The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-05-17
Entered at the Office at Richmond, va, as
second-class matter.
coRREsPoN;DENoE.
The Religious Newspaper.

lIessrS. -EdatorS,-The religious news
paper has been aptly called, Tie Pulpit
on the Wing. Its wide and rapid diff
fusion likens it to the angel having the
everlasting gospel to preach, whose flight
is from land to land, proclaiming the
truth to greater numbers than can be
gathered within the sound Of any pas
tors voice, no matter how popular he
may be. This makes the position of the
editor one of such influence and RESPONSE
bllity. 1t is this which should give to
his paper an eminently spiritual charac-
ter. What he publishes goes into the
hands of multitudes who are providen-
TALLY debarred from contact with the
living minister of the Word Many live
IN regions destitute of the ordinances OF
the sanctuary. Others at such a dis
tance from any church as to be fre-
quently prevented from attending by
the extreme cold of winter and heat of
summer, or by the storms which may
shut them up in their homes at any sea-
son of the year; and to all the religious
newspaper furnishes the reading which
IS oftenest reserved for the Sabbath day.
How important then, that it should con
tain more than secular news, more than
ecclesiastical intelligence that it should
not only inform the mind but speak to
the heart.
1t is because you seem to keep this
end in view, Messrs. Editors, that I read
your paper with both pleasure and profit.
| have access to larger papers than yours,
but not to one filled with a larger pro
portion of articles, original and selected
which [ read to edifcation.
10 illustrate exactly what I mean,
will say that [ regard your frequent ex-
posure of the scientific assumptions, hos
tile to revelation, so common in our day,
as most timely and necessary, especially
to the young men who are so easily led
astray by the false lights (which lead to
bewilder. and dazzle to blind" And
to be more specific, regard such edi.
torlals as the one in your last issue MAY
lOth) entitled, Not quite Saved," as
just what we most need.
There is no doubt of the fact that many
IN our congregations have come to con
slder the type of piety, demanding self
denial, entire conservation, and personal
activity, as presented by the apostles in
their letters to the churches, as quite i'm
practicable and not to be expected in our
day. Therefore when you take us back
and confront us with the old standard
when you expose the danger of self-de.
ception and the utter worthlessness OF
a formal profession when you show that
the gospel which comes to men in word
only and not in power, is delusion and
a snare, and that those who do not, "sc els
first the kiagdom of God, are not seek
ing. 1t In way either to save their own
souls or the souls Of others, you are doing
timely and needful work.
AS one of your humble readers, de-
string to be taught, and loving, as 1 trust.
the gospel in its apostolic simplicity, /
am in sympathy with every effort to
guard it from the oppositions Of science,
falsely so-called, and from the more in
sidious perversions Of those who seek to
adapt it to the aesthetic, tastes and
mawkish humanitarianism Of the modern
press and pulpit. BREv1TY.