The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-13
THE HOWE Clay SERMONS =

I DC 1O1ANAAAsQlC0 Oy W. 11ONGs
of The Atehison Daily Globe, an author
and writer who has attained great
prominence, by unquestioned ability as
a builder of strong English.
I have not as yet read the last
three of the sermons. and no one of
them was read by me until this week
! They do not treat this subject, it is pro-
per to say, just as I expected it would
be treated. 1t must be remembere1,
however, that Mr.. Howe is just as sin
! cere in his views. as Rev. DR.. Sheldon
is in his opinions.
The State Journal has always been
careful to say that these articles are
contributed
Mr.. Howe has no more control over
this newspaper today than has Mr..
Sheldon
1t is needless to say that Mr.. Howe
on this subject; neither would
be of the same opinion on the
same subject treated in a signed article
by Mr.. Sheldon.
Every reader who will follow Mr.
Howe carefully and conscientiously will
be irresistibly impressed with the force
and truth of many of Mr.. Howe's
statements. This cannot be disputed,
] however widely different may be the
opinions Of any reader from those ex-
pressed by the founder of the Don't
Worry club.
he S1,1el4 L.,
mercilessiv and incisively driven home
a large number of truths which the
church should recognize.
The pulpit, more than the press, needs
reform; it needs to be brought "up to
date" to use a piece of slang which Mr..
Sheldon might blue pencil
The church is a power for good; the
press is a greater power. The church
reaches hundreds, where the press
reaches thousands.
Some people can not be induced to at
tend church. Everybody will read a
bright, entertaining, fair minded, care
fully conducted newspaper. The paper
can get at crime; the preacher talks
mainly to people who are already good,
or who put themselves in that cate
CORY.
The responsibilities of the preacher
are great; those of the editor are
greater.
Does the conscientious newspaper
man try to meet his responsibilities to
the same extent as does the preacher?
I think he does
These lay sermons the editor of this
paper has agreed to print The ser
mons themselves will precipitate world
wide comment-it is inevitable. The
publication of these sermons, even as
signed articles, is sure TO subject the
paper to criticism. Papers have even
! printed the remarks of Robt Ingersoll
the religious papers have printed them;
they have to print them in order to
comment upon them.
1.-The truth is mighty and will pre-
vail;' Crushed to earth it will rise
again." I don't pretend now to say
what truth is; that is how much is
truth and how much is false Truth
and Right are the strongest forces op-
| posed to the armies of the Evil One
| The former need have no concern about
their victory. Right will triumph in the
end. The preacher must protect his
position the press must assert it's power
for good and defend itself; the pulpit
and the printing office form the great
battle ground of the constant and un-
relenting war against Wrong
Coming down town to my Office. early
on this bright and beautiful morning
it occurred to me that there will be
trouble.
I have agreed to publish these ser
mons and I will publish them, regard
less of results.
Mr.. Howe told me that they would be
clean. temperate in language; that he
would endeavor to be fair; that he
would lay great stress on right con-
duct honesty and truthfulness. I have
no reason to believe that Mr.. Howe has
not kept this faith.
What occurred to me at the same
time is: publishing these LAY ser
mons I must offer the other side
so far as practicable the same space, the
same prominence in which to reply to
Mr.. Howe-and surely a reply must be
made.
AS rule I am opposed to religious
controversies in a daily newspaper, but
think 1 know my duty in this in
stance.
In this connection have thought
that the Reverend Mr.. Sheldon is the
one man to make this reply I have
not thought of this in the sense of the
notoriety which may come of it, but
that Mr.. Sheldon is the one man who
should give the other side in this
matter.