Article July 3, 2017 Issue

Why

I have given the name to all the Christian Science periodicals. The first was The Christian Science Journal, designed to put on record the divine Science of Truth; the second I entitled Sentinel, intended to hold guard over Truth, Life, and Love; the third, Der Herold der Christian Science, to proclaim the universal activity and availability of Truth; the next I named Monitor, to spread undivided the Science that operates unspent. The object of the Monitor is to injure no man, but to bless all mankind.

—Mary Baker Eddy, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 353

Why Christian Science periodicals?

Barbara Vining

The mission of each one of the Christian Science periodicals is clearly defined above by Mary Baker Eddy, but the many reasons why she felt a need to publish Christian Science periodicals are worthy of consideration. So, each month, in this column the Journal, Sentinel, and Herald will be exploring important reasons why these publications are needed today.

One of the first questions is this: Why does the public need to know about Christian Science? Well, here’s one reason Mrs. Eddy gave when she started the Journal—a reason that is hugely magnified by the speed and proliferation of today’s media: “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” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 7).

Barbara Vining, Editor

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Cybersecurity—every prayer counts