THE DECADENCE OF RELIGIOUS JOURNALISM.
The Christian Endeavor World, whose editors admit being “indomitable optimists,” is turned aside from the usual optimistic current long enough to deplore the waning of the religious press. The following is from a recent issue:— During recent years the average religious journal has had a hard row to hoe. There has been a noteworthy and generally acknowledged decline in the fervor of church life—a temporary decline, but still one not to be denied; and this has meant a withdrawal of support from many a religious paper. Secular affairs have pressed upon men with unexampled force and attractiveness. Never before was the world so interesting. Especially, secular magazines have multiplied at an amazing rate, and newspapers and other periodicals have increased their resources, and have gained a fascination which they never before exhibited. Secular books, and especially the novel, have sold in astonishing numbers. All this has had an unfavorable effect upon the prosperity of the religious journal. Outdoor sports have made tremendous strides in popularity. Mammon has such a hold on men’s affections as it never has gained before. Wars among the nations and struggles between labor and capital have absorbed men’s attention. All this has been prejudicial to religious journalism. Our readers know that the editors of this paper are indomitable optimists; and yet there is no sense in shutting one’s eyes to facts. We are not discouraged for the church; our faith is not even depressed; a good time is coming, but this is not a good time. Now the very causes that have rendered the case of the religious journal a hard one have made the religious journal a greater necessity than ever before. If the world is so attractive, there is double need of presenting the attractiveness of heaven. If mammon presses, the more urgently should we press the claims of unselfishness. With the world running mad on the one hand for soul-hardening toil and on the other hand for soul-enervating sport, there is most urgent need for the presentation of sane views of life, for reminders of eternity. The secular press is trying to take the place of the religious press, but it can never do it. Every Sunday paper has its pious page, but it also has thirty pages that are the opposite of pious. Every Monday newspaper prints reports of Sunday’s sermons, but only when they treat the Philippine question, or the labor question, or some other secular or sensational theme. Not once a year could any earnest Christian find a morsel of soul food in the reports of Sunday sermons that appear in most papers. We can not depend upon the editors and reporters of secular papers being religious men. We have ourselves known editors on religious pages in important newspapers who were themselves bitter infidels, sneering at all religion. It is absurd to expect these men, engrossed in the absorbing details of politics, social scandal, crime, and sports to be well informed regarding missions, temperance, denominational positions, theological principles, and the real progress and condition of the church. The most grotesque misrepresentations regarding religious matters are constantly being made by secular papers, misrepresentations that would not be permitted for a moment in regard to politics or society. There is great need for Christians everywhere to consider this matter, and rally to the support of religious journalism. Several important religious papers have died within the past year. We know of others that are in a dying condition.