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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 2
[Obituary: James Clarke]
Mr James Clarke, of the Christian World, whose death, at the age of 63, we briefly noted last month, was a man of mark, in the journalistic no less than in the religious world. In his early years he had a sound training in journalism, and when the Christian World—a young and struggling concern—came into his hands, he was able to give effect to his own ideas as to what a religious paper should be. In his hands the World attained an unexampled success. It became, next to The Times, the finest newspaper property in England, and as its various departments outgrew its space, it gave birth to the Literary World, the Christian World Pulpit, the Christian World Magazine, the Christian World Family Circle, and the Rosebud—all conducted under the same general supervision. A large publishing business was gradually developed, and the popular works originally published serially in one or other of these journals alone fill an extensive list. Educated in an extremely narrow religious school, Mr Clarke early outgrew the limitations of his youth; and faithful to all the fundamentals of religious truth, he realized, as few of his contemporaries did, the fulness and comprehensiveness of the Christian system. The result was that the World attained a position of influence that no other religious paper has ever approached. While other organs admirably represent their particular sect or denomination, it is the only paper that may fairly claim to represent Protestant England, and to embody and exhibit the religious life of the country. Mr Clarke was not a man to sacrifice principle to popularity. When Mr Moody was the fashion, the Christian World dealt very plainly and « faithfully » with the more than questionable doctrine of some of his sermons. Tolerant to an exceptional degree, Mr Clarke was not to be deceived by professors of superior sanctity. When crowds were flocking to a noted expounder of the so-called « higher life, » the words of caution in the Christian World were by many considered uncalled-for and uncharitable: but the scandalous issue of the mission proved the soundness of Mr Clarke's judgment. His breadth and boldness continually caused the weaker brethren to tremble. To admit into « News of the Churches » the headings « Unitarian » and « New-Church, » was sure proof that he was on the « down-grade. » Many were scandalized at the latitude afforded alike to Annihilationists and Universalists to advocate their heterodox views. A few years ago some of the « Evangelical » party started an opposition paper, entitled the Christian Signal, modelled after Mr Clarke's, but excluding all dangerous heresies. The ablest writers of the party were on the literary staff, and a large amount of money was expended, but it proved a signal failure. Politically the Christian World—focussing, as it does, the energies of all the churches—is a tremendous power. And it is a power for good, inasmuch as it brings the highest motives to bear, and tends to lift politics out of the miry rut of self-interest. In the temperance movement and every other social reform it is in the van; and it did noble work in sweeping away a diabolical law by which for a brief period vice was recognized and licensed by the state. It was Gladstonian when Mr Gladstone was Unionist—it is Unionist still. Mr Clarke shewed a rare insight in the choice of contributors. Mr Peter Bayne (a son-in-law), one of the soundest critics and ablest writers of the day, is editor-in-chief, and with Mr Clarke's sons carries on the great concern on the old lines.