In 1926, when I took my first steps in Christian Science...

Marie Gleizes

In 1926, when I took my first steps in Christian Science and was confronted by the wonderful changes which Truth had worked in me, I was seized with a fervent desire to spread the good news of salvation—healing by divine Mind. I had suffered so from the slavery of the material sense that I wanted to free the whole world. I asked God in my prayers to give me a place where I could be of use to Christian Science.

In 1927, when in Paris, I was the victim of so-called mortal mind, and through false belief and the spirit of greed I was sent to an insane asylum. When the first moment of fear had passed, I placed my son in the care of divine Mind, for I had left him alone in a large hotel and he was only sixteen. But as he attended the Christian Science Sunday School he had learned that "man's extremity is God's opportunity." To the doctor who questioned me I replied calmly and mildly: "I am not at all sick; there is an error. I should be very grateful to you if you would give me some work and no remedies—a needless expense." My request was granted, and I was thus able to help the nurses and render some service to my less fortunate companions. Beginning the first night, I declared the truth while calming a patient whom fear caused to cry out, and who had thus since her arrival prevented her companions from sleeping. The astonished and pleased nurses regarded me with respect.

On another day, as I returned to a ward, my attention was caught by the efforts a nurse was making to get a patient to swallow some food, the patient refusing even under such threats as the straightjacket. I looked upon her with compassion and love, reciting this verse from the New Testament, learned in Sunday school: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Immediately the patient got up and ate her food. Here, too, healing by divine Science did its work. Through a tender word, a word of love, I was able to spare another patient severe treatment. How my heart overflowed with joy and gratitude to our noble and revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who by her steadfast work and fidelity to the Master showed us through her revelations such great love for humanity!

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