The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-03-07

son to break down the prejudice
against fiction which was one OF the
heritages handed down from our Puri-
tan forefathers."
What would you say OF The Chris
ttan,' by Hall Caine? Is that a relig-
ious novel?"
Yes, ] suppose that would be called
religious fiction. But Il Is not exactly
the sort l am trying 10 construct. 4
do not consider IL a fair or true picture
Of the Christianity OF today. Il rs not
such book as one would like TO read
from the pulpit.
You see my books are built with
two central ideas. which run through
every line Of them; they must be suit
able for Sunday reading: they must be
suitable for reading from the pulpit"
May not Mr.. Gaines books be val
liable as religious fiction for weekday
reading?" l asked.
Yes, doubtless" said Mr. Sheldon,
Il appreciate Mr.. Caine. I believe he
Is an earnest and sincere man. I bid
him God speed In his efforts"
And what would you say OF Quo
Nadis' as a religious novel?" I asked.
Il should not call II ideal by any
means. He has brought In a great
mass of sensational, blood-and thun-
der material that might far better have
been omitted. There are passages I'm
the book that one would be ashamed Co
read before the family circle. 1 do not
think there Is any necessity for drag
ging into religious fiction--or any 9TH
er. for that matter-details that would
bring a blush TO a young girls face"
ssTknrs shF-nr ssrHtufas.a 49,
a great future?"
Il am sure OF IT," said Nc. Sheldon
enthusiastically. 1t is as yet in its
infancy. We are just on the edge OF
this unexplored land OF incompatible
richness. Every year Nil find more
people using this agency. In the
twentieth century I beliI Il will be
one Of the most powerful forces. next
TO the church. for prOmulgating the
principles given US by Christ"
/ What training shou'd one undergo
TO write successful religious nction7"
The twentieth century novelist will
have to attend the school OF life. This
is the novelist's treasure chest The
ideal training should be this: He
should study at fret hand every class
] OF people living upon the face OF the
earth. He should live among them.
sympathize with them. find out what
they think and how they feel / do not
mean that one should live with Grim
inals or associate with eyil-dOers-for
by the magic power OF sympathy be
can understand the hearts OF these
people, while really he will have little
/ occasion to describe their doings IN de-
tail. But know the various classes OF
men one must" exclaimed Mr.. Sheldon,
q l.. a a.
and most lasting success"
Then wide travel Is deslrablel"
Certainly. The writer OF fiction can
not travel too extensively. The man
who wants an ideal training should
study the habits OF all peopies IN all
lands. Now that expansion IL In the
air; now that science. commerce and
christianity have opened the whole
world to our gaze, there Is no land To
waich the novelist may not transport
his readers to their delight ana inter
est"
Here the conversation drifted 90 the
fact that "In His Steps" was written
and preached on successive Sunday
evenings. the various chapters OF the
novel taking the place OF sermons. In
regard TO this daring innovation on his
pat. Mr.. sheldon said:
4 II may say as part OF my experience
that 4 nave enlarged my definition of
a sermon to mean almost any convey
ance by means OF which whatever In
Christian truth 10 me goes from me
mo the daIiy lives OF my people"
1nen. speaking OF how In His Steps"
was born, he said:
Il wrote In His Steps with a great
desire. a prayer with every sentence.
that IL might be the power OF God To
open up a new thought OF Christian
discipieship."
DO you expect the sermon-story 10
be largely adopted by the American
pulpit?' ! asked.
IL see no reaHon why Il should not
be IL offers an opportunity 20 apply
Jnrists teachings TO modern life in
practical manner that Is denied by the
ordinary sermon. II / should attempt
10 deal vita problems OF business.
economics and civics. from the view
point Of Christ, In a sermon, the cry
would at once arise. You are not
preaching the Gospel In a sermon
story or religious novel they welcome
sucn things. IL Is mercy returning TO
Christ's method OF teaching by the
concrete instead OF the abstract. the
parable and story. instead OF the phil
Os0phic discussion. and the former is a
hundredfoid more effective than the
latter"
DO you know OF any others who
have tried tna rlan?"
"Nrs; St. minister In Topeka
tried II ritn r:1at success. lie L0id the
story OF I-sIness man-nis trials, en-
cour geI-euts. victory, living the
Christ life. The people attended his
services in throngs. ats maj X sue
cess was surprise, both TO the young
min ster and his congregation. He had
no, supposed he had the talent TO write
a serial story. But / encouraged him
in the effort. urging him 10 follow real
life and make u exceedingly simple.
Why. 10 does not take genius 20 write
a story" exclaimed Mr.. Sheldon. "All
one needs rs TO watch life closely and
tell its doings simply and sympathetic
ally"
"The field "a illimitable." he con
tinued, "and hope the ministry OF
America will very generally adopt this
u 4