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damaged Flying Fortress streaking downward against a backdrop of blue sky and billowy white cloud, trailing a cloud of black smoke. Thè tract tells the true story of Lt. Matthew L. Vinson, who gives “The Man Upstairs” all the credit for his' • surviving the crash of his burning, bomb-filled plane into a heavily-mined, area. There are hundreds of others, of which even the most fastidious are proud—sound, evangelical, Scriptural mes sages presented with the best modern photography, art | work, color, typography, and layout. "The Best Thins >n Life” >. Even among streamlined 20th century publications, you have not seen anything yet if you have not held in your hand the delightful little “The Best Thing In Life.” Rated to date, Clyde Dennis’ masterpiece, it is the Good News beSt seller, having achieved a circulation of some two million copies in seven years’ time. "The Best Thing In Life” is a miniature, 2-page book let, 2" x 2 Vz /' printed in bright red and black inks on a good grade o f seml-glosS stock. Turning the pages one by one,, you will discover a séries of tiny, full-page re productions of excellent photographs, each one illustrating what thè best thing in life is not. Then, suddenly, about halfway through the book, you come upon the theme— - “But the best thing is TO BE SAVED!” There follows a clear, simple, artistically-printed presentation of the gospel. This little tract has everything—timeliness, human interest, beauty, an air of elegance, and a good, sound gospel message. And does it travel! During the present war a young American Christian soldier serving some where in North Africa, was confronted one day by a native carrying a copy of “The Best Thing” and asking to have it explained. Best of all, the sponsor of this booklet reports that he has had from it more evidences of persons saved and blessed than from any other of his four hundred tracts! A missionary on shipboard, bound for his field of service, dealt with thè ship’s captain about his soul, and, with the help of “The Best Thing,” led him to the Lord. Recently, young Peter Ackroyd, student at the University of Toronto, testified that he was saved through reading "The Best Thing.” For years he had been an agnostic without any sense óf personal sin or need for religion. One day a friend handed him “The Best Thing In Life.” Iti appearance impressed him. He read it carefully. It seemed to strike him “right where he lived.” The more he thought about its message of salvation, the more up set he became. Finally, he was driven to his knees in prayer. He put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ; he became a new creature in Him, and is now looking for ward to Christian service. What Kind of People Distribute Tracts? Perhaps you believe that Gospel tracts are distributed by religious fanatics, zealous Bible school first-termers, meddlesome critics, or sentimental old ladies. What a surprise awaits you! There is Queén Mother Mary of England, for instance, , whose lady-in-waiting regularly visits the Church Army’s bookstore in London and among the articles purchased for her mistress are a number of copies of the tract “Safety, Certainty, and Enjoyment.” These Queen Mary carries in her handbag to hand out as occasion permits. Dr. Howard A. Kelly of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, leading gynecologist in the United States and authority on scientific subjects until his death a year ago, was in the habit of witnessing to each of his patients and giving them tracts. Wilfred Jordan, an outstanding life insurance agent in Chicago, is an ardent tract user. He has distributed thousands of copiés of “The Quiet Time” by Alfred È. [Continued on Page 178]
Th4n she read Phil Welsher’s last letter home. She saw his magnificent courage and trust in the face of danger, suffering, and death. She knew she needed that kind of confidence. "I got down on my knees,” she says, and asked the Lord to take away the doubting and give me assurance. I can praise His name for evermore, be cause I do have that assurance in my heart now.” It Reached Florida Too George Kelly, a soldier, stationed at Tampa, Florida, received “Under Pacific Stars” from a friend and was definitely aroused by it. “This tract has caused me to do more serious thinking,” he wrote, “than anything else I have read.” 'He confessed that he was not a Christian and dsked Phil’s father to pray that he might become one. Welsher replied, presenting the way of salvation as Clearly and completely as he could. Several months later Kelly wrote to report that through'the tract, the letter, and his own reflection he had made his decision for Christ. The last report Indicated that he was assistant to the base chaplain at Morris Field, Charlotte, North Caro lina. In accordance with his expressed desire, one thou sand copies of Phil’s tract were sent him. Last November a customer of Good News Publishers, Chicago, reported that a 21-year-old deaf boy, convales cing in a New Jersey hospital, had been saved through reading a copy of “Under Pacific Stars” sent to him with a “Get-well” card. Add to these the dozens of soldiers, sailors, and ma rines who have been saved at the Pacific Garden Mis sion Servicemen’s Center through the combined instru mentality of Phil’s letter and his father’s witness, and you will begin to see why there are tract enthusiasts. Is There A Difference in Tracts? “But,” you say, “ this tract, ‘Under Pacific Stars’ must be different from most.” That’s right. It is different from the all-too-familiar leaflets many people know as tracts. Done with poor print, On cheap, yellowed paper, they remind one of noth ing so much as the sheets of doubtful testimonials that used to come wrapped around sample bottles of patent medicines thrown on the front porch. Content of these tracts, too, is often far removed from the experiences and language of life today—sentimental, melodramatic, the moral too obvious. Modern tracts are good-looking, arresting, interesting. If you don’t believe it, look at these, for instance: Here is a 16-page booklet, about 3" x 5," put out by the Student Welfare Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Mission Synod) for Lutheran young people. On the cover is an excellent photograph of a tail-spired, tree-shaded, white frame church, the kind one sees in New England villages. The title, “They Go To Church,” is printed in black and light green inks, with highly distinctive lettering. InSide, each page presents a manly, forthright testimonial re garding the value of church membership and at tendance, written by some person prominent in the professions, business, or government. Or, glance at this recent Moody Press tract called “A Soldier and His Bible,” the cover of which, a commercial photograph, done with khaki tones predominating, shows an enlisted man’s cap resting beside a black leather Bible. The leaflet contains an account by Lt. Col. Charles L. Hatch er, veteran of World Wars I and II, of the use God has enabled him to make of his Bible in meeting the deepest needs of men on the battle field. Or, take this Tom Olson piece, published by Le Tourneau Evangelistic Center, New York, en titled “The Man Upstairs." Portrayed is a >
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