The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-19
EDITORIAL BRIEFS.
BY REV. I. M. ATWOOD, D. d.
Canton. N. Y.

the statement may not be absolutely ju-
dicial-that editors are paid less than
any other class of professional literary
men from whom regular work is expect
ed. The publisher of paper we are
speaking of secular papers-ge generally gets
thrifty and frequently becomes rich; but
the editor uniformly remains poor. This
has led in recent years to the attempt on
the part Of many aspirants for editorial
honor to unite publishing and editing in
one and the same person or firm. In the
country, where the editing is a second
ary consideration, this plan works we'll,
and in the city, with the great journals
where many hands and heads divide the
labor, it works we'll. But great mass of
our papers fall between these extremes.
It is here that the poor editor grinds, and
is at the same time ground, exceeding
fine.
-Congregationalism makes good
showing in New Haven, the seat OF it's
great university. The first church was
founded in 1889. For two hundred
years there were only three. Now there
are fourteen. Yale College was founded
in 1700, but for sixteen years was located
in the adjoining town of Saybrook. The
third church was not organized until
1926. At that time the city of New
Haven was little more than large vii
lage. Now it numbers eighty Thousand
inhabitants and has, beside the fourteen
Congregational churches, forty four not
Of "the established ORDER" The Oldest
and most famous church has for pastor
the well known leader in the New Theol-
ogy movement, the Rev. Newman Smyth.
The second church organized in 1742,
has another New Theology man for pas
tor, the Rev T. T. Munger. But there
are several strong representatives of the
old theology in the New Haven pulpits,
notably DR.. j. E. Todd.
The Governor of New York refuses
to sign the bill repeating the half-holi-
day law. The intent Of the law is in
dispute. The Governor contends that
its object is to give workingmen, clerks.
shop hands and others confined in doors
during the week.. a few hours of secular
time for open air recreation. The friends
OF the law think that the effect Of its OBJ
servance would be to reclaim Sunday
from the abuse into which it has fallen
as pleasuring day. Persons shut up all
the week feel an almost uncomfortable
impulse to go into the streets, parks.
fields, and to the various open air resorts
on Sunday. II they could get out Sat
urday afternoon, it is said, they would be
ready for proper use of the time of
Sunday.
"A majority Of the Legislature have
not been able to take this view of the
half-holiday law. They say that it de-
ranges business; that only small num-
Der of the classes for whose benefit it
was enacted avail OF its opportunity; that
it cuts off income from both employers
and employees; that it is great inconven-
ience to the general public; that the law
isa "dead letter" over the greater part of
the State; and finally, that cit is a piece
Of demagogy. We have long been
of opinion that the observance of Sun.
day depends in large degree on the
way in which Saturday afternoon and,
particularly Saturday evening, are spent.
But we are not clear whether the Satur-
day half holiday helps or hinders.
The acute practical suggestion is
made by writer in the Advance, that
in presenting facts and figures large use
should be made of comparisons. To re-
port that parish raised and expended
$4,000 last year, means much less when
standing alone than when followed by
the statement, that the same parish raised
$1,000 the year before. "The art of
making figures talk is simply the art of
contrast, comparison, and inference"
Arrays of figures are only then "dry"
when they awaken no interest. Contrasted
or compared with previous figures, or with
those supplied by other churches, they
become at once deeply interesting and
suggestive.
The question of a woman ministry in
the M. E. Church must wait until the
question of admitting women delegates
to General Conference is more favorably
viewed than by the majority of the pres
ent Conference. The policy of a larger
lay representation is making some prog
ress in the NJ. E. Church; but one is sur
prised at the preponderance of conserva-
tive sentiment in body 30 filed with the
popular spirit and SO responsive. The
proposal to limit the term of the bishops
to eight years is not likely to be received
with favor. Already the politics of the
Church, incident to the choice of bishops,
are a menace to its religion. II the terms
were for eight years instead of as now,
for life, that would convert the whole de-
nomination into prolonged caucus.
If those ministers who, under the
impulse of resentment, allow themselves
to preach hot and bitter farewell SER
mon," would reflect what commentary
such an act must be on their Christian
character as well as on their spirit, they
surely would leave out all the hard
words. The love he has borne this peo-
pla. the intimaeies he has enioyed. the our.