Editorial June 23, 1951 Issue

THE VISION OF OUR LEADER

Richard J. Davis

No better illustration of the humanitarian motive that characterizes Christian Science can be found than the establishment by our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, of the great international daily newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor. Stating its purpose she says, "The object of the Monitor is to injure no man, but to bless all mankind" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist. and Miscellany, p. 353).

Having written for newspapers from girlhood, Mrs. Eddy keenly appreciated the potency of journalism and its effect upon the thinking of the world. In her book "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 7) she states: "Looking over the newspapers of the day, one naturally reflects that it is dangerous to live, so loaded with disease seems the very air. These descriptions carry fears to many minds, to be depicted in some future time upon the body. A periodical of our own will counteract to some extent this public nuisance; for through our paper, at the price at which we shall issue it, we shall be able to reach many homes with healing, purifying thought. A great work already has been done, and a greater work yet remains to be done."

We often hear the expression "power of the press," but to what extent have we analyzed it to see just what that signifies—"power of the press"? To what extent have we seen that what is known as human consciousness, today is largely framed or mentally constructed by what one reads in the newspaper? The average person, whether he realizes it or not, thinks largely in terms of the printed page. Rightly or not it molds his thought, furnishing the concepts or opinions upon which he ponders and acts. Indeed, it is said that we are a newspaper-goverened people. Much that we think or talk about finds its origin or first expression in the newspaper or magazine.

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