Rope Wanted

On the shores of the Mexican Gulf, a large city had been built, dangerously near Highwater Mar. One day, a magic tidal wave rolled over it, drowning 10,000 people at a stroke. A community of devoted young women, living on the outskirts of the city, heard the shrieks of the drowning people and rushed to the rescue, saving many of the unfortunate creatures from their doom.

But when the lowering clouds, the growling thunders, and the moaning seas threatened another storm, they fled, agreeing that their work for the day was done. But one girl, specially concerned for the children, said, I'm going to have another turn. No, Mary, her comrades replied, if you go again, you'll come back no more.

But, said Mary, the little ones are perishing, and if I refuse to save them, their wailing will haunt my dying pillow. So with a coil of rope around her arm, Mary went out again into the storm, but she came back no more. And when they searched for the dead among the wreckage, they found Mary with an infant in each arm, and seven little children tied together with the rope, one end of which was fastened around her waist.

Can't you see, Mary, dragging her little procession along? When a sudden gust of wind blows her over, and the waters drown her where she falls, I shall meet Mary and her little flock in heaven. The Salvation Army is out on the wild, waste waters of the world. Her arms are full of children, and thousands of helpless creatures are being torn along by her instinctive honor to earth and blessedness in heaven.

Still she wants to do far more, but she's short of rope, and knowing that there must be a good deal of that material unused in these parts, may I ask my friends to send a little along, and thereby earn the blessing of God, the thanks of those ready to perish, and the gratitude of the general.