The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-02-07
The Sunday Newspaper.

on the Sunday newspaper. The observ-
ance of the Sabbath, whether from a secu-
lar point of view as a day OF rest from
work or from religious standpoint as 9
day of devotion, is considered settled
thing in the civilized world. People will
live longer and enjoy life better if they
cease from their usual labors one day in
seven than if they make their existence
one endless round of toll. That is gener-
orally conceded.
But peoples views differ as to the
manner of Sunday observance. That
would be ali right If the minority
did not seek to coerce the majority
into their mode of keeping it. Those
who take delight in Sabbath worship or
engage in it as matter of duty should
have the liberty of doing SO in their va :
rious ways and ceremonies. And those
who choose not to go to church but are
willing to subscribe to regulations for the
preservation of order and the right to rest
on Sunday, ought to have equal liberty
to stay away from church and enjoy the
rest in their own fashion.
The very large majority of people in
what is called Christendom like to read
their Sunday paper. THE HERALD. for
instance, is this city is part of the regu-
lar Sunday enjoyment of a great number
of peaceable and worthy citizens. Why
should they be deprived of it? The obiec-
ton to Sunday labor does not apply to its
production. 1t is not brought out by
Sunday work. A Monday paper could be
objected to with far more reason, because
the labor in it's production is largely per-
formed on Sunday, at night if not in the
daytime. We are not opposing the Mon
day paper by any means, but simply
showing that preachers who object to the
Sunday paper would be more consistent if
they assaulted the Monday paper on the
ground OF s'labor performed on the Sab
BATH
Is it not much better for people to read
a Sunday paper than to waste their time
in idleness, or in frivolity or in some
pursuit that would be an infringement OF
Sunday laws and regulations? If it is
urged that work is done in selling and
delivering papers, the answer is that this
is no worse than delivering milk or sup
plying any other necessity, which is per-
mitted in the closest Sabbatarian COM
munities. Any work done by few
which saves the labor of the many is con-
ducive to true Sunday observance.
Is not the preachers objection to the
Sunday paper chiefly founded in the idea
that it keeps people from church and that
it interests the masses far more than
sermon? Is it not jealousy toward the
Sunday paper because of its widespread
influence that prompts their attacks upon
it? There is no reason why the church
and the newspaper should not go hand in
hand for the benefit of society. Each has
its own particular sphere, but both can
work in harmony.
1.-THE newspaper is more largely patron
lied than the preacher, is it not because
it is made more interesting? And if so,
might not the minister take hint from
the paper? By presenting facts, discuss
ing live issues, seeking to impart infor-
nation and explaining the topics
of the times and their bearing
upon the future, would not the
pulpit become more attractive than it
is at present, and might it not be wise for
the pulpiteer to consult the paper and
treat in his way on subjects that are dis
cussed in the Sunday journal? That, it
seems to us would be better than denounc-
ing it, and the conventicle would become
more popular and beneficial to the masses
The extreme Sabbatarians do not seem
to comprehend the true meaning of the
Sabbath. They view it in the light of the
old Mosaic code which might have boon
adapted to the times for which it was
made, but is out of place in the nine
tenth century and has been superseded
even in the religious world by higher
and moro liberal law. s'The Sabbath
was made for man. That is good sense.
1t is for his rest. 1t is not to en-
slave him. 1t is for his happiness;
not for his misery. The idea that
reading anything that is not devotional is
a violation OF the Sabbath cannot be made
to obtain among thinking people who are
free from sacerdotal bondage. To look
upon the works of nature and also the
works of art is likely to elevate the soul.
Museums, art galleries, public gardens,
public libraries, should be accessible to
the masses on the day when they rest
from ordinary labor, and the influence
which seeks to shut them up is similar to
that which would stop the Sunday paper,
and is relic OF old-time Puritanic bond
age. 1t is not religion, but asceticism. It
is not Godlike, but savors of mans desire
to coerce his fellows into his way of
thinking and doing. The preacher, in
stead OF seeking to limit the peoples OPP
portunities for advancement, should en-
courage them, and what is there more
adapted to the work of progress and the
enlightenment of mankind than a good,
reliable newspaper? If it is s'lawful to do
good on the Sabbath day." it is right to
read good Sunday paper. If it is good
for Saturday, why not for Sunday? The
objections to it are iIl-founded and the