Why Collis Huntington Refused to Celebrate (And What It Means for Your Faith)

Historian Stephen Ambrose tells the story of Collis Huntington, one of the principal investors in America’s transcontinental railroad. As construction prepared to begin, California officials planned an elaborate ceremony to celebrate driving the first spike. They invited dignitaries, politicians, and investors—including Huntington himself.

He refused to attend.

“If you want to jubilate over driving the first spike, go ahead and do it. I don’t,” Huntington wrote. “Those mountains over there look too ugly. We may fail, and if we do, I want to have as few people know it as we can… Anybody can drive the first spike, but there are months of labor and unrest between the first and the last spike.”

Huntington understood what many miss: beginnings matter far less than endings.

Do you share that sentiment?

The First Spike of Faith

One of Christianity’s most joyous moments is baptism—the new birth, celebrated with friends and family gathered around. It’s a moment worth marking.

But it’s really just driving the first spike.

Life comes along with its trials and tribulations. Faith gets tested at every joint, revealing where it might break. The cheers at the beginning offer no guarantee of the end.

When John wrote to the church in Smyrna, he addressed believers who were struggling. Persecution had stripped them of dignity and livelihood. Everywhere they turned, they faced ridicule—Satan’s time-tested tactic for beating the faith out of believers.

But John wanted them to see beyond their present suffering to the end that awaited:

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10, ESV)

The troubles of life, for those who endure, end in glory.

Be faithful unto death.

The Last Spike

What became of Collis Huntington?

In 1869, his company cabled President Ulysses S. Grant: “Sir: we have the honor to report that the last rail is laid, the last spike is driven, the Pacific Railroad is finished.”

That was the moment Huntington was willing to celebrate.

Remember: it’s not the beginning that makes the difference, but the end. Make sure you drive the last spike.