The New York herald., 1870-02-27
The Herald aud Modera Rresress-Ass
Pioneer Preacher Of the Now Dispeasa.
ff0n.

We say II with modesty, but we say 1t, that no
great newspaper, either in the Old World or
the New, has so perseveringly devoted itself
to the cause Of human progress. Our success
is universally admitted, aud our success has
been our reward. Since thirty years how
changed is the face Of the globe, and how
changed is the face Of society Within that
space Of time the world has made more sub
stantial progress than previously 1t was wont
to make in centuries. Steam has worked its
wonders-bridging oceans, piercing the ever
lasting hills, making nations rich and man at
once more powerful and more happy. The
electric forces of nature have been caught,
tanned and made the 0bedient servants OF
human thought. The newspaper, aided by
every known force and by every swift
messenger, has worked its way into
many ':arcana," disclosed many mysteries,
demolished many idols, broken down many
prejudices and created healthful public
sentiment, which is now more potent con-
troller of human affairs than kings or armies or
religions With the triumphs Of these last
thirty years the New YORK HERALD will be
lastiugly and honorably associated.
Not resting from our numerous other efforts,
we have seen a field for our usefulness among
the churches. Hence our editorials on reli-
gious subjects and our miscellaneous religious
intelligence in our Sunday issue; and hence,
too, our reports Of the sermons and our photo
graphs Of the churches in the HERALD OF
Monday. It is gratifying to us to learn from
so many sources that our efforts in this new
direction are so heartily appreciated. The
clergy are delighted because their lights are
no longer to be hid under bushel. On Mon
day every conscientious pulpiteer who finds
place in our columns is amply rewarded for the
anxious hours and laborious efforts Of the pre-
vious week. The people are delighted; for
not only are they no longer compelled to rest
contented with the wit, the genius and the
eloquence or one divine, but they find
themselves feastng on the fat things
of all the best. The pious and the godly are
delighted, because they see and feel in
the HERALD mighty and effective preacher
of righteousness. The philosophers are de-
lighted, because, understanding the broad plat
form of the HERALD, and looking forward to
the result in the not distant future, they see
an end to the reign Of prejudice and error
We are not dissatisfied with the expression of
opinion and with the high hopes which have
been formed, and we assure our readers that
it is our intention to 60 on in executing the
duties of our high mission.
We have already seen some fruit since this
new thing was commenced. The fruit has
been satisfactory enough, but we look for
richer and larger. It is undeniable that in
matters Of religion prejudice has reigned too
long, and that no sufficient means have yet
been employed to break down the stupid
barriers which still separate men who can
walk together on all days Of the week but one
and who can sit together anywhere but in the
house of God. The reproducing of the Sunday
sermons in the Mondays HERALD cannot fail
to have a powerful effect in breaking down
those ridiculous prejudices and in making men
feel that there is good in all creeds, in all
confessions and in most forms of worship.
Catholics, Protestants, sUntarians, Trinita-
rians, Baptists, Methodists, Jews and all the
rest will meet face to face, and in spite Of
names will find themselves brothers. Unity in
matters religious and in sense never before
thought possible will become characteristic
of the human race. Against the powers of
and no longer against each other,
their forces will be directed. This is one good
result, but it is not the only. 1t has long been
growing characteristic of these later times
that the world was departing from the
Church-that the Church was comparatively
powerless because the world could not be
reached. By large and growing masses of
men the power Of the eloquent sermon was
never felt This will no longer be possible;
for our plan bridges the gulf, and the reader
of the newspaper will have no choice but come
under the preachers power. The HERALD
will thus not oaly be preacher itself, but it
will help to create liking for sacred scenes
and services and for the worship Of the
temple. On preachers themselves our
Monday reports will exercise healihful
influence The able and the Industrious
proper level and the success Of the deserving
will force talent Of the right stamp into the
pulpit. We shall be greatly disappointed if
we do not succeed in stimulating the pulpiteers
whom we have. We shall be equally disap-
pointed if we do not ill the pulpits in time with
higher class Of men. In all the churches we
shall seek out and do honor to genuine ability.
There is no good reason why our divines should
not rise to the highest level ever attained in
all the past or in any land. The general
character Of the services shall be as carefully
attended to as the thought and style Of the
preacher. It is our aim to give material aid
to the cause Of all true religion; and it will
surprise MS if in all the directions just indi-
Gated we do not soon convince the world that
Il fail