Mr Gladstone and the Clerical Enmity to Newspapers.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 811, 13 June 1876, Page 7

Mr Gladstone and the Clerical Enmity to Newspapers.

y'.JJ/' li:-- '-:,,. :.,,'-p:.^ J '■ -„;. ;, ._,;.;., A book has recently been put in circulation-, writes; the ; •N. B. Mail,' ih the rural parishes of England by some of the clergy of the Established Church, called the "Manual." It- is frequently giyen.to the newly- confirmed candidates of the ; peasant class after the ceremony of confirmation has been performed. One of the sections of this work is entitled "On Reading," and it runs thus — "A poor man has not much time for reading, and, therefore, if is necessary to spend that little well— neither is he the best judge of what is good or bad for him. The ! pobr^ therefore, should never buy the tracts and cheap prints and songs which are -hawked about. One half pf them is bad, and the other half useless. Nor should r the poor man read newspapers, which will only deceive him, unless .there.; is- -Borne great news like a battle, or a shipwreck, or a fire. Most of the newspapers which are found at public houses are very wicked and mischievous, but those who read this book will not be found in such places. The poor man's books are his Bible and Prayer-book, and if he ckn get them, ' Nelson's Easts anil Festivals,' ' The Imitation of Christ,' and such others as the clergyman of the parish may lend or give. The poor man has not much leisure. Let him then lay out his little well upon that which will help him through his trials and temptations here, and fit him to dwell with God in heaven." A gentlemen at Birkhamstead, in Hertfordshire, to .some of whose neighbors this " Manual " had been given by the Vicar of the parish, wrote to Mr Q-ladstone, calling his attention to the above advice against the reading of newspapers. Mr "Gladstone has sent the following reply : — " Sir, — I disapprove decidedly of the extract you have sent me in more respects than one, but I am not a*vare that any one is responsible for that extract except the author, and such as may use it. I had never before heard of its existence. — Tour obedient and faithful servant, " "W. E. Gladstone. , " March 23, 1876."