The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-18

Shall He Read the Sunday Sun?
1t is proper that We should give serious
consideration to these questions, PROFOUND
ed to us by friend III this town:
a. sa Christian justified in taking the Lords day
study scientific and political subjects and to amuse him
self In reading jokes gossip and fashion notes:
I'll. Will no get any hep from tho Sunday papers L
explain the Word OF COD Sunday school class t
profit under tho preaching from the pulpit
"" Ill Would you advise Christian TO read the Sun
day papers If he wishes TO attain to high standard oi
holiness or usefulness in tho church,
II our inquiring friend thinks that q
Christian should be recluse, with his inter
est engaged in spiritual and heavenly con-
siderations only he should not read THE
Sun Of Sunday, for it is journal Of this
world, OF its thoughts, activities, ambitions.
enterprises, and opinions, full Of life and its
vigor, searching and stimulative suggestive
and provocative of intellectual exercise. 1t
deals with the high questions OF philoso-
ply and religion, but it also surveys the
whole sphere of human concerns, politics.
science amusements, social intercourse, the
strife and competition of life, and its play
full side, so essential to sane and happy de-
velopment.
But if he does not read THE Sun of Sunday
because OF ascetic religious opinions, he
ought not to read a newspaper on any day
of the week. He ought to follow the example
OF the Russian crank, TOLSToI and keep
himself as far as possible from the struggles
OF men to get ahead in this world, and be
content with enough for bare existence. He
should give up all ambition. except the
=.
thoughts should be on heaven and not on
this earth, unless to lead others to Join with
him in despising the gains and the pleas
urcs OF a fleeting existence. He should be
citizen Of the other world, temporarily So
journing in this under the captivity Of the
flesh. How to do good to others and not to
win good for himself should be his sole
meditation.
But The Sun Is not published for such re-
cluses, though even they will find much in
1t. and on Sunday more especially, to feed
their minds and LIT up their souls. It Is
made for the great mass OF society, strug
Cling to get the most out Of life and to put
to tho best use their every faculty, with in
terests of infinite variety, and demands for
all sorts Of knowledge and information. II
and fashion notes, they have an appetite
which they possess in common with
mankind generally. Even our serious
friend. probably, Jokes occasionally him
self, and on Sunday. too; and little neigh
borhood gossip is not wholly distasteful to
him as he walks home from church with the
brethren. Very likely his wife has at least
q passing interest in the spring costumes on
the street. even il her absorption in her de-
Votions and the eloquent sermon has pre-
vented her observing them inside the tenn
pie. At any rate, she gives due attention to
the fashion OF her own garments before GO
Ing out to the place Of prayer. Nor do we
blame her. She would not be the charming
woman she doubtless is if she did not do so.
Our friend himself probably spruces up a
little even on Sunday and perhaps more so
than on ordinary days; and the sermon
gives him a ilrst-rate appetite for dinner. OF
which he partakes with the Zest OF n man
Tor whom the things Of the world have not |
lost their attraction. The day through, his |
thoughts. probably, are more occupied with |
earthly concerns than with spiritual medita- |
lions; and il he spends great part OF the |
time In idleness, they are pretty sure to go |
astray In forbidden ways or to be occupied |
with petty matters, both spiritually and in |
tellectually depressing and Improbable.
II he takes in THE Sun with its rich Sun |
day feast. how different will be the case with !
him! His outlook will be enlarged 80 that |
1t will include the whole world of human ac- |
tivities and interests. He will obtain nour- |
ishment for the mind and sustenance for |
the soul. He will be brought into closer |
sympathy with his fellow beings, and
will learn to understand them better, SO |
that he can the more profltably perform his |
duties as Sunday school teacher. He will !
know what tho boys arc Interested in, and
no can turn the knowledge to good use In
his religious instruction. They will see that
he is not dreary old fogy. but man alive
and with his eyes and ears open as to what
Is going on about him. BY all means, every
Sunday school teacher should read The Sun
OF Sunday as preparation for his labors.
Nowhere else will he get 50 much help 80
explain the Word Of COP" to his class
Tho sermon, too, will bo moro valuable to
him. and ii because OF inclemont weather
or occasional illness he is prevented from
attending the services OF the sanctuary, he
will always find good sermons In THE Sun.
30 that tho deprivation will not seem so
severe. Tho minister. too, will get moro
suggestion out OF its pages than out of his
theological library; and 1t will assist him in
the preparation of sermons Of moro telling
effect. The Sun is a first necessity OF tho
clergy. and therefore they read it more care
fully than most other men.
Do we advise Christian to read THE Sun
of Sunday II he wishes to attain to q high