The Gospel by Wireless/Press
Press Extracts.
Sermon by Wireless.
London Church Receives the First.
A temporary wireless aerial constructed by means of clothes props on the roof of a London church last night received what was stated to be the first "broadcast" sermon. The Peckham Christian Union made the innovation, and the sermon of the President of the Union (Dr. J. Boon), spoken into a microphone at the Burdette Aerial Works at Blackheath, was received at Christ Church, McDermott Road, Peckham. The sermon could have been, and, from messages received after, was, in fact, heard by "listeners in" within a radius of 100 miles from Blackheath.
At Christ Church a three-valve receiving set was installed and fixed to a table in front of the pulpit rails, and the words were heard with remarkable clearness all over the building. The church was filled to overflowing, and points in the sermon, which was preached from John iii. 16, were emphasised with extraordinary clarity. In the phrase "I believe in the Bible from cover to cover," the preacher's expressiveness was conveyed, and when he dwelt on the great faith of Christianity in the fact of God, the fact of Christ, and the fact of the future life," it was also unmistakable.
Seen by a Press representative on his return from Blackheath, Dr. Boon was particularly gratified to hear of the success of the experiment. "It was not the same as preaching to a congregation," he remarked, but I have no doubt it has come to stay. It commands a wide field in which to spread the Gospel, and although it has yet to be perfected, I am convinced it will prove a valuable means of bringing the Gospel into the very homes of the people."—The Daily Telegraph. Sermon by Wireless.
Clothes-Prop Aerial On London Church.
A temporary wireless aerial constructed by means of clothes-props on the roof of a London church last evening received a "broadcast" sermon.
The Peckham Christian Union organized the experiment, and the sermon of the President of the Union (Dr. J. Boon) spoken into a microphone at the Burdette Aerial Works at Blackheath, was received at Christ Church, McDermott Road, Peckham. The sermon was heard by "listeners-in" within a radius of one hundred miles from Blackheath. At Christ Church a three-valve receiving and amplifying set was installed and fixed to a table in front of the pulpit rails, and the words were heard clearly all over the building. The church was crowded.—The Times.
A temporary wireless aerial constructed by means of a clothes prop on the roof of a London church this evening received what was stated to be the first "broadcast" sermon. The Peckham Christian Union organised the innovation, and the sermon of the president of the Union (Dr. J. Boon), spoken into a microphone at the Burdette Aerial Works at Blackheath, was received at Christ Church. Peckham. The sermon could have been, and indeed from messages received after was, in fact, heard by "listeners in" within a radius of 100 miles from Blackheath. At Christ Church a three-valve receiving set was installed and fixed to a table in front of the pulpit rails, and the words were heard with remarkable clearness all over the building. The church was filled to overflowing, and points in the sermon, which was preached from John iii., verse 16, were emphasised with extraordinary clarity. In the phrase, "I believe in the Bible from cover to cover," the preacher's expressiveness was conveyed, and when he dwelt on the great faith of Christianity in the fact of God, the fact of Christ, and the fact of the future life," it was also unmistakable. In one of the passages heard distinctly the preacher said: "A dean said sermons were dull," and he went on, "they have no business to be dull, and if a man can only preach dull sermons he has no business to preach at all." The emphasis of the preacher was very pronounced.
Seen by a Press representative on his return from Blackheath. Dr. Boon was particularly gratified to hear of the success of the experiment. "It was not the same as preaching to a congregation," he remarked, "but I have no doubt it has come to stay. It commands a wide field in which to spread the Gospel, and although it has yet to be perfected, I am convinced it will prove a valuable means of bringing the Gospel into the very homes of the people."—Glasgow Herald.
Chaplinising the Pulpit.
The latest pioneer is Dr. Boon, President of the Peckham Christian Union, who yesterday had his sermon at Blackheath broadcast by wireless, so that it was heard "as distinctly as if he had been among them" by his own congregation at Peckham. In this way may the radio be a boon and a blessing to men in many places. No longer need we tolerate a dull preacher, for we shall be able to switch on the inspired and inspiring eloquence of some prince of the pulpit. But what is to become of the dull preachers? Who will go to see a second-class film if, thanks to the duplication and broadcasting of films, Charlie Chaplin is able to appear simultaneously in every part of the civilised globe? Who will sit out a second-rate sermon when it is possible to subscribe to the best preachers as easily as taking out a ticket for Mudie's Library? "My ambition," says Dr. Boon, "is to make this Church a centre for transmitting sacred music and addresses on Sunday evenings." We foresee the immediate formation of a League for the Protection of Preachers against the Chaplinising of the Pulpit.
Wireless Outfit in Church.
What Would the Diocesan Chancellor Say?
Widespread interest has been created by the fact that Dr. J. Boon delivered a sermon to his congregation at Christ Church, Peckham, last evening by wireless, from Blackheath.
Some clergymen see infinite value in "broadcasting" for purposes of propaganda. But opinions vary as to whether the system should be introduced as a common method of carrying on services on Sundays.
Canon's View.
"I personally have no objection to preaching by wireless," said the Rev. J. G. Simpson, Canon and Precentor of St. Paul's, to a Star reporter to-day.
"I see no objection to the method itself, because in quite a number of churches telephones are provided to connect the pulpit with the pew for the sake of deaf members of the congregation.
"Preaching by wireless is only the extension of the principle on a grand scale. But I am opposed to introducing sensational methods into worship, advertising and things of that sort.
Unlikely at St. Paul's.
"Needless to say, we are not likely to have either a transmitting or receiving instrument installed at St. Paul's Cathedral."
Other clergy think wireless would be useful on such occasions as meetings of the Bishops, such as the Lambeth Conference, when the Archbishop could speak to millions at once. But there are a few sceptics who wonder whether the new Chancellor of the diocese of London will be able to square a wireless installation with the Ornaments Rubric, and permit it as a part of the furniture of an ordinary parish church.