Recently on a vacation trip we passed under an old wooden railroad bridge. It reminded me of the story of Jennie Carey that happened many years ago.
Jennie was ten years old and lived in one of the western states. One day as she was playing in a field near her house, she saw smoke coming from the direction of the railroad tracks. She ran over to see where the fire was and found it was under the railroad bridge that crossed a deep canyon. The bridge was built of logs and was very old. These logs were burning. Jennie could see that part of the bridge had already burned through. She could see that it was not safe for a train to cross. She also knew that the daily passenger express was due to come by soon. She often would watch it cross the canyon and would wave at the passengers. She knew that she didn’t have time to run for help, so she would have to try to warn the train herself.
Jennie ran up the tracks as fast as she could. She got about one-quarter of a mile from the bridge when she saw the train coming around the curve ahead. Standing in the middle of the track, she took off her jacket and frantically waved it up and down. She could not see the engineer, but she was praying that he would see her. As the train roared closer, she waved and yelled as loud as she could. At the last minute she jumped off the track, but kept waving her jacket as the engine rushed by. She heard the squealing of the brakes, which the engineer had already used to slow the train. Then Jennie knew that her warning had been seen. The train stopped just in time just before the weakened bridge!
Jennie was a real heroine when her bravery was reported. The passengers, train crew and officials all thanked her for her brave act. Many lives were saved by what she did.
Many people today are headed toward eternity by “express.” They close their eyes and ears to all thoughts of danger. When they are warned of the punishment ahead, they turn away laughing and ignore the warning.
Think what would have happened to the train’s passengers if the engineer had ignored Jennie’s warning. He was responsible for his passengers and their safety. You are responsible for what you do with God’s warning. He has provided an escape from the penalty that your sins deserve. His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was punished on the cross for the sins of those who will believe in Him. Don’t put it off! “Apply the brakes!” The warning has been given and there isn’t very much time left. The Lord Jesus is coming back very soon to take everyone who has believed home to heaven with Him. Why not accept Him as your own Saviour right now. “A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:33A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (Proverbs 22:3).
ML-10/11/1992