Christian Standard advertising: a look back at ads in Christian Standard
Christian Standard advertising looked very different in a 1918 issue—from trusses and “iron” pills to puffed grains and church supplies. As Christian Standard again accepts ads from ministries outside our company, this note explains what’s different today and how the policy works.
- A 1918 issue featured everything from Standard Publishing resources to unusual health remedies and household products.
- Today’s ads will be limited in space and focused on ministries serving Christian churches and churches of Christ.
- Advertisers are limited to 12 ads in any 12-month period, with contact information provided for inquiries.
By Mark A. Taylor
A 1918 issue of CHRISTIAN STANDARD landed on my desk last week, and I couldn’t resist looking for the ads. It was full of advertising from Standard Publishing: everything from Sunday school curriculum to baptismal certificates.
A century ago: remedies and resources
But sprinkled among the Christian education helps were remedies of another kind:
The “Brooks’ Appliance,” a “modern scientific invention,” featuring “automatic air cushions,” and designed to replace the “obnoxious springs or pads” in trusses.
“Pepitron,” a “chocolate coated, pleasant to take, easily assimilated” pill promising to put iron in your blood.
Something called nuxated iron, recommended by William R. Kerr, Chicago’s former health commissioner.
Puffed wheat, puffed rice, and corn puffs from the Quaker Oats Company.
There were Christian products from other suppliers, too:
“Pipe tone” folding organs from the A. L. White Company and similar instruments from the Bilhorns Brothers in Chicago.
Church bells. Motion pictures and projectors. Bible pictures.
How Christian Standard advertising works today
The ads bring a smile as they picture American life at the beginning of the last century. And, as Christian Standard once again accepts ads from ministries outside our company, they prompt me to explain some differences between our ads now and those appearing so long ago.
- For now, we’re planning to give only one page per issue to ads. This will be page 2, where Standard Publishing’s ads have run and will continue to appear some weeks.
- Our ads will be only from ministries springing from and primarily serving Christian churches and churches of Christ (no pills, no church steeples or software, no puffed wheat).
- Some advertisers have chosen to place one ad. Some want to advertise frequently. We’re limiting advertisers to 12 ads in any 12-month period.
(Kentucky Christian University, in last week’s issue, was the first advertiser under this new policy. You’ll notice Church Development Fund filling the spot this week.)
After just one letter sent to a number of schools and other parachurch ministries, almost all the ad slots are filled for the next year! We’re pleased these ministries agree that is one of the best ways to share their message with leaders of Christian churches and churches of Christ everywhere. We believe the advertisements will help us fulfill our mission of keeping church leaders in touch with each other.
If you’d like more information about advertising in CHRISTIAN STANDARD, just contact Jennifer Holder at one of the addresses on this page. If you have iron-poor blood, though, be assured we’ll never claim we can help you!
Author: Mark A. Taylor
Mark A. Taylor, who served as Christian Standard editor from 2003 to 2017, retired in June 2017 after almost 41 years with Standard Publishing (Christian Standard Media).
