Regarding what suited her sense of doing good, Mary Baker Eddy quotes the proverb of a Talmudical philosopher, "The noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting charity; and the best alms are to show and to enable a man to dispense with alms." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p ix;}

For centuries a certain measure of care for those in need has been considered a part of the governmental function. An age-old factor of political contention, however, has converged upon these two points: who needs care and what care should be provided.

Sometimes political views tend to reach extreme edges. Nothing should be done for anyone! Everything should be done for everyone! Those who earnestly seek to bring governmental aid to people with needs are sometimes accused of being do-gooders who try to solve every problem by throwing money at it. And those who grow concerned over the loss of individual incentive that may follow large-scale governmental care programs are sometimes regarded as coldhearted and uncaring of their fellowman. Honest people can differ over how to strike a proper balance—one that will enable government to fulfill an appropriate obligation and at the same time enable the individual to retain proper self-respect and an incentive to better himself.

Regardless of one's political leanings in this area, Christian Science can bring urgently needed insight. Most efforts to help tend to define both the individual and his need in materially oriented terms. And too often personal opinions that depend solely upon such a perspective tend to clash. Christian Science treats both the individual and his need within a spiritual rather than a material context. And then proves the fulfilling implications of such a distinctive approach. Through true Christianity the activity of helping people can be carried out of the uncertainties and limitations of political art into the assurances of divine Science.

Basic to the view offered by Christian Science is its teaching that God is All. He underlies and includes the unchanging perfection of being because He is divine Principle. He is the source and sustaining power of each individual because He is Father-Mother. His ever-presence is unencumbered by a single material limitation because He is infinite Spirit. We may barely glimpse such a God as this. But as we grasp and develop bits of understanding along these lines, we begin to realize that the implications are enormous. The goodness and allness of God, properly discerned, have immense meaning for those who feel impelled to help people, as well as for those in need of help.

As we reason from the basis of God's supremely perfect nature and are mindful of the fact that God's creation of man is full evidence of His own ongoing expression, it is altogether logical to define man in terms of perfection. To see him as complete, whole, sustained. To accept man's identity as idea, as substantial, spiritual expression of the one divine Mind. Although such reasoning is logical, it may not be credible to those intimidated by the evidence of the physical senses—by what they see, hear, feel, materially. The traditional political process of helping people bows to the evidence of these corporeal senses. This process sets out, often with noble motivation, to help the individual but wrongly identifies him as a mortal, limited by a host of lacks—opportunity, intelligence, environment, education, health.

True Christianity, as Christ Jesus established and practiced it, helped people to reason consistently from the basis of perfect God. Jesus had the courage to abide by the inevitably logical conclusion that man must be perfect—even in the face of evidence that seemed terribly contrary. And what was the result of Jesus' spiritual reasoning? Physical and mental illness healed. Fear destroyed. Lack removed. Sin eliminated. Death overcome. The blessing Christ Jesus brought to those in need was not conditional upon their vote. His aid was not channeled through an intricate legislative process laced with amendments and delay. His strictly spiritual approach made no compromise. It simply healed.

Christian healing supplies the individual's need by awakening him through prayer to the spiritual fact that his true being is eternally secure and fulfilled. Such awakening consistently evolves a solution for the human need. Today there is no more effective nor thrilling way on earth to help people than through the Science of Christianity.

As Peter and John entered a temple a lame man asked for charity. Peter responded, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." ^{Acts 3:6.} And the man not only rose and walked but leaped and praised God for what he had received. Peter had given him something that did "enable a man to dispense with alms."

This is not to say that governments and individuals, including Christian Scientists, should no longer take steps that will temporarily care for the human need; but our more important goal is clear. Those who are beginning to understand the healing power of Christian Science have a special opportunity, and in fact a moral obligation, to begin pursuing the goal more fully. We have the tools to help people in the most significant way. We must begin using these tools more effectively.

Nathan A. Talbot