The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-23
whit i. S.,s.

Editor OF. The Times-Dispatch:
sir,-In answer to above query, pro-
pounded by recent issue or Chria-
tian Advocate. would say that news
Is constituted OF such Items as the
general public Will read. The readers
make the papers rather than the pa
pers make the readers, Such items az
'aIr. Jones was in town to-day" John
Smith took his best girl out in his
new buggy last sunday" so coptously
published in tho country paperA may
be devoid Of Interest TO many. yet the
business sense of the country editor
space to them as helpful to his paper.
The Christian Advocate, Il paper
argeiy devoted to things pertaining TO
God and His kingdom. has naturally
culiar class OF readers. and In that
would say Godspeed; but II impress
sions received from my ordinary inter-
i, course with my felloW-ntan have not
many such readers VIII risk one eye at
least on scandals in high llfe." 'mys-
ferrous murders, dtc.. as reported in
the secular press. As to the columns
gotten that they arc largely consti-
tuted of reports Of such games as
have been recognized an essential part
of our modern educational system. In
my college, Gays the "oou-pile ~ III,
back yard and an axe We're considered
a most excellent equipment for physical
culture. and I confess that favor
some such simple appliances now, TOT
as to tie sports l would prefer f , h2rse-
might be legitimately preferred TO
1 football, nasmuch al the bull is as
| liable to be killed as the man. The
/ Christian Advocate. however Justly m
clined to scold, should not place tho
blame upon the secular press. but rath-
| err upon the sources Of our literary cul-
| ture and moral refinement. The press
is but the thermometer by which VIC
/ may accurately register the literary
taste Of a people. have In my pos
session a file of newspapers 100 years
4 old, and have had for years access e, 20
4 the old miles Register" WHIST re-
training from criticism on lines OF COM n :
4 modern. yet can venture to assert
| that the news matter Of the papers OF
!! the period above referred to. heinS
4 sional debates and other matter of
i heavy import, would not be read i, BY
i people OF this generation. At another,
4 still earlier period. we find that tho
! people accepted nothing other than re-
ijiistous controversial pamphlets.
/ There being no effect without cause,
there must be some cause for this dif-
I, ference In literary taste of different
i generations / cannot conceive OF any .
4 thing Of more interest to the student
1 of sociology than accurately to seek
out and define the. influences In such
i palpablc shape that they may be used
unerrlngly in the upllft OF humanity.
4 Having stated SO much allow me mod ,
Z! estly to suggest that in this age of hip!
4 hip! hurrah!! progress Of ours, r. from n
4 which probably we may nave cause 70
I, 3recade from lack of results, we are
X too much disposed to overlook the God
given Influences at hand and to depui-
Z TIE too much responsibility to instt-
4 lift Of man. Who can measure the
81 depth aliH the breadth of the love. .Sot
8 the mother for her offspring? Who,
Iinfiuence aud guidance of the Divine
Teacher. to mold the character2and
a direct the aspirations of the coming;
generation? ITO whom should we look
With moro confidence FOR good citizen
ship, with purity of taste In all things!
'sl# S. ". WATKINS,
Wakefield, IA, January 15.1s1o.