Eighty-five years ago this week, Mary Baker Eddy called her household together to rejoice in the appearing of the first issue of The Christian Science Monitor. Though it was a cold, overcast New England day, she said, "This, in truth, is the lightest day 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, p. 107) The Monitor has served mankind by embodying the essential qualities of accuracy, insight, fairness, and goodwill. Along with monitoring the events of the day, it seeks to uncover those activities or trends of thought that would harm mankind if allowed to continue unexposed and unchecked. And, of course, it strives to bless mankind and acknowledge those efforts or ideas that contribute to the healing of the world's woes. It rejoices in the achievements of humanity in the realm of arts and letters, sports, the home, and family. It rouses the members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, not by simply keeping them informed, but by engaging their natural healing instincts and aiding them to see and to work to meet the world's needs through divine Science.

In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mrs. Eddy writes, "Earth's preparatory school must be improved to the utmost" (p. 486). Her comment addresses itself primarily to the demand on each of us to imbibe the full spirit of Christ Jesus' teachings and to allow them to mold and leaven our lives. But it also gives us insight into the important mission of The Christian Science Monitor. For the student of Christian Science today, it records, in print and on radio worldwide, the spectrum of world affairs, politically, culturally, and economically. In a way it measures those elements of human life that have been redeemed or are in great need of redemption. It brings to thought daily Mrs. Eddy's question that serves to spur the spiritual growth of all Christians: "The Revelator tells us of 'a new heaven and a new earth.' Have you ever pictured this heaven and earth, inhabited by beings under the control of supreme wisdom?" (Science and Health, p. 91).

It's true that some prefer not to look at the world. It is this unchristian tendency to sidestep our neighbor's need that is checked by Mrs. Eddy's inspired action. Those church members who read, subscribe to, and listen to the Monitor actually are putting on record their commitment to healing, their deep Christian caring about the welfare of mankind. Sometimes readers find that this causes them to wrestle with their own political views and human opinions on all sorts of matters, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Cor. 10:5). This requires love, a love fed by Christ, a love that reflects the great heart of God embracing all creation in divine Love and Truth. The result is often a new, more spiritual view of life. We can't always measure the good that this accomplishes, but the world is far better for this work.