Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-10-19
Examine Your Passport.

Several years ago. we were advised by
our physician to take a voyage across the
Atlantic for our health. Before leaving
the country, we obtained our passport from
Washington, containing all the directions.
necessary for our safe transit from one
country to another where passports were
required.
All went well till we crossed the chan
mel from England to France. The route
selected was by way of Dieppe and Rouen
to Paris.
Before leaving London, we thought on
examination, that we understood the direc-
tions, and so proceeded on our journey, but |
10! on reaching Dieppe, on the coast of
France, we learned our mistake
Passports were here examined by French |
officers, and it was found that ours was
wanting in an important requisite-it was
not vised.
A wise is an Endorsement made by the
police officers on the back of a passport,
denoting that it has been examined, and
that the person bearing it is permitted to
proceed on his journey.
Our fellow travellers were allowed to pass
on, while we were detained for examina-
ton. We then learned that we had made
a great mistake in following the directions
transmitted to us from Washington. The
carelessness seemed objectionable. Our
passport ought to have been Endorsed in
London; and for this neglect we were in
| the power of the French government; and
in the lawful exercise of this power, they
might have imprisoned us. There we might
have remained till we could prove that We
were honest, and not engaged in any con-
spiracy against the government.
This might have been, and all in conse-
quence of our neglect in the examination
of our passport; it lacked the wise of the
proper authorities.
We have lesson here, dear friends,
which we may turn to good account.
You are all travelling through an enemy's
country. Your passport is in your hands.
The directions for safe transit have been
examined, it may be- but do you under
stand them thoroughly?
As you move on, you meet with no OBJ
struction to your progress. You continue
to travel forward in your journey, feeling
that your life is in accordance with the
acquisitions of your passport.
You know you are upright and consci-
entious; you give attendance on the min
istrations of Gods word in the sanctuary ;
and it may be you contribute toward the
support of the gospel. With such feelings
you pursue your journey onward, suppos-
ing that you have con- piled hitherto with
all the requisites of your passport. But,
dear friends, have you really given that at
tention to this matter which its eternal i'm
portance demands? Have you not in the
excitements of the world, been led to make
some mistake in reading the directions con-
tanned in your chart? When you come to
cross the channel which divides this from
the heavenly land whittier you hope you
are travelling, you will certainly need the
most watchful care to see that every thing
is right before you launch forth on the sui
len stream; for eternal vigilance is the
q price of your future happiness and peace.
f Yes, your passport to the upper country
, must be vised it must be Endorsed by the
, highest authority.
| On that passport must be stamped, "The
, blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all
sin"
With such an endorsement you may pass
, on from stage to stage in this life; and
, when you present your passport to the
r guardians of the beautiful land on the
thither shore, the first glance will show
, that you are permitted to enter within the
= pearly gates of the holy city, and Jesus
+ himself will meet you with the words OF
] welcome to his fellowship: Come, We bles.
, sed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre-.
pared for you from the foundation of the
world"
We charge you then, dear reader, while
| you are still on your journey, examine YOU
, passport. Christian Banner.