BETWEEN STATIONS—"THE RELIEF-VALVE."
By Darius Dale
"ALL aboard!" shouted the conductor, as he gave the signal to the engineer to start. The bell rang, and there was a general rush for the train; good-bys were said; and a great hissing of steam told that the "overland" was pulling out from the station. The drive-wheels of the engine made half a turn, stopped, and the great train lay motionless. Half an hour later the conductor came forward to where the engineer was busy taking apart a little piece of the engine scarcely larger than an oil cup. "The despatcher wants us to report to him before pulling out," he said. "I'll tell you when I'm ready," gruffly replied the engineer, who was out of humor at the delay. It was nearly an hour after this when the engineer reported that he was ready. They soon had a message from the despatcher to proceed. What was the matter?—Just a simple little piece of machinery called the relief-valve was broken. It was unimportant-looking, and its duties were not very great as compared to those performed by some parts of the locomotive; but it blocked the wheels of that great train, with its hundreds of passengers anxious to get to their destination, and of the other "overland," waiting a few miles up the track at the accustomed passing-place. "Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" James 3:5, last clause. My friend, are you looking after the "relief-valves" of your character, or are you neglecting them? Know you not that they are liable to break, and block the wheels of an unfinished career? Are you daily drawing "coal and water" from the unfailing storehouse of God's wonderful Word and the living stream of the Fountain of Life? Do you go carefully over the engine of your soul every morning before going out on your usual run for the day? "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13.