How Jennie Carey Saved the Train

Jennie Carey is only ten years old, but she has saved the lives of hundreds of people.

Do you ask how a little child could do such a great service?

I will tell you.

Far away in one of the Western States of North America Jennie lives with her father and mother at a place called Muchford. The Panhandle Railway passes close to her home, and one day last summer the little girl was walking along the line when she saw that the trestle railway bridge, which crossed a deep ravine, was on fire, and that it was quite impossible for any train to pass over.

It was during the World’s Fair at Chicago, and thousands of passengers were daily journeying by the line to visit the great exhibition.

Directly Jennie discovered the condition of the bridge she thought of the World’s Fair express, which she knew was nearly due.

What should she do? How could the alarm be given? No one was near to advise her. If the swift train with its living freight of 700 passengers was to be saved she must accomplish it. A danger signal must be given. She at once took off her red flannel petticoat, and ran down the railway track in the direction from which the express was dashing. In a very short time it appeared, and the child waved her petticoat to warn the driver of peril ahead. Happily this induced him to stop. The passengers were thus delivered from a terrible death, and Jennie Carey received the thanks of hundreds who owed their lives to her bravery and presence of mind.

Among the travellers were several Frenchmen, who, upon their return to France, brought the matter before the President of the Republic, with the result that the much-treasured medal of The Legion of Honour has been recently presented to her.

Happy child, to be of such use to so many. The passengers, when they learned the reason of the sudden shutting off of steam, must have trembled at the thought of the awful death which, but for the timely warning, must have overtaken them, and many of them would doubtless think, if but for a passing moment, of the eternity lying beyond, and of the judgment which follows death for the unbeliever.

There are many thousands today in the world’s express, hurrying on as fast as the wheels of time can bear them. Bent on pleasure or business, they heed not the judgment which lowers ahead. They see not their jeopardy. Thoughtlessly they live but for the present. That they have to meet God causes them but passing thought. All such unpleasant subjects are dismissed from their minds. They close their eyes to the future wrath. They close their ears to the tidings of fast approaching destruction. They close their hearts against the winning words of Jesus. Thus they speed on to endless woe.

God’s servants wave the danger flag before you. One cries

“PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD,”

while another shouts

“THE JUDGE STANDETH BEFORE THE DOOR.”

Oh! sinner, beware. Listen to the message. Behold the warning signal. Be prudent now. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

Are you prudent or simple?

The Lord Jesus is the blessed Refuge open to all. None ever came to Him in vain. Still He calls, saying, “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?” Go on no longer in folly. Look at the two sides, and make your choice.

On the one hand the prudent who flee to Christ find

PARDON,

PEACE, and

PLEASURES eternal;

while, on the other hand, the simple reap

SORROW,

SUFFERING, and

SHAME everlasting.

Which will be your portion?

Again we wave the danger flag and cry,

“FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME.”

I.Fleming

Scattered Seed 1894, p. 106