The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-30
LAY SERMONS.
E. w. Howe, the Editor of the
AtchisOn Globe,
Answers Many Inquiries About
His State Journal Articles.
CHURCH AND CLERGY
Not to Be Meanly or Coarsely
Criticized.
Pleased With General Attitude
of Pulpit to Press.
Successful Papers Are Honest,
Fair, Truthful.
Marvellous Growth and Progress
in Newspaper Field.
Not to Be Meanly or Coarsely
Criticized.
Pleased With General Attitude
of Pulpit to Press.
Successful Papers Are Honest,
Fair, Truthful.
Marvellous Growth and Progress
in Newspaper Field.
In Answer to Inquiries.
From the Atchison Globe. !

LF'rom the Atchison Globe]
I have not been invited p occupy
Rev. c. NJ. Sheldon's pulpit during the
week he is editing the Topeka Capital,
but have been invited to contribute a
daily sermon to the Topeka Journal
during the week Sheldon is criticising
newspapers. do not wish to indulge
in any ribald criticism of the church
or the clergy, but it seems to me that
a truthful comparison Of the church
and the newspapers, would not be out
of place.
ter engaged in telling how Jesus would
have preached than in telling how Jesus
would have conducted a newspaper.
Who authorized Sheldon to decide
what Christ would have done under
certain circumstances?
His decisions viii be criticised as
much by the clergy as by the press.
If Sheldon does not know that he has
been worked by clever newspaper
managers; if he does not know that
the entire scheme is in the interest of
the Capital, and that it will bring dis
credit on religion, he is not a bright
man.
In the discussion brought on by the
Capitals advertising scheme, I am
pleased to notice that the clergy gem
orally speak wei! of the newspapers.
The newspapers, which are very
youthful in comparison with the Chris-
tian religion, have had a wonderful
growth. No intelligent man disputes
that they are becoming better and more
widely circulated every year. and that
their editors are, in most cases, as fair
as men can be. The great ard success
full newspapers are the useful. honest
newspapers. The vicious newspapers
do not live long; when you find a sue
cessful newspaper, you may depend
upon it that it is an honest and useful
newspaper. There are no exceptions to
this rule.
\
paper offices, if they could oe known to
the general public, would excite admi-
ration Be fair, be truthful; be honest;
help the people, rather tEan injure
them; help your town; be progressive.
helpful, intelligent-these rules are
dinned into assistants over and over by
every editor of useful and honest
newspaper, and very few of the other
class can live or do. live. Editors, like
other men. have different ideas Of
reaching results, but it is a fact that
the modern newspapers success is
measured by its persistence in useful
ness, fairness, and in moral tone.
This being true, what right has a
minister at Topeka, Kansas, to drag re-
Hgion in the mire in q ridiculous at
tempt to teach editors their duty2
Suppose Sheldon should go up to
Chicago, and say to Mr.. Armour:
I would like to manage your pack
ing house. l do not know anything
about the business, but do not believe
I0aI you are II dS Jesus WOulu
conduct it?"
Would it not be absurd? Would peo-
pie not laugh at Sheldon as another
recruit in the great army of weak men
who are crazy tor a little cheap
notoriety?
The growth of journalism has been
one of the modern wonders. Has the
Christian religion grown with equal
strides? And if it has not, would it
not be better for Mr.. Sheldon to
humbly and quietly endeavor to i'm
prove his own profession: to conduct
his ministry as Jesus would have con-
The church has grown Indifferent to
the essential teachings Of Jesus, and ~
clamorous for what is of secondary i'm
portance. Is not this fact more
worthy of the attention of Mr.. Sheldon
than a criticism of the newspapers,
which are receiving growing recognl-
ton that the church can not boast
IN these times. says Count IOiStO1,
1.-The life of the world is entirely indie
pendent of the church. The church
confesses the doctrine of Jesus but de-
MES it in practice.
Count Tolstoi is a church authority;
I can bring thousand others equally
severe. Is not Mr. Sheldon therefore
making q ridiculous mistake in neglect
ing his own affairs, Of so much momen-
tous Importance, to meddle in affairs
which 90 not concern him, and of which
he knows nothing?
I shall endeavor to show in my lay
is making this mistake, and that in his
own profession he has enough work cut
out to keep him busy a thousand years.
E. w. H.
What Mr. Sheldon Said
Rev. Mr. Sheldon in an interview said:
THE proposition made by Mr. Howe,
editor Of the. Atchison Globe, that he
will fill my place in the church while
I am engaged in the newspaper expert
ment is one to be determined by the
church and will meet no opposition from
me- and I believe the church can be
improved and the general welfare of
humanity promoted If prominent and
able men like Mr. Howe will manifest
the same interest in matters of public
concern as in their everyday business
affairs.
In our rapid American life VIC are
becoming entirely too selfish. We work
with heroic energy to accomplish some
object that shall rebound to our own
personal benefit, leaving out of account
the interests of the poor, the weak and
the wicked The times demand broad
er civilization and more intense Chris
tianity, and 1 will be found favoring any
movement that can better mankind and
make the Christian religion greater
mower for good -