The press

On page 9, Canham quotes Mary Baker Eddy: "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." (Miscellaneous Writings p 7:17-24).

It's sobering to be reminded of Mary Baker Eddy's comments about the publications of her day, which we know were notoriously adept at spreading lies - indeed, at the actual fabrication of events. This was labelled the "yellow press". 

The word press comes from the printing press. It is interesting to read about the constitution of the team of workers on the payroll of the Monitor in Feb 1909, a few weeks after its Nov 1908 launch:
Advertising (9)
Circulation (5)
Mailing (5)
Editorial (9)
News (24)
Composing (31)
Press and Stereotype (16)

My grandfather was a stereotyper, a skill that is no longer needed in the world of publishing, but was, since the late 1700s, a most important part of the printing process. The stereotyper made the metal printing plates for the printing presses. This was achieved by taking an initial (usually papier-mache) mold of the composed metal type and then making it into a metal cast. Britannica has a helpful article on the process - https://www.britannica.com/technology/stereotype-printing

Here are some photos that may elucidate the process:

These days, we tend to speak about "the media", that amorphous entity which apparently wields such a powerful influence on the thoughts and actions of people worldwide. The Bible references the word press in rather different terms, but it's interesting to picture the events related in Mark 2:4 "..when they could not come nigh unto him [Jesus] for the press, they uncovered the roof..." where the press might be a bunch of reporters and cameramen!

The world has changed, but the need for honest, inspired, and fearless reporting by thoroughly professional and trained writers, remains. (See Robert Peels' "Mary Baker Eddy: Years of Authority p. 466, note 115 for more on this topic.)

Juliet Swannell