KEEP ON THE TRACK by JOS. CLARKE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 19, 1879

KEEP ON THE TRACK.

By JOS. CLARKE

How strong and active seems the huge iron horse, as he moves briskly along the rails, pushing or drawing his load. No sense of weariness seems to check his fiery valor—but lo, he stops! Why is the iron horse so dead and motionless? Ah! he is off the track. Without a restoration to his proper place, all his strength is vain; he may blow, and wheeze, and whistle, but cannot move himself an inch; he is off the track, and no effort can give him speed or motion. But look! the men collect around him, and they work and tug, until the mighty horse is up again on the iron road, and presently the panting steed drives bravely away with his ponderous load.

So the Christian may unfortunately go astray, until his connection with God is broken, and he is off the track. Trials are sent to arouse and lift him from his sad state, and place him in connection with Christ, the living power; and now in the heart's struggle, he feels that the divine hand is lifting him. He did not know he was so far from God; but as he is placed again on the narrow road, and he feels the kind influences of Heaven comforting his wounded spirit, he lifts his heart gratefully to God. Now the flow of holy love again cheers his lonely way, and light and peace attend him.

Through trials and through darkness, the man of God should persevere; there is no halting place; trusting ever, he should never falter, but persevere onward and upward to gain the prize. JOS. CLARKE.