Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-06-06
Cars Ready,

fit.
Beneath the large upper room where |
the passengers waited, the railroad
tracks from the East and the West. |
the North and the South, centered. |
The hall was large and comfortable;
provided with abundant refreshments,
and opportunity was afforded for read
ing and conversation. Yet none SEEM
ed contented; all waited impatiently
for the signal to be off, not even laying
aside their hats and outer garments;
and some standing for hours at the
window, to catch the first glimpse of
the cars that were to carry them on.
And whenever i steam-w whistle or en-
gine-bell was heard, all would rush
towards the windows nor could they
suppress a n.urmur of disappointment
when they found that only a freight
neuvring about the depot. After
time the hall bell rang and the an
nOuncement came, Cars ready for
Boston and Aibanyl" when all sprung
TO their feet, and more than instantly
disappeared. But the rest were obvi-
ously disappointed that their turn to
20 had not come. Nor did it come till
dark and stormy evening had set in.
But when the signal was given, Cars
for New Haven readyl" | did not see
that any of US were less anxious to go,
through fear that, out of the regular
time as we were, and dark as it was,
collision with other trains might oc-
eur, which did in fact take place, with
loss of limbs and life.
As | witnessed these scenes, What a
striking representation have we here,
said | to myself, of this world As
travellers are almost constantly arriy
ing at this depot, and as often depart
ing, so it is with those entering life and
passing into eternity. In both cases
their stay is short Arriving at this
spot, they ascertain when the train
starts upon the route they wish to
travel; and having secured their
tickets, they take care to be ready when
the signal is given-satisfed if, in such
circumstances, they can snatch hasty
meal. The end of their journey, es-
pecially if going home, engrosses their
attention so much, and promises so
much, that they cheerfully submit to
many Inconvenience by the way.
Alas, here analogy fails. The travel
Ter TO eternity seems to feel as if he
had reached permanent home, and
as If his main business should be, to
adorn it, and make it pleasant and at
tractiye and the thing which he is
most apt to neglect is, to secure a pass
port for the final stage of his Journey.
He too often puts off the preparation
as long as possible, aud frequently till
il is too late, and he is forced to go un-
prepared for go he must, when the
summons comes. And instead of
watching and waiting for the sig
nal, IT too often starties him out of a
delirious dream, and overwhelms him
with anguish.
As | saw some standing, hour after
hour, at the windows of the depot. watch
ing for the opportunity to go, Seould
not but inquire, why the real Christian
should not, in like manner, be waiting
always for the chariot of his Lord to
convey him to his heavenly home?
Does he not love that home better than
this world? Are not his dearest
friends there, ready to welcome him
And even though he must pass through
the dark valley and shadow of death
to reach the place, yet will not
holy desire, and strong hope and faith
urge him on? Some such saints there
certainly have been Says Jacob, l
have waited for thy salvation, o Lord. :"
All my appointed time will | wait, :"
said Job, till my change come" Il
have desire. said, Paul, to depart
and be with Christ, which is far bet
ter" But alas, how few do not shrink
back in anguish, when disease or dang
er rings in their ears the warning of
departure. What a severe rebuke to
most Christians it is, to see all the
crowd alta railroad depot readyandanx-
ious to depart, while they cling to their
meagre accommodations and enjoy
ments on earth, and shudder and draw
back when summoned to their home in
heaven. Can it be that they really
love that home, and the bright and
glorious spirits congregated there?
At the depot, men act nationally and
consistently; and therefore usually
succeed in their plans But suppose it
necessary to place a class of men along
our railroads, whose sole business
should be TO persuade travellers to
secure tickets, and be ready when the
cars should start. Suppose these per
sons should be continually eXhOrting
all around them, not to forget whittier
they were going; nor to omit securing
their regular tickets and seats. And
suppose that, in spite of these efforts,
more than half of the travellers should
disregard their warnings and eutreaties.
and as consequence be lett behind
or be thrown into inextricable Difficult
tv by the way. We could not but re-
gard all this as prcOf of strange infatua-
ton And yet this is course like
that which is taken by most men in re-
gard to eternity. As they hurry on
from one stage to another of the jour
ney Of life. their is a class of men
meeting them at every turn, whose bus
iuess II is to warn them of their need
of preparation for their last journey,
and of securing a passport that will
carry them through the dark valley,
and be acknowledged at the portal of
heaven. But with how little success
do these men labor. The great major
ity, in spite of their warnings and per-
suasions, pass on with no such prepar-
alton: and when death rings his pierre
ing notes in their ears. they awake to
their condition only TO learn that it is
too late And yet, among men, except
a few devotediy pious, this infatuation
is never blamed; nay, it is thought to
be sober reason. Oh that the lesson
taught on this subject at "a railroad de-
pot, might not be lost.
Traveller in the railroad car. the
steamboat. or the stage, have you con-
Tidercd that you are also traveller to
eternity? That journey you must per-
form, willing or unwilling, prepared or
unprepared. And, without prepara-
ton, that journey will be disastrous in
the extreme; but with it, the end will
be jog unspedkaJle and faU Of glory
The preparation may all be summed up
In one short sentence: A NEW HEART,
ANDFAITH IN j ESUs CHRIST. HaveyO
become a new creature in him? You
do notcomplain that certain conditions
are vigorously insisted on our public
c0nveyances, even though you cannot
see the reason of them all. Is it not
much more reasonable, that you should
submit to the terms fixed by an infinite
Is wise and mercitul God, on which
YOU can b. conducted TO the heavenly
city; and does it seem hard saying,
that you must be born again, or you
cannot see the kingdom of God? Yet