Reflections on hearing the “Gospel Train” Sung.
By A. S. Hutchins
A SISTER, who long had used her pipe, and thought it beneficial to health, on hearing the “Gospel Train” sung, was most deeply impressed with the thought “there is no smoking car on that train.” Could she lay aside her idol? Could she rally strength under the weight of years and the pressure of bodily infirmities and say farewell to the pipe? Trusting God for help she could, and take a “through ticket” on the Heaven-bound train to the city of God. Her heart melted in tenderness and love to God for past strength and blessings, and her eyes ran over with tears. She soon felt able to take the Health Reformer, and found a delight in reducing its principles to practice, and as a natural consequence finds her health greatly improved, and her spirituality, as a disciple of the Lord, increased. God daily blesses her and her companion while trying to honor him by keeping all his commandments. We think of others-who might be benefited by hearing the “Gospel Train” sung. Certainly, if they propose to reach the city of God on this train, they would do well to bear in mind that it runs no smoking car. Bear this in mind, smoking brother and sister, and oh! “Get on board, get on board.” A friend last March resolved on celebrating his fifty-sixth birthday by bidding a long and last farewell to tobacco, after having been a slave to it for forty years. Blessed victory! May he ever hold it as more precious than gold. Such decision and perseverance on the part of persons of years and infirmity, should admonish younger persons who are “going to leave off tobacco” to hasten their steps to the last pinch, puff, or chew. Strike for victory and freedom, and know from experience that “the desire accomplished is sweet to the soul.”