, 1876-01-12
METHODIST MINISTERS VS., sUEnAY Pa
PERI

We regret to observe that at tho regular
meeting Of the Methodist ministers On AIon.
dny last, in the discussion Of the question
"Aro tho churches making men conscientious
in moral conduct?" there was disposition
on the part of tile clergymcn present to hold
the lnymcn responsible for reading Sunday
papers. We shall nil tho more regret 1t if
tho 1aysncn are SO influenced by this discus
sion as to give up the grcat moral and rolig-
ious agency Of paper like THE SUNDAY
Tribune, and for the following reason TuE
TRIBUNE which is printed on Sunday morn-
ing is largely devoted to religious intelli-
gcnco. In point Of fact, more spaco ia de-
voted to this class Of nowh than to my other.
1t is selected with tho utnlost i.npartiality,
ITO single denomination being given
the preference over my other. All
tho great religious movements and royivals
rccoivo notice. Tho general spirit Of tho
religious prcsa OF tho country Is represented.
Intelligence from tho churches is published.
Arguments and replies upon religious topics
aro given in full. A directory Of the churches,
sermon, and namo Of pastor, is printed, and
wo observe with pleasure that cur Methodist
brethren arc as prompt as my other donon,-
inatlon In having their churches represented.
Such comprehensive array Of religious In
telligonce cannot bo found elsewhere. THE
CHICAGO TRIBUNE OIL Sunday printa more re-
llgious nows tl1nn u religious newspaper does
In three months. 1Yo have no disposition to
bclittlo erelgioas press, but they necessarily
| present but oue phase Of the class Of intelli-
genco to which tl,uy arc devoted. The Moth
/ ouist newspapers present Methodist uews,
| tho Baptist, Baptist news, aud 80 OH. OF
course, TIE TRIBUNE makes no proteuso to
! compete with them aa moral teachers. It is
not It's sphere to preach religion, hut to pre-.
sent news. It cannot dictate what sllall be
done in tho church, or tho Sunday y-school, OF
praycr-meoting. 1t only tells what takea
placo In thcna. 1t is not expected Of Tnz
TRIBUNE that 1t shall pronounce itself as in
favor of this dogma or opposed to that. II
can only inform ita readerB of tho poBitionf
assumed by others, tho nature Of their dis
cussionB and the outcome Of their arguments
It must steer its way inpartiall3
among all the sects whether Christian
jewish, Pagan, or Mahommedau, pre-
sonting the facts, figures, and statistics
leaving the religious papers to common
upon, advocate, or controvort them.
therefore presents MI the news from MI o.
the churches. TLis the religious newspaper
cannot do; frat, because they are published
for special interests, aud second, because
they have not the machinery for co!lectin!
the news which IL gathered by usnl, ex
changes, telegraph, and reporters Now, t.
restrict tho Methodist laymau to Methods
paper giving only Methodist news, by cuthp
him OF from tho secular, Sunday paper, la a1
act Of injustice, ind, besides this, is 1t not n
ilin,lt to >the intelligence OF tho layman t
! presume that he can content himself with th
news from bis own denomination, and remai
in ignorance Of what is going on i
the rest Of tho warld2 But til
ministers will probably object on tho scor
TINT TEE SUNDAY TRIBUNE prints secular new