Article February 27, 1909 Issue

TRUE CHARITY

REV. JAMES J. ROME

OCCASIONALLY reference is publicly made to Christian Science as a religion in which there is no provision made for charitable work, nor any organized effort put forth to care for the needy and distressed. The congregations of the Christian Science churches are said to be made up of only the rich and well-to-do, while all the charitable work is supposed to be left for other churches and organizations. These conceptions and misstatements are strangely out of keeping with the liberal contributions taken up in the Christian Science churches for such public calamities as the San Francisco earthquake, the Chelsea fire, the Russian famine, and more recently the earthquake in Italy. The fact is that no one will more readily respond to an appeal for help to relieve the need of those in distress than a true Christian Scientist, but special organization for charitable work is not deemed necessary, for if the Church of Christ is not in itself a charitable institution, what is it?

While Christian Scientists are not indifferent to the present needs of those in distress, they strive to follow the injunction of the great Master, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." There is no one who has shown more true generosity than the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and many have had reason to call her blessed for help rendered in the hour of need. There are, however, certain conditions, usually classed under the head of charitable work, which are dealt with in a very different manner by Christian Scientists than they would be by other organizations. This was forcibly brought to my notice some time ago in the following manner.

In my attendance at the services in The Mother Church I had formed the acquaintance of two gentlemen who were always very genteel both in appearance and address. They were typical of that class which go to make up the Christian Science "rich congregations." In conversation with a friend I referred to one of these gentlemen. "Yes," my friend remarked, "Christian Science has done a great deal for him." I asked for an explanation. "Why," was the reply, "he had gone to ruin with drink; his business was wrecked and his family were suffering when he was led to Christian Science. He was healed, and is now doing well." A little later I happened to refer to the other gentleman. The remark made was, "Yes, he is getting along better now." "Please tell me about him," I said. The story was that he had been sick for years and had spent all he had on doctors and medicines. When he turned to Christian Science he did not have a decent suit of clothes in which to attend church services. Nevertheless he came to church, and took treatment from a practitioner. He was soon healed, and thereby enabled to make a respectable living for himself and family.

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