An old railroad man was converted, as the story goes, and was asked to
lead in prayer. Here is the way he worked it: “Oh, Lord, now that I have
flagged Thee, lift my feet off the rough road of life and plant them
safely on the deck of the train of salvation. Let me use the safety lamp
known as prudence; make all couplings in the train with the strong link
of Thy love. And, Heavenly Father, keep all switches closed that lead
off to sidings, especially those with a blind end. Oh, Lord, if it be
Thy pleasure, have every semaphore block along the line show the white
line of hope, that I may make the run of life without stopping. And,
Lord, give us the Ten Commandments as a schedule time, and when my train
shall have pulled into the great, dark station of Death, may Thou, the
Superintendent of the Universe, say with a smile: ‘Well done, thou good
and faithful servant; come up and sign the payroll and receive your check
for eternal happiness.’”
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