The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-03-29
AGENCY OF NEWSPAPERS.

AGENCY OF NEWSPAPERS.
Just now newspapers are the form.
ers of our best Thought in certain re.
spects, and, in fact, the only formers
in some very great departments of
public opinion. We all know that
they have their evils and vices. but
we know also that they do an i'm.
mense amount of invaluable service
to the common veal. Thousands OF
educate men have no time to read
much else than newspapers, and on
their minds the greatest potency oi
the press is exerted. What though
there be some virus in these newspa
pers? If the sly poison slip intu
readers from one, they have the
quick antidote Of another paper to
undo the harm. Nor do they read
for themselves alone. They read
for the breakfast-table, for the fire
side, for the street cars, for the
counting room, and for every place
where men "most do congregate.'
They read to talk. to compare notes
to stimulate debate, and act on pub
lic.sentiment. No such influence, as
to it's penetrative and wide spread
ing operation, is exerted on the pop
ular mind. All our pulpits taken
together, although acting in a fal
higher realm and specially endowed
with powe- from on high" have nc
range like that of the newspaper
Its special vocation is to educate us
in current wisdom as to the affairs
of the cou..try in politics, morals
business, and society, and thereby
quicken and keep alive our patriot
ism, morality, and energy. This, a
! least. is it's ideals. Short of it
doubtless, the reality often falls
Short of it, it II av fail and yet dc
incalculable good. All we insist op
all that is necessary to our argument
is the fact that the newspaper, daily
and weekly, IS the main power o
creating and directing an enlighten
ed and cooperative public opinion
en- the vital issues of the day.
| POwER%nFHIND THE POWER.
The supreme power is Ghr'Stiani
tty. Without it, consciously or un-
consciously felt, the newspape
amounts to nothing as moral force
Whether we know it or not, th'
ground and reason for believing any
thing. touching our welfare ant
interest, is, at heart, religious
ground and reason. Men are neve
sceptics toward themselves. Human
nature is never disbelieved in, no
can it possib' y be; and hence, thu
instructive self. whatever appearance
marks the intellect and the passions
has its ineradicable sense Of obliga
ton to truth and godiiness. Now
the pulpit is the pulpit, the standing
place OF Gods messenger, and the
messenger is Gods word to the con
science. Yet God has manifold an(
numerous messages, not special,
given, and in many cases not giver
! to the pulpit at all. that he intend:
men to hear and obey. "1'here b
mdny Uoices' too many
room for all, an6 atmosphere
enough to vibrate to a goodly mum
Der besides what we have. AnC
among these "voices.' editors ar
TO pe designated as eutilled to very
special heeu. Providence has mucl
to say to US about government, abou
partisanshlps,and partnerships abou
evils in trade and commerce and
stated roughly, editors are providen
tial agents to see after moral inter
ests ON the humber plane of dali.
life, none the less vital, hc wevcr, be
cause in this lower sphere. If tn
pulpit has certain things to sa.
which the press cannot say, it i
equally true that the press has muc
to say the pulpit ought not to say
Yet accepting this broad distinctio
l between the two functions, they d
have, nevertheless, q meeting poi,
and a coincident and co, operative n
sponsibility in taking care of th
moral welfare Of the country. Heave
!. grant that they may see it! At thi
7 juncture there is most urgent nee
D for arevivol Of psorulity; for quicl
D ening of conscience in affairs of ba
: ter and sale for Pentecost, and e.
e pecially a sequel to Pentecost as it r.
CARDS the uses Of naoney.-Richm on
e Christian Advocute.