In these days of wide-spread publicity of all the affairs of man, we need not be surprised that the truths of God's word also form material for news and comment by the public Press. The Press, partaking in the efficiency which is a sign of this age, is diligent in collecting and disseminating news on all sorts of subjects. Along with its records of the daily crimes, disasters in the world, and its political questions, we find it exploiting and largely encouraging the controversies between Modernism and Fundamentalism, between agnosticism and revealed truth. Nor is this to be regretted. The apostle could rejoice when Christ was preached, whether in pretense or truth, and we may be sure that divine truth will not suffer by being set before men, whatever the motive that is behind the discussion.

What we had specially in mind is the attitude of the Press toward the Truth. It is practically impossible to be neutral or colorless in reporting controversies. What is noteworthy in the prominent journals, is their manifest sympathy with the so-called liberal side of questions. With the Press evidently those who report the proceedings of conventions are inclined favorably toward the "Modernists." If an editorial is written, it is nearly always on the same side.

We must not be surprised at this. "The world knoweth us not, as it knew Him not." Avowedly the Press represents the world, it stands for man's day. The truth of God humbles man, brings him low, and shows his need of new birth, repentance, faith in Christ. The theme of the Press is this present life; God's truth reveals the life to come. Could we expect the world to dwell upon that which tells of its impending doom?

Naturally, those who are the purveyors of news select what will interest and please the public. Those who are engaged in such work, are doubtless of similar tastes, most of them ignorant of the amazing grace of God, the glories of Christ, and the fruits of His redemption. We say this in no spirit of harshness or unkindness. May the Lord open blind eyes, and win hard hearts to Himself.

But we have spoken of the hostility of the Press. "The mind of the flesh is enmity against God." The world has never repudiated the rejection of the Son of God. We must not expect that its hostility has changed to friendship. This hostility may scarcely be known to the writers, but "He that is not with Me is against Me." This will account for the tone of levity in speaking of divine things, for the slurs at faithful testimony to Christ, and other tokens of opposition to the Truth.

And yet the Newspapers are the great formers of public opinion. Their influence is immense, and it is largely cast against the truth of the gospel. We are thankful for honorable exceptions to this, but its general truth is only too manifest.

The pertinent question for the child of God is, What effect upon me does this attitude of the Press have? Do I realize in reading it that I am in an enemy's country?

We are not asking the saints to discard entirely the newspaper. But we do most affectionately urge them to give the word of God the first place, literally in point of time, as well as the place of preeminence. Let us not allow our convictions to be formed or modified by hostile influences. May we be formed by the Truth. "Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy Word is truth." S. R.