In the Progress Edition of the Monitor issued November 20-25, there was a record of its twenty-five years of growth. When the newspaper was a little more than a year old, one of Mrs. Eddy's helpers wrote to her, describing the Monitor as "a most genial persuader of men." She exclaimed, "That is the spirit I have enjoined upon them from the start!" Then she commissioned one of the members of her household to convey to the writer her "loving thanks." This was in January, 1910, and the newspaper about which she had been thinking for twenty-five years was in full being, reaching many homes, developing in power to bless mankind according to her hopes and prophecy. It was persuading men to engage in correct thinking, that is, thinking or judging in accord with mercy, that quality which "is twice-blessed." It is interesting to note that Mrs. Eddy in figurative speech names justice as "the handmaid" of mercy.
Justice misconceived, urgent and willful, drawing the sword instead of reasoning, by every conquest is sowing the seed of future wars. . Mrs. Eddy's teaching in her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" is, "Let Truth uncover and destroy error in God's own way, and let human justice pattern the divine."
Justice, serving under divine compassion, adjusts inequalities, corrects what is unfair, and develops social harmony. Through the understanding of mercy, which "endureth for ever," all mankind may be delivered from fear and enabled to find true health and happiness; and there could be no higher mission for a newspaper than to unfold such possibilities of blessing. Pride and fear, with perpetual occasions for offense and defense, may be quieted among men of good will so that on earth there may be peace.
