We lived for some years in an area where a large and militant religious majority at times treated those who were not part of it with much bigotry and frequently with hatred stemming from ignorance and fear. In the midst of these attitudes we found a house, though we were turned away from more than a few doors because we were not of the prevailing faith. Though often tempted to react to the unkindness turned upon us, we relied upon Christian Science, the Comforter, to see ourselves and everyone as beloved and loving children of one Father, hence brothers in one home. Mrs. Eddy's teaching that Love reflects love was a daily guide to thought and action. For support we turned to a Christian Science practitioner who lived in this community. Soon an adequate home came to us under unusual circumstances.
The same Christ-love which brought us to our first house in this area enabled us to live in the community and to love with such purity that hurt, resentment, and bitterness were removed from our thinking. We learned that finding a house was only the first step in the continuing demonstration of living love. After two years of coolness, in which we experienced rebuffs and even unkind acts toward our small children, who were by then in school, one day I realized that if we did not wake out of a sense of bigotry in others, we would become bigoted ourselves!
From then on, with no exceptions, each time we were confronted with another ugly facet of prejudice we expressed our clearest sense of love, and it always melted. We were directed to the wise and proper human footsteps to establish harmony. In our neighborhood, this was shown in small, loving kindnesses, intuition, and perception. Our prayer to express love took form in interest and intelligent, humble participation which led to comprehensive, effective action bringing widespread blessings. Over a period of years we were enabled to make large contributions of community service and to participate on many levels of community leadership, all on the basis of our own religion.
