THE PRESS AS A RELIGIOUS AGENCY 355 



and in the mouths of all classes, but many quotations from the 

 Bible are given in their original sense; many passages elaborate 

 the root ideas of the Christian religion. These have become 

 popular quotations. Hamlet's soliloquy and various other pas- 

 sages have reinforced the teachings of the Bible, or obtained a 

 hearing for them which might not otherwise have been granted. 



But while many works of fiction have been systematically 

 constructed to promote Christianity, more are pervaded with a 

 skeptical spirit. Whether a judicial estimate of the dealings of 

 fiction with religion will show a balance to its credit, is uncertain. 

 Some great works have been pervaded with skepticism; others 

 have been devoted to showing that Christian morals are imprac- 

 ticable; others to the irresponsibility of man. That the namby- 

 pamby stories, which have obtained a wide vogue because of their 

 religious aim, have weakened the religious sense of their readers, 

 cannot be reasonably doubted. The number of really great works 

 of fiction written with a religious purpose, that is, the purpose to 

 make men Christians or to uphold Christian doctrines or ethics, is 

 small. Certain great works of fiction, modern in their origin, and 

 containing situations, ideas, and words that should not be allowed 

 to enter a Christian or a refined family, could never have done so, 

 had they not assumed a Christian aspect, and deceived unwary 

 persons into commending them. 



Has the Christian Church Made the Proper Use of the Press ? 



Another question of considerable importance is this: Has the 

 Christian church made the proper use of the press? In all strictly 

 utilitarian aspects it may be said to have done so; but so much 

 credit cannot be given to it of late years with respect to the pro- 

 duction of special spiritual results. Much is to be desired, and no 

 religious communion can claim marked preeminence in efficiency. 

 Many works written for the promotion of practical religion consist 

 of forceless platitudes. The use of cant words persists, though it 

 is not carried to the same degree of excess as in former years. 

 Many religious publications are flimsy. Platitudes without num- 

 ber are repeated, and characters almost weak-minded are held up 

 for admiration. It is a debatable question whether the heroes 

 are religious from principle or inability to resist the religious 

 tendencies in which they were immersed; others teach religiosity 

 rather than religion. 



Sermons put forth for the promotion of religion are often force- 

 less. This is liable to be the case where sermons have been 

 delivered extemporaneously, without adequate preparation, and 

 have been published practically verbatim. That which is spoken 



