Peter N Millward

The Up and Down Lines

Designed by W.C.Miles circa 1880s   
(Republished from private Collection – © Peter N Millward)
The poem below written during the 1840s eloquently conveys the message of the picture.

The Spiritual Railway The Line to heaven by Christ was made With heavenly truth the Rails are laid, From Earth to Heaven the Line extends, To Life Eternal where it ends. Repentance is the Station then Where Passengers are taken in. No Fee for them is there to pay, For Jesus is himself the way. God’s Word is the first Engineer It points the way to Heaven so dear. Through tunnels dark and dreary here It does the way to Glory steer. God’s Love the Fire, his Truth the Steam, Which drives the Engine and the Train, All you who would to Glory ride, Must come to Christ, in Him abide In First, and Second, and Third Class, Repentance, Faith and Holiness. You must the way to Glory gain Or you with Christ will not remain. Come then poor Sinners, now’s the time At any Station on the Line. If you’ll repent and turn from sin The Train will stop and take you in.

Some fascinating information below about this intriguing picture and the world it came from over 130 years ago.  The print is an original Chromolithograph from the 1880s and is thought to be one of the earliest editions. The picture depicts two railway lines – The Up Line – to Heaven and the Down Line to Hell. And graphically shows the awesome contrast between the destinations reached at the end of the broad gauge railway which accommodated sin and the narrow gauge to heaven which eschewed it.
  The picture is both beautiful and fascinating....one could spend hours studying with a Bible.  The designer  - W.C.Miles has shown remarkable ability - The picture is filled with small scenes with scriptures....and would lend itself well to Bible Study and Sunday school. The style of clothes belong to a different era, but the picture has an up to date message for every generation.  
The Railway Signal magazine described The Up and Down Lines, as 'size 24 x 20. beautifully coloured. Also mounted on rollers' - and the following text  "a most interesting and instructive picture showing the Downgrade of Sin from Eden and the Upward Course of the Believer from the City of Destruction to Glory". The down line made its descent from paradise, through wilderness and captivity. by-passing Calvary, and with alluring stopping points offering sport, gambling. dancing, and the demon drink. The final stop - Pit Station was shown as being open day and night and selling only one-way tickets. Not far beyond it. all trains, bearing their unfortunate human freight. crashed down eternity rapids. The Celestial Route Station, by contrast. had placards offering refreshments. life insurance, grace. pardon. and peace. The main line went over the bridge of mercy. through Grace Station, and on through Calvary Junction to Glory."