The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1898-01-01
ENEMIES OF THE SABBATH"

Recently two preachers have attempted
TO explain the lack Of worshippers in their
churches by laying the blame upon agen-
cies outside Of the church. One Of them,
the Rev. Hugh johnson, pastor of the
presidents church," In Washington,
laid much Of the blame at the door of the
Sunday newspapers, going so far as to
say they were IAN Institution that threat
ems to destroy our Sabbath day" The
other preacher, the Rev. Mr.. Cuyley Of
Brooklyn, accused the Sunday newspaper
and the bicycle as being jointly RESPONSE
BILE for q great part Of the falling of In
the attendance upon Sunday services In
the churches,
1t is charged that great many persons
spend the Sabbath at home reading the
large Sunday edition of the paper, when
they might be at church. and that many
Others employ their time on Sundays in
peddling along the roads instead of TAX
ing part In religious exercises. Has 1t ev-
er struck the complaining preachers that
the people find the papers more enter
ing, more elevating, more instructive than
some Of their sermons? There are OF
course, some Sunday newspapers which
live on low sensationalism and the influ-
ence OF which is poisonous; but, happily
the number Of them is extremely limited.
Those of that sort which have any circu-
lation worth mentioning could probably
be numbered on the fingers of one hand.
The vast majority OF the Sunday papers
are high-toned, and have as high concep-
ton of and careful regard for their duty
ty to the public as the complaining preach
ers themselves have. These papers are
the willing and powerful allies of the
pulpit. They spread useful, enlightening
helpful, Outstanding information among
thousands where the preachers influence
hundreds only. The papers are
Interested in the morals and the welfare
Of the masses, just as the preacher is.
The advance and broad-minded minis
ters Of the day recognizes the newspaper
as powerful aid in the work for the Cos
pei, and they preach upon the line that
The papers work upon. That is to say, |
hey make their discources interesting,
presenting the great truths In attractive |
Ind forceful form. They like to have their |
church members read the papers, since It |
and strengthens their minds, |
Ind thus aids the preacher in achieving
Ills end. The newspaper press entertains
yreat respect for the pulpit, and abors to
reat 1t with fairness, and to work In con-
Junction with it for the advancement of
The bicycle is also an agent for good, a
act which Is acknowledged by a great
many of the leading preachers Of the Cos
pei. 1t gives young men and young wo-
men need exercise 1t takes them into
he open country, where they breathe
iod's pure air and return to their homes
With clearer minds and stronger limbs.
1t keeps the youths from congrega ting
IN street corners, and getting into bad
company and bad habits. 1t keeps the
iris from lying in bed and reading trashy
r dangerous novels, 1t promotes COM
friendships between the young
'eople, to their mutual benefit. The wheel
5 an enemy Of drunkenness, and pro-
noter of good digestion, appetite and
health.
1t is very interesting, in connection with
he complaint Of the Washington preach
r and the Brooklyn preacher against the
sunday newspaper and the bicycle to note
N article In the New York Times of re-
ent date. 1t is to the effect that eight
hurches of that city, which are named
n the article, find great deal Of Difficult
y in providing accommodations for the
arge numbers Of persons who attend their
unday services. One Of these churches,
hat presided over by the Rev. Henry Van
)yke, has recently found 1t necessary to
id eighty new chairs to its seating room
he other seven are obliged to place tenn
orary chairs In their aisles frequently.
'he pastors of these churches Are not