My husband was a United States Navy career man, and served mostly overseas. When possible, I accompanied him. At one location the inhabitants were all Caucasians. A black woman was rarely seen, and I had been warned of hostility. Soon after my arrival I did some window-shopping. I had not stopped in front of the first store for more than a few minutes when I was surrounded by angry-looking people. It was amazing how quickly they congregated. I could feel the breath of some on my face. They never spoke a word or made a sound. They just stared.
When I saw those unfriendly strangers gazing at me, I recalled a statement by Mrs. Eddy in her book Science and Health: "Mortals must look beyond fading, finite forms, if they would gain the true sense of things. Where shall the gaze rest but in the unsearchable realm of Mind?"Science and Health, p. 264; As best I could, I did as this passage admonishes. I saw beyond the picture of curious and hostile persons. Instead, I saw only Love, God, and His perfect children right there where unfriendly mortals seemed to be.
Probably five or ten minutes passed. Then I felt such ease and joy, such real love and compassion for everybody there, that I found myself laughing aloud.
