p. 91 | Passages of Life by M. W. H.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 16, 1864

Passages of Life.

By M. W. H.

A COLONEL in our army had fallen! In a recent fight of the present “On-to-Richmond” campaign, he had been shot dead! A telegram anounces to aching hearts at home the message. “Killed in the fight, and buried on the field.” Then the magnetic wire speeds back the order, “Let him be disinterred, and forwarded immediately home.” The mandate will be promptly obeyed; for it is backed by wealth. Meanwhile the family wait in sadness. The father too is absent, where he may not be reached by electric messages. So they can only wait till the day arrives when both the absent ones, the living and the dead, are expected. It is supposed that each will reach the intersecting point at the same time so that the same train will bear both to their destination. Shall the father all unwarned be suffered to let his eyes fall on the strange freight directed to himself? To avert this, a cherished friend goes on the outward train, to greet him at the place of intersection, and divert him from the fatal spot, and gently break to him the crushing news.

What kind consideration! Yet in life’s journey, how many are rushing on unwarned; unwarned, too, when there are those who realize the consternation and hopeless agony, that awaits them at the terminus of the journey, which all are pursuing. And why is this indifference manifest? Surely not that the transient sorrows of earth outweigh the keener sorrows of a future existence.

Not long ago I was journeying, homeward bound. For convenience I had been directed to leave the cars at a way station, and a friend would be there to meet me. A glance showed me that no one was awaiting me there, and I stood alone, with none to care for me. And I thought, if it sends such a thrill of sadness over one to reach the close of a day’s journey and greet no welcoming smile, how heart sickening must it be, to end life’s long weary journey, and have no loving friend to meet us? And this too, when there is a friend who is never tardy, but who is ever-present in time of need if we will obey and love him. I know my earthly friend would come though late; but alas! thought I, how many are there who so confidently expect that glistening angels will waft their spirits upward as they reach the portal of the grave, who must experience a far sadder recoil of feeling when they reach the final station, death, and find they had cherished a delusive hope, because it was not founded upon a rock, the true revelation of God. M. W. H. Malone, N. Y.