The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-13
THE MODERN NEWSPAPER.

discussion on The Modern
Newspaper was feature of the FIRST
session of the Kansas Bible Institute
which held four=days meeting in
Topeka last week. Views were ex-
pressed by Rev. G. NJ. Sheldon. pas.
tor OF the Central Congregational
church in that city, author of In His
Steps; Frank P. McLennan, editor OF
the Topeka journal, and Arthur Cap
per, publisher of the Topeka Daily
Capital.
Mr.. McLennan defined a fit news
paper as vehicle of truth, bearing
news. necessity, and entertainment
and information to every household,
and announcements of other necessi-
ties, needs or Injuries offered by those
who use its columns for publicity. The
newspaper advertisement, he declared,
is the most effectual, convenient,
prompt word from those who have to
sell what others need to buy. Ii the
good newspaper Yields a larger in
fluence than the good preacher. it is
because of two factors, as follows:
First, because it deals more closely
with the daily life of the people and
the person and things which affect the
life.
Second, because the audience of the
newspaper is vastly greater. Those
who see the printed words are iflnum-
cradle compared with those who hear
that spoken. The newspaper extends
the good words OF the preacher to
thousands who do not reach his pews.
THE newspaper makes it possible
for the many TO be educated and 70
be informed quickly. 1t prevents the
control of the few who may be unprin-
cipled, for it informs the many who
desire to know Error was never so
difficult TO spread, for the newspaper
makes it easy to detect the wrong
by spreading the truth.
The modern newspaper was defined
by the Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon as a
splendid everyday source of world
knowledge He pointed out what he
considered the weak points of the
press of today, eriticizing Objectionable
advertising, the invasion of private
affair and inaccuracy. III speaking Of
the Importance of accuracy he said:
IF there is anything which the mod
ern newspaper needs to protect itself
from it is this daily habit of inaccu-
rate reporting. | would rather have
an every other day paper which took
time to corroborate its statements so
that | could be sure that what | read
was at least approximately true than
a daily paper which evidently does
not have time in the great rush OF
it's life to look up and substantiate
what it prints The great and never
ceasing slogan of the daily should
be the truth, the truth, the truth.
There is wonderful opportunity
for the modern newspaper to serve a
most astonishing and interesting and
vital purpose in making history and
shaping the whole civilized world In
spite of the weakness which / have
mentioned ] sincerely believe that the
newspaper helped by the church and
home and the best part of our man
hood has it in its power to do miracles
in the way of helping the regeneration
of mankind
Mr.. Sheldon suggested that the mod
ern newspaper can serve the whole
world by giving its influence in num-
berless ways toward the coming in OF
international peace. There are many
newspapers in the country that are
still, after all these centuries of Chris
tian civilization, standing by the old
barbarism Of war. Imagine what a
great campaign could be begun and
carried on by the daily papers II
they would all unite to cry down war
and cry out peace. Let them throw their
searchlights on the red reasons why
this barbarism continues" Mr.. shell
don went to say:
The modern newspaper has an nm
limited opportunity to advance the
brotherhood of mankind. 1t Is, we
have said. democratic institution.
Practically everybody reads it. 1t is
the one printed page which goes into
every home and is read by every man.
1t is in one way the most democratic
institution we have. 1t has within
!.