Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-10-13
Pulpit AND PRESS.
The Duties Of Each as An Educator
Purifying h Press.

The Duties Of Each as An Educator
Purifying the Press.
TO the Editor Of ne Rs9iaT;
For some time past / have had itin
mind to address you an article on the
above topic. But, as the discussion will
involve some delicate issues, | have delay
ed my purpose from time to tine, but
now I think the proper time has come.
There is evidently an issue between the
secular press and the pulpit and that is
which of the two is the more reliable
teacher Of public morals? On the one
hand it is conceded that in many respects
the pulpit has net been faithful to its trusts
and this has given 10 the press q great
moral advantage over it. While 1t may be
maintained that the pulpit is, or should be,
the true conservator of public morals, all
that the press may legiimstely claim, IN
this respect, may be justly conceded.
Now let rs understand exactly what
the press does claim-snd l think
| do not mistake in saying, that
it claims superiority over the pulpit
and to q certain extent this Is true.
| mean, that it has a much wider field ct
operation. In other words, thousands are
reached and influenced by the teachings Of
the press who cannot, in the slightest de-
gree, be affected by those Of the pulpit.
This does not imply, however, that the In
husncs Of the pulpit on public morals
might not be greatly increased.
Now if l understand the position OF the
secular press it is this: that it is the legit-
mate leader of public opinion in all re-
spects, in morals as well as in politics, sci
epce, religion, and in all other respects
1t is trae that this claim is not always kept
in the foreground; but it is seen cropping
out now and then, ard is only put forward
on occasions, when there is no danger OF
involving an apparent inconsistency;
But, practically, this is the claim OF
the secular press. l say practically, for 1t
must be conceded on the part of the press
that the charge Of unfsilhfulness lies al its
door as well as at the door Of the pulpit.
For what do we see? We see the press
psnderiDg to immorality-and this with
but few honorable exceptions-for. he
avowed purpose Of advancing its material
interests. 1T is business" rays the press,
our business, and we must attend TO that
first, evidently holding the question Ct
morals as one Of secondary Importance.
If the press were faithful to the trust
which it expressly or impiedly assumes, II
is conceded that it might WELD an immense
power for good. But as it is known to be
unfaithful in this respect, it often becomes
a question in the minds Of rightly disposed
persons whether it, as generally conduct
ed, is not more hurtiul than profitable 10
the best interests OF society. Whatever good
it may do, one thirg is certain, that It al
most daily operates as Q CT, at demoraiizer
The daily press, at the large commercial
centers, has become almost a public ntces-
sity, and yet many of its articles are OF
such q character ss to render 1t unfit for
home reading, ard to excite in the minds
of parents and friends the anxious inquiry
whether it would not be better to exclude
it enti-, " f,om the domestic circle than to
incur the risk OF bringing the minds OF
ladies and children within the range Of its
communicating influence.
Having said this much, it remains for
me to point out the only remedy which
conceive to exist against the evil influence
above suggested; and that is, let the better
class Of the community demand that the
press shall either purge itself OF its
iltb, or abandon its usurped
position o. 6 teacher of public morals,
Then LIT the pulpit 90 to work and engage
in a hand to hand struggle 10 regain ls
lost moral power. Let 1t also purge itself
of its many silly and worldly practices;
and then, if need be, lei it in solid phalsnX
antngonize TIE press. Let this be done
tesrlssslg boldly, persistently, and if do
not very much mistake, it would not be
long before the press would quail before
such an assault and return to a accent
regard to the moral sense OF mankind-
sensational business 10 the contrary ro'
. WithStsnding.
The secular press msy Justly be held
responsible Tor most CT the decentralization
and disturbances Of the present day, as
could easily be show and the
pulpit has the power, il it will only
combine and exert it, to administer
a rebuke to the press which will soon be
come manifest in Q s%tricter regard to the
demands of q sound Christian morality.
Talk Of the corrup'ing influence Of yellow
colored novel;" that Of the daily SECULAR
press is as as ten to one. We call upon the
pulpit, on the issue Of morals, 10 aRtdgO-
ni.e the press. and it will then be seen how
much of 10 legitimate moral power II sill
retains. As q matter OF sensatianslism the
press might, for a season. profit BY such q
course; but, as q matter Of moral principle,
and moral conquest, the pulpit would GER
taiply cepe OF triumphant. God is ontbe
side Of sound morals, and vheie lie Is
there is the majority
JAS. II. MCMECHEN.
WHEELING, 0ctobr II.