Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-29
EDITORIAL NOTES.
The way to do it.

Nbl many
,sK. Beecher preached memoria
sermon upon the mother of Mark Twain
n his own church at Elmira, n. Y.
"a account of sickness Mark and his
r;f. remained at home in Hartford, ct.
iOO miles away. But telephone con-
osetions we're made the entire distance
q that they sat in their room and lis
,.red 10 the sermon as it was delivered.
This we believe, surpasses anytfeat Of
ne kind that has yet been performed.
The feat, however, great in itself, is
reater in the possibilities it discloscs.
We 10 not see why it may not work a
mmolete revolution in the process of
ooi0g to meeting. The idea here put
INTO action can be enlarged almost in
definitely. The minister can remain
IN bis study, the sexton can warm the
church, turn on the telephone and go
home. The congregation can assemble,
tbe old ladies bring their knittino, the
Young ladies their embroidery, the lit
de ones peanuts and Goding's candy
and the festivities can move right along
without disturbing the minister. Or,
what might be regarded as an improve
nent upon this, telephone could be
pu into each mans pew with the wire
extending to his own house, and the
minister and choir could go to the
church and perform their parts while
be families of the parish could assem-
|bh in their respective sitting rooms,
| turn the faucet and listen to the stream
that came pouring in. If
| he music disturbed the serenity of wor-
|sip, or the sermon grew tiresome or
|heetical it could be shut off at orce
without jarring upon the sensibilIties
|dihe minister. A better arrangement
hsn this would be to have the wires
extend from the minister's study to each
house in the parish and thus do away
|viih the Intervention OF sections and
meeting houses. The offices of a min
teT could be performed in the homes
Eathe people, but as these are growing
Is, there will soon be but little need |
minister on account of them-wed-
|ngs and funerals can be attended by |
|ephone, babies are playing out, par
vislts are perfunctory and tiresome.
means of the telephone the bound
mes of parish can be enlarged. We
e no reason why one man could not
the preaching for an entire commu-
|ny. There will be no need of assem-
lies Of the people, no need of places in
|hch to assemble, and when these ex-
|tna signs OF sectarian differences are
|ci Of the way it will hardly be worth
he while to keep up the differences.
Tiher than this, such a telephone
Ysiem could be extended to adjacent
pnmunities, with an ever widening
|age. We don't see why it could not be
|Pphed to an entire state. Itwould be
Remarkably economical measure. The
ani might be expensive, but once in
inning order the State would need but
minister and the cost Of keeping
telephone plant in repair would not
greater than that of keeping a thous-
church buildings in repair. But
As by no means the limit Of possi-
achievement. What can be done
one State can be done in every State.
% what shall hinder that the whole
sniry be brought under one telephone
'en, and one man do the preaching
'he nation! Let some celebrated
'ine, DR.. Ta,mage for instance. be
a'ed at some central point and each
aaay morning connected by telephone
every community, and if desired,
. every home in the land. 1t would
better to listen in this way to his
mons than to read them in plate
2eF. The fact is, that in develop
ascheme like this we are only put
II force BeIlamy's idea. We re-
me measure as one of economy
magnificent scale. But economy /
Dot end here. Aside from the ex-
''e OF supporting preachers there is
expense Of Sunday clothing. This
'ofnous. There are vast quanti-
T.