Article November 30, 1899 Issue

From the Religious Press

with contributions from J. B. G. Pridge

Church advertising is well worthy of the attention of every minister and Board of Trustees. The time was in business when a man could open his store and people would come and buy; to-day the merchant must go after every customer, and getting him, hold him. To do this he has resorted to advertising, and advertising has become a business; almost a science. It is not for churches Ho die of dignity and keep out of the modern method of getting business. We want people; then we must go after them, and getting them, hold them, and there is a legitimate place for church advertising. It is in the experimental stage so far, but it is interesting to watch these experiments. The circular letter has been "done to death," in some places, in others it has yet a clear field, what is wanted is the method that flits the place, and the fearless and constant use of it. Our enterprising pastor in Beverly, Mass., Rev. E. M. Barney, has made a most striking venture, that must be watched with interest; he has taken half a page in the local Saturday paper for a year, and in it appears a "display ad." of Universalism in general and his own church in paricular. It is very certain that every one in Beverly will see the huge headline, "First Universalist Church," and equally huge closing line, "Christ Will Conquer," and it is to be assumed, unless the people of Beverly are out of the common, that they will read all between, about the location of the church, the Building, the Pastor, the Organizations, the Statement of Belief, the calendar of services, and the invitation; and having read, what will be the effect on the readers? That is the crucial question. It would seem that it must make them think, it is to be hoped that "keeping everlastingly at it," which is the law and gospel of advertising, they may be brought into the church. Here at least is an interesting experiment, and enterprising pastors will do well to watch the Saturday editions of the Beverly, Mass., Evening Times. — The Universalist Leader.

Commercial travelers have organized a national society of Christian workers to be known as "The Gideons." At a secret meeting officers were elected as follows: President, S. E. Hill, Beloit, Wis.; vice president, W. J. Knights, Janesville, Wis.; secretary, J. H. Nicholson, Janesville, Wis. Following is the executive board: L. C. Smith, Oshkosh,Wis.; Charles B. Kettridge, Waukegan, I11. J. F. Grunkau, Milwaukee, Wis.

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