The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-07
PULPIT AND PRESS.

BAPTIST MINISTER'S DISCUSS THE PRoPEiirY OF
ADVERTISING SERMONS IN SECULAR PAPERS
OPPOSED TO sESsATIoNALIsM.
The Baptist ministers met yesterday at No.
Murray street. Tho discussion was Oh the pro-
priety of Advertising pulpit topics in tho secular
press. Dr. Knapp read paper in which he gave
the press credit for being great power inviting
everybody and everything to get under the shadow
of it's vine and hgtroe. for publishing all the
liaous secular and scientific news of the day; but
no noticed that if editors and reporters have any
religion they never advertise it, The newspapers
publish the religious notices In the very best
part of the paper. between the "Personals and the
"Iost aud Found" which conjunction, DR.. Knapp
thought was 1T loast significant. But many hearts
ache on Monday morning when it is found that the
reporters have not cleaned in certain churches tho
day before But why advertise pulpit themes ut all?
II It be designed for the local congregation better
way is to announce the theme by handbilIs cards
to the people; advertise the book, chapter and
verse where the may be found. But il 1t be for
the benefit of the hungerlng for the bread OF
life. there is proof that any such have entered
churches because of the advertisements in the secu
lar papers. hut Christians read them and 1In from
church TO church after sensations. 1t would DO
moro honorable. the Doctor thought. to stand
at the doors Of other chuiches and distribute
circulars inviting the congregations than to publish
sensational TOPICS in the secular press to draw them
away Besides. the habit leads to ministerial rowing
as well as to congregational itnerancy. There is
also a strong temptation to have the topic novel us
well as sensational. "Josophs Coat OF Many
colors " "Aaron's Rod. ;" ',rhe Ark of God on Now
cart" arc samples. The topic does not honor the
text IL is desia nod TO catch the unwary. 1t makes
the Word of God by-wor and reproach. Pub
csm that is not always complimentary or truthful.
And the Doctor read illustrations But they are
legitimate property for the editorial pen, and DR..
Knapp did not blame editors for discerning with
keen eye things that made minister's ridiculous. a
sermon on .sThe Empty Tomb" recently
nouncsd m the paper next day AZ the Dissertation of
Stewards Tomb, to which 1T had no reference what
ever. For these reasons Dr.. Knapp would not "a
yertise TOPICS though he did favor announcing the
preacher. the church and the time OF service.
ADVERTISE BUT DON'T sENsArIoNALIzE.
Brother Adams confessed himself guilty once OF
advertising royal offer of marriage" but no did
not like sensatonalism. Topical advertising with
him not succeeded in drawing the class that he
wanted. Brother Altman never advertises topics,
because he often has to change his theme in the
pulpit This he could not do il he had advertised It,
brother j. G. Allen OF Newark, thought many things
could be said the other side OF this question. For
instance III his city. the pastors have been fighting
the Sabbath breakers and liquor Sellers and they
have advertised their themes so as to reach the
people whom they could not reach withoutsuc pub
icity. Dr. Durnghame believed in advertising
special subjects. as, for instance, gambling and
social evils which he preached IN st. Louis. He
advertised because he wanted to reach the classes in
".
for lrteen years, and advertised only five
times and thcn it was to stone up" the patriotism
of the people during the war. 1t always seemed to
him to be throwing duty of ministers on types
and presses. Brother Dixon. of the Concord Church.
Brooklyn would not advertise because he is u small
man, and he might induce some big men to 60
aud hear him say small things. DR.. Everts would
not advertise ordinary sermons, nor give q sensa-
tiona twist to others. but he would advertise spc
cial subjects, especially discussions of doctrines
Brother Gessler confused because some of his
brethren would advertise political topics but not
those drawn from the word OF God. They would adj
vertise also by handbils and circulars, but not
through the press. He could not understand why,
if there be any value in advertising, should not be
done III papers that have large circulation. That
would be his method. and is just what he does in
Trenton, N. j. The objection that the press crit
cises adversely would lie just we'll against preach
ing. The main object OF people coming together
in churches is to worship God. But this idea has
been gradually pushed out to make room for the
sermon, to which everything else must give way.
So the idea Of worship in our congregations is
destroyed. 1t fifty two years last Tuesday since
time he had never advertised. He related however,
how he was reported for speech which he
never made. and the reporter afterward explained
that having heard the Doctor for many years he
knew what he would say. DR.. Herr never aaver-
tises topics because Dr. Hall. Dr. Taylor and other
ppreaching. as one man did on Sunday.
about drunkenness among minister's. 1t was
horrible to his mind DR.. Hiscox thought 1t was
be heard but he shocked again and again to sec
baptsms announced part of the 'show" DR..
Knapp did not agree with DR.. Hiscox because he
knew of at least seventyf persons who were con-
verified through simply witnessing the ordinance.
DR.. Armitage was one. Brother lockwood; OK Pat
to advertise services for working mon. Dr. Parmy
thought topical advertising like man publish
ing what he would have for dinner--squash one day
and lamb the next Brother Potter never adver-
tises but believes in it, and Is satisfied that Mr.
Moody's great success in this city due to the
publicity the press gave to his meetings. SO that
tie weight of testimony on the side OF publicity
but against sensational advertising.