Educational film magazine; (January-December 1920)

POPULARIZING THE EVENING SERVICE Pastor Follows Trend of the Times. Puts Aside Old-Fashioned Methods and Grasps Powerful Vehicle of Expression Found in Screen With Good Results THL use of the tiliii iji llie cluirth for enlertainment purposes and in illustration of the text or salient point in the sermon is now an old story. Its value in gathering in the Hock has been recognized by min- isters of all denominations. The "punch" which its real- ism injects into the oral or written lesson is undeniable. So think some of the best authorities on the subject. LouisviLLK Pastor Man of Vision According to R. Ernest Akin, minister of the First Uni- liuian Church, Louisville. Ky.. the sugar coated pill idea ul putting across the gospel of right living, of brotherly love, of fraternal cooperation and the various truths in- cluded in religious teaching is invaluable in attracting people to the Sundav evening service. This man's personality is the embodiment of optimism and a broad vision. He is of the type that might be re- ferred to as "a modern man of God." He is one of the many who have learned to read men's minds and minister III them after a fashion demanded by twentieth century progress. Persons who attended the first convention of the Academy of Visual Instruction at Madison, Wis., the second week of July, 1920, will no doubt recall on a cer- lain morning when the film for church uses was under ilisrussion a man attired in the unconventional dress of the male citizen of today, stepped to the platform, and with a \oice that rang with enthusiasm and thrill of personal con- tact with the souls of men. told the story of his experience with the screen. Finds Sermon Inadequatk to Fight Other Attractions This was R. Ernest Akin. He had risen as scheduled in the program to discuss the views of the preceding speaker on the merits of the moving picture as a supplement to the sermon. The story that he had to tell was not a long one. but it was intensely interesting. "When I first became the pastor of the First Unitarian church," said he, "the even- ing service was poorly attended. People would come out t ' the morning service in fairly good numbers, but when I lie evening eame there were other attractions more fas- ' inatirig than the minister's sermon to take their attention, and there were only a few faithful ones who dropped armnul to worship. Supplants Evenin(; Sermon with Picti re "As time went on and things didn't seem to improve I Ixgan Id look around for a reason, and I decided that if 1 was Koing to i ojje successfully with these other Sundav to do? Why cannot I use the screen to popularize m] -Sunday evening service?' In place of feeling nettled be cause my sermons alone had no longer tht power to attrac crowds to my church, I decided that there must be some thing wrong in my methods, and so I came to have a pro- jection machine and screen installed in the church. Astonishing Reaction Follows Use of Film "I have no doubt." continued Mr. Akin, "that many of my brothers would not agree exactly with my method of procedure. In the first place I made no attempt to fit a picture to a tex-t. I did not even know what I was going to say before the picture was exhibited. I merely picked out a good feature production, advertised it in an attractive manner, and after the picture had been run I spoke for about five minutes, not any longer, on whatever happened to strike me as the most valuable lesson presented in the picture. I then requested those present not to leave until we had joined in a word of prayer, and I may say that there were very few who failed to be respectful enough to rC' spond to the request, and I am glad to be able to tell you that the reaction which I found following this use of the film in the church was astonishing. Crowds began to flock to my Sunday evening service, which I opened not in the old stereotyped fashion, but with the singing of some popular air or patriotic song with which the people were familiar. I left the hymn singing and the prayer until later in the evening. "The result of this method of putting across my Sunday evening service was thrilling. 1 found many of the same people returning Sunday after Sunday, and I feel sure that at least some of these people carried away with them a thought worth while. It was but one more proof of the truth of the old adage, 'If the mountain won't come to Mahommet. M^hommet must go to the mountain'." 9 9 NOTES FROM THE COUNTRY'S CHURCHES THE membership of the Fernwood Church. Duluth, Minn., of which Dr. F. F. Farmiloe is pastor, has been sub- stantially increased owing to the use of moving picture lectures. This church has enjoved astonishing prosperity during the past year. First reels of a film version of the Bible were presented recently at a special vesper service in Olivet Institute Church, Chicago, 111. The opening feature, "Paradise Lo;jt,'' depicted the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Gaiden I of Eden. Rev. Norman B. Barr announced that the mo- ing pictures will be presented weeklv until the entire Bible night attractions I would have to popularize my Sunday evening service. I realized part that the moving picture has been dramatized "How Life Begins" was shown at the First Baptist Church, Niles, Mich., recently, accompanied by a lecture. The had come to play a vital part in the lives and recreation of our peo|)le. I realized that the appeal to the eye had in a large measure su|)planted the appeal to the ear, that the masses had liecome used to having life and its great pioblems visualized for them. I realized that the screen had become a strong medium for good as well as for evil, and i said lo myself, 'why cannot I make use of the same instrument that the exhibitor uses to lure the coin to the box office, lo further the good work that the church seeks exhibition was marked by great appreciation of this splen- didly made picture. Pennsylvania churches are to be given an opportunity to join in the "within the church" movement for the adop- tion of the motion picture as a means of giving a more universal appeal to the church message. The movement is endorsed by the heads of the leadintr Protestant denomina- 20