Friday; September 25

On September 27, 1903 Southern Railway 1102 (or the Fast Mail train) was running behind schedule. After leaving Washington D. C. on its way to Spencer, North Carolina, it was an hour late as it pulled into Monroe, Virginia. It was unacceptable for the Fast Mail train to run late, so they threw away good sense and cranked up the steam. The normal speed was about 39 miles per hour, but to close the gap in time the train would have to average at least 51 mph for the 166-mile stretch. When the train reached the Stillhouse Trestle it was going too fast to navigate the curve and ended up in the ravine below killing eleven people. In today’s world of mass causalities this wreck might not make much of a headline, but at the turn of the 20th Century this story would become a national event etched in our memories in the old folk song, “Wreck of the Old 97”.

I have been fascinated by the song for a long time, but when I recently learned of the historical background for the tune it reinforced the simple adage, “haste makes waste”. Usually, when we consider about this phrase, we think of circumstances that merely result in shoddy workmanship, but this story reminds us of the real dangers of being in too big of a hurry. As I thought of this saying, I got to thinking about another saying about being in a hurry, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger …” (James 1:19). We live in a time when being speedy is often seen a positive but being the quickest does not always make us the best. There are times when being slow and deliberate is what is needed – especially when it comes to what we say during times of anger. Like another old saying, “speed kills”. It can end our relationships, it can destroy our reputation and if we aren’t careful, it can snuff out our spirit. Let’s be quick when we can, but in those things that matter the most, let’s take our time and make sure we get them right.

Think About It!

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