Christian Age Luke 12:35-40 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;… In the early part of 1875, a young minister, desirous to see the working of the railway signals, points, and telegraph, entered a signal box on a branch line (where the road crossed the metals) for that purpose. The man in charge was most affable, and willing to supplement his limited knowledge of it, by showing him the working of the various branches of trust committed to his charge, as the respective trains came through. Only a few moments elapsed when the sharp ring of the gong attracted both signalman and his visitor to the telegraphic instrument, and the signal "Be ready" was given for a fast through train. The answer returned, the signal lowered, the points righted, and, like the rushing of a mighty wind, on came the ponderous engine and its train of human life. Fast went that train, but the "Be ready " flew before it from station to station, preparing for it clear metals and a safe journey. A few days elapsed, and the same train was again due; the "Be ready" had been received and forwarded; the signals lowered, the points righted; but one of the gates had somehow got unlocked, and hung across the road. The signalman rushed to the gate hoping to fling it back, but was too late. The train dashed on, and the mangled corpse of the poor man told of his sudden exit from this world to the next. Have you not received the "Be ready" again and again? Look well to your signals, look well to your points, and see that you are ready. The Apostle Paul once got the signal " Be ready," and his reply was this: "I am now ready to be offered up, for the time of my departure is at hand." (Christian Age.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; |
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