An Appeal for Decency and Peace.—
By Editor
We have received from the Society of Friends, of Philadelphia, an appeal for cleanness in the newspapers of the world. They ask the question, “Who shall say how many crimes, how many foul and dark deeds, have been the fruit of the printed page in the daily paper? Like begets like. Again, we plead for righteousness in the whole make-up of the newspaper.” They properly ask for a standard which puts purity and good conduct and honesty ahead of dividends and good profits, and that our newspapers shall stand for Christianity in dealings between nations. They also plead that united efforts shall be put forth for peace in the world, and that the nations may settle their disputes by arbitration. We believe that both appeals are proper, and that they come from the heart; but we also wish frankly to say that just as long as newspapers are run for money, and by unconverted men, they will go on in just the same way as they are going; and just as long as the carnal heart of man is at enmity to God, there will be wars among nations. Not but what we would desire otherwise. With all our hearts we would feel to sympathize with our Quaker friends; but the Word of God has clearly and implicitly told us just what we may expect in the times preceding the coming of the Master.