Article August 12, 1911 Issue

THE MONITOR

SALLIE J. UPTON.

When , in 1908, I read in the Sentinel that Christian Scientists were to have a daily newspaper, I immediately subscribed for a copy to be sent to a member of my family, but being myself in Honolulu, about six thousand miles from Boston, I thought I did not care to take it. Shortly after this, the announcement was made that our Leader requested that "every Christian Scientist ... subscribe for and read our daily newspaper" (Sentinel, Nov. 21, 1908). Although abundant proof of her wisdom in leadership was not lacking, and I knew she had good and sufficient reason for making such a request (whether at the time I saw what it was or not), I confess I stopped to argue with myself, instead of sending in my subscription at once.

I argued that the paper would be old when it reached me; but immediately came the thought that Mrs. Eddy must have considered the fact that all Christian Scientists do not live in or around Boston,—that they were scattered all over the world and in places where it would take that paper days to reach,—and yet she had requested that all Christian Scientists read it. Then came the argument that I had so little time, and that I wanted to read the textbook, Mrs. Eddy's other writings, and the periodicals. I had to admit that Mrs. Eddy was aware how much all these meant to Christian Scientists, and yet she had requested Christian Scientists to read the Monitor.

About this time, in walking home from church one Sunday, two other earnest Scientists were with me, and I found they were using the same arguments I had employed; but, argue as I would, I felt that I was not doing right. It is well known among Scientists that the Sentinel and Journal are constantly meeting the needs of the field, both collectively and individually, and soon after this an article came out in the Sentinel which as I read between the lines opened my eyes very wide, and I immediately subscribed for and commenced to read the Monitor, and the other two did likewise. Since then I have almost gasped when thinking what would have been the result had I not responded, for I commenced at once to see something of what I would have missed had I not done so, besides the ingratitude and lack of wisdom I would have shown in ignoring our Leader's request.