Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-12-02
STANDS
Up For the Pulpit
and Press.
Some Fearless Words by
Rev. MacAyeaI.
Said Both We're Imposed
Upon by Public.
Too Much Free Space For Church
and Civic Societies.

Lie BduHtiet oI populdT opinion ana
selfishness has no terror to Rev. How
ard $. MacAyeal. He has the cour-
age OF his convictions, and doesn't
sugar-coat the truth, no matter where
or how severely 1t strikes. His talk
at the First Congregational church,
Sunday evening, indicated that he mad
sighted a selfish disposition on the part
of the people Of Akron to convert as
far as possible to their own benefit
both the pulpit and and the press,
and to impose upon them, according
ly. The lamentable indifference to
the more important problems of life,
and the pell-mell rush after the super
fetal and trashy sections OF literature
were handled in scathing language.
lngratltude-and lack of appreciation
OF the best efforts of the pulpit and
press received their full share of con
demnatIon.
1T Is amazing to see the amount of
free space used in the newspapers by
the church and civic societies." said
Rev. MacAyeal. "In instances where
revival services are being held, con-
gregations have actually appointed
press agents to run daily reports of
the services-demanding almost Him.
liable space, and feeling offended if
1t Is not given cheerfully. And yet
what are these people doing for the
press? Ordinarily, they are hostile to
ii, and never help the papers for
ward, unless something to their per-
sonal benefit Is In sight The news
papers are seldom, if ever, encouraged
by words from the public. About the
only words the editors hear, are from
those who have observed something
that doesn't please them. And, usually,
the better articles OF the newspapers
are not read. People try to read an
eightpage paper in 10 minutes, and
their opinions are formed at once.
Unless tho editorials are short, and up.
on popular subjects, they are not read.
They want paragraph editorials-and
paragraph sermons, too.
"Often you remark that the papers
might leave out great deal more than
they do. You don't know. Every
day there Is something omitted, mean.
ugly, insinuatlng articles expressing
only selfish, personal dislike. Newspa-
pers are moral agencies, and are con
duced with II wisdom and fairness
which are not observed fully or appre-
ciated by the people. Think OF the
trouble they could have caused after
the death of President Mckinley, by
stirring the people to white heat
against the anarchists You should
be charitable and appreciative. There
may be something In the newspapers
which doesn't interest you, but 1t may
Interest others. And If you call on
the editor and work hand In hand
with him, unselhshly, the good ac-
complished Will be greater and more
satisfactory.
1t Is the same way with the pulpit.
There seems TO be a disinterestedness
M the more important subjects of re-
ligion, yet an apparent desire for the
lighter phases, 1t IL easy to preach
sensational sermons, and this church
could be packed from pulpit to door
every night, If it were to be announced
that n series of such sermons would
be preached This Is not IA healthy
condition. With such important, moral
subjects rs Labor and Capital, Immi-
grafton and the Negro Situation for
the pulpit and press to deal with, the
interest In them by the public Ia alarm.
Ing There is an amazing lack of in
telligcnce among the American people
on these questions. They don't read or
on the questions. They don't read
or study them-and regard such sub.
jects as dull material for sermons or
editorials.
Another thing easily noticed Is In
gratitude on the part of the people to-
ward the pulpit and tho press. have
preached to congregations which
scarcely gave IA single sign that they
heard or understood what | was say
ing. 1t seemed as If they had come to
church, merely as matter of form,
with no idea of being awakened, or inter
rupted in their own thoughts. There
should be, at least, n display of interest,
If not appreciation"