The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-04-29
Modern Journalism.

In an address before the Brooklyn
presbytery, Rev. j. M. Sherwood said:
at is well to bear in mind that the
religious weekly is no longer the sole or
chief paper that is read by ministers and
church members. This daily secular press
has invaded the fed, and is already omni-
present, aud almost supreme a, an educa.
tionsl power, not only in the state but in the
church, and for the most part tits character
lzed by greater enterprise and independence,
greater breadth of view and freedom
Of criticism in every department of thought
and life, tnsn we find in our church journals.
Hence, the religious weekly of to.day-as
every man of discernment and broad obser-
vatlon knows-is not the power it once was;
its opinions have little weight; its policy and
principles scarcely affect the religious
thought and life of to-day, while the daily
secular press is fast taking its place, and
gaining the ears and the hearts of the people,
and making its way into every household
every day of the week, not excepting even
the Sabbath; full of information, ready in
discussion; fearless, almost uA5fidled in
criticism, reviewing every current
question and phase of life, secular, social
political and religious, thereby educating and
controlling the great world by its potent
forces, and importing tie very existence OF
our comparatively feeble and shackled
religious weeklies. The chang is as mar
velous as it is sudden. l, 8ss easy to
philosophize upon the eau which have
produced 1t, but it is iaro Die to forecast
the effects of it on the ,,ous sentiments
ard character of the n generation. The
fact, however, suggests Tremendous possibli.
ties"
Nearly all of the great dailes in this coun.
try now publish Sunday editions, containing
not only the current news, but original and
selected matter bearing upon all the
leading topics of the time Thee topics,
sacred or secular, are discussed from the
journalistic or popular standpoint. The
dscussien is not always profound, and nec-
cessariy cannot be exhaustive, but it Is
intended to 30, and generally Is bright,
forcible, Ineligible and impartial. 1t is not
for the highly educated few, but the modera-
tely educated many; and its brevity and
clearness commend it TO them AS mere length
and learning would utterly fail to do. The
consequence is that nine-tenths of what we
people know concerning the most interest.
ing and important questions of the day Is
derived from this source. Nor is the Sunday
edition the only one which enters the broad
field Of scientific, religious, moral and social
debate. The others do so whenever occasion
required, so tbatthe supply OF this form Of
popular knowledge keeps pace with the
ever increasing demand. The reverend
gentleman whose frank and truthful
statement we have quoted does not overrate
the influence which such change must
work. " does indeed Suggest tremendous
possibilities" but that the final
results will DO benfcent we hsvo no doubt.
Modern journalism, while independent and
progressive in the best sense of the
W rds is also eminently conservative. Of
course there arc exceptions, but this Is the
rule. "A great newspaper nowadays repre-.
senls grest capital. Its propretors, setting
principle aside altogether, cannot afford to
weaken any of the healthy restraints VIII oh
wisdom and experience have imposed upon
society. They have their all At stake upon
the public peace and prosperity, and these
cannot exist when the restraints are removed.
Therefore, self interest, If no higher
motive, would prevent them from using
their columns for the circulation of perm.
cious doctrines, and such doctrines always
and their strongest opponents In the lead.
ing journals OF the land. On tho other
hand, al history proves that the gravest
danger to society lies In the Ignorance Of the
many-making them the willing tools OF the
few-the popular education which modern
journalism provides is q protection TO tho
social structure. It strengthens lie weakest
point, the foundation, BY rendering peril
GUS popular delusions, II not impossible.
at least short-lived. II teaches the people
not only 70 do their own thinking. but to
stand guard over themselves. II 10 al once
"guide, philosopher and friend" and may DO
safely trust In the most critical emergency.
Enanating from institutions which, M we
have sa'd, have the deepest interest In the
public welfare, this education 10 designed 10
mAir tain and enlarge that welfa,e; not,
perhaps, Ia accordance with the views Of q
certain sect, school or party, but In. accord.