Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-04-05

away on what he thinks ought to be
done, or what his opinion Is concern
ing agencies or helps toward the bet
terment of the people reliaiouslys He
don't believe much In agencies Of this
character. Hear hims 34s X
ssThere is in reality no more occa-
sion for religious newspaper than
there ID for . religious grocery or Q
religious farm, Whateyer d Of inter-
est to large numbers win be printed in
the usual daily paper whether u 10 o
sermon by some thoushtful and dis.
tinguished clergyman or 9 murder BY
q wholly undistinguished snd unthink-
ing rufilan.
"With all respect to Mr.. Sheldon
and his supporters, the public does
not buy newspapers for the purpose
of learning what is not news. It is
interested in itself. II wants to know
what is happening around the corners;
II wants TO know what hsppened yes
terday in South Africa; Il wants 70
hear of the good and evil fortunes
that befall lts friendA and acqraint-
ances; it wants to know how its elect
ed agents are spending the public
money; unfortunately, 1t insists on
hearing OF crimes and misdoIngs, and
delights in punishment"
In other words, Mr.. McEIway, the
astuts editor Of the Eagle, wants the
newspapers OF the country TO run on
the same old broad guage linej have
aa little to say aa possible about res
llgion, missions, giving the Gospel 70
the world, putting stop to vice and
crime, both in city and country, which
can only be effectively done through
the Gospel (the law has been tried),
and as much to say as space will allow
Generally a good deal of this) oon-
cerning many things which ought to
be unlawful for man to publish In q
newspaper, much lees send through
the same such stuff into Christian and
other homes amongst the boys and
girls.
II does seem that the time has come
when newspaper cannot be sustain.
ed unless the menu of same consists
OF everything that everybody wants
good, bad (more bad than good, and
Indifferent. Like the Irishman who
said; "Them is my politics, and II
they don't suit you I'll change them
till they do"
Mr.. McElway says: "There is no
more occasion for q religious news
paper than there is fer religious
grocery or religious farm" We af-
firm there lie immense use for ga re-
ligious grocery" religious dry goods
store and streIigious farm" or far
mers. II there were there would be
fairer dealing all around, and on the
same principle exactly we need reIig-
ious daily newspapers, IS the same ar
gument that holds good in the one viii
hold in all of them. This is the argu-
ment exactly:
1. Sheldon has demonstrated the
fact that he had nerve enough to
undertake, and demonstrated the fact
that Christian daily can be run. This
is one thing Harvey and MoElway
have not done. \
2. He has demonstrated the fast
that such q paper can be run satis-
factory to thousands Of people, both
Christian and nom Christian.
8. He has demonstrated the further
fact that 3 Christian daily can be run
on paying basis, even when the new
wears on. When you prove the
truth that there is money in 10 you
hit the average American right where
he lives. This Sheldon has practical
ly settled.
4. Another exceedingly important
thing has been brought to lIght-that
Christian daily can be published
and that, too, with the elimination from
Its columns OF rankly odious, ques-
tionable and even morally poisonous
matter and fake advertisements.
The importance Of q Christian daily
newspaper has been so emphasized
by Mr.. sheldon's experiment and
successful effort that a majority Of
the management Of the Topeka Capt
tai are hung upon his idea and want
the Capital continued on the same
principle. Now this means something,
and the contagion seems to be spread
ing. This is good. A long ways bet
ter than smallpox contagion or some
moraltv noIaonoua enidan,ao Iat tha