Dennis Paul Smith - Publisher Joseph Pulitzer and the Beatitudes : How Pulitzers Mirror was Gods Wisdom

PUBLISHER JOSEPH PULITZER

AND THE BEATITUDES

HOW PULITZERS MIRROR WAS GODS WISDOM

By Dennis Paul Smith BA, MS, MT

Introduction

It is difficult to look into the mind of a person who lived a hundred years ago. But when the persons qualities are left to us extensively described in the printed word, certain deductions can be made about the person.

Publisher Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) had flaws all humans have, but he is remembered today because he stands out for his remarkable qualities of dedication, generosity, brilliance and concern. It is said with wisdom comes compassion, and Pulitzer was the hallmark of both.

When he first became a newspaper reporter around age 20, Pulitzer worked from 10 am to 2 am daily. The other reporters laughed at first at his habits, but when Pulitzers abilities outshined the others, the laughter went away.

To reach the summit of his profession, much of Pulitzers life amounted to an inspiring and vigorous effort through trial and error to be the person he was put on Earth to be. And when he finally became a publisher, his wishes for his newspapers, although often fiery, never strayed too far from the wishes of God.

Indirectly and sometimes directly, Pulitzer tried to be an implement for the souls of his readers.

It is common knowledge that Pulitzer was instrumental in the successful implementation of New Journalism in America, a wave of Journalism that took widespread and creative measures to attract more readership.

Pulitzers plans for his publications were relayed sternly to his workers, earning him the nickname of God. The nickname evoked Pulitzers competitiveness and strictness, mixed in with some of the qualities and expectations of the Creator Himself.

When the will of a newspaper is merged with Gods will, thats when the readers can be truly helped. Instinctively, Pulitzer had in mind that in general, people need all the help they can get, and the work of a newspaper should try to do what it can to be a key factor in the assistance, partly because we pass this way on Earth only once.

Pulitzers editors had constant awareness of the publishers desires to insert his God messages among the pages of the newspapers. In fact, when the last major Pulitzer New-York issue rolled off the presses more than a generation after Pulitzers death, one editor commented, There still was a bit of the Almighty in the pages.

Infused with the knowledge of God as a child by his mother, a Roman Catholic, and his father, a Jew, Pulitzers actions in his life were a product of his upbringing in Hungary. He left home at age seventeen.

In America, Pulitzer wanted to offer the public a paper that that went beyond what Journalism was at the time. Words were of the highest value to Pulitzer. Words also are of the highest value to God. In fact, in the Bible, the Word is God.

Knowledge of the true God was securely planted in America hundreds of years before Pulitzer was born. Today Americans see the tie to God even on their currency. The words In God We Trust were ordered, with the approval of Congress, to be put on American coins and bills in 1956 by President Dwight Eisenhower (1890-1969).

With the teachings of God in mind, Pulitzers approach presented a radical newness to news that undoubtedly sent some grace his way, which also undoubtedly aided in his success.

Finding elements of God in Pulitzers publications was Pulitzers aim for every issue. As Hollywood today includes some messages of God in a few of its movies, these film messages are said to be wrapped in chocolate so the messages are not as noticeable and can then become easily swallowed by viewers.

Pulitzers chocolate as a publisher was his detailed, educated, energetic and uplifting approach to filling the pages.

Pulitzer was once asked, what is a journalist? His answer included the seriousness of news gathering, but also reflected many aspects on how God gives people worldly direction. Seeking the truth for the readers, Pulitzer without a doubt acted earnestly knowing that essentially, the Truth is God.

Joseph Pulitzer constantly worked toward directing readers to something lasting and meaningful.

Pulitzers quote on journalists follows, and in bold are ways God too watches over us. Pulitzer said, What is a journalist? Not any business manager or publisher or even proprietor. A journalist is the lookout on the bridge of the ship of state. He notes the passing sail, the little things of interest that dot the horizon in fine weather. He reports the drifting castaway whom the ship can save . He peers through fog and storm to give warning of dangers ahead. He is not thinking of his wages or the profits of his owners. He is there to watch over the safety and welfare of the people who trust him.

In the Bibles Book of Chronicles, chapter 28, a verse also uses a metaphor of the sea. Serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind or be cast off forever.

Another Pulitzer quote with attributes of God in bold :

every issue of the paper presents an opportunity and a duty to say something courageous and true; to rise above the mediocre and conventional; to say something that will command the respect of the intelligent, the educated, the independent part of the community; to rise above fear of partisanship and fear of popular prejudice.

After all, Gods words are courageous and true, rising above the conventional and commanding respect. Gods words rise above prejudice.

Pulitzers publications did what they could to show readers how to be worthy Americans. He undoubtedly knew that to resist the true American spirit was also to resist the spirit of God.

Pulitzers line of thinking for his newspapers, more deliberate than not, kept a tether to God, adding a quiet and slow-burning fire to the spirits of the readers.

News agencies are the mirror of man. Man is made in the image of God. So in essence, news agencies should reflect the image of God. Few people in American history grasped this concept better than Joseph Pulitzer.

It is believed that to be great Christians and great Americans, people must conduct their lives in ways that are not the ways that they want. They must look to God for the big picture, and that is why Pulitzer did what he could to squeeze the theology out of issues often without drawing great attention to the fact..

In the Bibles Book of Isaiah, chapter 45, is the verse: You are a God who lies hidden.

As people learned from the publications how to love each other more, they were learning in no small way the meaning of life and how God loves us.

Over time with direction from some news articles, as people subtly made the slight shift to be more unified in righteous behavior, a tranquility was instilled in them that had immeasurable effects.

In the letter to the Ephesians. chapter four, St. Paul writes that the perfect man is the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

In the second letter of Paul to Timothy, chapter three, Paul says the closer we are to God, the more we are equipped to do good work.

Critically important to newspapers are sales. Pulitzers method of increasing sales was attracting attention to the publications many features. Illustrations and entertainment news were among many creative items that attracted readers in record numbers for the times. At the same time, being a moral force for the people was securely knitted in the pages.

By attacking news with a firm desire to serve, Pulitzer became a powerful person, running powerful publications, and printing powerful stories.