The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-02

| Inc Cosmopolitan cDaracter OF mOuern Jour-
nalisih finds no better illustration than in the
interest given to religious matters by the daily
press So long as journal was mere news
letter, orpostboy's budget or gazette of facts,
its opinions were idly regarded Even when
journalists began to extend their mission, and
to attempt the education of public opinion by
editorial comments and essays, the natural
tendency of all discussion was political IL
was felt that nothing so much concerned the
people as the strifes of politicians for ofhce OF
the debates in Legislative assemblies
journal became the organ OF some party or
sect-the expression of the policy or ambition
of certain public men, 1t lacked justice and
impartality because it spoke with passion
and was more or less dependent upon the
pleasure of the party whose Will 1t obeyed
But journalism has grown into profession,
with recognized duties and responsibilities
Every day its sphere broadens and embraces
newer fields of thought
Some time since the HERALD, obeying this
law of growth, felt that there should be q
closer relation between the people and the
ministers of religion. We have large body
theology, the arts of speech and composition,
the Scriptures and moral laws, and who,
under the discipline of UNCONVENTIONAL
organizations and as teachers Of various
creeds, are efficient and unselfsh agents
of civilization. In fact. nothing more
distinctly marks the progress Of civiliza-
ton than the respect and honor paid to
the sacred calling. In the old comedies and
sketches of society and manners no fact is
more marked than the disrespect shown to
the clergy. The clergyman was little more
than a servant-a companion to his
master in his cups when none better
offered who left the table when the custards
came, and played cards with the butler, and
sometimes went to Jail for debt, and was fortu-
nate if he married her ladyship's maid. Com
pare the pictures Of clerical lite which we find
in Swift, for instance, with the lives of clergy
men to-day, and we see at once the pro-
digous stride we have taken in our
regard for divinity and divines. We
cannot help feeling that this advance, this
amendment of feeling, really shows healthier
and better religious sentiment, more respect
for morals and good works, and consequently
higher tone of civilization. Thackeray, in
one of his books (the ''Virginians, if we re-
member correctly, noted that he never OBJ
served more purity of speech among men and
more virtuous and seemly behavior among
women than in America. Is it too much to
say that this is one phase Of the progress of
religion in America?
We speak Of religion in general, not de-
nominational sense. There is religion not
written ID books-which we take to be the
sum and essence Of all that has ever been
printed-a religion based on reverence and
honor and truth. We do not mean the special
creeds which come from Athanasius or Lu-
Their or Calvin or Knox or Wesley, but
faith which embraces all of these creeds. The
kingdom Of creeds is kingdom without
limits, and the soul may wander in it for ages
only to find barrenness and thirst. We be-
heve we shall approach perfect civilization
as we eliminate and reject creeds and phrases,
aud accept their divine substance-charity and
love. All the tendencies Of modern thought
lead to this happy consummation. We do
not fear the spirit Of inquiry as the enemy
of true religion. True religion finds its
truest life in inquiry. When creed
breads examination, when any church
| shrinks from the sunshine and the air, it
becomes sepulchre and not temple.
| Within it lie buried human hopes, aspira-
tons, trustfulness, patience, belief in
Christ's mercy. And if nothing SO blesses
and strengthens State as true religion, SO
nothing brings upon it shame and disaster
more rapidly than the religion of lies and
forms and false pretence While as lovers
of art and worshippers of the beautiful we may
regret that religion in the United States has
not found expression in cathedrals like West
minister and Cologne, we have better and
more comprehensive faith, which comes from
the diffusion Of intelligence and thought, and
which we sometimes think brings US more and
more together and towards the realization of
that perfect time when the lion and the lamb
shall lie down together and the sons of men
will believe in one Church.
In this growth what part is taken by the
press? No daily secular journal can achieve
any special usefulness and have any concern
with creeds or church discipline. Into the
thorny paths of such controversy we have
no wish to penetrate. But what the HERALD
began to do some time since, what journals
in other parts of the country are doing
now, and notably what the Tribune is
doing, really represents an alliance be-
tween the pulpit and the press. In other
words, the press gives the pulpit an audience
far exceeding the congregations of Wesley or
Whitefeld. Eloquence even under the most
favorable surroundings, has limited sway.
The words of the orator reach few
hundreds, at best thousand or two, and die
away with the millions of other words idly
spoken from hour to hour. We have little
more of Whitefeld than tradition, and what