Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-25
BY A CLERGYMAN.

LIE dutHor OIL In Ills steps has
been asked to edit Western news
paper as he thinks Jesus would do 1t,
and number of Brooklyn pastors, in
session assembled, have approved the
idea and wished prosperity to the en-
terprise.
Mr.. Sheldon's guide, it has been
stipulated. must be the Gospels Of
Matthew, Mark. Luke and John, and,
allowing somewhat for freedom of in
asnllclpate some OF the new EDITORS
ideas.
The thought of Jesus editing a news
paper is not SO foreign to His career
as might be supposed. There we're no
newspapers In His day but the preach
CTS sucn as He took the place to some
extent of the modern newspaper. In
Luxe, VIII, |. it is stated that Jesus
went through every city and village
preaching and showing the glad It'd
inss OF the kingdom of God.'' He told
the people theNnews as He understood
II. one difficulty, however, which the
modern editor who should attempt to
shape his paper according to the exe
ample of Jesus would meet lis that the
times ana conditions under which Jesus
moved and acted were far simpler than
ours ana while human nature has not
Altered very materially since then. be-
ING actuated by the same passions and
the same ambitions, life has taken on
complexity which could hardly have
peen conceived of nineteen hundred
years ago. Still, much can be gathered
from the deeds and thoughts with
wnlch Jesus is credited in the Gospels
IN the first place, Jesus would have
useu Illustrations in His paper, for His
addresses are all remarkable for their
wealth of Illustration, and if He coull
nave published his glad tidlngs" In
newspaper He would have the lilies
OIL the field and all that long line of
teachings which are treasured nv.
young and Old alike for the power OF
their imagery. He did all that Ee
could then-now lie would draw the
pictures and include them in His arti
cles OH right living
1t is really surprising, when the Cos
pesl are studied with an eye TO ascer-
tanning what subjects were touched
upon by Jesus. TO see how varied md
modern are the matters of His lis d disu
courses and the application of His par
upies. lie recognized the value of
publicity for preserving morality. IF
lie were alive to-day none would bo
so ready as He to recognize the value
OF the great newspaper to the commune
i.y IN when 1t is published. We need
not wait for the Judgment day now to
realize. His dctum, Whatsoever We
nave spoken in darkness shall be heard
In the light, and that which We have
spoken in the car in closets shall he
Kill. 81. '"uNe'
Would Jesus have published SUNDAY
newspaper? If the expression of His
opinion as found In the GOSPELS counts
as an indication we are termed To be-
lieve that +. would have done so
lie did not hesitate to heal men on the
sabbath (John, viii, 23), saying:-"It
IS lawful to do well on the Sabbeth
day (Matt., xiii, 12), and If He preach
cd and healed on the Sabbath He
would not have hesitated TO publish
Ills newspaper, His preaching and
healing in print, on the Sabbath. Mr..
Sheldon will issue n Sunday edition OF
the paper of which he is to act as cdi
tor for week, and he has the best
Scriptural authority therefor.
Nor would Jesus edit and write EIis
paper entirely alone. for even in His
day He had a staff of assistants in
the twelve apostles that would make
quite an effective editorial and
reportorial staff on His modern news
paper. He sent them out to do His
work among men and preach His
doctrines, and the instructions given to
them might serve as q model to His
follower to-day. He selected His dis
ciples from all walks of life, just as the