New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-16
THE CHURCH AND THE PRESS.

THE CHURCH AND THE PRESS
~. Rer d. John Hal "a HnA-1re PyrsbysraR Church
1t the Fifth-ave. Presbyterian Church yes
terday the Rev John Hall preached the necessity
OF written communications In disseminating religious
truths showing the proofs OF evident plan the
preservation OF the various portions OF the Bible their
TO aud the great influence of the press
for good evil and the resulting need of supervision
It. The church fJll. even the aisles being
crowded The text was And when this epise is read
among you that It be read also in the Church Of
the Laocceans aud that ye likewise read the epstle
from LaodiCea." ColOssans. tv.. 49,
This verse. Dr. Hall said. has been the occasion Of
much discussion but speculation for there is not
much material for discussion the subject We can
infer that in his judgment great Importance attached
20 the method Of making known religious truth 10 man
KIND through the means Of written communications.
Un we stop TO think We do not appreciate under what
advantages we rest in having written revelation. God
thought u good 10 put into our hands written record
The very Circumstance that the Bible has been miscon
srued should make us feel its value. The Dtmations
in the BiJo OF such plan very many. One OF the
earliest these the In which God dealt with
he Ten Commandments. God himself spoke under
the most impressive circumstances wrote them
on tables Of stone, and then those stones were
broken. 10 wrote them again. The same
policy is observed throughout in relation TO Moses.
Moses told 10 write poem. that IT might be wit
ness OF GOD among the people. Ho was also commanded
20 write out the rules Of their fe and so we have the
Pentstcuch Joshua carried on TINS work. You can
hardly conceive OF any plan for the preservation OF any
looks among people like this. It is so constructed
that on other and secular grounds they had the
strongest for preserving IT, Some may say that
II IS not credible that people in their infancy would
be able 20 write ont such careful record that II was
forgery Of q later century. There time when
this might had weight, but all educated peO-
pie now believe the record, Then see PIE
xpIto attpY1s 90
% tue o ohIIiSn aTso' VIII penS vol
SO need not be surprised at the intelligence needed 10
keep these records In the later periods we find The
same process 40 work. The prophets told 10 write
for the good OF ccedng generations. In fact there
must have been one controlling mind which regulated
ana gave unity e. seo; @ SaRp0se Wv, we d
cumcisIOn. how much we should lose! How much we
should lose without the practical Christianity which
James exhibits. lie who is at with all shams II
had not PAM, how much the Church would lose not only
OF church discipline but Of doctrine! Then how much
should miss the gentleness, purity, tenderness and
maturity OF Christian life which We have in John
When we wisely consider these things we shall surely
conclusion that IL very important have
the diffusion OF truth through written communication.
Thus sii more important when To tue Church.
TIE and other writings Of men like Luther,
scattered broadcast throughout Europe, did great deal
To instruct the people and break down prejudice No
thinks will say that that work should have been
suspended. Suppose, for example, in the days when
despOtsm and love OF freedom were struggling for the
mastery tie Puritans had been in ignorance OF their
distinctive principles and the truths by which the fathers
OF the Protestant Reformation we're actuated HOW
little progress they could have madei They had
not tho indefinite feelings and sentiments which are
hand conflict. They the definite aud In gent
VictiOns which came TO them through the admirable
preaching OF the times end through the press. II you
ask now where are the fruits say they are TO be
Ihis Union This continent, and the reflex influence
which this nation coming 10 exercise upon the other
brought face to face with another form Of that despo.
sm that they had been ignorant and yielded TO mat
their privileges nOwf But they were not ignorant.
Gillespie and others talked printed. preached
u
scotland and Professionalism would nave gone out Oi
Europe
Look IN our own land. DO not suppose but that
and his family VIII be greatly influenced by the
newspaper which comes to them, not much by what
tho editors write ia their columns, but very largely
10y the faos Itch are presented in The reporting col
They can show what thew please, or keep out
what they please. According TO man knONledge of
facts he viii be Influenced. ana no will take for facts
what sees in the newspapers. Now the church has
quarrel with this she is content that 1t should
stop here, that tine people should receive only
secular knowledge She must take care that the
people daily processes Of education should know
Something OF spiritual and religious Things IL is no isui
VI the daily press that does not present the spiritual
and moral ftnngs. When 1t does 1t very often
bunders presents the wrong side There mas been
meeting out West. II they had spent two DAYS III
prayer, the press would have gyon them little notice,
The church owes much the press and should take
pains IA churches therefore, to this very same
agency which has such mighty power Ion the diffusion
OF the truth.
take it for granted that 1t with such convictions
ss these that the Board of Publication was organized
IL enough for TO say that II has been within three
years Teoganized II has come into the closest possible
within itself abundant capabilities for the doing OF great
good throughout the land. There two separate de-
psrtments. the funds OF which are not commingled
one Is the Publication Department, which dissem
mates the literature of this church. This pays
its own expenses, and more The funds
now to be raised TO be appropriated
10 what is called the Missionary Department The col
Ioreurs OF this department. 1855 in number, have been
through the country during the past year, praying and
exborting, selling books or giving them away 10000
books thus given away, and $4,000 sold. What Is
tho good OF this You these writings have revealed
you that Jesus the Christ and there are mutudes
On Ignorance Of that So should not labor 70 bring
them to this knowedgei Such blessings we shall gave
% these people and We must not forget that by giving
Ne arc laying good foundations in the whole land.