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Time for something more uplifting.

http://chnm.gmu.edu/curiosity/exhibits/show/street/div1/div1curio032

THE RAILWAY TO HEAVEN.

This Line runs from Calvary through this vain world and the Valley of the Shadow of Death, until it lands in the Kingdom of Heaven.

0H! what a deal we hear and read,
About Railways and Railway speed!
Of lines which are, or may be made,
And selling shares is quite a trade.

The Railway mania does extend,
From John O'Groats to the Land's End;
Where'er you ride, where'er you walk,
The Railway is the general talk.

Allow me, as an old divine,
To point you to another line,
Which does from earth to heaven extend,
Where real pleasures never end.

Infinite wisdom sketched the plan
To save apostate, ruined man
And Jesus Christ, Jehovah's son,
The mighty work Himself has done.

Of truth Divine the rails are made,
And on the Rock of Ages laid;
The rails are fixed in chairs of love,
Firm as the throne of God above.

At Calvary's cross it does commence,
And runs through all the world from thence;
Then crosses Jordan's swelling flood,
Before the royal throne of God.

One grand first-class is used for all,
For Jew and Gentile, great and small;
There's room for all the world inside,
And kings with beggars there do ride.

In days of old, for ever past,
Men quarrelled about first and last;
And each contended loud and long,
My church is right, and yours is wrong.

We're next the engine, some would say,
Our carriage here doss lead the way;
But oft we see the train reversed-
The first is last, the last is first.

Let no one of his carriage boast
Nor in his outward duties trust;
Those who shall see the Saviour's face,
Must be renewed by asking grace.

About a hundred years or so,
Wesley and others said they'd go:
A carriage mercy did provide,
That Wesley and his friends might ridw.

'Tis nine and thirty years, they say,
Whoever lives to see next May,
Another coach was added then,
Unto this all important train.

Linked to each other, on we pass,
Supported by the Saviours grace;
When to the better land we come,
We'll mix together round the throne.

Jesus is the first engineer,
He does the gospel engine steer;
The preachers of the sacred Word,
Co-workers with their dying Lord.

We've guards who ride, while others stand
Close by the way with flag in hand,-
The flag of white, of red, and green,
At different places may be seen.

When we behold the flag that's white,
It cheers the heart, for all is right;
But when the green we do behold,
Caution, it says, and be not bold.

Red tells us there is danger near,
Be not high-minded, rather fear;
Place all your trust in God alone,
And in the blood which does atone.

Then let not poor nor rich despair,
He still delights to answer prayer;
Remember he will not despise,
Your humble wailings-mournful cries.

Afflictions are the tunnels drear,
Through which we go while travelling here;
But these will all be shortly past,
And heaven appear in view at last.

To cheer the dark and gloomy night,
We've lamps which give a brilliant light,
And while we urge our course along,
The cross of Christ is all our song.

We've several laws about this road,
Wrote by the finger of our God;
Ye trespassers must all beware,
For He the guilty will not spare.

No one from his place must alight,
Until he hears the words, all right;
And when this glorious signal's given,
You'll hear a whisper, 'This is Heaven;'

The stations are the means of grace,
The house of God, the holy place;
No matter where that place may be,
A field, a barn, or hollow tree.

You say you will not ride with me,
Well, be it so, we still agree;
The church of England is before
The Quakers, yea, and several more.

Baptists, and Independents too,
The Methodists, both old and new;
I can, I will, I do rejoice,
That you have such a happy choice.

CHORUS.

" My son," says God, "give me thy heart,
Make haste, or else the train will start."