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The
following instance is given in the experience of a correspondent of The Christian,
which occurred in the latter part of November 1864, while traveling with her
aged father and two small girls: |
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“We
started from New Hampshire on Thursday morning, expecting to have ample time to
get through to Indiana be-fore Saturday night; but, after we crossed the St.
Lawrence River, the next day, I think, there was a smash-up on a freight
train which hindered our train about two hours. I began to feel anxious, as I
knew our limited means would not permit us to stop long on the way. After the
cars had started again I inquired of the conductor what time we should get to
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Soon they
changed conductors, and I made a similar inquiry, getting about the same
answer. Still I hoped, till we reached the |
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“After
getting seated in the cars on the other side, I ventured to ask the conductor
if we should get to |
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“A
gentleman sitting in front of us said he would show us a good hotel near by,
as he was acquainted there. I thanked him, but sunk back on my seat. Covering
my eyes with my hand, and raising my heart to God, I said: ‘O God, if thou
art my Father, and I am thy child, put it into the heart of that conductor to
wait till we get there.’ |
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“Soon I became
calm, and fell asleep, not realizing that God would answer my poor prayer;
but, when we reached Toledo, to the astonishment of us all, there stood the
conductor, wanting to know the reason why he had to wait; when our conductor
told him there was a lady with her crippled father and two little daughters,
who were going down on that train. |
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Soon as
all were out of the car, both conductors came with their lanterns, and gave
their aid in helping my father to the other train, where they had reserved
seats by keeping the door locked. All was hurry and confusion to me, as had
my eye on father, fearing he might fall, it being very slippery, when the
baggage master said: “Your checks, madam!” I handed them to him, and rushed
into the car; but, before I got seated, the car started, and I had no checks
for my baggage. Again my heart cried out: “O Thou that hearest prayer, take
care of my baggage!” believing He could do that as well as make the conductor
wait. In a few moments the conductor came to me with
a face radiant with smiles, saying: “Madam, I waited a whole half hour for
you; a thing I never did before since I was a conductor, so much as to wait
one minute after my time.” He said: “I know it was your father that I was
waiting for, because there was nothing else on the train for which I could
have waited.” I exclaimed, in a half-suppressed tone, “Praise the Lord!” I
could not help it; it gushed out. Then he said: “At the very moment all were
on board, and I was ready to start, such a feeling came over me as I had
never had in my life before. I could not start. Something kept saying to me,
you must wait; for there is something pending on that train you must wait
for. I waited, and here you are, all safe.” Again my heart said, Praise the
Lord! And he started to leave me, when I said: “But there is one thing.”
“What is it?” was his quick reply. “I gave the baggage-master my checks, and
have none in return.” “What were the numbers?” I told him. “I have them,” he
said, handing them to me; “but your baggage will not be there till Monday
morning. We had no time to put it on, we had waited so long.“
– Selected |
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Touching
Incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer By S. B. SHAW. |
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From: http://www.ccel.org/ |