The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-16
RELIGION and the Newspapers.

The Methodists in Ecumenical Conference.
who have been expressing so many misgiv-
ngs as to the interest Of the newspapers in
tho subject Of religion. might profltably
study the pages OF THE Sun during the
period OF their meeting.
Their Conference is held at time Of much
political excitement. It meets in the midst
OF holly contested political campaign, and
nowhere else is the battle waged more
fiercely than here In New York. The regis
tration Of voters in this town is much
greater than 1t has been at any time since
the last election for President. showing that
the popular feeling is deeply stirred and
the partisan spirit aroused to an extraordi-
nary degree. The great subject Of present
thought and discussion is politics.
Yet as the Methodlsts Of the world gath
cred at Washington read THE Sun they will
find. II they stop to consider the matter.
that large part Of its contents is devoted
daily to the subject OF religion. The pro-
ceedings Of their own Conference are re-
ported fully and published prominently.
and Whatever else Of importance occurs in
the religious world from day to day re-
ceives due attention. Yesterday. for in
stance, not even the political news was pre-
eented more conspicuously than the 40
counts Of that Conference. Of the conse-
Grafton Of Bishop BROOKS. and Of the meet
ing Of the American Board Of Missions at
Pittsfeld. That Is the record for single
day. but 1t Is typical. the current religious
news always occupying space and holding
prominence as its Importance requires.
Tho purely or professional religious pa
pers may give In more detail the news Of
the particular denominations Of which they
are the organs. but none Of them pre-
sents 90 comprehensive view Of the reli9-
ious world as may be found in THE Sun.
Even oil Of the information relating to their
own Churches. which is Of real interest and
importance to the membership. usually ap-
pears hero before they are able to give 1t.
As to certain minor matters, Of local. paro-
chial. and personal. rather than general
concern. they may be called newspapers:
but when It comes to the larger
affairs Of the Church they have no
right to the title. for they tell an
old story only. A Baptist. a Method
LIST. Presbyterian. an Eplscopalian. or a
Roman Catholic can get all the important
news touching his own religious family by
reading TIE Sun from day to day. and at
the same time he can learn Of what is going
ON In every branch Of the Christian Church
and among the enemies ranged against it.
he gets Q comprehensive view and profits
accordingly. Ho is like a General on an
eminence commanding the whole field Of
battle. instead Of soldier who can see only
what is close to him In the part Of the con-
test In which he ia engaged individually.
In religious discussion. also. the repre-
sentatives Of Methodism ct Washington
will not find The sun wanting even at
this time Of extraordinary political ex-
element. II they read 1t for that alone.
they will not be disappointed; and they
may get serious suggestions as to the
subject OF religion which will be more
profitable for consideration than those
they obtain from their own UNCONVENTIONAL
organs. They will also discover that ques-
lions Of religion are treated with the grav-
ity and elevation which the supreme inpor-
tance Of the theme demands. However
much they may disagree with us at times.
they will never be offended by fippancy
nor grieved by indifference and panied by
contempt. They will find that The SUN.
though not the organ of any religious party.
Is the champion Of all true religion as the
vital force In society.