Semi-weekly herald., 1913-06-16
NEW SYSTEM OF SPREADING
TEACHINGS OF HOLY WRIT

Dissemination of the gospel by min
isterial press agents, who. before they
give vent to oratorical teachings of
the Holy Writ from the pulpit, write
then sermons in advance for the news
papers, bringing forth the 'hign
spot" in such readable manner that
the EDITORS in their respective commu-
mites will be more than glad to print
the church publicity is the object
Of a new system inaugurated by tie
Seventh Day Adventists who today
are holding their convention here.
equally important with his ability
to assail the devil from within the
church, his knowledge of the Bible
and general theology, is the Seventh
Day Adventist minister's knack and
knowledge of putting his punch par
agraphs" before the general public
through the avenues of newspaper and
magazine publicity. Every minister
is henceforth to be a trained press
agent for his church. To gain the
knowledge of press agenting' he is
required to undergo thorough course
in the study of newspapers, editors,
how to collect, write and prepare in
teresting news items and in general
learn Che intricate workings of news
paper Offices.
This information is furnished in
course of eight lessons sent out from
the general press bureau of the church
at Takoma Park, Md, where experts
OF newspaper work operate the min
isterial correspondence school, and
where the world conference of Ad-
ventists is now being held.
Before the young minister has fair
iy taken hold of his pastorate the
correspondents school places him on
the list and lesson No. l goes forth.
This lessons contains general re-
sumo of newspaper work and explains
to the embryo minister-pupil that
newspapers which go into every home
constitute an important function in
carrying to the whole population of
.tl,s,- sltt-Shc-seventifs Day Adventist
belief. The student is posted as to
the various sources of news, just as
news story may break and how he
can frame the account of doings in
and about his church in a breezy, new
sy way that will make it appeal to
an editor as news worth printing.
If Minister Jones proposes to raise
hob with the gambling fraternity or
expects to denounce the evils of the
turkey trot from his pulpit, he is
taught the Importance of writing in
advance piece for the paper so that
it will be printed short time after
he delivers his diatribe.
Lesson No. 2 deals with the various
departments of newspapers and teach
es the minister press agent how to
curry favor with the editor. He is
instructed to write on one side of the
paper and to make his efforts as neat
as possible, it being clearly set forth
that if these features are lacking the
editor might throw the contribution
into the waste basket.
Lesson No. 3, tells why it is i'm
portant to put the "who, what, when
and where" in the first paragraph so
that if the editor hasn't the space to
use the whole article, he may use
the first part of it to good advan-
tage. This lesson particularly i'm
presses upon the preacher journalist
| the Importance of starting his item
in the middle of the page, leaving at
the top a blank space in which the
editor may write the headline.
"Dullness in newspaper article is
inexcusable," lesson No. warns and
it tells the minister reporter that
he must make his stories "snappy,
brisk and readable" using special care
to exercise briefness, neatness and
accuracy. Lesson No. 5 deals with
the Importance of "clean copy" and
clearness of composition. 1t explains
technical terms used in newspaper
writing and editing and specifically
sets forth that it is important to get
copy" into the office early. Gen
eral reporting and the necessity of q
nose for news" is taught in the re.
naming lessons, and various estab.
lished newspapers in this and foreign
countries are cited as examples OF
good writing, composition and genera
makeup.