The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-25
Its Marvellous Power in
Spreading knowledge.
II Is Far More Potent Than Is
the Pulpit of Today.
Discourse by Rev. Wallace Nutting
at the Union Church.

"Thc Newspaper" was the subject CT
Rev. Wallace Nutting's sermon at the
Union Congregational Church last even
ing, and his text, Mark XVI, 10: $50 Ye
Into All the World, and Preach the Cos
pei TO the Whole Creation"
The newspaper is in position to do
this, said the reverend speaker. There
fore, the command is TO do 1t. 1t was a
recent subject of debate in our lyeeum, al
ii has been in lyceums for many years,
whether the pulpit or the press was the
more influential. Time was when no
one would question the superior influ.
ence of the pulpit. l understand that the
decision on this occasion was In favor OF
the newspaper. 1t would he tremendous
task to compute the number of papers
sold, and therefore read, in the world, in
one day. Generally speaking, 1t may he
safe TO say that the newspaper Is read by
many fold more people, and by each
reader many fold mora extensively than
all other matter--books and periodicals
combined. Ii may be considered, there
fore, the most marked feature OF modern
times. The railroad Is used daily by
comparatively few. The telegraph 10 not,
as at present managed, at least IN this
country, OF avail often to the average
man. Even the postotfice Is not fire.
ouently Tatronized by many who read the
paper. But the paper daily makes use OF
the telegraph, TO the ends. OF the earth, 1t
goes by special trains, or ct least some
conveyance. literally everywhere; IL uses
the postotiice, II employs an army OF
special distributors, until directly or In
directly II requires as many persons to
collect and distribute news "a are engaged
In pulpi.s as avowed preachers OF the
gospel. Several times as many men are
engaged in newsglving as are engaged In
protecting us in our army and navy. The
profession of a soldier Is not so large an
idea in the minds OF young men as the
profession OF telling part OF the world
what the other part is doing. And the
abolition of the newspaper would be
keenly felt by millions who these days
seldom see soldier.
The immense power of sirgle indi-
vdual TO disseminate news Is almost
startling. Ia a recent contest l believe
that one man by the use OF a type.setting
machine placed 20, coo odd ems in print
able conoition in short days work.
The quantity OF this work would twice
fill country newspaper; II would be as
volumInous as 10 sermons, and would
perhaps go to 100, ,001 readers.
A paper represents more elements In
its makeup than any other phose of civil
ization. Capital, mechanics, chemistry,
art, the channels OF physical and slectri-
g ccmumnicstion; the results of science,
the T sources OF language, the best pro-
uuc,s OF logic ana Imagination, the
human factor rom the head eoitor to the
newsboy, all these, and multitude
more elements enter in. In publish
ing house of tha first class are brought
together the telegraph, the telephone,
the typewriter, the stock clicker, the
pneumatic tube, the electric light, some
hines the phonograph. There IS the po-
litical, the legal expert, the literary man,
the artist, the detective. the critics OF
drama, sports, and fashion. Here mem
ory must be keen to avoid the republic
eaton of matter already printed, and in
vention to seek out some new theme OF
interest to treat. Here is school for
courage, tact, persistence, alacrity. For
the newspaper man must do his best,
every where, anywhere, and DO ~ quickly.
Above, sit men at that wonderful en-
giuc which at one touch OF he finger
takes q mould, oa'ts type and sets 1t In
a solid line. Below, taking the great
rolls of paper from the forests OF the
north, roars that ponderous machine that
prints and folds we know not how many
thousand copies in an hour, for while
we speak OF 1t the record OF Inventions
accom- plishments are constantly surpass-
ing themselves.
We cannot generaiize about newspaper
men, except as we may OF all humanity
by saying that they are sinners. To
glorify them, or as Is often done, TO
stigmatlze them Is foolish and meaning
less, since all classes and conditions Of
men are engaged on newspapers. But 1t
is nevertheless true that the public have
more reason for interest in the character
OF newspaper men than in the character
OF any other class whataoever-ciergym
not excepted. For 1t is through these
men that we see the world six days, at
least, in the week. They are The lers by
means of which we must gain our ideas.
Further they have the cover OF pointing
the glass in any direction they please, and
in n manner they compel US TO look at
what they think fit OF show. 1t follows
that il there is a stignarism in these men
they will make us "ses crooked;' objects
will appear distorted to our vision. In
other words II newspaper mon tell lies
am IN danger OF believing them. That
they should always tell the truth Is
matter of the most vital importance TO
me. And inasmuch as they furnish the
bulk OF the material for our mind mes
tication l am interested to obtain the
food properly rich, as free from poison
and indigestible ingredients as possible.
IL Is unfortunate therefore that this
mediuni--this newspaer man-is some
times formed by influences, many OF
which are demoralizing.
Most of the force work nights. In the
they, more than day workers crave stimu-
lants. "he persons whom trey meet In the
streets are not so likely 10 be OF rospcc-
table character. Nico is abroad, sad the
alluring aide of il becomes the more bold.
Tle force works under pressure. Lawyers,
burdened ministers and such classes
share with newspaper men the danger OF
nerve exhu ustiOn that tempts TO narcotics.
opiatcs, intoxIcants, and erratic courses.
il Ia beyond my province ond knowi-
edge to say whether the subjects OF this
discourse bear temptation more or less
pian fully than other men. But think
am right in saying that they need moral
sturdinCss more than any othsr large
class, and that a weak man consequently
goes under the tide more quickly IN
newspaper work than elsewhere Tee
highest credit Is therefore due to those
who succeed in growing old not only
gracefully, but with Chrlsuy grace, IN
the newspaper profession. The reporter
and the editor, IN their capacity as news
gatherers and sifters come I'm contact VITA
the scam that rises To the top ~ society's
secthlng waters or the sediment that
gathers thickly az the bottom. With the