Holding the Ropes at Home
By E. W. THOMANN
It is plain to me that many of our brethren in the home lands can not always understand why the Mission Board asks continually for help to sustain the workers in the field. I sometimes think if I were not in the field myself, possibly I would forget, too, what great need there is to sustain the workers in the distant line of the battle, if I did not get frequent reports. I will give an experience I had a short time ago, illustrating how it goes when those at home forget to help. There were some soldiers taking horses across the river. As one horse could not swim well, the soldier that rode on it threw himself into the water, thinking to get out alone and allow the horse to get out also. The horse swam out, but the poor soldier went to the bottom. The other soldiers ran about, trying to get help to save him. I was near the place, visiting a family, and hearing what had occurred, ran to the river, took off my clothing, and swam to where they told me the man was lying. I dived several times, but could not reach the bottom because the water was so deep. Then they brought a rope, and six or more men at each end of it held it across the stream where the man was drowned; but soon I was so tired that I could not swim longer. Then they brought a long rope, and six or more held it on each side of the river, while I walked on it, being in the water up to my breast. As there was not much current, I could easily balance myself, and with the bamboo pole I hunted the lost man. But soon the men who were holding the rope became tired, and loosened it so much that I had to swim again in order to keep afloat. I told the men to pull harder, but when they pulled, I had already lost my balance, and was lifted up by my feet until I was horizontal in the water. I had to work hard to get right again on the rope. This happened several times, until I told them they must hold equally all the time, for if they pulled hard and then let loose again, I could not stand on the line. Then they held well, but by that time I was so tired that I had to give up the search. Then a French brother, who had arrived on the scene, took my place. He soon found the man, but lost him again. By this time I was able to try again, and soon found him. I lifted him up, and others came and carried him to land. It was too late to bring him to life. He was buried the next day. And now, brethren, there are hundreds of millions dying, drowned in sin, going to perdition. Some of us are working to save them, and if the brethren at home, on the riverside, do not hold the ropes, we have to use our strength to swim; and even though they hold the ropes, if they do not pull equally all the time, we become tired, because we have to care for ourselves. Therefore, brethren, hold the ropes, and hold steadily, so that the cord will be in a position all the time to sustain those who are trying to save the drowning ones. Hold, pull, and help, before it is too late, and millions perish without the gospel.