The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-03-27
WHAT THEY
THINK HERE
on SheIdOn'S
Plan.
MINISTERS DISCUSS Il
Feasibility Of the Daily Newspaper
Conducted as Christ Might
Do It OweIt on.

IN the Rev. hlr. ShedOn's conduct Of a
daily newspaper in the way that he be-
lieves Christ would conduct such a pub
LEGATION. The Advertiser has given
full details OF these issues Of the To-
peka Capital that have reached here
since Sheldon assumed charge. The
| Rev. Mr.. Shel5On's plan had its in
ceptiOn in a book, I'm His Steps,"
which he published some time ago and
| in which he told of q daily newspaper
managed as the editor thought Christ
would.
The owners Of the Topeka, (Kansas)
| Capital. placed their plant at Sheldon's
| disposal. and on March 13 was printed
the first of the seven days papers of
which Sheldon had absolute control.
| Wishing to place before its readers the
| ideas of HonOlulu's clergymen on the
| subject the Advertiser has asked them
| 70 state their views on Sheldon's ex-
pertinent and on the feasibility of in
Producing similar methods in Honolulu.
The ministers, leaders OF the re-
ligious thought of this city. responded
to the AdvertiS er's invitation. They
were Rev. G.. l.. Pearson, pastor of the
First Methodist Episcopal church;
Rev. DIR. Serene +. Bishop, editor of
the Friend, add Rev. j. G.. Hay, pastor
of the Christian church.
Rev. Mr.. Pearson's Opinions.
kev. G. l.. Pearson, pastor of the
FIRST Methodist Episcopal church, is
brief and to the point. He says; IL
have been much interested in Mr.. Shell
don. | have read some of his writings
with pleasure and profit. He is to be
congratulated and should be highly
appreciated for his honest md able eff
forts 10 illustrate and apply the prin-
ciples of Christianity. He has certain
ly led many 20 think more carefully on
religious truths, and to a more
thorough devotion TO Christ and hui
manity.
II have not always fully agreed with
Mr.. Sheldon and am not now in per-
feet sympathy with his purpose to give
us an example of How Jesus would
edit a daily paper He will undoubt-
eddy consientiously try to apply the
principles of Christianity to this work.
| presume there will be great divers
ity of Judgment as TO his success. That
he Will be able to do more than the
great religious weekly papers have al
ready done | do not think. The indie
pendent, the Outlook, the Christian Ad-
focate and others of the same grade,
Iby the variety and character of their
news and editorials illustrate the prin-
ciples of Christianity as applied to
newspaper work. Moreover there ara
several daily papers-would that there
were many more like them-that are
conducted in so clean and moral man
ner that they will certainly approach
| the character of Mr.. Sheldon's. His
| ~ u mt
| few TO fully illustrate his proposition.
"The question of a religious daily pa
per has long been discussed. In so
short a time Mr.. Sheldon will hardly
be able to demonstrate that a religious
| daily paper is demanded or that one
could be made a financial success. Mr..
| Sheldon Is all right. His intention is
| pure. but / expect but little practical
result from his effort. except the small
fortune which the shrewd manager will
make by mis- almost unlimited advertis-
ing OF what seems a popular scheme.
DIR. Bishop Talks.
Rev. DR.. Bishop said: II think very
| highly of Mr. Sheldon's motive and
spirit. and especially OF his desire To
lead men to follow the teachings and
example of our Lord. 1t is the duty of
preacher TO rebuke wrOng-dOing
wherever he may find it and TO awaken
the consciences of men.
But, on the other hand. no man can
make a success of any business for
which he has not a special aptitude
and experience. Nor can he judge Cor
others who are expert in their pTOfez
sion, what they should do. It is the
| clergymans duty to preach righteous
ness, purity and the spirit of Christ,
and to leave every man free 10 judge
for himself as to what his precise duty
is in given particulars, in the fear of
God.
II IS not possible for Mr.. Sheldon
notwithstanding his high character
and sincerity, TO make a success of
/ conducting a daily newspaper or 90
\ Judge of how Il should be carried on
\ any more than it would be possible for
/ him TO make q success Of running a
| city hotel ] believe that Mr.. sheldon s
| experience is a good one, that it Will
/ prove useful one but il cannot be-
/ come a success by any means
What are your views. Mr.. Bishop.
| on the necessity. If any, Of reforming
/ the newspapers
I THAT Is altogether too wide a sub
/ ject % speak on in a moment.
\ think, though, that as a rule, newspa-
\ pers nowadays are conducted with a
/ great lack of moral principles. like al
\ most every other business in this
I world"
| Do you class preaching rs busi-
ness, also Mr.. Bishop
We'll. l think there is room for i'm
| provement there too. yes, there IS GER
| tainly room for improvement"
Have you any suggestions to make
I in regard to Honolulu newspapers p
Il would say that Honolulu news
| papers are, comparatively speaking.
/ very much higher morally than the
/ average"
How do you account for this?"
We'll, this Is a good old missionary