156
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
We then thought of those who had not accustomed themselves to
privations and hardships. Where were such now? They were not in
the company. At every change, some were left behind, and those only
remained who had accustomed themselves to endure hardships. The
privations of the way only made these more eager to press on to the
end.
Our danger of falling from the pathway increased. We pressed
close to the white wall, yet could not place our feet fully upon the path,
for it was too narrow. We then suspended nearly our whole weight
upon the cords, exclaiming: “We have hold from above! We have
hold from above!” The same words were uttered by all the company
in the narrow pathway. As we heard the sounds of mirth and revelry
that seemed to come from the abyss below, we shuddered. We heard
the profane oath, the vulgar jest, and low, vile songs. We heard the
war song and the dance song. We heard instrumental music, and loud
laughter, mingled with cursing and cries of anguish and bitter wailing,
and were more anxious than ever to keep upon the narrow, difficult
pathway. Much of the time we were compelled to suspend our whole
weight upon the cords, which increased in size as we progressed.
[192]
I noticed that the beautiful white wall was stained with blood. It
caused a feeling of regret to see the wall thus stained. This feeling,
however, lasted but for a moment, as I soon thought that it was all as it
should be. Those who are following after will know that others have
passed the narrow, difficult way before them, and will conclude that if
others were able to pursue their onward course, they can do the same.
And as the blood shall be pressed from their aching feet, they will not
faint with discouragement; but, seeing the blood upon the wall, they
will know that others have endured the same pain.
At length we came to a large chasm, at which our path ended.
There was nothing now to guide the feet, nothing upon which to rest
them. Our whole reliance must be upon the cords, which had increased
in size, until they were as large as our bodies. Here we were for a time
thrown into perplexity and distress. We inquired in fearful whispers,
“To what is the cord attached?” My husband was just before me. Large
drops of sweat were falling from his brow, the veins in his neck and
temples were increased to double their usual size, and suppressed,
agonizing groans came from his lips. The sweat was dropping from
my face, and I felt such anguish as I had never felt before. A fearful