A LIGHT FOR THE WORLD

By Richard C. Bergenheim

In 1908 few women had the authority or resources to start a daily newspaper. But late during that summer Mary Baker Eddy wrote a brief note to the Directors of her Church and to the Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society telling them it was time to start a daily newspaper. She explained, "The Cause [of Christian Science] demands that it be issued now" (L07268, Mary Baker Eddy to Christian Science Board of Trustees, August 8, 1908. The Mary Baker Eddy Collection, The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity).

Unquestionably, she felt that there was a divine demand for this step to be taken. It was not a political step or an economic venture; it was not merely a journalistic enterprise; it was the result of a continuing unfoldment to her of what was needed for the redemption of mankind. In a draft letter to her editor and publisher, she wrote, "When I proposed having the weekly Sentinel students held back at first; they may hold back this time but I in the name of God direct you to do this" (L07146, Mary Baker Eddy to Archibald McLellan and Allison V. Stewart, May 3, 1908, The Mary Baker Eddy Collection).

The officers of her Church and professionals from around the country clearly felt the force of this spiritual need and demand, and in three months the first issue of The Christian Science Monitor came off the press. Wednesday morning, November 25, 1908, was overcast and foggy. When the first copy of the paper was delivered to Mrs. Eddy, her staff commented on how dark the day was. Mrs. Eddy responded, "Yes, but only according to sense. We know the reverse of error is true. This, in truth, is the lightest of all days. This is the day when our daily paper goes forth to lighten mankind ...!" (Irving C. Tomlinson, Twelve Years with Mary Baker Eddy, Boston, The Christian Science Publishing Society, 1994, pp. 125–126).