90 Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists
end. The first-class compartments are elegantly furnished. The second-
class compartments, which often occupy part of the same car with the
first-class, are usually clean and comfortably furnished, and when not
overcrowded are more comfortable than our American day-coaches.
Many of the second-class cars are divided into two compartments,
two-thirds of the room being devoted to the smokers, and one-third to
those who do not smoke. The third-class cars are often closely seated
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with narrow, hard seats. On some roads, fourth-class cars without seats
are run for the accommodation of the very poorest classes. Most of
the express trains run first, second, and third class coaches, and so
different are the patterns that it is not uncommon to see a long train
with no two cars alike.
In the car which we chanced to take for Frankfort, the seats could
be drawn together, and the high, upholstered back fell forward from
one side, making quite a comfortable couch.
We reached Frankfort Wednesday morning about daylight, where
we waited two hours. As it was raining, we saw but little of the city.
We found the waiting room very pleasant, being large, and furnished
with tables, chairs and comfortable sofas, and well supplied with maps
and guide books. We spread our lunch upon one of the tables, and
with the addition of hot milk from the restaurant, enjoyed our simple
breakfast.
Frankfort is an ancient city, mentioned in history as having been
the seat of a religious council more than a thousand years ago. It is a
place of great wealth, and is said to possess more beautiful promenades
than perhaps any other city in the world. Within a short distance of the
town are delightful villages, and several famous watering-places.
In this city Charles V., Luther’s great enemy, was elected to the
throne of Germany, and here his coronation took place. Hither came
the reformer on his way to the Diet at Worms. Having been taken
suddenly ill on the journey, he rested for a short time at Frankfort.
Suffering as he was, and with the prospect of a martyr’s death before
him, but still undaunted, he wrote to Spalatin at Worms, announcing
his approach. “I am arrived here,” he said, “though Satan sought to
stop me in my way by sickness. From Eisenach to this place I have
been suffering, and I am at this moment in a worse condition than ever.
I find that Charles has issued an edict to terrify me; but Christ lives,
and we shall enter Worms in spite of all the counsels of hell, and all