The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-01-27
The Different Stations from Childhood to
Manhood.

MannOOd.
1t does not surprise me that many unfortunates
go down to destruction and everlasting misery. Ma
ture teaches the pleasure and happiness of ITSELF and
also the different stations the railroad fife. The
first station is called Accountability" After a
child has gone an unlimited distance this road
and gathering simple thought after another stl
growing in mind and knowledge. soon begins to COM
prehend danger 1t feels there is danger the
fty of the locomotive; in the its track
on which it is gliding its way onward: and, of the
abysses which is Gaping to receive its victim When
child realizes this. it has reached first station
The train keeps moving at its rapid pace, still
taking its passenger farther farther from his in
nocency- (Which his former state). The passen-
ger thinks of nothing but his present sceneries; he
has not Travelled far enough to realize what is at the
end of the road but he learns from Others that
he must develop his mind and receive n temporal ed
ucation This he does so far as his mental faculties
will produce. He thinks of nothing only his library,
and that which will brighten his mind.
What! he hears the engine whistle and looks ont
and sees away yonder, a space unbounded by trees;
he learns from some of the that it is prairie
He looks the broad fields He for the
first time has opened his eyes He learns that the
train is liable to drop the crew one by and he
knows if he is dropped here he is lost forever. He
| now reaches the place called "Torturing Station"
This is the station many get off at and this is why
they seal their destiny forever in 'woe.' They
soon engaged in the business of the place. At first
they are somewhat disturbed. When they lie down
their repose is broken. But finally they become
quafnted to this, and it becomes their They
willing to make this their place of abode and at
last go down to misery with those whom they have
mingled, and have taken away their virtuous minds.
And there others who get the train, after hav
ing tried the last station They governed by that
intuition" which will govern every if they only
mediate for a moment and let it do its dictat-
ing. They begin to catch glimpse of the hidden
mysteries of naure, which, if put into practice, will
enable them to life in all its beauties; to enjoy
happiness throughout eternity. When they get this
far the road they have to the station called
| 'Happiness.''
If they keep their minds unspotted from this terri
BILE dilemma, they will reap the reward of the traveller
who has been guided by the Conductor of Nature"
over the road of life. which requires energy and
pathy. will now get off at this station myself and
notice the above In the first place the little child is
brought into the world in a free state, pure from
every sinful nature. q don't think this statement
should be used-snul nature for nature is adorned
with Gods smiles.) Neither do think that sin
gle element of nature is sinfnl. We Inherited this
| hideous variation from hungry ADAM and he be-
ing type, prone to wander. 1t was not
Gods will that Adam would eat of the forbidden
fruit. God in his nature is wise, and He hath
ranged that if avoid and shun this corrupt part
(Which was created by man), may enjoy and see
great beauties in it, The child being unspotted
from sin, is proof it being formation
| therefore God will not punish the child by mans
own selection until it becomes sensible of the crea-
ture of SIM (Which is MANI and has reached the first
lime passes on and on and the child be-
comes more and more enlightened, and compre-
hends that man has poisoned nature. He is in a
rible condition, thinking that mans forlnstion is
built upon sandy foundation, and yet, can hardly
realize the true side ofnature Gods desire. This
is where he reaches 'Torturng Station" But after
considerable meditation and earnest mental labor.
some of the hidden mysteries revealed. He sees
the condition of mans extremity, and at
the effort TO himselJ et9rnally. don't have
erenee altogether to the time beyond the grave when
/ Ofs aIlxs hanar g AT
tainly get discouraged and deprive myself OF the
pleasure of this life. 1t would be like ma1 working
hard all week, to get to go to a show Saturday
Absurd notion But let so live that life will be
pleasant and not be punctured by fearing the future
And if this be the have reached station
called Happiness We happy ourselves, and
are able to make others happy Happiness is the
ment for investigation 1t composes the ship cross
the River of Death, and after death, felicity for
ever. Yours truly,
G. A. CRAWFORD.