The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-03-27

If the salesman of religion can Sc
cure attention and interest, the result
is assured.
Religions "Trade-Mark'
The church once recognized this
principle. The founder of Christian
ity selected "The Cross" as the trade
mark for his commodity. Early build
ers of churches built lofty spires on
their churches and constructed ex-
pensive and beautiful buildings in or
der to gain the attention and interest
of the people. Loud sounding bells
were hung in church belfries to adver-
tise the regular services of the church.
Even the preachers wore odd and Gu
rious shaped clothes, long coats and
high hats, to let the people know
who and what they were.
These methods Of advertising were
powerful in their day, but have be-
come threadbare. If advertising
would continue to be effective it
must be novel. We pay no attention
to, and have little interest in, the
commonplace.
Why should not the church employ
the most modern means of advertising
to forward her work? What is the
difference in principle between bell
ringing loudly on Sunday morning,
and half-page advertisement in the
Sunday morning news?
Our manner of life has changed.
The world has encroached upon us.
Everything in the world is waving
flags in our faces and screaming in
our ears to get our attention and in
terest.
The church has not kept pace with
the spirit of the times, and as result
men and women have forgotten that
the church exists. They do not think
of religion, because religion has taken
back seat and given the front row
over to business and worldly pleasure.
However, we should remember that
the mere buying of space in a news
paper is not advertising. Most church
advertisements have seen are stulti-
flying, deadening, almost disgusting.
They manifest no life. They display
no attractiveness.
Every advertisement, regardless of
what is is for, must have in it kick,
punch, push, pull
OF course some old mossbacks will
be shocked when they read your Sun
day advertisement, but / have always
noticed that those who complain at
live church advertisements are almost
inevitably drawn to church by them.
1t is not the billboard that adver-
.tises, it is what you put on the bill
board. It takes originality and brains
to write an advertisement.
Early Church Advertisers
All great religious movements have
been attended with great advertising
programs. Jesus was one Of the great
est advertisers the world has ever
seen. Because of the unusual charac-
ter of His works, His fame went
abroad throughout the land. As re-
suit He got the attention and held the
interest of the people.
Luther accomplished a great adj
vertising feat when he called his
''Thesis" to the door of the Church
of All Saints and later burned "Pa-
pal Bull"
John Wesley showed great genius
for advertising when he preached
from his fathers tombstone, after he
had. been shut out of the churches Of
England.
So, from Jesus time down to Billy
Sunday, advertising has been the first
essential in religious movements.
An empty church is crime. Only
the minister and the official boards
are responsible If your church is
empty, your advertising is worthless
and your services dry.
Every church should have an adj
vertising committee composed of the
best brains in the church.
Every church should have an ad-
vertising budget at least as large as
its pastors salary.