Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-28
PASTORS FAVOR
ADVERTISING OF
CHURCH SERVICES
Old-Time Prejudice Against
Publicity Declared Funda-
mentally Wrong
BIBLE AUTHORITY QUOTED
Events Of Sacred History Used to
Justify Modern
Methods
BIBLE AUTHORITY QUOTED

ally wrong Tor cnurcn TO resort 10 any
/ form OF publicity or advertising. to bring
the people to It's pews was riddled in
I score Of places this afternoon at the depart
mental session on Church Advertising in
the University gymnasium.
Pastors from LEADING churches in this
city New York and the West not only de-
manded that the tlme-worn superstition be
cast aside, but they declared It sin to
preach to empty pews when proper adver-
tlslng will fll the churches and reach the
very class which they have failed to reach
IN the past,
"a careful persual Of the Bible" declared
| The Rev. d. Z. Welgle, pastor of the Friend
lily Church, 18th and Jefferson streets, this
city, leads US to say, without any fear OF
contradiction, that God was the first great
advertiser. When He lighted the flaming
bush which did not burn, and attracted
the attention of Moses. He made our $780,
o00-a-year electric signs look insignificant"
Throughout the biblical records the men
who accomplished things were the men who
advertised themselves by their peculiar
traits and characteristics or their accom-
plishments-John the Baptist with his pecu-
liar attire; jeremiah lying in the streets to
httract attention; many of the miracles or
Jesus: the tragic death of our Lord the
4 resurrection the ascension; the rending of
/ the veil of the temple the earthquake; all
these point to an unusual way or doing
, things.
The interest created by the parallels and
sermons Of Jesus, and the stories and his
tory OF the Old Testament are marvellous
and lasting.
1t is absolute folly to try to preach to
people until you get them into the church
If a mans soul Is worth saving and If
the only way to save that soul Is by
bringing 1t into vital contact with God by
the means of grace, then legitimate
method should me despised, nor the cost
financially be even considered.
WORLDS GREATEST BUSINESS,
After the church has been fitted up for
. big campaign then the newspapers should
be used and paid space procured. Window
cards announcing the program of service
should be placed in store windows, as
business man is always glad to contribute
his share toward the maintenance of the
greatest business producing agency in the
world, namely Religion"
To this end clubrooms for men and
women should be established in the church.
where legitimate recreation and amusements
may be carried on under the supervision
of Christian people, for these games should
be played away from the environment of
temptation and gambling.
Any church that will enter upon cam
paigp OF publicity in faith, and will adopt
modern methods of communication with the
world then satisfy the crowd which col
1ects with the bread of life, adhering strictly
and rigidly to the Word as the only un-
varying rule by which to live. and to the
Christ as the only saving power for a lost
wcrld. will be amazed and dumfounded
1T the success which will attend its efforts.
FIGHT THE DEVIL WITH FIRE
The Rev. Christian F. Reisner, D. D.,
pastor of the Grace Methodist Church. New
York. who acted as chairman of the Church
Advertising section. spoke at this after
Moons session, and declared that he be-
lieved IN lighting the devil with fire."
Doctor Reisner told how he used brass
bands. preached special baseball sermons.
secured idols of the diamond to talk held
special services for policemen, flremen,
street sweepers, corporation employees and
others.
In order to get business" the modern
church must be competitor-and an active
oIe-of the theatres and movies, said the
pastor He told OF his successful campaign |
in Denver in building up a church through |
advertising. After going to New York he |
was advised not to advertise-that the |
method would be fruitless there-but |
preaching to empty pews CALLED him, and
when he began to use newspapers and bill
boards, he found them as effective In New |
York city they had been in Denver. he |
said. While other New York churches ad- |
vertise now. he was really the first adver- |
tising parson in the metropolis, and he said |
thAt-ael many as 225 people were received |
1nff membership in his church in one day, |
Th5se who opposed the idea OF advertising |
IN New York have become enthusiastic and |
are working with him.
Hundreds Of pastors run away from the |
Hcarscrow-sensationali said the Rev. |
DR.. Reisner. John the Baptist, Jesus |
Luther, Wesley and Booth were all thus |
tagged In their day. Jesus drew a crowd |
by reported miracles and then preached to |
the people.
"Once He borrowed boys biscuits and |
eardinss 10 feed 5000 SO that they could |
remain to an Rfter.meeting. Can any one |
alnagins the Master preaching TO empty /
seats when any kind of a method would |
draw an audience1
ADVERTISING NECESSARY
.'Ths preachers greatness cannot fiji |
church There must be an attractive serv- |
ics. thrilled with religion and compellingly |
advertised
1T is sinful to close up the theatres in
city or town II the church gives nothing in |
place. The church cannot be satisfied TO |
condemn other attractions IL must COM
pete. for the chureh's business is Sunday |
recreation which other institutions falsely |
promise 70 accomplish.
1T is preposterous to declare that the |
soeailed simple sBible-true' gospel alone |
win get the crowds. tried preaching alone |
and failed. though did my best. Then |
unique advertising methods we're adopted |
ana the people filled the same church to
hear me, the same preacher"
He said he had not lost a single efficient |
member OF his church because OF his adver- |
tfainE, and in one campaign 100 large post
ors we're used on New York blllboards at i
ona time. In addition 10 the regular paid /
advertisements IA the amusement columns /
of the New York daily newspapers
DAWN or AWAITED DAY.
The Rev. K c. Keagy. or Clinton. Pa.
tod Of the success Of the Clinton Methodist
Episcopal Church IN following Doctor
Rzlsnars plan OK the -IIaDpy Sunday Eve
mag Service
Advertising the sunday evening service. -
Re safd ebronEht men ana women Of All /
tts1da Catholics and Jews were seen IA Il
tbs congregations. There had been no /
ftaeaE&ton % the church the people were /
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