Radio Broadcast (May-Oct 1922)

326 Radio Broadcast church, the radio department took it for granted that the Great Commoner's sermon would go out from the broadcasting station. The same day that Mr. Bryan came to Pittsburgh, his manager was approached regarding the broadcasting of the sermon. The request, supposedly a mere matter of form, was at once refused. This refusal was quite unexpected, but, as the manager explained, he was unfamiliar with radio demonstrations and did not care to risk the consequences, whatever they might be. The diificulty of finding a substitute was explained, as it had been announced in the newspapers and over the radiophone that Mr. Bryan would be certain to deliver his famous sermon "All" from Dr. Barker's pulpit that Sunday evening, but the manager was obdurate. Meanwhile Dr. Barker and Mr. Bryan were together at the Hotel Schenley. Neither one knew of the decision of the manager, and, as they were discussing the coming sermon, Dr. Barker said: " Do you know, Mr. Bryan, that you are going to have the largest audience of your career this evening?" "That's interesting," said the Great Commoner, " Do you expect your church to be crowded?" "Crowded! Indeed, yes," was the answer, "but my congregation will not comprise the whole of your audience. Most of it, you'll never see." " How's that?" "Why, don't you know, the pulpit is connected to a radiophone broadcasting station and your sermon will be sent out into the ether over a radius of several thousand miles." "Well, that's fine. 1 shall be glad to speak by radio," said Mr. Bryan. He did speak by radio, and his audience, as Dr. Barker assured him, did number many thousands scattered over nearly all portions of the United States. Mr. Bryan delivered his sermon on Sunday evening, and by Tuesday evening more than 1500 letters had been received either at East Pittsburgh or at the Point Breeze church from interested radio listeners. The statesman was greatly astounded at the size of an audience which would write a minister or public speaker 1 500 letters. He had occasion to leave the city for two weeks, and, when he again returned, he found more than 5,000 letters addressed to him. This completely convinced him of the sincerity and interest of his radio congregation, as indeed it would convince even the most skeptical of the size, intelligence and interest of this wonderful " invisible audience." It is safe to say that the letters almost convinced the manager of the benefits to be derived from a radio lecture, or, as in this particular case, a radio sermon. There should be little difficulty in getting Mr. Bryan to speak by radio in future. This little incident in which a sermon brought forth 5,000 letters is proof that a minister using the radiophone as a winged messenger for his teachings, will wield a powerful influence over an immense territory. The radio minister reaches people he could not get in touch with otherwise. Radio carries the Gospel right into the home, there to sow its seed and bear Christian fruit. All manner of people are reached by these radio sermons. This fact is clearly shown in the following typical letters to Dr. Van Etten. These letters were picked at random from a collection of several thousand received by this minister, and are quoted verbatim. The names and addresses are omitted for obvious reasons. Heard in Ohio Columbus, Ohio, March 27, 1922. Dear Sir: I heard your entire service, from the ringing of the church bells to your closing hymn over the radiophone at my home last evening. It came through so loudly that 1 had to cut out some of the amplification. Your enunciation was perfect. 1 did not miss a word of your sermon and was only sorry that 1 could not join you at the gathering at the Parish House after the services. Yours very truly, From Illinois Joliet, 111., Jan. 24, 1922. My dear, dear Father: You will be surprised to receive this letter and I know you will excuse me for taking the liberty of addressing you, but last Sunday night, January 22, 1 heard every word you uttered about Bishop Whitehead and his forty years of service in your diocese, the prayer which you delivered, together with other prayers that 1 have often read in our pra\er