The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-19
Pulpit and Press.


/ the pulpit at the great ecunemical
Methodist conference in Washington the
other day there was apparently much
diversity OF opinion among the ecclesiastical
brethren as to which is the more powerful
in the molding Of public opinion. Merely to
discuss the matter in that way indicates
a recent great modification OF views on the
part OF the ministry who have heretofore
manifested an inclination to leave the
press altogether out Of account and regard
their own influence as superior in point of
importance as well as in potency. Yet the
reverend gentleman who discussed the mat
ter with the most liberal aud intelligent
understanding was frank enough to admit
the advancing strides OF press influence as
we'll as to confess that it has all been
acquired without the aid or even the espec-
cial good will Of the church or the clergy.
Therefore the same gentleman's sugges-
ton that the church should cultivate closer
relations with the press is indicative of con-
siderable sagacity. Moreover it shows that
he is not one of those religious men who
do not know the signs Of the times" and
whom the good doctor recalled to the as
81
condemned. To bs good one need not essen
TALLY be stupid.
But just why the Rev. Editor Buckley
should have thought it needful to wall over
the necessity for accuracy in the religious
press in order to sustain his plea that the
church weekly paper has more influence
than the great modern daily is a trife OBJ
scure. Daily papers have made no claim
upon superior influence. They are not
given to contending over such immaterial
questions. Their policy is generally more
in favor of Saying nothing and saving
| wood. as it we're. They are satisfied with
their position and prospects in the
world. While they are probably
not inclined to repulse any sincere and dis
interestedly friendly overtures from any
source they will try to scuffle along with
out them in case they don't voluntarily
como.
| Concerning the intimations and outright
statements of the reverend gentleman that
the most influential of journalists are ag-
nostics the MORNING NEWS ventures to
hazard the opinion that from a re-
hgious standpoint such an assertion
was really not good thing to say
aside from all question as to its nccur-
acy. 1t was taatamount to an admission
that there was not strength enough in
religion to hold the ADLER intellects of
journalism. Still it was grossly incorrect.
Few journalists are there that have notan
appropriate degree of reverence for what
ever is really religious whether it consists in
the tendernessof maternal devotion or the
worship of the Divine Trinity. But there is
SO much of human frailty and duplicty that
they are quick to penetrate receptions
of all kinds and they detest hypocrisy in
any guise.
If the pulpit really desires the aid or CO.
operation Of the press in an earnest endeavor
to make the world better let the ministry
begin by wedding out the disciples of Dives
whose alleged peccadilloes are too often over
looked simply because they contribute lib
orally to support the church. Such move
ment would be regarded as an earnest Of
good faith.
No one could expect dog 20 be very
aggressively watchful if he was constantly
fed from the hands of the depredators he
was placed there to restrain, ii one may be
permitted to use an homely smile.