In the history of railroading, danger signals began with the flagman and the red lantern. Swift trains received their only intimation of coming danger from such imperfect sources. Then came petards on the track, hand block signals, and electric block signals. Now the Pennsylvania announces the "electric eye." In the cab of the engine will be an electric reproduction of wayside signals miles ahead. If the signal is "Stop," there will be a loud warning whistle in addition, that will not cease until the driver acknowledges, mechanically, that he has received the signal. Trains hurtling along the rails at eighty miles an hour can pick up these delicate signals and record them unerringly. Thus the engineer, regardless of the snow or fog, always has before him the track conditions ahead, as indicated by the wayside signals.
Some time ago I had a telephone call from a man well known in his profession and active in his church where, as a layman, he carries on an earnest work of teaching. He made an appointment to see me, and within a few moments was at my doorstep, greatly perturbed. Something had happened to disturb his peace of mind. An incident had occurred which caused some people to criticize him. Someone had failed to consult him in a professional capacity at a time where his position and attainments would have made him the logical man to consult. He was disturbed and agitated; his feelings were ruffled. He was hurt. What should he do about it?
The devil may yell "Coward!" after you, but do not be afraid to run away. There is only one method of meeting temptation - flee to the Lord. If it is necessary, the Christian can flee to the Lord in the very midst of a great temptation, but it is better for him to flee even from the situation where the temptation will be greatest.
I was once taking a walk at sunset in a North India hill station. My host led me on a path that followed the flank of the mountain, and to one side was a vast panorama of beauty. Here and there smaller, private paths led from this main path to the homes that were dotted over the hillside. At one of these junctions was an odd sight. The owner had planted a post on either side of his private path and between these posts had placed a gate. The posts were strong, the gate was heavy, a chain held it shut, and a padlock secured the chain, but the posts were not connected to any fence. Within a step of one of the posts was a well- worn path that led around the gate, and anyone who wished could have walked on the path and gone his way as readily as if the postholes had never been dug or the gate planted across the path.
The nation was horrified when it learned that Japan had sent ambassadors of peace to talk peace while the aircraft carriers were moving into place for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The enemy had tricked us with a very old strategy. He had made us think that his intentions were good when they were really bad, and he had hidden his presence from us in order that he might more effectively strike at us. There is an ancient proverb which says, "Beware of Greeks, bearing gifts." The same trick that deceived us had been used often in ancient times.
