Mrs. Eddy's period of residence at Concord, New Hampshire, was marked by numerous instances of her good citizenship. She worked vigorously and successfully for improved roads, writing to local newspapers, contributing financially and urging others to contribute to this project. Educational institutions, historical groups, fairs, and churches were among the many organizations that benefited from her generosity.
Her beneficence was also extended to returning soldiers, who received refreshments, and to needy local children, who were provided with winter shoes. These and other examples of our Leader's civic responsibility and interest are mentioned in Chapter 12 of Irving C. Tomlinson's "Twelve Years with Mary Baker Eddy."
Occupied as she was with the founding of the Christian Science movement, it might have been understandable if Mrs. Eddy had ignored civic matters. Such matters, however, were not neglected by her, guided as she was by Christ Jesus' admonition that we love our neighbor as ourselves. On page 276 of Miscellany, she states: "I am asked, 'What are your politics?' I have none, in reality, other than to help support a righteous government; to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself."
