As a child, I, along with many thousands of other children, thrilled to hear the opening strains of the chorus of The William Tell Overture, and to hear the announcer exclaim, "The Lone Ranger rides again!" The week did not seem complete without seeing the Lone Ranger and his sidekick, Tonto. We used to tell, in the spirit of fun, a joke that cast reflections on the integrity of "the faithful Indian companion." It seems the Lone Ranger and Tonto were surrounded by a thousand blood thirsty, hostile Indians. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and asked, "What are we going to do, Tonto?" To which Tonto replied, "What do you mean We,' Paleface?"

If a congregation is increasing numerically, everyone is happy that "we are growing." It makes little or no difference that someone else has made the contacts and done the teaching - "we are growing." But let there come a long dry spell (no baptisms), and someone, in the spirit of Tonto, says or thinks, "The preacher must not be doing his job."

"I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" (I Cor. 3:6). And let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1)

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XV: 48, p. 13
October 14, 1971