to be worked during the meeting, printing leaflets, notices, and papers for distribution, it will have a telling influence."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 36. Acting on this pertinent counsel, two years ago we approached the college board on the matter of obtaining such equipment, and they graciously granted us the means to purchase both a Multilith and a Multigraph.
On the Multilith, drawings, art work, photographs, and type can be printed by the off-set process. The plates are inexpensive, and the scope of work that can be done is almost unlimited. This enables us to put into practice many ideas that would be prohibitive if we had to hire our work done at prevailing printing rates.
In the Multigraph the letter-press process is used. The type is easily set up, and there is no "make ready." Students quickly learn to do simple printing jobs, such as are needed in conducting an effort. They do not need to become printers to be able to use this machine. The drawings for cuts, the layouts, the proportion of type to page size—each may be carefully studied in actual printing conditions. The student then sets them up on the flexible forms that may be quickly screwed to the machine. and the' finished product may soon be judged.
"Let a synopsis of the discourses be printed and widely circulated," advises the Spirit of prophecy. (Evangelism, p. 16o.) Bearing this counsel in mind, the students in the evangelism department produce booklets containing a summary of the sermons preached during campaigns. Masters are cut by members of the personal evangelism class on the Vari-typer and run off on the Multilith for distribution among the interested.
These machines have been invaluable as teaching agents. As the students print their own handbills, cards, et cetera, under supervision, they learn lessons that will prove of great worth in later years when they must plan their own handbills and other printed material. Layout, balance, and advertising appeal are all studied and discussed. Many of these prospective evangelists will not do their own printing, but they will certainly know bettei how to plan their advertising material, and will save money and time by this knowledge.
The place of charts in teaching our doctrines has ever been emphasized since Charles Fitch first conceived the idea. Mrs. White says, "The charts you have made are in perfect accord with the work to be carried forward. These charts are object lessons to the people."—Ibid., p. 203. Our evangelistic laboratory has facilities for making charts and other illustrative devices. Help is given by the art department, and students are encouraged to take an art course. In time we are hoping to build up a complete line of illustrative devices. Built-in drawers and closets house the various charts and cutouts we now possess, with their appropriate holders.
At the front of the laboratory is a platform, furnished with a preaching desk at which our evangelism students practice their preaching. The background to the platform is a large map of the world in wood. This symbolic map helps all those who use the laboratory to realize the world needs and to obtain a world vision.
Our aim for this laboratory is that it will, with its cabinets, files, equipment, machines, and other paraphernalia, represent the ideal working place of an evangelist. We do not expect every would-be evangelist to attempt every phase of the work we demonstrate here, but we hope that as he matures he will select his own lines of working, according to his gifts and inclinations, and will develop and emphasize them. We seek to present a broad picture of all that an evangelist can do to help make his work a success.
