The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-26
TuEsUyDAY NEWSPAPER.
Many who Oppose 1t Discuss on SUNNY
Inst what the Papers Print.

To Editor Of The Times.
sir.-Did you ever stop to think what
an immense deal CT sham and pretence
and nonsence Is mixed up with me cru
SADIE against ihe sunday newspaper
prav tel us what we talk about on
sunday. Is IL not about the very same
things we read in the papers-tne nap
usnlngs OF last week. and speculauohS 10
10 what will occur next week!
Somebody may possibly remark, l near
that DR.. Highhyer will preach at 81 AM
brose to-day. and there proDaDly must
of as will GO or somebody may say
Rev. MIR. Slowcoach will be at Calvary
church very few of US will be there,
fear. though possibly he VIII say just
what We ought TO hear But 90 on the
street In the cars, at the hotels, In our
parlors-what 90 We hearl-eager discus
sions as TO the merits OF different base
hall players-the beauties Of the last ger
man. the anticipated pleasures OF the
next society ball. how Mrs. Chaperoh Will
bring out the new debutants. the gor-
geous costume Of Miss Flora Mcfllmsey'
WHY sir. i'm one Of our churches a
month ago. four OF the dignitaries were
gathered about the pulpit at 10 o'clock
sunday morning, earnestly discussing
the American Tobacco Company, and the
slump in its stock Still later. every body,
| suppose in or out of the church, was
talking OF the Pace failure, and its con-
sequences.
A year or two ago. / was told Of sim
liar scene in one of our churches. Five
OF the chief rulers were assembled under
the shadow OF the pulpit, and eagerly
discussing-what do you think?-why
the Baccarack scandal, which at that
time. you remember. engrossed the public
interest to a large extent, on both sides
of the ocean.
Angels and ministers of grace defend
US Those good brethren possibly did
not know that there was a chlel among
them. taking notes and faith. he Will
print 'em may be
need not rehearse the old familiar ar
gumcnts I'm favor of the Sunday paper
that il affords US comparatively harm
less recreation: keeps us at home, and
out Of the influence Of worse indulgences.
/ speak now only of the Inconsistencies
of those good people who decry il and
rail against il, and wish 10 Danish It
altogether.
The preachers very naturally think
that their sermons are good enough for
everybody, and ought 10 be sufficient
both for information and recreation. I'm
fortunately, the perverslty of our human
natures is such that We are not easily
=
often i'm forbidden quarters.
have always thought that the news
paper furnishes the means for this plea
sure and refreshment as innocently and
with fewer attendant evils than any
other invention yet discovered.
But ! may be mistaken after alive
are very prone 10 believe what we wish
TO believe. our consciences yield very
readily 10 our desires. We are very apt
10 find fault with any law or custom
which interferes with our inclnations.
NO criminal ever felt the halter draw
With good opinion OF the law"
But in spite OF all this, and notwith-
standing our doubts and misglvings, If
we happen 10 have them. and until some
thing better is found let us have the
Sunday paper.
The world is very evil.
The times are very late,
Be sober and keep vigil
The Judge H. at the gate.
The Judge that comes I'm mercy
The Judge that comes with might,
To terminate the evil,
To diadcm the right.
Il. NJ. PARHAM.