Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 39, Decatur, Adams County, 7 December 1899 — Page 10

I IN HIS STEPS. | • •■ Woulft '. i: 3esus £)a?” • |t ” i By Charles M. Sheldon. t : r . ; , • • Cirpyrightccl arul publMied In book form by the <♦> « •> Advance Publishing Co. of Chicago.

CHAPTER 11. He that saith he ahideth in him ought also to walk even as he walked. Edward Norman, editor of the Raymond Daily News, sat in his office room Monday morning and faced a new world of action. He had made his pledge in good faith to do everything after asking. "What would Jesus do?" and as he supposed with his eyes open to all the possible results But as the regular life of the paper started on another week’s rush and whirl of activity he confronted it with a degree of hesitation and a feeling nearly akin to fear. He had come down to the office very early and for a few minutes was by himself He sat at his desk in a growing thoughtfulness that finally became a desire which he knew was as great as it was unusual He had yet to learn, with all the others in that little company pledged to do the Christlike thing, that the spirit of life was moving in power through his own life as never before. He rose and shut his door and then did what he had not done for years. He kneeled down by his desk and prayed for the Divine presence and wisdom to direct him. He rose with the day before him ahd his promise distinct and clear in his mind. “Now for action. ” he seemed to say But he would be led by events as fast as they came on. He opened his door and began the routine of the office work. The managing editor had just come in and was at his desk in the adjoining room. One of the reporters there was pounding out something on a typewriter. Edward Norman began an editorial The Daily News was an evening paper, and Norman usually completed his leading editorial before 8 o’clock. He had been writing about 15 minutes when the managing editor called out “Here’s this press report of yesterday’s prizefight at the Resort It will make up three columns and a half. I suppose it all goes in?" Edward Norman was one of those newspaper men who keep an eye on every detail of the paper The managing editor always consulted his chief in matters of both small and large importance. Sometimes, as in this case, it was merely a nominal inquiry. “Yes —no. Let me see it. " He took the typewritten matter just as it came from the telegraph editor and ran over it carefully Then he laid the sheets down on his desk and did some very hard thinking “We won’t run this in today." he said finally The managing editor was standing in the doorway between the two rooms. He was astonished at the editor's remark and thought he had perhaps misunderstood him "What did you say?" “Leave it out We won’t use it. ” “But" — The managing editor was simply dumfounded. He stared at Norman as if the editor were out of his mind. "1 think. Clark, that it ought not to be printed, and that’s the end of it.' said Edward Norman, looking up from his desk. Clark seldom had any words with the chief. Norman’s word had always been law in the office, and he had seldom been known to change his mind. The circumstances now. however, seemed to be so extraordinary that Clark could not help expressing himself “Do you mean that the paper is to go to press without a word of the prizefight in it?" “Yes; that’s just what I mean." “But it’s unheard of. All the other papers will print it What will cur subscribers say? Why. it’s simply”— Clark paused, unable to find words to say what he thought. Edward Norman looked at Clark thoughtfully The managing editor was a member of a church of a different denomination from that of Norman's. The two men had never talked together on religious matters, although they had been associated on the paper for several years. “Come in here a minute, Clark, and shut the door,” said Norman. Clark came in. and the two men faced each other alone. Norman did not speak for a minute. Then he said abruptly: “Clark, if Christ were editing a daily paper, do you honestly think he would print three columns and a half of a prizefight in it?” Clark gasped in astonishment. Finally he replied. “No; I don’t suppose he would." “Well, that’s my only reason for shutting this account out of The News. I have decided not to do a thing in connection with the paper for a whole year that I honestly believe Jesus would not do. ” Clark could not have looked more amazed if the chief bad suddenly gone crazy. In fact, he did think something , was wrong, though Mr. Norman was i one of the last men in the world, in his judgment, to lose his mind. “What effect will that have on the paper?” he finally managed to ask in a faint voice. “What do youthink?” asked Edward Norman, with a keen glance. “I think it will simply ruin the pa- I per. replied Clark promptly. He was gathering up his bewildered sense:; and began to remonstrate. “Why, it isn’t

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feasible to run a paper nowadays on any such basis. It’s too ideal The world isn't ready for it. You can’t make it pay. Just as sure as you live, if you shut out this prizefight report, you will lose hundreds of subscribers. It doesn’t take a prophet to say that. The very best people in town are eager to read it. They know it has taken place, and when they get the paper this evening they will expect half a page at least. Surely you can’t afford i to disregard the wishes of the public to I such an extent. It will be a great misI take if you do. in my opinion. ” Edward Norman sat silent a minute. Then he spoke gently, but firmly “Clark, what, in your honest opinion, is the right standard for determining conduct ? Is the only right standard for every one the probable action of Jesus ? World you say that the highest, best law for a man to live by was contained in asking the question. ‘What would Jesus do?’ and then doing it regardless of results? In other words, do you think men everywhere ought to follow Jesus’ example as close as they can in their i daily lives?” Clark turned red and moved uneasily in his chair before he answered the editor’s question. “Why, yes. I suppose, if you put it on the ground of what they ought to do, there is no other standard of conduct. But the questions are: ’What is feasible ? Is it possible to make it pay ? To succeed in the newspaper business we have got to conform to the customs and the recognized methods of society. We can’t do as we would do in an ideal world. ’ 1 “Do you .mean that we can’t run the paper strictly on Christian principles and make it succeed?” “Yes; that’s just what I mean. It can’t be done. We’ll go bankrupt in 30 days. ” Edward Norman 4’d not reply at once. He was very thoughtful. “We shall have occasion to talk this over again. Clark. Meanwhile I think we ought to understand each other frankly. I have pledged myself for a year to do everything connected with the paper after answering the question. ‘What would Jesus de?’ as honestly as possible. I shall continue to do this in the belief that not only can we succeed, but that we can succeed better than we ever did." Clark rose. “Then the report does not go in?" “It dees not. There is plenty of good material to take its place, and you know what it is. " Clark hesitated. “Are you going to say anything about the absence of the report?" “No; let the paper go to press as if there had been no such thing as a prizefight yesterday. " Clark walked out cf the room to his own "desk feeling as if the bottom had dropped out of everything. He was as tonished. bewildered, excited and con siderably enraged. His great respect for Norman checked his rising indignation and disgust, but with it all was a feel ing of growing wonder at the sudden change of motive which had entered the office of The Daily News and threatened. as he firmly believed, to destroy it. Before noon every reporter, pressman and employee on The Daily News was informed of the remarkable fact that the paper was going to press without a word in it about the famous prizefight of Sunday. The reporters were simply astonished beyond measure at the announcement of the fact. Every one in the stereotyping and composing rooms had something to say about the unheard of omission. Two or three times during the day when Mr. Norman had occasion to visit the composing rooms the men stopped their work or glanced around their cases, looking at him curiously He knew that he was being observed strangely and said nothing and did not appear to note it. There had been several changes in the paper suggested by the editor, but nothing marked. He was waiting and thinking deeply. He felt as if he needed time and considerable opportunity for the exercise of his best judgment in several matters before he answered his ever present question in the right way It was not because there were not a great many things in the life of the paper that were contrary to the spirit of Christ that he did not act at once, but because he was yet greatly in doubt as to what action Jesus would take. When The Daily News came out that evening, it carried to its subscribers a distinct sensation. The presence of the report of the prizefight could not have produced anything equal to the effect of its omission. Hundreds of men in the hotels and stores down town as well as regular subscribers eagerly opened the paper and searched it through for the account of the great fight Not finding it. they rushed to the newsstand and bought other papers. Even the newsboys had not all understood the fact of the omission, one of them calling out; “Daily News! Full ’count great prizefight’t Resort. News, sir?” A maii on the corner cf the avenue close by The News office bought the paper, looked over its front page hurried- I ly and then angrily called the boy back. | “Here, boy I What’s the matter with | your paper ? There is no prizefight here I What do you mean by selling old papers?” “Old papers, nuthin!” replied the

boy indignantly. “That’s today's paper. What's de matter wid you ?” "But there’s no account of any prizefight here I Look!” The man handed back the paper, and the boy glanced at it hurriedly. Then he whistled, while a bewildering look crept over his face. Seeing another boy running by .vith papers, he called out, “Say. Sam. lemme see your pilei" A hasty examination revealed the remarkable fact that all the copies of The News were silent on the prizefight “Here; give me another paper, one with the prizefight account I” shouted the customer. He received it and walked off. while the two boys remained comparing notes and lost in wonder at the event. “Somp’n slipped a cog in The Newsy sure." said first boy, but he couldn't tell why and rushed over to The News office to find out. There were several other boys at the delivery room, and they were all excited and disgusted. The amount of slangy remonstrances hurled at the clerk back of the long counter would have driven any one else to despair. He was used to more or less of it all the time and consequently hardened to it Mr. Norman was just coming down stairs on his way home, and he paused as he went by the door of the delivery room and looked in. “What’s the matter here. George?" he asked the clerk as he noted the unusual confusion. “The boys say they can’t sell any copies of The News tonight because the prizefight is not in it,” replied George, looking curiously at the editor, as so many of the employeeshad done during the day. Mr.' Norman hesitated a moment, then walked into the room and confronted the boys.

“How many papers are there here, boys? Count them out. and I'll buy them tonight. ” There was a wild stare and a wild counting of papers on the part of the boys. “Give them their money. George, and if any of the other boys come in with the same complaint buy their unsold copies. Is that fair?” he asked the beys, who were smitten into unusual silence by the unheard cf action on the pari of ihe editor. “Fair! Well, I should— But will you keep dis up ? Will dis be a continual performance for de benefit of de fraternity?” Mr. Norman smiled slightly, but he did not think it was necessary to answer the question. He walked out of the office and went home. On the way he could not avoid that constant query. “Would Jesus have done it?” It was not so much with reference to this last transaction as to the entire motive that had urged him on since he had made the promise. The newsboys were necessarily sufferers through the action he had taken. Why should they lose money by it ? They were not to blame. He was a rich man and could afford to put a little brightness into their lives if he chose to do it. He believed as he went on his way home that Jesus would have done either what he did or something similar in order to be free from any possible feeling of injustice. He was not deciding these questions for any one else, but for his own conduct. He was not in a position to dogmatize, and he felt that he could answer only witl his own judgment and conscience as to his interpretation of Jesus' probable action. The falling off in sales of the paper he had in a certain measure foreseen. but be was yet to realize the full extent of the loss to the paper if such a policy should be continued. During the week he was in receipt of numerous letters commenting on the absence from The News of the account of the prizefight. Two or three of these letters may’ be of interest. Editor of The News: Dear Sir —1 have been deciding for some time to change my paper. I want a journal that is up to the times, progressive and enterprising, supplying the public demand at a’l points. The recent freak of your paper in refusing to print the account of the famous contest at the Resort has decided me finally to change my paper. Please discontinue it. Very truly yours, . Here followed the name of a business man who had been a subscriber for many years Edward Norman, Editor of The Daily News, Raymond: Dear Ed —What is this sensation you have given the people of your burg? Elope you don’t intend to try the “reform business” through the avenue of the press. It’s dangerous to experiment much along that line. Take my advice and stick to the enterprising modem methods you have made so successful for The News. The public wants prizefights and such. Give it what it wants and let some one else do the reforming business. Yours, . Here followed the name of one of Norman’s old friends, the editor of a daily in an adjoining town. My Dear Mr. Norman—l hasten to write you a note of appreciation for the evident carrying out of your promise. It is a splendid beginning, and no one feels tlu value of it better than I do. I know something of what it will cost you, but not all. Your paster, Henry Maxwell. One letter which he opened immediately after reading this from Maxwell revealed to him something of the loss to his business that possibly awaited him Ikr. Edward Norman, Editor of The Daily News: Dear Sir—At the expiration of my advertising limit you will oo me the favor not to continue as you have done heretofore. 1 inclose check for payment in full and shall consider my account with your paper closed after date. Very truly yours, . Here followed the name of one of the largest dealers in tobacco in the city. He had been in the habit of inserting a column of conspicuous advertising and paying for it a very large price. Edward Norman laid this letter down very thoughtfully, and then after a moment he took up a copy of his paper and looked through the advertising columns. There was no connection implied in the tobacco merchant’s letter between the omission of the prizefight and the withdrawal of the advertisement, but he could not avoid putting the two together. In point of fact, he afterward learned that the tobacco dealer withdrew his advertisement because he had heard that the editor of The News was about to enter upon some queer reform policy that would be certain to reduce its subscription list.

But the letter directed Norman’s attention to the advertising phase of his paper. ' He had not considered this beI fore. As he glanced over the columns he could not escape the conviction that Jesus could not permit some of them in his paper. What would Jesus do with that other long advertisement of liquor : Raymond enjoyed a system of high license. and the saloon and the billiard hall and the beer garden were a part of the city’s Christian civilization. He was simply doing what every other business man in Raymond did. and it was one of the best paying sources of revenue. What would the paper do if it cut these out ? Could it live ? That was the question. But —was that the question, after all? “What would Jesus do?” That was thequestion he was answering, or trying to answer, this week. Would Jesus advertise whisky and tobacco in his paper ? Edward Norman asked it honestly, and after a prayer for help and wisdom he asked Clark tc come into the office. Clark came in feeling that the paper was at a crisis and prepared for almost anything after his Monday morning experience. This was Thursday. "Clark,” said Norman, speaking slowly and carefully, “I have been looking at our advertising columns and have decided to dispense with some of the matter as soon as the contracts run out. I wish you would notify the advertising agent not to solicit or renew the ads. I have marked here. ’’ He handed the paper with the marked places over to Clark, who took it and looked over the columns with a very serious air. “This will mean a great loss to The News. How long do you think you can keep this sort of thing up?” Clark was astonished at the editor's action and could not understand it. “Clark, do you think if Jesus were the editor and proprietor of a daily paper in Raymond he would print Advertisements of whisky and tobacco in it ?’’ Clark looked at his chief with that same look of astonishment which had greeted the question before. “Well, no: I don’t suppose he would. But what has that to do with us? We can’t do as he would. Newspapers can’t be run on any such basis. ” “Why not?” asked Edward Norman quietly. “Why not? Because they will lose more money than they make; that’s all. ’’ Clark spoke out with an irritation that he really felt. “We shall certainly bankrupt the paper with this sort of business policy. ” “Do you think so?” Norman asked the question not as if he expected an answer, but simply as if he were talking with himself. After a pause he said; “You may direct Marks to do as I said. I believe it is what Jesus would do. and, as I told you. Clark, that is what I have promised to try to do for a year, regardless of what the results may be to me. I cannot believe that by any kind of reasoning we could reach a conclusion justifying Jesus in the advertisement in this age of whisky and tobacco in a newspaper. There are some other advertisements of a doubtful character I shall study into. Meanwhile I feel a conviction in regard to these that cannot be silenced.” Clark went back to his desk feeling as if he had been in the presence of a very peculiar person. He could not grasp the meaning of it all. He felt enraged and alarmed. He was sure any such policy would ruin the paper as soon as it became generally known that the editor was trying to do everything by such an absurd moral standard. What would become of business if this standard were adopted ? It would upset every custom and introduce endless confusion. It was simply foolishness, it was downright idiocy, so Clark said to himself, and when Marks was informed of the action he seconded the managing editor with some very forcible ejaculations. What was the matter with the chief? Was he insane ? Was he going to bankrupt the whole business ? But Edward Norman had not faced his most serious problem When he came down to the office Friday morning, he was confronted with the usual programme for the Sunday morning edition. The News was one of the few evening papers to issue a Sunday edition, and it had always been remarkably successful financially. There was an average of one page of literary and religious items to 30 or 40 pages of sport, theater gossip, fashion, society and political material. This made a very interesting magazine of all sorts of reading matter and had always been welcomed by all the subscribers, church members and all. as a Sunday necessity.

Edward Norman now faced this fact and put to himself thequestion. “What would Jesus do?” If he were editor of a paper, would he deliberately plan to put into the homes of all the church people and Christians of Raymond such a collection of reading matter on the one day of the week which ought to be given up to something better and holier? He was of course familiar with the regular argument for the Sunday paper —that the public needed something of the sort, and the workingman especially, who would not go to church anyway, ought to have something entertaining and instructive on Sunday, his only day of rest. But suppose the Sunday morning paper did not pay. Suppose there was no money in it How eager would the editor or the proprietor be then to supply this crying need of the workingman? Edward Norman communed honestly with himself over the subject Taking everything into account, would Jesus probably edit a Sunday morning paper, no matter whether it paid? That was not the question. As a matter of fact. The Sunday News paid so well that it would be a direct loss of thousands of dollars to discontinue it Besides, the regular subscribers had paid for a seven day paper. Had he any right now to give [TO BE CONTINUED. J 1

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