The Delta independent., 1912-07-05
MINISTERS ON ADVERTISING
coneensus of Opinion Is That Pub
Iieity Is Beneficial to Churches
Would Bring Converts.

Newspaper advertising was discuss.
ed by the National Ministerial associa.
ton of Syracuse N Y, at a meeting
the other day. after papers on the sub.
ject had been read by the Rev AL.
bert c. Fulton, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church. and Jerome D.
Barnum. In the discussion which fol.
lowed there was wide range of opin-
ion on the subject
Rev. DR.. Frederick w Belts. pastor
of the First Universalist church, main
tanned that the newspapers are ex'
ceedingly kind to the churches in
printing news of Importance. and that
he did not favor promiscuous
scheme of advertising.
Rev. DR.. William Howard. a visit
or from Washington. d. c.. said that
he regarded newspaper advertising as
helpful to the church. and Rev J. B
Knappenberger. pastor of the Wesley.
an Methodist church. approved it
Mr.. knappenberger said he was will
ing to leave the whole subject to ad
veriising to the individual ministers.
providing they can muster funds to
pay for 1t. He said that he did not re
gard advertising as sensational be
cause to him there Is nothing more
startling and marvellous in all the
world than the themes upon which the
ministers preach every Sunday
Mr., Fulton in his paper advocated
the making OF goods as good as the
advertisement. He said that it is time
to emphasize every good point that
can be made in connection with the
church. He said that he was willing
to try paid advertising in the news
papers If it will fill the churches
Mr. Fulton advocated a press agent
for the church. He believed body
like the Presbyterian church should
have a representative to furnish news
matter. He believes that more pub
licity will help to break down the
prejudices and keep the good WORK of
the church before the public.
III the public can be brought into a
more sympathetic relationship with
the church by the use of honest. digni-
fed advertising. then | am heartily in
favor Of advertising" he said
Mr.. Barsum explained to the clergy
that advertising is the means OF NOV
ing a mass of people in a given d.
rection. For that reason he felt Ger
tain that 1t would be good thing for
the church
The church today" he said, must
come down from above and stand on
the same footing. the same foundation
as the business man The church must
reach out and tell its story to those
thousands who won't answer its call
Why is it that the theater attracts
so many thousands where the church
fails? Because it tells its story. it in
terests the public. il awakens curios-
ity and desire to see and listen The
church today. my friends, from an ad-
veriising mans opinion, from the out
side. is too cold. II must be made to
hustle with human interest Its music
so sweet and beautiful, must be sung
in advance just as the advance agent
OF the theater awakens the spirit of
the multitude for his wonderful troupe.
Il believe If the churches would de-
vote one-half the amount of money to
advertising that they give yearly to
the cause of missions. they would
bring into their buildings twice the
number OF converts that the mission
aries enroll. Use the newspapers to
tell your story and tell it well"