The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-29
THOSE LAY SERMONS.
E. w. Howe to Present Them to
the Public Through the
State Journal.

While Rev. Mr.. Sheldon is showing
the press his ideas of it's model manage
ment, E. w. Howe, the famous editor
of the Atchison Globe, kindly volun-
teers to set forth, in six lay sermons to
be printed in this paper, long felt
wants in the line of improvements and
needed reforms in the conduct of the
pulpit.
The State Journal for years has
printed daily the ''Globe Sights many
of which convey bright thoughts and
philosophy touching on practical re-
hgion, humanity and truth, their keen
ness cutting into ShamS and their bril-
nancy exposing hypocrisy with line
or a paragraph, that is ofttlmes effect
i've where a long and labored sermon
has been without results, even before
the limited gathering within the
preachers voice. Mr.. Howe said in the
Globe:
I'm case the editor Of the Globe con-
sents to preach in Topeka during the
week Rev. c. NJ. Sheldon is running the
Capital, he will teach what Jesus would
have taught,
'TThe principles of Jesus are very
much like the principles of the Don't
Worry club; they are simple. full of hui
mainly and kindness, and all men can
accept them. The nonsense that has
found its way into religion, and over
war, and commit outrages. was not
taught by jesus; it was invented by the
preachers.
I'VE can prove-and will prove, in
case we preach in Topeka-that Rev.
c. M Sheldon not only breaches doc
trine that Jesus did not teach, but that
Rey. c. NJ. Sheldon. breaches doctrine
that Jesus positively forbade.
Instead of telling how Jesus would
run a newspaper, and making religion
ridiculous all over the world, Parson
Sheldon would be better engaged in
humbly trying to preach the common
sense, humanity and kindness that
Jesus taught.
"A special to the Topeka Capital says
the editor of the Globe is anxious to
become pastor Of Rev. Chas. M Shell
dons church during the week he is ed
iting the Capital Our proposition was
not to conduct Parson Sheldon's prayer
and class meetings, do baptizing, chris
tening, perform marriages, conduct fun
erals, act as cashier at festivals, etc,
but to contribute a sermon every day
during Sheldon week to the Topeka
Journal, intended to show that preach
ers have as many faults as editors"
The Topeka correspondent of the
Kansas City Times sends the following
to his paper: Mr.. Howe has arranged
to write a sermon each day for the
Topeka Journal during the week that
Parson Sheldon will edit the Capital.
Mr.. Howe will write the kind of ser
mons he believes Jesus would preach
if he were pastor of the Central Con-
gregational church of Topeka. Mr..
Howe thinks he can give Rev. Mr.. Shell
don more pointers about how the gospel
should be preached than he can give
the editors on how a newspaper should
be conducted. It can be stated on the
authority of Mr.. Howe himself that his
arrangement with the Topeka Journal
for daily sermon is bona fde.
BY what right or authority? asks
Mr.. Howe, does the Rev. Mr.. Sheldon
assume to sit in judgment upon the
editors of this country? Did Jesus
authorize him to do it? I purpose to
show in my lay sermons that Sheldon
has not been preaching the gospel as
Jesus would have done. The progress
of journalism during the past century
has been marvellous. Can Mr.. Sheldon
say as much for the clergy?'"