The rapidly increasing technique of "telephonic guidance" presents a relatively new method of presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a number of American cities and towns one can now pick up the telephone, dial a number, and listen to a brief message of spiritual inspiration or solace, frequently composed of scriptural references and a prayer. Mr. Ehrenstein, minister of the Bethany Baptist church of Philadelphia, credits Episcopalian minister James Jefferson Davis Hall with having initiated this unique method of gospel witness about the year 1924. That story as recently reported in Our Hope follows:
Sick in bed, "Daddy" Hall (as he was affectionately known) answered his phone one day and found the call a wrong number. Having so informed the caller, Hall was about to replace the receiver when a thought struck him: Here was an excellent chance to witness for Jesus Christ. So he asked the person on the other end of the line to wait a moment, and then presented the surprised telephone-visitor with the Gospel.
A short time after he finished, the phone rang again and another person said: "I understand you have a message for me; my friend told me to call this number." From that time onward, Daddy Hall's phone literally almost never stopped ringing, until his death in September of 1951.
Spiritual phone connection services are becoming increasingly available. The telephone exchange number is printed in telephone directories or on cards which are handed from person to person. Newspapers have published them.
In this electronic age no one needs to personally accept the phone calls. A half-minute recorded message on installed transcribing equipment and the gospel could be presented to every caller in a similar manner to which recorded weather reports are provided. The message could be changed frequently.
Some business shops, especially those without secretarial help, have installed mechanical telephone call receivers which answer the phone when the number is rung, and tell when the party will return or other pertinent information. The caller may reply and his or her statement is recorded for the proprietor's benefit. Such units could also convey a short sentence of faith or trust in God as a personal greeting of spiritual encouragement.
Alert church groups and Christian leaders see a vast potential of spiritual witnessing in this telephonic message system. Many have received testimonial letters proving that the messages have been really worthwhile.
In the complexity of modern life, myriads of burdened people need the gospel "lift." The writer will never forget the added strength personally received from the recorded message of faith and hope in the little chapel booth in Clifton's Cafeteria, near Seventh and Broadway in Los Angeles. A message that puts a busy soul in touch with God for even a half minute is most valuable. Why not try a capsule gospel recording?
J.A.B.
