On the Down-Grade

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 19, 1871

On the Down-Grade.

An old California stage-driver was on his death-bed. His eyes were closed. His hands were cold. He was rapidly reaching the “station” at the end of his “run” of life. A friend standing by observed that the dying man was moving his right foot with a sort of convulsive jerk, and said to him, “What’s the matter?” The dying stage-driver replied, “I am on the down-grade, and I can’t reach the brake.”

1. Death comes to all. No will-power of man can resist it. After the most faithful effort to reach the hights of middle life; after the steadiest pressure on the “brakes” to ease the descent to death, there comes a moment when the foot refuses to obey the will, when the “brake” slips from our hold, and we glide down to our doom of death. This is invariable and unavoidable.

2. The tendency of sin is downward. It sweeps the soul on a swift current. Sin runs on a down-grade all the way. The descent may be slow, and at first imperceptible, but it is sure, and at every step the downward inclination increases, and the movement becomes more rapid. It is very deceptive, often delightful, but, unarrested, it is damning. How terrible to find one’s self on the “down-grade” at the end of life!

3. The hold upon the “brake” lost! How terrible! The frantic steeds press on. The unlightened load pushes upon them. The deep chasm yawns now on this side, and now on that. The stage reels. The passengers shriek out in the agony of fear, and then of despair. Convulsively the driver reaches after the lost brake. It is in vain. Too late! The speed of this chariot of death cannot be checked. The ruin is irretrievable. Habit is master now. Passion is master now. The will is demoralized. Hope is gone. Strength is gone. Time wasted returns no more. Down, down, down! A cry! A leap! Darkness! Silence!—Sunday-School Journal.