What a love laden word is "benevolence"; and how vividly descriptive of the activities of the Christian Science movement! Indeed, a religion which teaches unfailing love through every test of experience would hardly be consistent if it did not lay great store on compassion and helpfulness as primary elements of practice. Love is God, infinite Life. We live in proportion to the love we demonstrate in our thinking. Thus we have an acceptable gift for mankind, and grow spiritually richer in sharing it.
The thought of Mary Baker Eddy always turned naturally to God. Even in early childhood her thinking gave evidence of native spirituality, later to be developed in a marked capacity for self-abnegation and a supreme desire to serve God by doing good. A Christlike benevolence pervaded her life and work. It is a fact, well known, that Mrs. Eddy's benefactions were many and varied. Any legitimate need touched her heart and brought a loving and generous response. The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, emulates her charitable giving in substantial contributions made to sections visited by misfortune. It cannot be said, therefore, that Christian Scientists are unfeeling, partisan, or narrow in their philanthropies.
Benevolence is in the highest degree praiseworthy. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house," said Paul, "he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." These strong words point a necessity which our beloved Leader recognized in her permissive provision for the establishment of the Sanatoriums of The Christian Science Benevolent Association, which exemplify the Scriptural promise that "his children shall have a place of refuge."
