Decision of Character of Strong Men

At Harper's Ferry on one occasion the flood in the Potomac was so great that it threatened the destruction of the costly railroad bridge, which was seen to shake in its unsteadiness. When everybody present was looking each moment to see the bridge go down, President John W. Garrett, of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, arrived upon the scene. Appreciating the necessity of instant action, he gave an abrupt order for a loaded train of freight cars standing on a side track to be run with the locomotive on to the bridge and kept there. [But, Mr. Garrett, that is a train-load of silk,] said the local superintendent. [I don't care; run out the cars!] commanded the great master of railroads. [It would be easier to pay for the silks than to build a new bridge.] The silk-train was run on to the bridge and the structure was saved. The difference between the success of one man and the disaster which comes to another often lies just at that point. The one is vacillating and uncertain, and the other bold to dare whatever is necessary in order to win. A certain Holy boldness and audacity of Faith is necessary to great triumph in spiritual matters.