Article November 30, 1899 Issue

True Charity

C. B. W. with contributions from Carlyle

Grand Rapids Herald

In the preface to "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mary Baker G. Eddy, Mrs. Eddy says, "A certain apothegm of a Talmudical philosopher suits my sense of doing good. It reads thus : 'The noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting charity; and the best alms are to show and enable a man to dispense with alms.' "

Many people feel that the price at which Science and Health is sold hinders the poor from receiving its help and instruction, and so, to their belief, those most in need of its influence are deprived of it.

I would like to relate an experience I had some nine years ago. There was a family among our acquaintances who were chronically poor. We, with many of their friends, helped them regularly, and there was never any indication that the need grew less. There were times when the need was great. After I had been studying Science and Health about two years I became convinced that Christian Science could meet that human need and that nothing else would. I talked to my mother about it, and told her that I thought instead of sending the usual box of supplies it would be better to send them Science and Health and a letter. They must be taught to maintain themselves, and Science and Health would teach them how to do it. At first mother objected. She was perfectly willing to send the book, but wanted to send the box as well. She finally consented, and Science and Health was sent, together with a letter saying that in it they would find every earthly want supplied, for it would teach them how to live.

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