The mother boarded the train, and on schedule time the engine moved.
The engineer took hold of the lever and up with the smoke from the
engine went the prayer: "Lord, hold that train fifteen minutes for
that good mother." With this prayer more steam was turned on than
usual and at the next station the train was two minutes ahead of time.
At the next station two more minutes had been gained. It was in the
early days of railroading when rules were not so strict as now; the
conductor knew there was nothing in the way, so he concluded to let
the Christian engineer have his way. As the train was starting for its
third and last run for the junction, the engineer said: "Lord, if you
will hold that other train seven and a half minutes, I'll make up the
other seven and a half."
When the engineer had made up his seven and a half, sure enough there
stood the other train. When the engineer said to the conductor: "What
are you waiting for," the reply was: "Something the matter with the
engine, but the boys have it fixed now and we'll go on in a minute."
"Yes," said the engineer, "you'll go on when this godly mother gets on
and not before."
Each one of you do your part, God will do His part, and the end will
be victory for "God and home and native land."