Some time ago after my conversion I went to Spain — residing at Madrid — and was connected with many of the earliest railway projects in that country. The providence of God afterward directed my steps to the province of Santander.
Being an engineer by profession, I undertook the construction of a very heavy section of the railway to Madrid then in course of execution, through one of the gorges of the Pyrenees. Lofty peaks lost in the clouds on both sides, thickly wooded rocks, often perpendicular and a foaming torrent, called for continuous retaining walls, heavy rock cuttings, numerous bridges, tunnels, and other contrivances to carry the iron road through this wonderful pass. Before, however, commencing the work on the lower part of my section I detected a gross mistake in the direction of the line as it had been originally laid out, and suggested to the two principal engineers, who were brothers, the alteration of this portion, showing at the same time that a considerable saving might be made in the cost were a straight line adopted instead of a rapid curve.
The proposed alteration was for a month or more a subject of much discussion, and was stiffly resisted by the two brothers, who left no stone unturned to hinder its being put into execution. They carried their point, unfortunately for themselves, as will be seen in the sequel, and from that time forward were not amicably disposed towards me; and as they were in a position to give me sorrow and trouble, I had my share of it during the execution of the works. But as the time drew near when the railway was to be publicly opened, these sorrows were increased to such a degree that my health gave way, and I was prevented from remaining any longer on the works.
It was on the Friday before the opening of the railway that I proposed to my wife to go to the seaside, some six miles off, so as to get perfect quiet for my head and heart. We passed the Saturday there with the children, and I was suffering extremely.
On the sweet Sunday morning I went up on a rock overlooking the Bay of Biscay, accompanied by my son David, then about ten years of age. I had my Bible with me, and opened it at the 91St Psalm and read it through. But how shall I describe the effect of its precious contents on my weary, troubled, and afflicted heart? “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High.” —this was the portion of Jesus when here, and I claimed it as my portion, too. I took every word for myself — “Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence.” On looking at the French translation I found this verse was rather different from ours, and was “mortmalheureuse,” or unfortunate death. Yes, it was all for me. Joy and peace entered on believing these promises, and I said to my son: “See, dear, what a portion the Lord has sent this morning.” We read together, and I said: “Never has my spirit been so quieted by the Word as this morning; a great weight seems to have been suddenly removed.”
I proposed to go at once to my wife, and asked her to get a sheet of paper and write down the first four verses of this Psalm, which she did. When she wrote the words, “Surely He shall deliver thee,” I underlined the word surely; and said: “When God says surely, He means what He says, and will certainly do it.” When she had finished writing I took the paper and wrote above, the date; unto you, “Love your enemies,” and asked her to write below “do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.”
When all was written, I put the paper into my pocket, and-felt much better all day. In the evening everyone had gone to bed, and I was alone in the sitting-room. Again I pulled out this sheet, and on reading it was led to reflect on the latter part that it was all very good in theory to write-what I had written, but to be a practical Christian I must do what it said — Love my enemies, and pray for my persecutors. Now I felt it no easy matter to love two men who had nearly killed me through sorrow. Nevertheless I got down on my knees, and began to pray for them as best I could; and at length was wonderfully helped by the Spirit, who had compassion on my infirmities.
The result was that, having been obedient, I was filled with heavenly joy and peace, which strongly reminded me of a certain memorable night in Paris some years before, When I received forgiveness of sins. My sleep was so sweet, I rose so refreshed and so much better in health, that I was well enough to bathe early in the morning.
I had scarcely dressed when I saw my son come running very fast, and evidently the bearer of some extraordinary tidings. “Oh, papa do you know what has happened?” he cried. John had come with the horses from Las Caldas, they were opening the railway. The two engineers before spoken of were driving the engine conveying the train, loaded with the directors, their friends, and the railway officials. Great admiration was being expressed at the beauty of the work and scenery, and all was joy for a time. But He that dwelleth on high looked on things in a different light. They had been praising the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood; but the God in whose hand their breath was, they had not glorified.
At length the engine came to the unfortunate curve which they had so persistently refused to alter; and going at this, time at a higher speed than was safe, the engine got off the rails, and threw them both down, a deep embankment on a rocky place below. The engine came upon the body of the elder brother, and death almost immediately ensued. The other brother was also under the engine; and the fire, steam, and hot water had scalded his legs to such an extent, that death was evidently sure to follow. He was, however, after much trouble, extricated, and brought to a house-exactly opposite the one where I lived.
On hearing this strange story I soon connected it with the stranger piece of paper I had caused to be written the morning before, at about the very hour the catastrophe had taken place, and which I should have shared in had I not left for the seaside. I need not tell the reader how carefully that paper has been preserved by me, and how frequently it had been read and re-read since then; nor need I tell what the precious 91St Psalm has been to me, and is to this day in all danger and trial.
The remainder of this story is full of interest. I was well enough the following day to return home, passing by the scene of the terrible incident, and minutely examining the engine and carriages, where many had been bruised wounded, but none killed but the elder of the two brothers. On arriving at home two friends, who had been also slightly hurt by the accident, came to my house. It was a solemn moment for me and for them, for we were saved through God’s infinite goodness. I proposed that we should all return thanks to God.
It was a very precious time we spent at such a crisis before the mercy-seat. I asked for great things in much detail, and all was granted by our prayer-hearing God, the principal request being for the salvation of the soul of the sufferer now drawing near his end. I went to see him on the following day; confessed to God and to him that I had often been bitter and hard-hearted towards him, and asked his forgiveness with tears. The work was immediately begun in his soul; all hatred appeared to vanish before the mighty Spirit, who had taken his case in hand. I made but one request to him — that I might be permitted to watch by him as long as God saw fit to prolong his life. This he gladly acceded to. A friend had left on his chimney-piece a small pocket-book with a text for every morning.
His sufferings were so intense, violent tetanus setting in, that not a wink of sleep could he get. All that medical skill-could do was had recourse to, and three doctors were exhausting all the resources of their science in endeavoring to prolong life; but all Was of no avail. Corruption set in rapidly; and this fine man, who a few days before was a model of beauty and cleanliness, had now become a prey to great worms. Truly his comeliness was turned into corruption. Such was one of God’s ways of humbling a spirit naturally proud. On one occasion he said: “I would gladly give fifty pounds for ten minutes’ sleep.” But no sleep could be had.
I was with him during the night, pleading with God unceasingly for him; and it was only in the cool of the morning as the birds began their early anthem, that he, could listen to the little text appointed for him by Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working.
He tarried on earth about nine days, the work of grace going forward with a rapidity that I had never witnessed before. Two days before his death he asked me to read all that was written in Scripture about little children, which I did. He had become as a little child.
A few minutes before his death he called me to give me Once an enemy) his last embrace. Oh, what a heavenly smile! Oh, what peace in the poor dying man’s face! Oh, what a God of grace we have to do with that has the arms, of His mercy wide opened to do thus for all who say: “I have sinned,” and accept His offered mercy through Jesus Christ.
His end was peace. The spirit of the little child was given to him by Jesus, who said: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me”; and thus did he depart from this world of sin and sorrow. But I hope to see him on the bright resurrection morning.
And now, Lord Jesus, I cast this little story on the waters, commending it to Thee and asking Thee to bless it to all who read it, especially to engineers and railway men, young and old; and Thou alone shalt have the praise; for Thou alone art worthy.
W. G.