THE CHRISTIAN PILGRIM.

PART SECOND.

Sagacity gives an account of Christian. Some time after the dream I had of Christian, the Pilgrim, while in a den, I passed that way again. I took up my lodging in a wood about a mile off the place. As I slept, I dreamed again. I saw in my dream, an aged gentleman, Sagacity by name, come by where I was, and as we were going to the same place, I resolved to go with him. As we were passing the City of Destruction, Sagacity informed me of Christian, the Pilgrim, who once resided there, but was induced to go on a pilgrimage up to the higher regions. When he left the city, his neighbors ran after him, called him a fool, and tried to have him come back; but it all was of no avail, as Christian pressed forward and upward. After many trials, difficulties, and dangers, he finally entered into that region where all trouble is unknown. He now walks in white, and has a crown of gold. He walks and talks with the King of the country, who has adopted him as a son, and who has prepared a mansion for his dwelling. It is now said that his former neighbors, by whom he was so much persecuted, now commend him, and wish they had gone with him.

The first part of the Pilgrim's Progress was written in Bedford jail, as has been noted; the second, several years afterward, most probably at his home in Elstow, a village about one mile from Bedford, which he designates as a "lodging in the wood." The first is the most complete, but the second part

is well worthy of attention. It often happens when the real Christian departs this life, that the men of the world who stigmatized him when living, will, after he has departed, speak well of him, and lament their own folly in not living a Christian life.

This picture is drawn from the Frontispiece to the second part of the Pilgrim's Progress, from the edition of 1687, the year previous to the decease of the "Immortal Dreamer." Bunyan appears dreaming the second time. Christiana, with her children and Mercy, are leaving the City of Destruction and going toward the Wicket Gate. The enemy who tried to stop their pathway is seen in the distance.

Christian's Wife and Children become Pilgrims. Christiana, the wife of Christian (so named after she had commenced her pilgrimage), after her husband had gone over the River, and she could hear of him no more, many heavy thoughts began to work in her mind. The remembrance of her unkind and ungodly carriage toward her dearest friend-how she had hardened her heart against all the loving entreaties to her and her scns to go with him on his pil grimage-cost her many tears. She spoke to her children: "Sons, we are undone. I have sinned away your father; I would not go with him myself, and I also hindered you. I thought your father foolish; I now see that he was wise, and has escaped the snares of death." Christiana and her children now all wept and bewailed their condition. In a dream, Christiana saw her husband in a place of bliss among immortals, praising God for his mercy. After she had arisen, one knocked at the door, whose name was Secret, who brought a letter to her from her husband's King. She was informed that the Merciful One was a God ready to forgive, and he invited her to come, as did her husband, through trials and afflictions, and she would be received with joy. Christiana now called her children together, and told them of her dream and letter. At this they were all overjoyed, and with their mother began to prepare for the journey to the Celestial City.

need not hesitate to recieve it as a divine monition. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." The intimations given by Secret seem to represent the silent teachings of the Holy Spirit, by which the true meaning of the Scriptures is discovered to

It is evident that the author was intent on encouraging pious persons to persevere in using all means for the spiritual good of their children, even when they see no immediate effect from their efforts. God may speak in a dream, as of old, and if the intimation be scriptural and the effect salutary, we man.

Mrs. Timorous and her Companions. As Christiana was about starting on her journey, she was called on by two of her neighbors, Mrs. Timorous, and a young maiden named Mercy. Mrs. Timorous, when Christiana told her that she was going on the same journey which her departed husband had gone, implored her not to think of such madness. "Consider," says she, "what difficulties and troubles your husband had while on his dangerous journey; and if he, though a man, was so hard put to it, what can you, a poor woman, do? Think, also, of your four sweet children; how can they travel such a journey, and what will become of them?" Christiana still determined to go on the journey. Mrs. Timorous began to revile

her, and told Mercy to leave such a foolish person, as she intended to do. Mercy, however, declined; for what Christiana had said had an effect upon her mind, and she determined to accompany her on her pilgrimage. When Mrs. Timorous arrived at her home, she sent for some of her neighbors, among whom was Mrs. Bats-eyes, Mrs. Inconsiderate, Mrs. Light-mind, and Mrs. Know-nothing. All these women joined in reviling Christiana. Mrs. Bats-eyes called her a blind and foolish woman; Mrs. Inconsiderate said she should be glad when she was gone, and Mrs. Light-mind did not wish to hear any thing about religious matters, but told what merry times she had at Madam Wanton's.

The conversation of Christiana with her neighbors was attended with different results. It excited the revilings and scorn of Mrs. Timorous and her companions, while they were so blessed to Mercy as to induce her to set out on the heavenly journey. This gives encouragement to use all proper means

to influence sinners to choose the good part, though many reject the truth. The names of the companions of Mrs. Timorous indicates what kind of persons generally despise and revile those that fear God and seek the salvation of their souls.

When Christiana. her

Slough of Despond and the Wicket Gate. sons, and Mercy came to the Slough of Despond, they found it rather worse than it was in Christian's time. This was owing to the unskillfulness of those who pretended to be the King's laborers on the highway. By looking well to their steps they made out to stagger over. The Pilgrims now went up to the Wicket Gate; Christiana knocked at the door, and, for a time, it appeared as if she could not be admitted. It seemed as if the great dog had been aroused, and barked fiercely at them. The keeper of the Gate, finding out who it was that knocked at the door, and what was her object in coming, kindly let Christiana and her four sons within, and then shut up the Gate. Poor Mercy, being without, trembled, and cried, fearing she was rejected. Christiana now began to intercede for her, and Mercy began to knock at the Gate herself. The keeper, learning who she was, opened the Gate, but Mercy had fallen down in a swoon. When he took her by the hand she arose, and told the keeper she was afraid she would not be admitted, as she had not a special invitation from the King, as Christiana had. The keeper told her not to fear, and kindly admitted her within.

It has often happened that many of make what was difficult still more so, those who profess to preach the Gospel by their teachings and plausible spec