ONE of the most pleasant recollections of my childhood is that of a beautiful stream winding its way among the hills and cliffs. Though more than twenty years have passed since I was there, I recall distinctly the clear, sparkling water as it went murmuring over the pebbles of its sandy bed. Wading in such a stream gave me great delight and left such a deep impression on my young mind that I relate with the more interest the following incident.
Near this stream and about a mile from the station lived Mr. S.—. He and his daughter were one day walking along the railroad track on their return home from the town. About a quarter of a mile from the station Mr. S. —made a misstep and got one leg wedged in between the ties of the trestle work they were crossing. He could not get it out, and as he was quite heavy, his daughter was unable to help him.
It was only a few minutes till train time and the nearest help was back at the station. The daughter feared that if she left her father, the train would come and pass over him while she was seeking help. Yet there was no hope if she remained with him. So in her distress she hurried away.
Some men returned with her and reached the helpless man just in time to get him of the track before the train went rushing past. It was fifteen minutes late. If it had been on time it must have crushed the poor man to death.
At the time of this accident Mr. S. — did not know the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, but the Lord was able to save his soul as well as his body. God allowed the train to be late in order that the body might be saved from a terrible death. Afterward Mr. S.— turned to the Lord and found salvation for his soul.
God is watching over us and His power is unlimited. He can cause a train to be late to keep it from killing a man. We know not how many of the disappointments and inconveniences that we experience from time to time are God’s way of saving us or others from harm and death—sometimes the saving of the body, sometimes the salvation of the soul.
There is another thought in connection with the above incident. Mr. S. — was wholly unable to help himself. All his efforts could not free him from the track or put him beyond the danger of the coming train. He was entirely dependent upon those who came to his aid.
So it is with the sinner. He is caught in the snares of sin, and judgment is threatening him. It is coming just as surely as was the train, and the sinner is just as unable by his own efforts to escape it as Mr. S. — was to escape the train.
But there is One who is able to rescue you, oh unsaved soul! Hear the blessed words which God speaks of His Son:
ML 07/12/1903