Editorial October 17, 1977 Issue

Prayer for the Community

Naomi Price

In 1910 the city government of Concord, New Hampshire, passed a resolution in respectful appreciation of Mary Baker Eddy's contribution to the prosperity of their city during the nineteen years she lived there. Referring to her as "an honored, respected, and beloved benefactor," the mayor, the board of aldermen, and the common council of Concord mentioned her as "distinguished by public spirit, deep generosity, wide charity, and tender and thoughtful helpfulness," and they went on record as agreeing that the citizens of Concord had lost "an honored and a devoted friend."

During her years of residence in Concord, Mrs. Eddy was fully occupied with the affairs of her Church. Originally formed in 1879, it needed her constant attention in its affairs of government. She not only wrote several new books but undertook major revision of her main work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. She was kept busy with a large correspondence and many visitors. Yet, despite these demands, Mrs. Eddy's service to the community in which she lived merited special mention by its officers.

Christian Science has a highly important contribution to make to the community, and although comparatively few of its adherents will ever take an active part in the actual government of their hometowns, their Leader's example shows that their presence need not be unnoticed, but valued highly. Their spirit of concern for neighborhood welfare, generosity in caring for human needs, and wise support of constructive development plans can do much to promote public progress. Their alertness to community problems and prayerful thought to find solutions to them can have powerful influence for the good of their city.

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