The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-08-14
THE MODERN PREACHER.
THE NEWSPAPER PULPIT-No PASSING ROT,
THE BEGGING BOX.
BY a. GAYLORD srALDING.

THE NEWSPAPER PULPTT-NO PASSING RoUSD
THE BEGGING BoN-
BY A. GAYLORD sPALDIS0.
1t is real handy, isn't it, TO put your
sermon in printers ink, and stand in
the Newspaper Pulpit? Figuratively,
let it be of rosewood, carved and gilded,
fringed and tasseled, for the workingmen,
the women, the common people. In
the past it has been different; but, come
to think of it, it must prove very great
economy, and why not try it: The au-
dience is like a banyan tree, spreading
round very loose and unlimited, and not
confined TO Sunday. This style of
preaching takes five hundred per cent
less money, and besides, it will go n
thousand times as far. Strange, that
the ministers do not adopt this much
superior method. by the way, must
secure q copyright Of my novel idea. }
II will save the fearful cost of such to-
tally dead and unproductive property as
Westinghouse, and so many sOciables,
and strawberry, and oyster, and ice
cream festivals to support them, and
the high salaries, and the constant an
noyance and burden of passing round
the everlasting begging bOx-so terribly
eating on the pinched, emaciated, hun
cry and starved little pocketbooks of
working people. The pith and substance
of all important essays and discourses
should go in the free and heroic newspa-
per, making it the cheap organ of eivili-
zation and salvation, which may be or
dained with the marked and significant
title Of the Modern Preacher, and all
newspapers may open a lively comPeti-
ton in the smart preaching business.
therefore hereby nominate and or
dain the NEW NORTHWEST as a Modern
Preacher for Humanity, Reform, and
Woman Suffrage. Won't il be queer
"a minister in the mail-bags! The
ever industrious and patient preacher
never stops, but travels quietly on his
weary, winding way, rejoicing and
happy, and takes by-roads and cross
roads, straight roads and crooked roads,
level roads and hilly roads, sandy roads
and muddy roads, rocky roads and
stumpy roads, snowy roads and icy
roads, jumping, and humping, and
humping all over the world.
From my present point Of lone, serene,
and meditative repose, my anxious
heart journeys out on the telegraphic
wires of Thought, through the groves,
fields, and ranches, and gulches, and
diggings of the far-off Rocky Mountain
State of Oregon, peeping into the hum
BILE and joyous homes Of many hard toll
ers, tillers of the soil, workers in shops,
and in the mines. They take the indie
pendent and progressive newspaper.
What reliable women are found in farm
ers' and workingmen's homes, for wom-
snly worth and character! They give a
charm and attraction to all that new and
wild country, and where the millennium
comes, its sweetest bliss and brightest
perfection and glory will be more than
half due to the women workers of the
world.
The modern preaching is a vast i'm
provement on the old. Its mission is to
hardy, honest workingmen and women,
and its doctrine, common brotherhood,
sisterhood, and equal rights, with unity
and corporation.
These are most wonderful times. The
scene is panoramic; and, as it moves
along, now fast, then slow, Kaleidoscope
beauties delight the eye. Reform, Poll
tics, Science, Railroads, Monopoly, Ex-
tortion, Workingmen, Women, The
Comet, Heather Chinee, Grasshoppers
and Potato Bugs are on exhibition.
Things are condensed and localized.
Streaks of light appear in the northern
horizon. Rainbow splendors stripe the
dark and boding clouds, and enchant the
prophetic beholder. What intellect,
skill, breadth and power, distinguish
the mighty manipulation! Who is he :?
Don't you know him? He is the pro-
found, pungent and eloquent Modern
Preacher, who casts all old style, old
fogy expounders entirely in the shade
of humiliation. He speaks to every
body once a week, every day and all the
time. Listen, o, good people
Now we return home. The peoples
hands are full this year-the women's
and the men's-(except the thousands of
unlueky ones just now thrown out Of
employment. Woman Suffrage shines
on the high mountain crest in the dis
tance, and the beautiful Land Of Promise
lies in the rich valley beyond. Cheer
up, brothers; cheer, o sister! The good
time is close upon us.
The ballot, the ballot! We hold in our hand;
| 'Tis Observation-Disclosures all;
And women should claim It in every land,
To raise them from want and from thrall.
Champlin, Mimi, August, 1874.