New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-09-22
RELIGIOUS JOURNALISM.

ubereof was 10 be The DIAL and the nature relig-
ious. 1t was felt by the devout gentlemen who
originated this Great National League that
the influence of the leading London press
WAS detrimental to the cause OF sound evan
oelcal religion, and that the special need Of
the British public was good doctrinal print,
sort of gigantic tract, which, while not negeottul
Of this world, would not forget the next; which
sbould remind the British merchant at breakfast,
that eternity was approaching even if there were
an advance in conaos; and should assure the Brit
isb country gentleman, whatever improvement
there might be in the corn market, that all flesh is
grass, and that the scythe of Time is the only one
that ia never at rest. The purpose OF the League
was laudable, though not successful.
It was not successful, because the British public
failed to perceive the importance of this missionary
effort or else, perhaps, resented the intimatloD
that their enlightened minds were to be influenced
BY means which too forcbly suggested the moral
and evangelical pocket handkerchief provided for
the infanti.e noses OF Borrioboolagha. 1t was de-
termined by the Company that no number of the
new journal should appear till very large capital
paper in this country, was entirely paid in.
But two years elapsed and the capital was not
forthcoming Stockholders grew inpatient; the
spiritual noses so to speak-of the British lieges
were-if we may be permitted the expression
sadly in want of haDdkerchiefs, and those nasal
e1tremities were becoming daily more and more
inaamed by cont act with those immoral sheets, The
Times, and other London papers; and 80, although
the amount subscribed was but small portion of
the sum originally proposed, twas determined to
commence the publication. And it was COM
meuced with an unswerviDg faith, such as should
attend all religious enterprises that the subscribers
to the journal would soon supply all deficiencies
in the capital and that the business of publication
would become as successful as though 1T were
purely commercial enterprise and altogether OF the
world, worldly. The propretors, nevertheless,
have been sadly disappointed in their expectations.
Borrioboosgha newspapers orthe daily use OF busl-
ness men were found to be as useless as moral and
evangelical pocket. hsndkerchefs for the little saw
ages who wear no clothes, much less pockets, and
blow their nOres au naturel. Indeed, it might be
said that handkerchief with the Lords Prayer
upon it is not thing to be sneezed at, whether
in Africa or elsewhere; but the British public
evidently turned up their noses and sneezed in the
most defiant and obstreperous manner at this at
tempt to prolong family prayers all day long,
in the market place. the workshop, the office
and the counting room. And at last, The Dial,
tired of an unsuccessful speculation, has surceased
its self-mposed task preaching the Gospel every
morning to every creature at breakfast time andhas
merged itself in an utterly lay and far, profane
publication which has never aspired to be anything
but newspaper. 1t is evident from this move
ment that the proprietors Of The Dial know
"What's o'clock"
Now we beg the patient reader, who has fol-
lowed us thus far, not to suppose that we are
girdng and scofing at sacred things. Not at al.
In veperatiou and reverence for all things holy we
weld to none But we do not believe In making
them a matter Of trade. We do not believe that
those who in purely business transaction appeal
to the religious convictions or the religious preju
dices of the community either ought to succeed or
are likely to be stcce.sfu. They ought not to sue
ceed, because it is degrading the hottest senti-
ment of the human heart to be used for
purpose which, under the influence Of
such motive, becomes base and sordid. 1t is not
likely to be successful, because the commercial
spirit is prominently practical goes straight to the
point, and does not permit itself to be diverted to
what, in tie business in hand, are side issues.
Men have relations to religion, but they also have
relations to the world. The characters of all
of us should be informed by religious life,
and one good evidence that they are 80 is the
fsithfulness with which the duties of our daily
lives are performed. Men need in a daily
paper the intelligence of daily affairs. They wish
and they need to be instructed as to the events
of the world which may affect their business,
or which may affect their fellOw-men in their
worldly relations We believe this to be true of
the most devout. 1t is no reflection upon these to
say that they do not wish to carry their evangelical
convictions and their religious thoughts into their
Offices and counting rooms; and fit is reflection,
it ia none the less true that large class of SEEM
ingly devoutpeople have quite as much of religious
teaching as they wish on the 6rst day of the week.
and consider it to be rather an intrusion if it is
forced upon them the other six. There is wide
difference between the use made OF weekly paper
and that made Of the daily. The former belongs
to the family, and may very properly be made an
aid to religious reflection and serious thought.
But the latter concerns our daily life, is q
business enterprise, is reflection of the news, the
crimes, the amusements, the thousand and one in.
cidents which make up the daily affairs of the
world, and which are of interest to everybody. A
well conducted newspaper cannot ignore these, and
the mind instinctiyely reyolts at any proposed ad