Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-08-02

The Rev Mr.. Hartford, an English clergy
man, commcnds in a sermon the reading Of
newspapers, and especially to women. lie
says:
And let me especially urge the reaiing Of a
newspaper as a distinct means Of self-culture
upon women. Itmay sound strange at first, but
| think It almost more important to women
than 10 men, and for this reason men gong
out into the world from day to day, are pretty
sure 10 be swept up 10 the level of what is pass
ing in it whether they read the paper or not.
but it is not SO with women. They, in their
quiet, household lie, may 20 on for weeks
hardly hearing a word Of what Is passing in the
great world outside, snd the little they do hear
conveying no living meaning TO them. think
this is q great evil II NOT only nsrrows the
range Of woman's life, but she loses great dea
Of the happiness Whioh would come Of intellectu-
al c0mpaniJnship and community Of interest
with men-Wi,h a father, brother, or hus-
band. Is il not too often the case that the wife
and husband live, to some extent, in different
worlds OF thought and interest Part Of this
may be attributed TO mans incommunicative-
ness, but part Of the cause lies deeper. Ii Is
because women are so seldom educated TO take
an interest in what Is going on in the world
around them, aud so ar unable without tedi-
Gus explanations, 10 enter into the news which
each week brings from every quarter Of the
globe. | would put it 10 women rot TO depend
on the explanations AMI comments Of men, gen
orally given, when al all, in brief phrases, but
to read the newspaper as a distinct and 10 them
especially an important part Of selfculture
And read 1t Alright, not by voting politics and
foreign news bore, but by keeping an open eye
and an understanding mind for the passing his
tory Of nations and the great interests which
are stirring the heart Of the world There are.
on the other hand, things in the world, and they
are related IN newspapers, which are not calcu-
lated to enlarge the mind, but minister. instead,
TO gossiping, morbid curiosity, and sometimes
indeed to arouse deprayed feelings. But news
papers reflect alike the worlds light and its
shade. To the pure, all things are pure, while
the impure will find everywhere things which
will make him more impure. There are some
who 60 through the world like vultures, looking
out for garbage and corruption; they will find it
in newspapers. As they Will find it everywhere =
While speaking Of the value Of newspapers as
agents IN Christian civilization, the preacher is
careful not TO omit TO mention their use as edu
Gators, teaching hOmely, practical wisdom 10
whole classes, who, but for them, would be M
the mercy Of every clever demagogue or every
gust Of popular suffering or passon.-Best. per-
haps, Of all the uses of newspapers in the gener-
al culture Of society Is that in which thew kee,
alive and encourage a quick and wholesome
sympathy among men. 1t is not the small pos
SIP Of neighborhood, it is the Joys and sorrows
of the world, that are brought 10 our verv doo,s
from day to day in the newspapers Tbess
thrills Of sympathy come right ath.art our
aaiiy hie-an element Of deeper and diyiner
ieeiins' Tor which God be thanked