The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-08

quanneu Tor III ana TO be preferred to
ministers of other churches, and as in
terested to give them what is best for
them, surely the Church paper is his
proper co-helper and CO. pastor. 1t should
be first welcomed, and its messages
should be received into good and honest
hearts
1t is implied, in what we have said
that our Church editors should be men
IN character, ability, efficiency, and
Christian spirit at par with our better
class of ministers. They must under
stand their work and be able to do it in
an edifying and acceptable manner. An
editor, like bishop, must be blameless
vigilant, sober, of good behavior, apt to
teach, no striker, patient, not brawler,
gentle unto all men, must not strive, not
pulled up, not DESTROYS of vain glory, in
meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves. If he has not these good
qualities, or if he has these evil ones, his
paper will poison his readers. If the
editor is wolf in sleeps clothing, dis
solve the pastoral relation There is no
difficulty in finding substitute that will
be safe and healthful. In regard to this
matter the head of household is deeply
interested. There is great danger that
the editor, as silent pastor, may gradu-
ally and thoroughly infuse the hearts Of
his readers with the virus of his own
spirit. The pastor that cares for his flock
should see this danger.
AS to our own Church papers and peo-
pie, we are certain that less than half Of
our communicates are regular readers of
of these papers, and their loss is quite
apparent in their want of Christian Gull
ture and knowledge. They learn much
about politics and theatres, and all man.
ner of fashion, frolic, and wickedness,
but little of the Church and its work.
They differ from those Christians who
read religious papers almost as much as
those who carnot read or write do from
such as are educated Their ignorance
is apparent on all occasions. They can
not talk intelligently about our iu-
dicatories or benevolent agencies. They
know almost nothing of what the Church
is doing for the kingdom of Christ. Those
who know the profit OF religious Jour
nal are as much bound to hel p circulate
1t, as they are to exhort and invite
others, saying, Come, let us go up to the
house of the Lord" We are aware that
religious papers are usually self-support-
ing and therefore their claims for aid are
not often presented. We call upon Chris
tians to aid them, not for support, but
for usefulness, for the we'll being of those
who are induced to read them.
How strange it is that some ministers
pay no attention to this matter. There
are other ministers, and they are the
majority, who are always vigilant and
ever active, commencing, and circulating
religious papers and books, and every
way trying to increase the culture and
usefulness of all their people. They are
good pastors, feeding the sheep and
lambs, and guarding them against enc
mics. 4
1t must be very clear to every thought.
full mind that Church paper should be
in every family. 1t is as necessary for
the soul for its health and growth, and
as an antidote against that which is un-
healthy and poisonous, as is good food
for the body. And if there are those
who do not realize it, it is clearly the
duty of those who do, whether minister.
elder or Others to use every endeavor to
supply the de6ciency.-HeTa1da and Pres
byter.