Every summer, at the beginning of the climbing season in the
Swiss mountains, a solemn service is held among the guides, many
of whom are godly men, who know they take their lives in their
hands when they ascend the Alps. So they bring their ropes with
them and lay them at the foot of one of the mountains. Old and
new ropes are piled in a heap, and then they are “blessed” by
the pastor. Prayer is offered that the old ropes may still bear
the strain safely, and that the new ropes may prove equal to all
the stress placed upon them. The guides are commended to the
mercy of God that in their daily ascents they may be kept safely
and that they may succor the travelers who trust in them. (Text.)
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