IT was in the latter part of June, the most beautiful of months, when nature is clad in her loveliest garb, that the incident of, which I am about to write, occurred. It was in 1896 when we were living near the central part of Nebraska, in the fertile valley of the Loup River, and about a half mile from the stream.
Many times, at the close of a hot summer day, my parents, sister and myself would stroll down to the river to seek refreshment in its cool waters; and never had we felt the least alarm in doing so.
At the time of which I write, a dear cousin was visiting us, and she too, was very fond of the river.
Knowing there was quite a quantity of fish in the stream, we concluded, one day, to go seining. Accordingly, Cousin and I fixed the net, and after dinner, we all drove down to the river. As I had been in poor health for some time, it was thought best for me to keep out of the water. So Papa took me up—I was quite small—and carried me across some water to a sand bar, where I was placed to watch them seine.
They succeeded in catching about twenty fish but there were no cat-fish among them, and as this was what they wanted, they changed their plans. Thinking they might get some if they would go down the river a short distance and drag the net up, they started on this undertaking.
Alas! how often we walk straight into danger while seeking to carry out our own designs, and losing sight, perhaps, of the glory of God.
The little party had not gone far, when Mamma said, “It is getting deep.” Papa told them to drop the end of the net which they were holding, and go back. I heard my dear cousin cry, “We can’t, we can’t.” By this time my sister was in deep water, and Papa lifted her out on the bank. Then I saw Mamma and my cousin go under. Oh, who could imagine my feelings! None but God could know my distress. In anguish of soul, I now was wringing my hands and crying to Him for help.
Papa attempted to rescue the drowning ones; but not being able to swim, he soon went under. Through God’s mercy, he was enabled to struggle up on the bank. As soon as he recovered from the strangling effects of the water, he made another attempt, but again went under.
My sister was running along the bank, crying to God for help in our distress, and I was trying to find my way off the sand-bar. Again God was merciful and helped Papa out by means of a straw hat which fitted his head very tightly.
My sister kept her eye on the drowning ones in order to tell Papa where they were. All that could be seen of them was Mamma’s hair floating on the water, and occasionally some of their clothing. As soon as Papa was able he made a third effort; this time he ran out on an old tree, which reached over the water, and jumped off. He had run downstream a little distance to reach the tree, and by so doing was in advance of the floating bodies. With one great effort he reached out and got hold of Mamma’s hair; but when he drew her to him, dear cousin was not there. A short distance above, the channel had divided, and while Mamma’s body had been carried in the current nearest the bank, the body of my cousin had been carried away in the other.
Papa was so nearly exhausted, and Mamma’s body so heavy with water, that it was with much difficulty he got her up on the bank. He thought it was only a lifeless body now.
My sister, who was by this time running to get some help, heard Papa call to some people on the other side of the river to watch for a dead body—thinking my cousin’s body would be found over there. Sister, hearing the call, thought it was for her, and turned and ran up to Mamma, and gave her a kiss, thinking because her face was so black, that she was dead; then she ran off again to seek help.
But Papa had noticed a noise in Mamma’s throat, after he had succeeded in getting her up on dry ground. He untied her sun-bonnet which had fallen off her head and was tight about her neck. When this was done he heard again a gurgling sound.
After a little time, through his persevering efforts, Mamma was restored to consciousness. As soon as she was able to speak she asked for Cousin, but Papa had to tell her she was gone.
Meantime, I had made my way through weeds and bushes to where the horse had been tied, and now brought horse and buggy to the spot where Mamma was lying in the grateful shade of a tree; but her groans, which I heard when still some distance off, gave me much sorrow of heart.
I found a neighbor to help look after Cousin’s body; and then we got Mamma into the buggy and started home.
Oh, how different were our thoughts and feelings now, as we wended our way homeward, from what they were when we started out early in the afternoon! We had not dreamed of danger then but were as happy as our feathered friends that flit to and fro above our heads; and had as little thought of peril, as they have of an unforeseen foe pouncing down upon them. Now we had mingled, feelings of joy and sorrow. Our hearts were bleeding with sorrow in the sad loss of our dear cousin; and they were also filled with thankfulness to God for graciously sparing us to each other for a time longer.
That night was a night of suffering for Mamma; every breath was with a groan; and hot drinks had to be given and hot applications constantly applied.
She had expected to be drowned when she went under the water for she knew that Papa could not swim; but she was kept from fear, for she had the blessed assurance of salvation, and she felt that she was leaning on the “Everlasting Arms.”
And this same blessed assurance, all who believe on the name of Jesus may have.
How important, how very important is the safety of our never dying souls! Dear reader, if you are unsaved let me remind you that Christ is waiting with outstretched arms to receive you, if only you will come. He is calling, gently calling. Will you turn a deaf ear to His loving entreaties? He died for you. On the cross He bore the sins of all His people; and under the weight of their sins He was forsaken of God; for God cannot look upon sin, nor have it in His presence. Thus forsaken, in His agony He cried, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Mark 15:3434And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34).
Dear unsaved reader, do not delay the all-important matter of your salvation another hour; no, not another minute; you know not when time for you may cease. You are standing on sinking sand. Satan will say to you, Enjoy earth’s pleasures a little longer—there’s plenty of time. But, dear friend, are you going to listen to the devil’s lying words? He wants to get you in his clutches, and are you going to yield? You cannot serve God and Satan both, and you are serving one or the other.
I have endeavored to give this little account with truthfulness in every detail, though six years having passed, it is difficult to recall fully all that occurred.
ML 10/26/1902