Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-05-09
BARRE, VT, MAY 8, 1901

BARRE VIZ, MAY y, 1ooA
1t is comparatively but few years
since the churches and religious Or
CARNATIONS of New England began
taking any part, as an organization,
In social life. Even at the present
time, when the social life Of the
church is looked upon as a necessary
complement to harmonious whole,
it would be much more difficult of re-
alization If the newspaper was not
pressed into service to do the work Of
messengers. This service the news
papers have done and done freely,
bnt many an editor has wondered if
the service, rendered thus freely, was
appreciated. We have heard an &C.
casional pastor express the sentiments
Of the following article from the
Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Doubt
less there is many another who
would heartily endorse the views
expressed by the author, DR.. Marvin:
''The Rev. Dwight E. Marvin D. D.,
preached a sermon at Asbury Park
last Sunday in which he spoke of the
church as business center, and nat.
urally made some reference to legiti-
mate advertising methods and to the
relations which should and should
not exist between churches and news
papers.
"Churches do not advertise as they
should" said DR.. Marvin. Twenty.
FIVE years ago simple announcement
in the local paper was considered SUI
ficient by most business men. Today
the successful merchant feels it in
cumbent to take more space and ad-
vertise more carefully and attractive
ly, yet the church has not changed
but still retains the custom of former
years and contents itself with brief
statements of services in the column
of church notices found in the Satur-
day paper. Thus In the matter of
advertising alone, the children Of this
world are wiser than the children OF
light. Churches that spend money
in advertising, not only in the daily
papers, but through various methods
employed in buSidess, are making
themselves known and reaching the
people.
"There should be honorin churches.
The church Is no charitable institu.
tion, begging for worldly patronage,
asking for support and giving nothing
in return. 1t is Gods earthly center
where he bestows upon men the great
est gifts. Some churches make
themselves repulsive to straight for.
ward, clear-headed business men be-
cause of their methods that are small
and degrading. II church society
gives an entertainment and sells tic.
kets returning an equivalent for that
which is charged, it acts in business
like way and does nothing it need be
ashamed Of. But when it forces tic
kets on business men on pain of los.
ing trade it simply goes into of the
matchmaking business and deserves to
receive the condemnation of the COM
munity. Any church has a right to
expect support of the daily press.
"rhe newspaper is the church's
handmade to assist in advancing the
divine kingdom, but it has no right to
ask for all kinds Of complimentary no.
tices and reviews Of insignificant meet
ings and entertainments as putrs.
This, too, is degrading. l have come
in business contact with large mum.
Der OF publishers IN my life and | have
generally found them businesslike,
courteous and willing to act gener-
ously toward the churches, but l have
found few churches that have shown
themselves willing to advertise to any
great extent or speak good words for
the daily paper.
ut should be thoroughly under.
stood that the publisher of a daily
paper is under no obligation to adver-
tise the church without pay or spread
its fame and receive therefor only
criticism. AS a vender OF news and
an educator of the people he Is under
obligation to tell the news, speak the
truth and teach mortality, but that