Two passenger trains, each trying to make up time, were speeding towards one another in the darkness at 50-60 miles an hour. Suddenly one fireman said to his engineer,
“Did you hear that shrill whistle, Bob?”
“No, are you sure?” was the reply in startled tones.
“Yes, I’m sure I heard one, far away down the line.”
The whistle was blown at once, and was answered by another not far distant. The danger brakes were promptly applied, which stopped the train with such suddenness it threw the passengers to their feet. A glare of light appeared around the bend just ahead, and the moon shone out from behind the clouds at the same instant.
The on-coming train was slowing down, but would it stop in time? It did, and the astonished passengers who hurried out to see what was the trouble, saw to their surprise that the cowcatchers of the two trains were touching and a little of the point of one broken!
Had these two trains not stopped in time, many of those on board would, no doubt, have been instantly killed—and WHERE would their souls have gone? For those trusting the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, it would have meant to suddenly be in the presence of the One Who loved them and died for them.
“To be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:8.
“To be with Christ; which is far better.” Phil. 1:23.
But how sad for those still in their sins—it would mean an eternity of woe!
“In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments.” Luke 16:23.
“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 25:30.
And so, dear reader, we would ask, are you prepared to meet God? Have you seen yourself in God’s sight as a guilty sinner, and sought cleansing in the precious blood of Christ?
“The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.
“In Whom we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of sins.” Eph. 1:7.
How needful to be ready as Prov. 27:1 warns us, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
ML 03/03/1946