OF no other newspaper are the words, "News is the benediction that follows prayer," so true as of The Christian Science Monitor, the international daily newspaper founded in 1908 by Mary Baker Eddy as the crowning accomplishment in her establishment of five spiritually uplifting periodicals.
The student who is accustomed to daily reading of the Christian Science periodicals is quick to recognize the distinction in their individual functions and the specific purpose of each. The Christian Science Journal, the Christian Science Sentinel, and The Herald of Christian Science in its several translations are concerned with the presentation and elucidation of the scientific truths which are revealed in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. The Christian Science Quarterly contains the weekly Lesson-Sermons which are read in Christian Science churches each Sunday, and which individual Scientists study during the week. Their purport is entirely metaphysical, setting forth the absolute statements of Science. Therefore these periodicals are used by all Christian Scientists and by those seeking a knowledge of this Science.
The Monitor, however, with the exception of the one religious article on its Home Forum page, contains no discussion of Christian Science. Based on the truths of Christian Science and published in an environment in which these truths are being practiced, it strives to achieve comprehensive, accurate reports and intelligent interpretation. The Monitor is not an ordinary newspaper. Its mission is, as the Bible advocates (Isa. 62:10), to "lift up a standard for the people." It is read in diplomatic, political, educational, business, social, and religious circles where the other Christian Science periodicals are less likely to find immediate acceptance. It leavens thought with its messages of hope and health and with its promotion of constructive thinking and universal interests.
However, our Leader did not establish it merely to print favorable reports, nor did she desire that it eliminate any important item of news. The truthful, unbiased, un-embellished information which it supplies regarding evil as well as good enables the alert Christian Scientist to work metaphysically towards the overcoming of errors which need correction.
College students, housewives, businessmen, statesmen, testify to the helpfulness of the Monitor in inspiring a greater appreciation and understanding of the peoples of the earth. The Monitor has a way of tempering one's thought; it equips one to evaluate human experience constructively. Its pages enhance the perceptive powers of its readers, stimulating and leading thought into fresh, wholesome avenues of mental activity. The Monitor does not do its readers' thinking for them, but endeavors "to promote that atmosphere of poised and intelligent discussion which enables democratic government to function best" (Editorial in the issue of August 12, 1936). The Monitor is dedicated to the support of a righteous government, as was our Leader (see The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 276), and favors no one political party, but sponsors that which it deems right or nearest right.
Circulation of the Monitor is greatly aided by the faithful, persistent work of students of Christian Science who are devoting themselves to the task of bringing our paper to the attention of those who can recognize its merits. This latter category includes non-Scientists as well as Christian Scientists. Oswald G. Villard, in speaking of the Monitor in his book "The Disappearing Daily" (p. 115), says, "It is a cause for genuine regret that it does not have a far larger general circulation, for its treatment of the news is of the very best."
If some Scientists do not properly respect the Monitor, nor fully concur with its policies, could it be that they have not sufficiently perceived its purpose and mission? The more one ponders the purpose and mission of Science and Health, the more he appreciates and understands that glorious textbook. The more one learns of Mrs. Eddy's efforts to give it to the world, the more he discerns of its message. Just as the student finds that his spiritual growth necessitates his according Mrs. Eddy her unassailable and indisputable place as Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and Leader of the Christian Science movement, so he must in his own thought clearly define and support the position of the Monitor, which she considered one of her greatest contributions to mankind. Proper appreciation of the Monitor and of the significance of its mission is an individual unfoldment which comes through loving the paper and obediently subscribing for and reading it as our Leader desired every Christian Scientist to do.
A few years ago a Scientist was requested to do certain work for the Monitor which involved responsibility and much activity. She was suffering from serious mental and physical distress which was tempting her to believe she could not go on. But inspired by the recognition that this request was not a human but a divine demand, she accepted the work. The Monitor was like the hand of God, leading her forward and supporting her steps. For a long while her activity consisted solely of rising, dressing, and going out to perform her Monitor duties, returning to bed upon their completion; but each time the effort was made in behalf of the Monitor she returned stronger, freer, and happier. By the end of a year of service she found that she was healed and fully capable of assuming greater responsibility. In addition, she had experienced several other uplifting demonstrations of the truth, one of which was the blessing of class instruction in Christian Science.
At another time, when working for the Monitor, she found herself in deep discouragement. Praying for inspiration and guidance, she was led to look at this statement of Mrs. Eddy's made in the Christian Science Sentinel of December 11, 1909 (Vol. XII, No. 15): "Stick to your text, and you will stick to your newspaper, and text and paper will carry you onward and upward." The word "stick" particularly impressed her, and as she pondered its connotations and the significance of Mrs. Eddy's relating our newspaper to the textbook, her consciousness was awakened, and she thenceforth proceeded joyfully and successfully with her work for the Monitor.
To each Christian Scientist belongs the responsibility of being not only a consistent subscriber and an intelligent reader of this great newspaper, but an interested patronizer of the advertisers who use its columns. In many Christian Science branch churches are found committees designed to assist the church member in this endeavor.
There are those who are reluctant to work for the welfare of the Monitor either because of indifference or because of some objection to the present methods employed in promoting its circulation. Some hold that the solicitation of subscriptions is commercial, advocating that the Monitor be left alone to find its own way in its own good time. Has it occurred to these students that this newspaper has a great work to accomplish for the Cause of Christian Science? Its work cannot be put off until Christian Science is wholeheartedly embraced throughout the world, but must be a substantial aid in bringing this about.
In "Christian Healing" (p. 1) Mrs. Eddy writes, "We have asked, in our selfishness, to wait until the age advanced to a more practical and spiritual religion before arguing with the world the great subject of Christian healing; but our answer was, 'Then there were no cross to take up, and less need of publishing the good news.'" If one disagrees with some methods for promoting the Monitor, let him pray yet more earnestly for its welfare, rather than stand aside in dissatisfaction. Surely neglecting to work for our paper will neither promote its growth nor replace present methods with more spiritually progressive ones. But let us recognize that no one of us has yet achieved the absolute demonstration of spirituality. Mrs. Eddy's life was a consistent example of wisdom in action. She was practical, allowing her absolute understanding of Christian Science to lead her into taking those human footsteps and actions which would most clearly express the divine purpose and most effectively enable her to reach human consciousness with the light of Truth. So is it with the Monitor.
The advertising and the subscriptions obtained for the Monitor are its present symbols of support. The Monitor's supply increases as Christian Scientists rise in the understanding of God's support of all that is good, and value aright the good already present and manifested in our newspaper. To hesitate to promote it through all authorized methods is for students to miss the point of the Monitor's mission and of their individual mission as students of Mrs. Eddy. Those, however, who are actively expressing and utilizing their discernment of the function of Science and Health on the one hand and of the Monitor on the other are indeed experiencing fulfillment of the promise that "text and paper will carry you onward and upward."
