The Glenwood post., 1911-08-12
CHURCH MUST BE UP-To-DATE
New York Reverend Gives Sane and
Sensible Arguments Why Church
Should Advertise.

Ii,
concerning 1t opinions are likely to
differ widely. Some pastors declare it
proper and a sane proposition, while
others see in 1t the making common
of sacred things.
In recent interview. Rev. Chris
tian F. Reisner. pastor of Grace
Methodist Episcopal church of New
York, discussed church advertising as
follows:
Recent changes in theology and
Bible Interpretation have laid the
basis for new enthusiasm which fits
and interprets religion to hearers.
until they are stirred and developed.
But people have fallen out of the
habit of church attendance They are
busy and unacquainted with the force
of this new life. They must then.
now, as never, be turned toward the
church and aroused to the import
ance. helpfulness and easy possibility
of religious development.
The word advertise" occurs twice
in the Bible and publish" one hun
dred times. Preach the gospel means
publish the good tidjngs. There were
no presses and SO Paul wrote letters
everywhere. to be read and passed
on. Wesley wrote dozens Of books
and peddled them persistently. His
successors, the Methodists, own the
largest publishing house in the world,
and their papers furnish no mean
mediums for advertising.
Advertising is calling attention to
| facts. 1t Is the most vital assistant
in the business world today Truth
is back of 1t all. The church can no
longer exist by mere authority, or get
hearing by antiquated methods. 1t
must be up-to-date in presentation OF
facts. 1t must get a hearing In the
din caused by the rush of the ma
terial world.
Why object to church advertising?
Look at few criticisms:
"A sacred subject is made COM
mon" We have passed the day when
| a man has a different code for the
church and business house. There
can be no divorce between religion
and business. The latter is. after ALL
only pure morals. Sacred things are
not stored up in churches. No build
| ing Is sacred unless it is made so
by the individual. When religion be-
| comes more common" among men
the world will be better.
1T lessons religious appeal by
Cheapening It," The fact remains
that they seldom give personal reli-
gion any notice. If brought within
their attention. old memories stirred
will lead to action. The word
church" facing them in prominent
| places constantly will arouse old
home and boyhood scenes. and youths
customs and promises. Publicity
cheapens nothing. 1t raises the
standard of goods. The most widely
advertised articles bring the biggest
prices An empty. dilapidated. rutty
church cheapens religion more than
ony other thing.
"It spoils the preachers dignity"
Ministerial dignity ossities same as
do the bandages of the mummy.
They never bend, they never touch
present-day life; they deal in dead
theological platitudes. as powerless
in giving torch-leading light as tai
low dip is compared with an arc light.
Better be a man with no external
prerogatives. Character is the best
badge to wear God will honor good
seed If sown without artificial dig
nifty.
1T tends to materialize the spirit
ual" All internal Impressions are
either caused by external things or
express themselves in material
way. The most sacred religion known,
that of husband and wife. comes
from love aroused by sight of face
or picture. That is poor religious
feeling that does not lead to honest
dealing and visits to the poor and
| sick. When mysticism is banished
and the naturalism of religion is en-
| phasized the spirituality will be more
| general.
But why advertise? First, 1t shows
| ife and enthusiasm born of a conf
dent belief Methodism won its way
because it's zeal knew no doubt
The successful salesman believes in
his goods, and then Is all alive to push
| them. Consistent advertising may
show backing which will convince the
sleepy or doubling, Ability alone pro-
duces advertising that tells, and this
by means of arousing thought. If
backed by truth, the advertiser and
the article gain influence, respect and
reputation.
A capable church advertiser may
thus stir good thoughts and insure re-
spect for cause which commands
tn time and enthuses the spirit of
% capable man. Second. the
church has a message for today The
| ology has changed its forms 1t fits
present problems. Men do not know
| it. Many have only the memory of
| twenty-five years ago, when future
heaven was the chief topic. The
| LIasses must be forced to recognize
that the church has solution and