THE craving for news and the struggle to devise ways and means of satisfying that craving form interesting features in the development of race history. "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country," we read in Proverbs; while Isaiah joyfully exclaims, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
In striking contrast to Isaiah's picture of the bringer of good tidings in the eighth century before the Christian era, is the marvelous manner in which the news of today is procured and circulated. Swift-winged electricity now has become one of our most efficient carriers. Telegraph, telephone, and radio communications all combine to make the entire world a whispering gallery for the publication of news. Turn a knob, dial a number, and information about important current events may be had. News is rushed from the editorial rooms to giant printing presses and sent circulating in daily newspapers to millions of people, eager— for what? For sensational headlines about misery, crime, desolation, and apprehensions of war? Not all of them! Many still are craving "good tidings of good." They want to know how they may be saved from their manifold afflictions. Many are searching for and hoping to find a word of encouragement, something that will lessen fear and foreboding, establish confidence, enrich the affections, promote the general welfare, and strengthen faith in the ultimate outcome of good.
In one sense, salvation stands for preservation from some impending evil. In its theological aspect, as given in a modern dictionary, salvation is "deliverance from sin and penalty, realized in a future state." In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 593) Mrs. Eddy defines "salvation" as "Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness, and death destroyed." It is this last definition which, today, should concern the world. When salvation in its true meaning becomes more apparent, and it is known to apply in a constructive manner to every detail of human thought and activity, it will be so much sought after that all human standards will undergo radical changes. In the news of the day, for example, there will be, not overflowing budgets of crime stories, awaiting front-page publicity, but, instead, "good tidings of good." The age is approaching this much-needed reform in publicity methods and, as seen in some instances, in the character of the news purveyed.
