Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-12-13

paid for his services. The entire income
of the Recorder was pledged to him til
he should be fully paid. On these con-l
ditions he agreed to issue the paper.
Sidney Morse, son Of Rev DIR. Morse,
was selected to take charge of the new
paper. Mr. EFeFts, editor of the Pano-
pIiSt, father Of William NJ. EveFts of
this city, was to be editor-i -in-chief The
first number of the Recorder was pub
lished in January, 1916. Less than five
hundred subscribers had agreed to take
the paper. For four weeks fifteen hun
dred copies were printed. Mr. Willis
became alarmed, and pointed TO the files
Of the unsold papers. He was not paid
for his WORK, .ad refused to print an
other hunanef. DR.. Morse oferea1 "a "a be
responsible for all the expense. A new
printer was obtained. Mr. EVaFt left
the Recorder in the hands of his youth
full associate. In two months the paper
had exceeded the paying point. In FIVE
months it numbered thirteen hundred
subscribers. Willis wished to come back,
as the pecuniary success Of the concern
was made certain. A proposition was
made, and Mr. Morse, By an Instrument
still in existence as proprietor of the
Recorder, transferred it to Mr.. Willis
1t has been frequently asserted that
the Boston Recorder Is the Oldest relig-
ious paper in the world. Such is not
the fact. The first religious newspaper
was published by Rev elias Smith, of
Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The
first number was issued in 1903, under
the auspices Of the sect called Christians.
L has been published regularly from
that time to the present Complete files
of the paper are preserved. have Of
ten heard Rev. Elias Smith give an ac-
ceunt Of the early trials and discourage
ments that attended that paper. 1t was
considered almost sacFiiegiops to issue
religious print. The preachers regarded
the protest With disfavor. But the editor
saw no reason Why the church should |
not have an organ, as vel as trade and |
politicians. Amid poverty sad great
opposition the religious press was launch
ed, and has been success from that |
hour.
Mr. Morse left the Recorder in the |
hands of Mr.. Willis. The concerted |
action of the enemies of the church |
aroused her friends in all quarters. The
bloody battles of Europe were ended.
and Napoleon banished to Helena. On |
the wings Of peace religion was posing
herself for great fight. The American
board had just been formed. The Bible.
tract, and other national societies were
springing into existence. Far-seeing
men felt the need of great central organ
located in New York to be national in
all it's parts, catholic in its spirit, and
not sectarian--a paper which should
support the great institutions, and repre-
sent the spirit of the age. Young
Morse had already turned his eye to-
wards this centre. a society had been
formed at Andoyer some years before,
embracing the noblest spirits in the SEM
mary, most Of whom afterwards cell be-
meath the banner Of the cross on hesthen
ground. The object of this society was
to devise plans for doing good. Sidney
z. Morse, IN 1878, read paper at one
of these meetings, on the benefits to
religion Of an ably conducted news
paper, to be published in New York
whose influence should be on the side Of
the church. he proposed to make this
paper nsOsssity, being 90 ably soa. i