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GET ON TRACK! Subscribe to the
Railroad Evangelist Magazine
For $10.00 a year you will receive one of the most unique non-denominational Christian Railroad magazines ever pub-lished. The Railroad Evangelistic Associ-ation was founded by Luther S. Harkey (1885-1949) in 1941 with other Christian railroaders in Sanford, Florida.
Help spread the word by ordering the Railroad Evangelist magazines in bulk.
BULK COSTS
(Based upon per issue) 100 copies $35.00 50 copies $25.00 20 copies $15.00 10 copies $10.00 200 Hundred copies $50.00 Subscribe today for yourself or a friend, make out your check or money order to REA and send to:
REA 255 State Route 49
Cleveland, NY 13042
The Railroad Evangelist magazine is pub-lished three times a year by GISI Marketing Group of Tualatin, Oregon for the Railroad Evangelistic Association. Second class post-age paid at Vancouver, WA. Circulation: 2,700.
International Railway Missions Ulrich Berger - President
Mattenweg 11 CH-4303 Kaiseraugst
Switzerland +41618112406
www.Railway-Mission.net
Railway Representatives in India
Rev. Victor Swamidoss, c/o Mr. S Arulraj #448/8, First Floor
T.H. Road Tondiarpet
Chennai - 600 081 South India
International Railroad Evangelist
S. Arulraj Door # 652/8 (New # 448/8)
Brindavan Avenue Tiruvottiyur High Road,
Tondiarpet Chennai 600 081 Tamilnadu, INDIA
Phone + 919884481022
Summer 2018 issue of the Railroad Evangelist magazine was printed
June 2018 Vol. 82, No.2
MainLine llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Psalm 96:2
COVER: Soo Line on Wall Street. Winona, Minnesota. August 18, 2017. Photo by John Witthaus, used with permission.
www.RailHopeAmerica.com
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will
not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18 (NIV)
T wo different Hebrew words are used in this verse. The first one refers to
the future in general; the second to the confident expectation we have as God’s children. Our belief in Jesus as the Messi-ah solidifies our expectation. Unbelievers do not have this expectation. I am looking forward to our 2018 REA
Conference, August 20-24, 2018, four days of worship, praise, prayer, fellowship and inspiring comforting messages. Every-body please come, bringing family and friends. Watching for the Messiah's return! Allan L. Carpenter REA President
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2018 REA Conference theme: 2018 REA Conference theme: 2018 REA Conference theme:
“““HOPEHOPEHOPE”””
“Looking for the blessed hope “Looking for the blessed hope “Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our and the glorious appearing of our and the glorious appearing of our
great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13Titus 2:13Titus 2:13
Don Howell and Don Howell and Don Howell and Harry Hassler praying for Harry Hassler praying for Harry Hassler praying for REA President REA President REA President Allan CarpenterAllan CarpenterAllan Carpenter
The “The “The “REAREAREA Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Singers” Singers” Singers” are always a are always a are always a blessings for blessings for blessings for all the REAall the REAall the REA attendees.attendees.attendees.
WE BELIEVE
1. We believe in the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments as verbally inspired by God, and inerrant in the original writings. They are the supreme and final authority in faith and life. 2. We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 3. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true Man. 4. We believe that man was created in the image of God: that he sinned, and thereby incurred, not only physical death, but also Spiritual death which is separation from God. All human beings are born with a sinful nature, and in the case of those who reach moral responsibility become sinners in thought, word, and deed. 5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice. In addition that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed Blood. 6. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified Body of our Lord, in His Ascension into Heaven and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate. 7. We believe in "that blessed hope," the personal, premillennial, and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 8. We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God. 9. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost. - The Railroad Evangelistic Association Inc.
- Mission Statement - The Railroad Evangelistic Association exists to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the entire railroad community worldwide and to promote mutual Christian fellowship among, though not limited to, those of the railroad industry, the model railroad hobbyists and the rail fan enthusiasts.
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Allan L. Carpenter Email: [email protected] 336 E. McGinnis Circle Norfolk, VA 23502 Cell (757) 576-6449
First Vice President Rev. Alan Harkey [email protected] 300 Birkenstock Court Simpsonville, SC 22655 (864) 275-3209
Second Vice President
Harry Hassler (516) 795-1453 29 Second Ave. Massapequa Park, NY 11762
Secretary/Treasurer Jim Bliss 255 State Route 49 - Cleveland, NY 13042
Editor - Convention Coordinator
Joe Spooner (cell) (360) 907-5659 PO Box 5026 Vancouver, WA 98668 E-Mail: [email protected]
REA National Chaplain Rev. Paul Campbell 603 Aylor Road - Stephens City, VA 22655
E-mail: [email protected] (571) 331-2807
REA Registrar Mrs. Beverly Salloum 720 W. Thomas Rd. Rome, NY 13440 (315) 368-8612 (prefers texting)
Advisory Board
Rev. Magead Salloum, Chairperson (315) 525-4787 720 W. Thomas Street Rome, NY 13440 Marlene Sampson………………………………………..Winslow, NJ Rev. Stephen Seidler…………………………...…….Owatonna, MN Phil Hannum…………………………..………………..….Fairfax, VA David Wiegand, Jr……………………………........Albuquerque, NM
Membership in the Railroad Evangelistic Association is open to all who desire to reach the entire railroad community with the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. For $20.00 you will receive your REA Annual membership card ($10.00) and a one year subscription ($10.00 - 3 issues) to the Railroad Evangelist magazine. REA has no paid staff, all proceeds go to printing and mailing the Good News. Thank you.
Please cut, photocopy or send information pertaining to the above application form and mail it to:
REA 255 State Route 49
Cleveland, NY 13042
Promotion and Publicity Dr. Ben Salloum PO Box 748 Rome, NY 13440 Carol and Mary Clifton……………………….…….……...Millville, NJ Bonnie James………………………………………...Hammonton, NJ Brian Goodwin……………………………………...….Alexandria, VA Craig James……………………………….………….Hammonton, NJ
Contributing Editors Rev. Stephen Seidler Model RR & Rail Fan Pages 810 18th Street SE Owatonna, MN 55060 E-Mail: [email protected] (507) 413-3334 Geneva Campbell (540) 869-7019 603 Aylor Road Stephens City, VA 22655 E-mail: [email protected]
Convention Recording Secretary Jane Hessler Afrh-W Box 58 3700 N Capitol St NW Washington, DC 20011
REA Representative for International Railway Missions Donald Howell 14561 Stephen Street Nokesville, VA 20181 (571) 486-6806 Email: [email protected]
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN REA Please check the appropriate box.
I am an active railroad employee. I am a former/retired railroad employee. My spouse is/was an active/former/retired railroad employee. I am a model railroad hobbyist. I am a rail fan enthusiast. My interest in REA is _______________________ Sending $10.00 for REA membership for one year. Sending $10.00 for a one year subscription. LIFE TIME membership & single subscription for a one time price of $300.00. I would like to make a donation._____________
Summer 2018 Page 3
“A LITTLE IS A LOT WHEN GOD IS IN IT” Luke 9:12-17
Y our membership, subscriptions and tax deductible donations are greatly appreciated, as they are the only means we have to con-
tinue publishing and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to the entire railroad community worldwide through the Railroad Evan-gelist magazine. Your financial gifts also underwrite the cost to make it possible for us to send the Railroad Evangelist magazine out indi-vidually and in bulk supply as our home missionary outreach to those who cannot afford the cost but have a willing heart to spread the Good News. We thank God for each and every one of you who have joined with this railroad literature evangelistic ministry with your pray-ers and support as we continue to co-labor with God in the Railroad Community mission field. At our new web page: RailHopeAmerica.com you can order and pay online for bulk supply of the Railroad Evangelist magazine “All Aboard!” We pray and trust God will abundantly bless you for your sacrificial giving as He “is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abun-dance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
In the cab to the right is Luther S. Harkey, (1885 - 1949), Founder of the Railroad Evangelistic Association in 1941. His hearts desire was to reach his fellow railroad employees with the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.
Page 4 The Railroad Evangelist
M y first true encounter with the One who is now my Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ, was in 1967. Up to that time I couldn’t care less about spiritual things. I was Christened as an infant, had church membership, kept a few traditions and rituals, but the only thing Jesus Christ meant to me was a curse word that I used over and over in vain. The mere mention of His Name oth-er than a swear word would turn me completely off. At that time if anyone had told me I was not a Christian (what the Bible calls a Christian and not man) I probably would have belted them one. I understand now that I had religion but no salvation. I had NO DESIRE to know God in a personal way and was what the Bible calls physically alive but spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). It all started in a National Guard truck when a friend of mine named Don Smith, who was a former alcoholic and be-came a Born Again Christian, started talking to me about man’s desperate need for Christ. All I wanted to do was talk about the Red Sox and cars, and all he would talk about was Jesus Christ. I re-member telling him that he was a bit too much and shouldn’t be so narrow-minded. I thought he had gone off the deep end and I didn’t pay too much attention to him. However, Don was very persistent and showed me from the Word of God, the Bible, that no mat-ter how religious you are, if you are not Born Again (John 3:3 & 16) you will NEVER SEE GOD. John said in John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He showed me that every single human being is born once with cor-ruptible seed, I Peter 1:23 says, “Having been born of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, through the word of God which loves and abides forever.” A per-son has to be born twice (born from above – of God) if they are to enter God’s presence. He explained that to be Born Again we must first realize that we are ALL under God’s condemnation.
Romans 3:23 reads, ‘For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.’ And our ONLY HOPE is to receive Jesus Christ as our own Lord and Savior. He ALONE paid the supreme penalty on the Cross of Calvary to atone for our sins; not the Church, not Mary, not dead saints, not tradi-tion, not rituals or any other form of man-
made religion. Over the centuries man has developed many ways to God, but God still has ONLY ONE WAY. Jesus said in John 14:6…’I am the way, the truth and the life – NO MAN comes to God except through me.’ And in Acts 4:12 it says that; ‘there is salvation in no other name (Christ) given to mankind where a person can be saved.’ It also says in the Bible that, ‘there is a way that seems right to man but the end leads to death’ (Proverbs 14:12). For about 3 years I ignored Don until 1970 when my mother died of cancer and I couldn’t handle it very well. I went to see Don again and he was married by then. Again, he told me that if I wouldn’t give my life to Jesus Christ I would be separat-ed from God forever. That really scared me and it finally sank in that all my so-called religious duties would never save my soul and that I desperately needed to receive Christ. I now realize that it is a ter-rifying thing that people are leaving this world every day through death
and going off into eternity depending on church member-ship, rituals and man-made traditions and without ever personally receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Sav-ior. It is a plain fact that the average church member doesn’t have the slightest idea what it means to be saved from their sins by trusting in Christ and in Him alone for salvation. On September 2, 1970, with the help of Don Smith and another Christian, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at a Christian bookstore in Reading, Massa-chusetts. I was then told that next to receiving Christ, the most important thing is to get into a church where people know and love Jesus Christ, where they bring their Bibles to church and the Word of God is faithfully
“I must tell how I became a Christian” George Sellios shares his testimony
The name George Sellios, is well known among model railroaders and builders of HO scale craftsman kits. George owns FINE SCALE MINIATURES and is also the creative designer and builder of the HO scale FRANKLIN & SOUTH MANCHESTER LINE. In a recent letter from George Sellios, now retired, he said that after making Fine Scale Minia-tures kits for over 50 years, I still work on my layout a couple hours a day and really enjoy it. See page 5 for a sample of his incredible detailed work.
George Sellios Photo coyrighted March 2004, Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Used with permission of Model Railroader Magazine.
“the only thing Jesus Christ meant to me
was a swear word”
Summer 2018 Page 5
taught there. The Bible can be hard to understand even when you have been Born Again and have the Spirit of Christ in you, and that’s why I now know how important it is to get under a good teacher who faith-fully explains every verse. The Lord has so graciously led me to a good church where the Gospel was being preached.
In 1985, after years of prayer, the Lord led me to Cathy who is now my wife. Cathy was devoutly reli-gious, but not a Christian. I showed her from the Bi-ble, that God sent His only Son to be the only Media-tor as it say in I Timothy 2:5, ‘For there is one medi-ator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.’ Within a few months Cathy gave her life to Christ and is so grateful for the Lord and so grateful that she has come to salvation – from total spiritual darkness to the true light, Jesus Christ. My dear friend, if my testimony offends you, please remember that I was also offended years ago and was on the edge of being eternally lost from God, but through His mercy and grace He saved me. You may have no religion or you may have religion coming out of your ears. Religion cannot save your soul, nor can your goodness and good deeds. I plead with you to give your life to Christ NOW. You were made in the image of God and have a never-dying, eternal soul that’s going to exist forever, somewhere. If you reject Jesus Christ you are rejecting God’s only plan of eter-nal salvation given to mankind. Whether you like it or not, you have an appointment to keep with your great-est enemy, death, because the Bible says, ‘it is ap-pointed unto man once to die and then to judg-ment.’ (Hebrews 9:27). I close with this scripture: ‘For what is our life? It is but a vapor that appears for a little time then vanishes away’ (James 4:14). May God give you the desire to make life’s most important crucial decision.
See page 12, “Getting on the right track” as it can help you understand how much God loves you!
“I am looking every day, never saw so many signs. The world is in a mess and getting worse daily. Jesus must
be coming very soon”. - George Sellios
“But know this,
that in the last days perilous times will come.” II Timothy 3:1
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Rail Fan & Model Railroader by Rev. Stephen R. Seidler
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Page 6 The Railroad Evangelist
has to touch up here and there. The roofing is representa-tive of slate and comes in sheets of thin plastic. The val-leys of the roof sections all have proper flashing made from aluminum soda cans, and the hip covers are also made of the same material using a seamstress roller to form the bulb of the covers. Each floor of the depot is highly de-tailed, with many rooms containing furnishings and framed scale pictures hanging on the walls. Renee modeled a gathering room upstairs to serve as a music room, not far from Steve Seidler’s office. It is on the second floor, track-side, so he can watch the trains passing by while working with budding ALL ABOARD MAGAZINE authors.
The music room is unique, at least for the Grossers. On the stage we feature Steve Seidler and his Holy Rollers Jug Band, complete with music playing – with a blue tooth speaker hidden in the first floor below the band stand, and a MP3 player with a whole bunch of railroad and Gospel songs. Some of these include: “Life Is Like A Mountain Railway”, “Amazing Grace”, “I’ll Fly Away”, “A Man and a Train”, “Jerusalem”, “Wreck of Old 97”. “Down To The River To Pray”, “The City of New Orleans”, “Wabash Cannonball”, “Freight Train”, “Before They Close The Minstrel Show”, “Green Light on the Southern”, “Slow Train
Through Georgia” and so many others. It was a high honor for Pastor Steve to be given his own band, seeing that there is not a musical bone in his body and he only makes music by standing next to a real musician.
Announcing: GRAND OPENING of our new RAILROAD EVANGE-LISTIC ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS. You can visit this historic building, but you cannot venture inside unless you are Lilliputian – that is, a little miniature person in O Scale (1:48) to be exact. As a volunteer organization we felt it would be nice to have our own headquarters. Ray & Renee Grosser made this dream a reality. Renee had already built a model of the L&N railroad depot that used to be at Paris, TN. It was built for Steve Deloach, an O scale modeler in Dixson, TN. but the rich roof lines of the depot were just
begging to be built again. The Grossers model their nos-talgia Minnesota and live now in Kentucky, so the second model would need to serve another purpose. The Rail-road Evangelist did not have a depot headquarters, but it does now. The completed model has a complete interior both up-stairs and down. Floor plans of the original depot were found in the L&N archives and were used, along with some original photos, to help make the magnificent de-tails of the exterior. The depot is built using .080 styrene sheets for the carcass framing, typical of Renee’s scratch building methods over the last 20 years. She used Ever-green clapboard siding for the exterior and V groove sid-ing to replicate the interior wood walls of the era. The shed roofs really make the character of this fantastic building. Each change of direction needed supports be-low as shown in construction photos in this article. Ray pre-paints the sub-assemblies for Renee, making it much easier to do before they are even cut out to fit. She only
Summer 2018 Page 7
He was even given a banjo to play. However, he is much more comfortable with artistic materials in his hands. Members of the band include: Harold Burks, playing the jug; Jim Lovett on guitar; Charlene Lovett, singer; Bruce Chute on piano; Donna Bahnak playing the washboard; Todd Ott on base; Renee Grosser on autoharp; David Humlong on the hurdy gurdy; and Hon-orary Members (now singing praises unto the LORD in His throne room) Harry Hillman on guitar and Joyce Hillman, singer. Behind the scenes, orchestrating this entire adventure is none other than Ray Grosser. A cast of many from across the fruited plains come to lis-ten to the music in the air. It should be noted that no one makes an O scale piano, so they had to adapt, im-provise, and overcome – Ray made an outline from a piece of oak wood on his table saw and Renee made the keyboard using O scale siding to represent the keys. Formal dedication of the REA Headquarters will be in early August at an O scale convention hosted by the Grossers on their Kentucky farm in the layout building. Above, we get a sneak preview of the convention train arriving behind the SOO LINE 4-6-2 steam locomotive, while the convention bus has already let passengers off in front. This is going to be a great convention. Shrink yourself down to scale size and come visit the fabulous SOO Nostalgia Layout and tour the new REA Depot. You can even ride the outdoor layout – see ALL ABOARD MAGAZINE, Fall 2017 issue. For a view of Renee building the REA Depot, and for a quick tour around the Nostalgia O scale layout, make sure you personally view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSxWYvkalCY We extend our sincere thanks to Ray & Renee Grosser for their labor of love in providing this new REA Head-quarters Building. Pastor Steve is ever so grateful for his office trackside on the 2
nd floor and for his band.
Note framed photo of Pastor Steve dressed as a Northern Pacific Conductor.
The three photos: Building carcass framed in sheet styrene; Under the eaves roof detail; Nearing competition with styrene siding.
“Gospel Music wafts throughout the building thanks to the Holy Rollers Jug Band.”
Page 8 The Railroad Evangelist
Editors Note: Knowing Harry, I believe he would want this article to be printed at this time to encourage and challenge us all to become more diligent in our witness for Christ through the printed page.
BE A RAILROAD MISSIONARY By Harry Hassler
REA 2nd Vive-President
In each of the four gospels, the Lord’s last words to us were to tell everyone about Him. The gospel of Luke is an exception because the book of Acts is a continua-tion of Luke. So instead of the last chapter of Luke we find the message in the first chapter of Acts where Jesus gives the final command: Acts 1:8 “. …...you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Today we can be a home missionary and still reach the ends of the earth through the internet. Many Christians are spreading God’s message of salvation through emails and Facebook. My daughter Debbie preaches on Face-book. Older folks like me who are not computer savvy prefer to use old fashion methods to spread God’s Word. One of the easiest and inexpensive ways is to use tracts, (that’s tracts not tracks). I use tracts on tracks and give them out at train stations and trains including the subway. Many train stations have bulletin boards where we can leave tracts and small new testaments. After I retired from the New York City Transit Police I served with Youth With A Mission and set up prayer stations in the subway and sidewalks of New York City. On a train station you have a captive audience. I’ll hand a tract to a person and say “have a nice forever”. You can put them in bills, leave them in waiting rooms. How about a tract in a bottle? Many people never go to church or read the Bible. A tract may be the one time in their life that they hear the gospel. Before you give them out, pray over them and ask God to open people’s hearts. We can’t all go to distant coun-tries, but God can use us in many ways right where we live. Charles Spurgeon said, “we are either Christian mis-sionaries, or Christian impostor’s”. He also said, “if there is any area in the church where we cannot tolerate luke-warmness, it is in the matter of sending the gospel to a dying world.” The Immortal Soul Is Beyond All Price There is no trouble too great, no humiliation too deep, no suffering too severe, no love too strong, no labor too hard, no expense too large, but that it is worth it, if it is spent in an effort to win a soul. Jesus gave us our marching orders: we are either part of the Great Commission, or the great omission.
In a recent letter from Harry he said that he has had the following sayings on his wall in his home office for many years. Great thought to take to heart. The Greatest Handicap……….…..Fear The Greatest Day………………....Today Hardest thing to do……………..….Begin Most Useless Asset…………..……Pride Most Useful Asset……………..…...Humility The Greatest Mistake………….…..Giving up The Greatest Stumbling Block…....Egotism The Greatest Comfort……………...Work well done Most Disagreeable Person………..The complainer Worst Bankruptcy…………………..Loss of enthusiasm Greatest Need……………………...Common sense Meanest Feeling……………...Regret at another's success Best Gift………………………….…..Forgiveness The hardest to accept……………...Defeat The Greatest moment……………...Death The Greatest Knowledge………….God The Greatest Thing………………...Love
Harry caught the Morning Train to glory Henry C. “Harry” Hassler
January 12,1944 - June 12, 2018
“Lord Jesus, help me see myself as You see me.”
Summer 2018 Page 9
“It is with Deep Regret, I inform the Passing of my Dad, Ret. NYC Transit Police Cap-tain Harry Hassler, One of the Greatest Men I ever had the Honor and Privilege to walk with, on this Earth! He was truly my Rock and We were all Blessed to have him in our Life! I will always remember the times I had with him and Cherish those moments in
Eternity forever! My Dads Faith kept him Brave and Courageous for the rest of his family and friends. Right to the very End, he never made his illness about himself, but always put his wife, family and others first! I will forever keep you in my Heart, Mind and Soul! I Love you Dad.” Scott Hassler
“I share in the sadness resulting from Bro. Harry being called Home. He was a great encouragement to me in the short time I knew him, especially after I accepted the nomination as President. However, our God is gracious and merciful and knew his work on earth was done. We can claim 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, which ends: "Therefore encourage each other with these words." Love to all,” Alan Carpenter, President REA.
“I just spoke with Harry a few days ago. We had a long conversation and prayed together. He so much wanted to join us for the con-vention in August. He was a dear friend and brother in Christ. I will miss our talks and his powerful influence on my life. Janet and I are praying for his precious wife and family. Your coworker in Christ,” Alan Harkey, First Vice President, REA
“Rosalee and I are heartbroken to learn that Harry Hassler, REA's excellent 2nd Vice-President was called by the LORD to his eternal home (John 14:3) this date at 622 pm EDT. I know that in the days ahead we will be remembering Barbara and family in prayer. For the Christian life does not end with out physical death. It is nothing more than just a transition from Earth to Glory (Revelation 21). I know for sure that Harry is enjoying his ride on the "morning train." Yours in Christ.” David Wiegand, Former REA President
“Very sad to hear about our Second Vice President who has been a great source of inspiration and encouragement to many. Join you in prayer for God to grant His Divine Comfort and Peace to everyone in the family and also everyone in the family of REA. With prayers for God's comfort.” Arulraj, International Railroad Evangelist
“Sarah and I are also greatly saddened by this news. We had hoped that Harry would join us for the August REA meeting and he, too, wanted to do that very much. Harry was a champion of the Gospel ministry, of the REA mission and a truly a servant of the Lord. He will be greatly missed here but greatly welcomed in the Lord's Kingdom. We join all of the REA family and the IRM Family in thoughts and prayers for Harry's family at this time. I told Harry not too long ago, that any of us would step in for him in this battle and he said: "I know you would". Donald Howell, REA Reprehensive for International Railway Mission.
“I met many brave and dedicated men and women in my police career. Few were as unique and interesting as Captain Harry Hassler. Not just a Law Enforcement Professional but a great story teller, purveyor of interesting facts, railroad enthusiast and a man of deep religious convictions. My thoughts today are with his family, particularly his sons William and Scott, who not only followed the good Captain in the "family business" but worked for me. Thanks for the memories, the friendship and guidance.” Cap. Fidelis Ad Mortem. Nassau County, New York
“My sweet loving generous handsome Harry went to be with the lover of our souls, Jesus last evening. He fought a strong courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. His family and I will always not only remember and miss him, but we all desire to mir-ror after him as he mirrored his life after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All of the wonderful qualities, and wisdom this Man possessed and freely gave. His loving Grateful wife will always be Thankful for 53 years of Marriage.” Always, Barbara Hassler
“a man is valued by what others say of him” Psalm 27:21b
“Good Morning family and friends. This morning I have a heavy heart. At 6:22PM yesterday evening (June 12, 2018), my Dad, retired New York City Transit Police Captain Henry C. Hassler (Harry Hassler), passed from this life and went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For those of you who had the pleasure to know my Dad, know that he leaves behind a legacy. He also leaves behind, shoes, that I will never be able to fill. He was incredibly loved by his family and so many of you as well. He will be missed im-mensely, but we are comforted in knowing that his suffering is now over. My Dad told me that he was a blessed man. He told me that he lived a good life, had a wonderful family, and was blessed with the best wife that any man could ask for. Most importantly, he pos-sessed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. My Dad told me that he had fulfilled all his goals in life and had finished his “bucket list.” My Dad also informed me that his passing was not the end of a relationship, but merely an interruption. He advised me that “It’s not the duration of your life that matters, but the donation of your life to the benefit of others that counts the most.” My Dad was truly a “selfless” man who always put the wants and needs of others, before his own. Dad said to be absent from this world, is to be present with the Lord. Many of you are aware that my Dad loved trains. Yesterday, my Dad took the North Bound Heavenly Express to its Terminal Station in Paradise. I love you Dad and await my opportunity to join you in heaven one day. Until that day comes, I will re-member you always and strive to be the son you raised me to be. God Bless all of you. Remember to always be thankful for each and every new day that God grants us. And Dad, it’s not Goodbye, but “so long for now.” I love you always,” Bill Hassler
Dear Pastor Seidler, My grandfather, Robert K. Stein, had been receiving the REA "All Aboard" magazine for several years until his passing on November 30, 2017. I wanted to write and say thank you for setting him up with the subscription and providing him with the spirituality and sense of belonging with his fellow railroad workers. I am happy to know that Grandpa Bob made his journey to Heaven to be with God and his wife Grand-ma Gen before he passed, I had the opportunity to say goodbye to him, and it was nice to hear him talk about rid-ing "the golden train" into the station and seeing Grandma Gen there waiting for him. I have a copy of the Fall 2017 All Aboard that has his photo on page 9, which I think is pretty neat. I did not know that there was such a large community of railroad enthusi-asts that came together to cel-ebrate God, and I am glad to know that my grandfather was embraced in the fellowship. I'm sure it meant a lot to him. I noticed that All Aboard has a prisoner outreach sec-tion, "Friends of REA," when I was reading it, and I was hop-ing that my name and address could be listed. I would enjoy corresponding with someone that shared the same interests and beliefs as my grandfather, and being able to talk with someone about the things my grandpa and I used to talk about (i.e., working on locomo-tives, keeping faith, politics, etc.). Again, thank you for be-ing a part of an organization that my grandfather enjoyed being a member of and that provided him with the unique fellowship of both railroad and religion. Sincerely, Samuel Upthegrove Winnebago, WI
Page 10 The Railroad Evangelist
Jeremy Neff 1015 Commerce Ave. Vero Beach, FL 32960 Michael Behn # 292354 PO Box 861 Trenton, NJ 08625 Richard F. Bryant #262261-G1-121-S Dade Correctional Insitution 19000 SW 377th Street Florida City, FL 33034 Jay E. Glenewinkel #56817-280 FCI PO Box 5000 Oakdale, LA 71463 Carl Sonne #77049 NCF 138 E. Milan Road Berlin, NH 03570 The following TWO names at the same facility. David A. Meeks Larson 2 North Logansport State Hospital 1098 South State Rd 25 Logansport, IN 46947 Harold Rector c/o Linda Watts 4816 Dayton Blvd. Apt. #5 Chattanooga, TN 37415 Justino A. Santana, Jr #S07551, A2-113L Franklin Correctional Institution 1760 Hwy 67 North Carrabelle, FL 32322 Samuel Upthegrove 469578 Wisconsin Resource Center PO Box 220 Winnebago, WI 54985 Donald Sprinkle 0-P 27187 A2114V New River Correctional Institution PO Box 900 Railford, FL 32083
Friends of REA is for those who are incarcerated or confined to a facility who receive REA’s Railroad Evange-list, “All Aboard!” and would like to correspond with other REAers.
Be patient in writing our railroad related inmates. Be consistent in writing to them as they need our encouragement, prayers and support. Mail your letters direct to them. If your letters are returned, there is probably no use in re-sending them as addresses change without getting new ones. REMEMBER, do not use address labels or REA stickers on envelopes un-less you have the inmates say it is okay.
Please Note
Further information contact: Rev. Steve Seidler 810 18th Street SE
Owatonna, MN 55060
For information on how to begin a REA Chapter or a REA Fel-lowship in your area see our
web page RailHopeAmerica.com
or write the Editor.
New for REA! Thanks to Donald Howell, Director of De-velopment and Ministry Advancement for REA has made available very nice embroi-dered REA logo on either a blue or pink polo shirt.
For size, color choice and price (very reasonable) contact Don Howell via telephone or e-mail.
703-988-1966 [email protected]
(soon to be available online)
“But God demonstrated His own love towards us, in that while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:9
God's Plan for Aging > Most seniors never get enough exer-cise. In His wisdom, God decreed that seniors become forgetful so they would have to search for their glasses, keys and other things thus doing more walking. And God looked down and saw that it was good. Then God saw there was another need. In His wisdom, He made seniors lose coordination so they would drop things requiring them to bend, reach & stretch. And God looked down and saw that it was good. Then God considered the function of bladders and decided seniors would have additional calls of nature requiring more trips to the bathroom, thus providing more exercise. God looked down and saw that it was good. So - if you find as you age that you are getting up and down more, remember it's God's will. It is all in your best interest even though you mutter under your breath. > Why did God make man before He made a woman? Because he didn’t want any advice on how to do it. > Did you know who was the greatest financial genius in the Old Testament? It was Noah, because when all else was liquidated, he kept his stock afloat.
“A cheerful heart does good like a medicine”
Proverbs 17:22 - Living Bible
Summer 2018 Page 11
Hey kids! Send us your photos, stories, poems and your interest in trains or Model Railroading. Send to: REA, PO Box 5026, Vancouver, WA 98668
When you put your letter in the mailbox did you really believe it would go to your friend whose name was written on the enve-lope? Of course you did! When you got on the bus and paid your fare, did you believe the bus would take you where you wanted to go? Of course! Do you really believe when you pray to God in Jesus’ name that He will answer your prayers? Do you? God is much more able to do what He promises than either the mailman or the bus driver! Sometimes, very foolishly, we do not trust God to do what He says He will. “Without faith it is impossible to please him”, (Hebrews 11:6) Please Him by believing HIM!
Mark 11:22-24 “when you pray, believe”
ONLY BELIEVE!
Only believe, only believe, All things are possible, only believe;
Only believe, only believe, All things are possible, only believe.
- Paul Rader
5 Things God
Wants You To Know
God Loves YOU! John 3:16
Tells us how to get to Heaven John 14:6
Jesus died on the cross for our sins
Romans 5:8
Jesus wants you to receive Him as your
Savior. John 1:12
Let
us
hear
from
YOU!
Both big and little, old and young love trains! Above is Harry Hassler, 2nd Vice President of REA with his grandson Matthew Hassler. All Aboard!
God wants you in Heaven forever
John 14:1-3
The Bible
Page 12 The Railroad Evangelist
Room rate for the week - including meals & tax: Double occupancy....$325.00 (each) Single occupancy….$355.00 Three or more in a room….$295.00 (each) (Prices subject to change) Please send in your $20.00 (non-refundable)
deposit as soon as possible to:
REA Registrar Mrs. Beverly Salloum
720 W. Thomas Street Rome, NY 13440
(315) 368-8612 (cell - prefers texting) E-mail: [email protected]
NOTE: All Conference fees must be paid no later than
August 1, 2018 to our REA Registrar. Thank you! REGISTRATION: Receive name tag and room key is on Monday August 20th from 3-5 PM. Dinner at 5:00 PM.
NOTE:
Day guests $15.00 plus any meals
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Located within driving distance is:
>NEW! MUSEUM of the BIBLE. Washington DC. >Historic Carlisle - US Army War College - 15 minutes. >Gettysburg - About a 30 minute drive. >Hershey - About a 45 minute drive. >Strasburg RR community - A little over an hour drive. >Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster - A little over an hour. >The heart of the Amish in Lancaster - A little over an hour. >National Civil War Museum - Harrisburg - About 30 minutes. >Washington D.C. - About 2 1/2 hour drive. >Valley Forge / Philadelphia - About 3 hours
-PLUS A WHOLE LOT MORE! -
Begin planning to attend the 77th National Railroad Evangelistic Association
Convention - Everyone is Welcome!
August 20– 24, 2018
Located in the peaceful hills of Pennsylvania at the Bongiorno Conference Center
430 Union Hall Road Carlisle, PA 17013
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me”. John 14:6
- Getting on the right track - First you have to believe that God really does love you, just the way you are, right now, He will accept you today. “But God demonstrates His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinner, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Our sins separate us from God and will keep us from entering into His Everlasting kingdom when we die. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 3:23 & 6:23. The message of Jesus is very clear and simple, He said, the “kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel” Mark 1:15 The gospel is “good news”; we will be forgiven of all our sins and we can live for Him now and forever. You can pray and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and be-come a child of God and His forever family. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12. See the progression? First you believe in His name, (Jesus) and who He said He was, (John 14:6). Second, you receive Jesus into your life, forgiving you of all your sins and third, you become a child of God. You can use the following prayer as a model and make it you own, or you can use your own words, God see’s the intend of your heart. “God, be merciful to me a sinner. I repent and renounce all my sins, both know and hidden. I ask you Lord Jesus to forgive me, come into my life, make yourself real to me, fill me with your Holy Spirit to help and empower me to live for You all the days of my life, in Jesus name. Amen!
FACT FAITH FEELING
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - As illustrated in the train graphic above representing you have placed your faith (trust, confidence) in what Jesus has done for you, fact, on the cross according to the Bible, the Word of God. Our salvation is not based on the way we feel but in the fact that our faith is founded in the word of God. But Jesus did say, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you...These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15: 7&11. For further help and free Bible Studies go to www.PTL.org (Pocket Testament League) or write us for our “Switching” brochure.
Summer 2018 Page 13
“Well done, good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of the Lord”
For a donation of any amount to the Cross Over Memorial page is a place where both God and your loved ones will be remembered and honored as it will help REA to continue publishing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the worldwide railroad community through the Railroad Evangelist magazine.
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllLife’s Journey
Life is like a journey, taken on a train, with a pair of travelers at each window pain; I may sit beside you the whole journey through, or I may be seated elsewhere, never knowing you;
but if fate should place me to sit at your side, Let’s be pleasant travelers, it’s so short a ride.
Henry C. "Harry," Hassler, age 74, of Massapequa Park, New York, passed away on June 12, 2018. Beloved husband of Barbara A. Hassler for 53 years. Devoted father of William, John, Scott and Debra. Adored grandfather of 8 and revered Great Grandpa of 1. Retired NYC Transit Police Captain of 27 years. Served as MTA and Amtrak Chaplain for 12 years. Interment Pinelawn Memorial Park, Pinelawn, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated by the family to Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc., 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201
Pennsylvania
Turnpike 76
Bongiorno Conference
Center
Union Hall Rd
74
76
N.
Colle
ge S
t
11
11
81
West High St East High St
NORTH
SOUTH
EAST WEST
34 Walmart at Carlisle
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Directions from the “SQUARE” in downtown Carlisle. Take High Street West to N. College Street (3rd traffic light west of the square). Follow N. College St (north) for about six blocks until you see an arrow indicating Route 74, turn left onto Route 74. Follow Route 74 past schools and cross bridge over the Conodoquinet Creek. Look for and turn left onto Union Hall Road (second road to the left after the bridge.) Follow Union Hall Road for about 1 mile. The Bongiorno Confer-ence Center entrance is on the left side of the road. To view conference center www.bongiornocc.com
Bongiorno Conference Center MAP and Directions There is a Bus available from the Harrisburg Amtrak Station to the Wal-Mart store in Carlisle. Buses leave from the Station at 6:50 and 7:45 AM
and 4:25 & 4:55 PM. For more information contact C.A.T. (Capital Area Transit) 717-238-8304. Carlisle is about 20 miles East of Harrisburg.
The price includes your own private room and three buffet style meals per day beginning Monday evening with dinner and ending on Friday morning after breakfast. Located on the conference grounds are: golf, tennis, basketball, hiking, volleyball and playground equip-ment. This also includes a whole lot of peace, quiet and wonderful Christian fellowship. See page 12 for prices and registrations information. Please send in your $20.00 (non-refundable) deposit as soon as possible to our REA Registrar Mrs. Beverly Salloum to let her know if your com-ing for a day, a few days or the week.
This is your invitation to attend the 77th REA Annual National Convention
Harry Hassler by Donald & Sarah Howell Harry Hassler by Joe Spooner
Page 14 The Railroad Evangelist
The photo to the left was taken when International Railway Missions president Ueli Berger along with his wife Karin and Daniel Saar-boug visited with some RailHope India mem-bers in Feb-ruary 2017. International RR Evange-list Arulraj on far left.
International Railway Missions 2019 Conference
will be held in the heart of Holland in Lunteren, Friday August 2, until Friday August 9, 2019.
For more information contact Donald Howell, REA Representative for IRM at: [email protected]
International Railway Missions
In the above photo, left to right is John May, Arulraj, John Lunn and Joe Spooner attending the 2007 International Railway Mis-sions Conference in Eastborne, England. In a recent email to REA from John May he said, “ I am now 90 years old and how good is our God! I am still working, leading to visit old peoples home and doing services. As I look back over the years of the railway fellowship I recall 20 years as President, 40 years altogether in membership. I also look back with gratitude for 6 years as President and 3 as Vice President of the Interna-tional Railway Missions during which time I saw it grow, HOW PRIVILEDGED to be allowed by God to serve Him in railway missions through the years. I really enjoy the Railroad Evange-list “All Aboard!” magazine thank you for sending it to me. I must close now, please give my greetings to the Railroad Evangelistic Association and accept from me my Christian love in Jesus.” John May Eastborne, England
Chaplain Steven Rowe My role is Area Manager for London and the South of England with Railway Mission, which is chaplaincy to all rail staff and workers in England, Scotland and Wales. We are also British Transport Police Chaplains. Our tag-line is “Support on Life’s Journey”, and we have been chaplains to the railways in UK since 1881. I am also Prayer Coordinator with IRM and a board member.
Chris Harkey; great grandson of Luther S. Harkey, Founder of the Railroad Evangelistic As-sociation will be visiting India this July with his wife Hope and twelve year old daughter Ella Mae. REA was introduced to India in 1967 by Rev. Vic-tor Swamidoss when he was visited by Herman Rose, former editor of the Railroad Evangelist magazine, “All Aboard!”. The Harkey family will be visiting the Chennia/Nilgiris area the week of July 19-24, 2018. REA was founded by Luther S Harkey in 1941. First publishing The Railroad Evangelist magazine in 1938.
RailHope India is very glad to be welcoming the Harkey family to India. We are proposing a “Festival of Thanksgiving” to thank our God for the 51 years of fellowship between these two organiza-tion. We are planning to conduct three events while they are here and following are time and places.
1. July 20 Friday 6pm to 9pm -- Railhope India Thanksgiving prayer in Podanur ; ( this is a city in South India )
2. July 21 Saturday 11am to 1pm -- Railhope India Thanks-giving prayer in Nilgiris ( Queen of Hills in India ) A hill city in South India (July 22 Sunday - Time with a Church in Chennai )
3. July 24 Tuesday -- 1pm to 2pm -- Railhope India Thanksgiving prayer in Chennai ( Chennai formerly known as Madras and is the capital city of Tamilnadu Province / South In-dia )
May God’s blessings, grace and mercy be prevalent throughout all their time in India and their travels.
Left to right Is Ueli Berger, Don How-ell and RR Evan-gelist Arulraj, invit-ing YOU to attend the 2019 IRM Conference in Lunteren, Holland.
Publication Guidelines for the Railroad Evangelist magazine We are always looking for original railroad related photos, drawings and stories, articles, personal testimonies (300 - 800 words) or poems that would be of a spiritual interest to our readers of the Railroad Evangelist magazine. Currently the Railroad Evangelist magazine is published three times a year. Material received will be returned upon request. For further information or questions contact the editor.
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Summer 2018 Page 15
Meet my friend Harry. For the brief time I knew Harry I can tell you this, he enjoyed making people laugh as he was quick on his wit, with one liners and little stories. Harry loved four things in this life: 1. His love for His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2. His love for his wife Barbara, their children and grand-children. 3. Lost souls 4. Trains and REA! Harry and Barbara made it to only two REA Convention but after meeting them Harry made you feel like you were his long lost best friend. Harry is leaving a legacy of his passion for lost souls by telling others of Jesus Christ through gos-pel tracts. Harry has planted thou-sand upon thousand of gospel seeds tracts through the years and I am sure he is meeting all those who came into the kingdom be-cause of his faithfulness in sowing the everlasting gospel seed through gospel tracts.
Commitment? To some it is a scary thought, something to be avoided but for others it is an expressed desire to see things through, no matter what the cost. In the above photo is a railway bridge in Frankfort, Germany with thousands of padlocks on it, placed by a couple, representing their commitment to one another by throwing the key into the river, symbolic of their commitment of their never-ending love one for another. Jesus has also made a commitment for all those who received His everlasting love He has for each one of us who will commit oneself to receive Him as their Savior and Lord. That He will come and receive them into His eternal home when their life is done on earth. I invite you to make that solid rock, throw away the key, commit to follow Christ all the days of your life. Do it today. You will never, ever regret your decision to do so, you have my guarantee on it! The Bible tells us that compared to eternity, our life is but a vapor: “you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)
We are here for such a very short time, Someone once said that “less a per-son values time, the bigger fool he becomes; the more he values time, the wiser he becomes. Time is the most valuable thing God offers us in this life to fulfill His will, plan and purpose for our lives.” In our last issue I shared the following quote from an 18th Century Priest by the name of William Law and it bears repeating here, he said, “If you have not cho-sen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead. For you have missed the purpose for which you were created, and you will have forsaken the only thing that satisfies”. My friend Harry was planning on being with us at our REA Convention this August but he unexpectedly left on the morning train to glory. Are you ready to make a rock solid commitment to Christ and throw away the key? If so, see page 12 to help you get started on the right track. - Joe Spooner
“One plants, another waters, but God brings the increase "
I Corinthians 3:6
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