The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-04
PRAYING FOR
PRESS WORKERS
An All-Day Session Of New
York Women.
Universal Petition 10 he Asked for
for the Elevation OF Journalism
Throughout the Land.


At the Second Collegiate Church. Len
OK Avenue and One Hundred and Tween
ty-third Street. New York. the Won
ans Union Prayer Meeting of Harlem
held an all-day meeting yesterday, be-
ginning at 1880 a. IN.
Mrs Burnell opened the exercises of
the day and introduced Mrs Emile ID.
Martin. national superintendent of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
Purity i'm Literature and Art Department
who occupied the morning session with
her address on THE Conquering Pow
err" She spoke of the love of God as
the power that is superior to all others,
because in the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union it had been its omnipo-
tence that had won every victory. Her
subsequent remarks were directed first
10 the individual; second. TO the people
at large. and, lastly. to the journalistic
world. and in closing she presented
Frances WIZARDS -Plea of Women TO
the Press" which she said. was the last
legacy left 10 her department by the dead
leader 1t reads as follows:
I'VE women. representing large groups
of National State and local workers in
the various lines of reform. philanthropy
and Christian effort. hereby present our
plea to those who control the daily press
of the United States.
I'VE are sincerely grateful for the in
calculable good that the newspapers
have wrought for our respective socie-
ties and in helping on the public veal
We know many of the disadvantages
against which they contend, but we be-
lieVe that. Notwithstanding these, to tell
the story Of today so as to make the
world more brotherly tomorrow is the
only right way. and would also prove ex-
pedient for all concerned.
The press is not Indifferent to the ele-
ment Of good will The humanitarian
character IF the best papers Is confessed
by ali fair-minded persons. and will. we
believe, continue to be constantly in
creasing factor: still in many cases. in
accuracy of statement, SeuSationalism
and undue space given 10 recitals of
crime and descriptions of brutal exhibit
lions make the newspaper a conglomer-
ate of influence thar we grieVe 10 have
come into the homes where our children
and youth are being bred for beneficent
lives
I'VE. therefore ask you. the leaders of
the press, to permit the influence of men
and women who above all things desire
the public good TO reach you by means of
friendly personal conference and to have
more weight with you than has perhaps
been practicable in the past Were it
known that any of our newspapers, great
or small had chosen to confer not only
with those who represent the political
and commercial interests OF the country,
but also with those who are the most
closely associated with the guardianship
Sof its homes, we believe there would be
a stronger feeling of confidence and hope
on the part Of those whose good will and
good word editors and publishers may
well desire to win.
We believe you viii receive this request
for we make it as your sisters, as pa
triotS. and as those whose desire and pur-
pose it is 10 think in the most friendly
way of the press. that great power which
has done measurable service for hui
man liberty and is one of our guiding
torches toward the better time.
The members Of the union prayer meet
they intended to call on all Christian
women throughout the land To join with
them in prayer for the elevation and pu-
rificatiOn of the press
The meeting continued all day, the
speakers being Mrs. ]. Fowler Willing
Mrs. J. Stanley Taylor. Mrs. +. NJ Whit
temore Mrs. Charles Ballou and Miss s.
r. Kendall.
Fanny Crosby was not able to be pres
eut, as she is sick Of pneumonia at her
home.