Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-09
Tho SUNDAY Pannr.

That was a most interesting discussion
which was had recently in the Episcopal
Congress. in Boston, as to Sunday secu-
lar newspapers. The discussion left the
impression upon the minds OF the hearers
that the Sunday paper had come to stay.
But whether that paper has come 10 stay
or not, we must all admire the canGor
and courage Of Rev. William Kirkus, D..
D.. of New York, who dared to tell the
whole truth in the matter. Better than
anything we could say on the subject Is
Or. k.rkuss penetrating argument.
amongst other things. he said:
There is one thing in a discussion like
this that is OF supreme Importance. Let
US be strictly and accurately honest. II
We really believe that the sunday news
paper is a bad thing. well, let US have
nothing TO do with it, and let US say so
with unbated breath and without Whis-
pcrilg humbeness.
But if We believe that It IS not a bad
thing-if We believe that Christian people
are justified. IL they think proper, IN
using the Sunday press as far as they
choose to use it-let Us not be daunted by
the opinions that have prevailed so long
by suryIvals Of Levitical or Mosaic icsis-
lation, which We know have passed away.
and will never reurn. Let US not pretend
that We are living under dispensatien
under which We do not light our Sunday
fires.
Let US be straiGhtforn ard and honest
about the Sunday newspaper.
But, why, in the name Of goodness ana
truth, do people take these papers? TIER
intellects are satisfied They are delighted
with the things they iind in these wonder
full illustrations. applause and lauShter)
They find the greatest pleasure, and they
seem to get Il general knowledge OF
craftsmanship, and they seem 70 get a
general knowledge Of what Is going on In
the great world of legislation and thought.
They get more of that by seeing the cut
Of the whiskers CT the various members
of Congress.
what is the use OF talking about de-
basing the intellects of people like that?
loud and prolonged laughter and APP
pause) DO you think there Is man
out of Bedam who is going to spend thou
sands and thousands Of dollars day IN
Issuing a paper which all the people who
read it will feel does not delight, but
insults their intellect?
There is no force in this country.
physical or any other, that compels you
TO take the Sunday papers; that sends
into your homes whole carloads OF
papers, and then tells you TO sit down and
read them from end to end. To read the
Sunday papers from end to end is an
impOssibility.
II don't remember anybody Of my ac-
uuaintance who does not take a Sunday
newspaper Qaughter, and l never knew
one OF those people 20 read the whole
paper from end 10 end. On the whole, /
believe the Sunday papers 10 be better
than the daily papers. They are somewhat
more serious In tone. in the way OF re-
views, and in the way OF the little ser
mons or sermonettss which have been
spoken Of. and In many other ways, snd
are trying, II possible, TO .aise the tone
OF the ordinary people far more than does
the daily press.
Let US remember that the great ma
jority OF Christian people In our cities
have decided that they are going TO take
the Sunday newspapers. These people have
a right 10 consider the subject. They
know what the Lords-Day is. they have
consciences and Christian feeling, and
they have pronounced their verdict in
the most unmistakable way. l again be-
seech you to deal with this question
honestly"
Is not DIR. Kirkus right? Is II not true
that a vast majority Of the Christian peo-
pie In the cities have decided that they
are going to take the Sunday papersl