The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-06-29
The Religious Prcss-iss Character and
Circulation.

The Religions Press-iss Characts and
OrcuIssioa.
The religious press consists Of a large number Of
periodicals, Published in the principal cities of the
Union, and scattered generally abroad having their
specially confined to the religious wo u
We shall not undertake TO enumerate this press by
giving the names of its several publ cations. they
are very numerous, but the greater number are pub
lished here IN New York The ~hole weekly sircu-
lstion is. however, only about 10000 sheets per
week, while the secular weekly press Is 600 900
sheets per week; and the daily press equals neauy
l 100000 sheets per wesk, Of which more than
Oce-haf il issued by the New York HERALD estah-
lisbment.
These journals are severally put forth with the
special purpose of advocating the particular doc
trines OF the religious denomination which they rep.
resent. Each sect has its organ, In pursuance Of
the fashion of the times, according to which every
ana any sentiment, be it great or little wise Or
foolish, universal or special, soon as it finds o5g-
ment and obtains embo iment in q sufficient num-
Der Of persons and minds, must forthwith have Q
journal for Its organ, to support and promusste
The circulation of all such organs necessarily de-
and sentiments represented, and is large or small
according as the sentiment advocated is favored by
few or many. Hence the numerical strength Of any
sect or party may, in some degree be measured D,
the extent of the circulation enjoyed by lis organ.
As with the journals which represent political
parties some of them are undertaken by indi gduals
at their own risk, and some are issued by the body
or party; it is with the religious journals Some
Al L
and are clothed with certain degree Of official su-
thorify, while Others the offspring Of individual
relying on the zeal and numbers Of the
denouina for their support. None Of these jour
mails nave spontaneous circulation at 81 to be COM
pared TO the independent press such as for ample
the NEW YoRK HERALD. While tho independent
press has some difficulty, even with the most power
full steam machinery, to throw off daily copies enough
for its subscribers, and fast enough for the demand
the religious press-tbat portion at least which de-
ponds upon the spontaneous and enforced demand Of
the people-ves stnted and precarious life, and in
some cases hardly find readers enough TO support
its existence This fact would seem to indicate lot
that the private religioas sent ment or the dspoS-
ton towards religious truth is weak and small
among the millions of the people, but that the hold
which the religious scots possess upon the minds
of all kinds upon the great mass, is feeble
and in some measure forced. This is q
suggestive idea, which it would repay the
trouble of pursuing and following out, If it were
not calculated to lead far out of reach Of tine sub
ject we propose " inquire into. One important
consequence, however, OF this state of the public
mind we cannot for from noticing, and 1t ia this
namely that the great religious mind OF the people
is dissatisfied with the religious organizations and
corporations OF the day, and Is only held by them
with feeble hold, for want Of something better;
and that, If such men AZ the apostles should nov be
sent as they were formerly sent. to inaugurate BET
ter state of things in religion and Instruction.
they would in spite Of the opposition Of esta oshed
organz ATOMS succeed IN nroving the corrup
ton which has overspread the land n the article OF
religion. Perhaps such day and the hope OF bester
things are at hand.
The character and condition of the organized sects
called the rel gous world, are to be seen and DISCO
vered Ia the religious press. IL Is formed and con-
Quoted to suit the mind and taste OF those who sup
port il, and IL toerably accurate mirror ana glass,
reflt citing the mind and spirit of the religious
world. We propose, therefore, to consider some OF
the prominent characteristics by which Is strongly
marked and distinguished.
Contention, STRIFE and dlsputation are the great
characteristics OF the religious press.
The whole religious world in all its sects and
divisions. by means Of the press, set IN motion o.
each party, at constant with itself. The battle
and fight necessarily carried on in the very camp
Of religion. This state OF warfare among thsm-
selves in which not onlv sest against sect bat
even portion of one sect Is armed to the fight
against another portion OF the same sect Is papi
BILE proof not merely that In this Denmark there il
great "rottenness" DIT also that they cannot
stand. The whole houae must fall, and We are
doubtless the eve Of great revolution in 70
lgion. The religious house is 80 divided, and the
religious world s come to Ne such corrupt werld,
that every lover OF truth aud righteousness must
look for and long after O change.
Every body knows how bitterly and savagely these
several Journals Of religion fght against each other
We shall not give specimens of what so well known,
xf.ls ..~S
Is familiar. But II inquire into the cause Of
such wratbful ire in minds pretending 70 be eni-
nently celestial, the solution will be plain. Ii is
selfish contest between earthly un-ceestal men. for
earthly fame, riches, estimation and honor. The
sects are like opposition lines, which all Offer to
carry people to the same place, and the religions
press are the runaers, who try 10 pick up all the
customers they can for their special line To do
this Of course each runner cries down every line but
his own, aud pro ests that no one will safely arrse
Mt his journeys end unless he go by the particular
line which be recommends. Tue greater the oppo-
sition In, 80 much the more eager are these run
10 advance tho interests ~ their several lnss.
The fact is Ike other runners they have become
quite nusarce for like them, too, all they aim at
II 10 make as much as they Can for themselves.
This rude comparison OF ours APPLY explains the
cause OF the fighting and combatge character OF
the religious press. From the nature OF things II IL
INF lssbls that In religious matters any one sect
can ever be at peace with another and this Is true or
ell religious denominations whatsoever, which subsst
sno 1--we like any government, by taxing the people,
and which have an organization 10 support. AS he
strength OF any government consists IN the great
ne OF the population, so the strength OF sect
consists in It's numbers. Like government, IL has
It's officers and ministers 20 suppo &, and its posor
depends upon large number OF tax-pay ing people
The sects, tber fore, are like 10 many distinct go
vernmonts In country, each appealing to the peo-
pie for support and each zeslousiy irving Alter
the most people and the most money. This is gross
view OF such sodisdpf ceestits, but II IL true. All
that il most gross and uncelesti is to be found in
religious corporations.
IL lies in the natsre Of religious corporations or
sects 10 deprecate to contenn, TO decry and II pos
sible TO des roy another, for the strength add
power Of each ore depend. upon obtaining tie
concurrence and assent OF the greater NUMBER Of
people to it's views and opinions. The more adbe-
rents one of them can obtain 10 its views, toe
stronger ana the respectable IL a. But 10 in
dcc adhesion ~ lis views II must cessarily de-
cry those OF all other similar corporations Religious
corporations sects must therefore, be opposed TO
each other and therefore the religious press, which
represents Them must be, IL is, press militant,
a-As Il -. -.