A TERRIBLE fatality took place at the L. and S.W. Railway Station quite recently. The ten o’clock goods train from H. arrived at the station at half-past twelve, and Porter J. B., who was in attendance, attempted to jump on the engine as the train was running through on its way to the goods yard to detach wagons. In doing so, his foot slipped, and being unable to recover himself, he was dragged about fifty yards. Becoming exhausted, he at length let go, and dropped between the platform and the wagons, several of the carriages passing over him. While he was being rescued, and before he finally lost consciousness, he said to Head Porter T —, “It’s all over, Harry; I’m going home — bless the Lord.”
The above incident, reader, which we transcribe from a local paper lying before us, is alas! by no means an uncommon occurrence in this world, where we are all exposed more or less to sudden accident so frequently culminating in death; therefore it is not merely to call attention to the fact itself that we write, but rather to what should be to us of vaster importance than even having to meet death in whatever form, and that is the imperative necessity of being ready for so great a change. This young porter so suddenly cut off in the midst of his days, it is refreshing to observe, had certainly given the solemn matter of eternity his serious attention; but how many there are who shelve this most imperative concern, and are cut off in their sins! The reader may often have had this important question put before him; but may we affectionately once more plead with him not to tamper with so mighty an issue as the eternal destiny of the soul. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:2626For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)). Remember these questions are put by Christ Himself, who only could form a true estimate of the value of the soul. When we reflect that it cost Him the pangs of death, as none other could have borne them, to accomplish deliverance for the sinner from eternal woe, to say nothing of the blessed alternative of eternal bliss with Himself at His coming again, how urgent a matter it is! Oh, reader, see to it without delay! Delays are often dangerous to our interests in this life, but how finally fatal they might prove in the eternal interests of the soul!
To refer again to this young railway porter. How blessed it is to find that he was ready; that he had had to do with Christ; that he knew, like Paul, in whom he had believed, and that He was able to keep that which he had committed to Him against that day; so that when this sudden and violent death overtook him, his closing words on earth could be, “It’s all over, Harry; I’m going home — bless the Lord.” These few lines may fall into the hands of other railway porters; may we solemnly ask, if such were the case with you, could you say with your fellow-porter now departed, “I’m going home — bless the Lord”?
As we write from the town where the accident occurred, it may be that Head Porter T — may read this. We know him, and would make a special appeal to him. If you had been so suddenly called out of time into eternity, instead of your “pal,” could you have said as he did, “I’m going home — bless the Lord”? Kindheartedness, readiness to do another a good turn, is good between man and man. We admire and approve it. But the matter of the soul’s salvation hangs on mightier issues than these. Christ alone, in virtue of His blood, can save the lost.
“None but Jesus, none but Jesus,
Can do helpless sinners good.”
H. L.