Article On The Census In Moscow | Page 6

that
science has its task, and that we, on the occasion of this census, have
our task, and let us not allow the curtain once lifted to be dropped, but
let us profit by the opportunity in order to remove the immense evil of
the separation existing between us and the poor, and to establish
intercourse and the work of redressing the evil of unhappiness and
ignorance, and our still greater misfortune,- -the indifference and
aimlessness of our life.
I already hear the customary remark: "All this is very fine, these are
sounding phrases; but do you tell us what to do and how to do it?"
Before I say what is to be done, it is indispensable that I should say
what is not to be done. It is indispensable, first of all, in my opinion, in
order that something practical may come of this activity, that no society
should be formed, that there should be no publicity, that there should be
no collection of money by balls, bazaars or theatres; that there should
be no announcement that Prince A. has contributed one thousand rubles,
and the honorable citizen B. three thousand; that there shall be no

collection, no calling to account, no writing up,--most of all, no writing
up, so that there may not be the least shadow of any institution, either
governmental or philanthropic.
But in my opinion, this is what should be done instantly: Firstly, All
those who agree with me should go to the directors, and ask for their
shares the poorest sections, the poorest dwellings; and in company with
the census-takers, twenty-three, twenty-four or twenty- five in number,
they should go to these quarters, enter into relations with the people
who are in need of assistance, and labor for them.
Secondly: We should direct the attention of the superintendents and
census-takers to the inhabitants in need of assistance, and work for
them personally, and point them out to those who wish to work over
them. But I am asked: What do you mean by WORKING OVER
THEM? I reply; Doing good to people. The words "doing good" are
usually understood to mean, giving money. But, in my opinion, doing
good and giving money are not only not the same thing, but two
different and generally opposite things. Money, in itself, is evil. And
therefore he who gives money gives evil. This error of thinking that the
giving of money means doing good, arose from the fact, that generally,
when a man does good, he frees himself from evil, and from money
among other evils. And therefore, to give money is only a sign that a
man is beginning to rid himself of evil. To do good, signifies to do that
which is good for man. But, in order to know what is good for man, it
is necessary to be on humane, i.e., on friendly terms with him. And
therefore, in order to do good, it is not money that is necessary, but,
first of all, a capacity for detaching ourselves, for a time at least, from
the conditions of our own life. It is necessary that we should not be
afraid to soil our boots and clothing, that we should not fear lice and
bedbugs, that we should not fear typhus fever, diphtheria, and
small-pox. It is necessary that we should be in a condition to seat
ourselves by the bunk of a tatterdemalion and converse earnestly with
him in such a manner, that he may feel that the man who is talking with
him respects and loves him, and is not putting on airs and admiring
himself. And in order that this may be so, it is necessary that a man
should find the meaning of life outside himself. This is what is requisite
in order that good should be done, and this is what it is difficult to find.
When the idea of assisting through the medium of the census occurred

to me, I discussed the matter with divers of the wealthy, and I saw how
glad the rich were of this opportunity of decently getting rid of their
money, that extraneous sin which they cherish in their hearts. "Take
three hundred--five hundred rubles, if you like," they said to me, "but I
cannot go into those dens myself." There was no lack of money.
Remember Zaccheus, the chief of the Publicans in the Gospel.
Remember how he, because he was small of stature, climbed into a tree
to see Christ, and how when Christ announced that he was going to his
house, having understood but one thing, that the Master did not
approve of riches, he leaped headlong from the tree, ran home and
arranged his feast. And how, as soon as Christ entered, Zaccheus
instantly declared that he gave the half