” CHRISTIANA IS SENT FOR. 189

band in a place of bliss, among many immortals, with a harp in his hand, standing and
playing upon it before One that sat upon a throne, with a rainbow about His. head.

She saw, also, as if he bowed his head with his face to the paved work that was under
the Prince’s feet, saying, “I heartily thank my Lord and King for bringing of me into
this place.” Then shouted a company of them that stood round about, and harped
with their harps; but no man living could tell what they said, but Christian and his
companions.

Next morning, when she was up, and had prayed to God and talked with her chil-
dren a while, one knocked hard at the door ; to whom she spake out, saying, “If thou
comest in God’s name, come in.” So he said, “ Amen,” and opened the door, and
saluted her with “ Peace be to this house!” The which, when he had done, he said,
“Christiana, knowest thou wherefore I am come?” Then she blushed and trembled,
also her heart began to wax warm with desires to know from whence he came, and
what was his errand to her. So he said unto her, “ My name is Secret: I dwell with
those that are on high. It is talked of where I dwell, as if thou hadst a desire to go
thither; also there is a report that thou art aware of the evil thou hast formerly done
to thy husband, in hardening thy heart against his way, and in keeping of these thy
babes in their ignorance. Christiana, the Merciful One hath sent me to tell thee, that
He is a God ready: to forgive, and that He taketh delight to multiply the pardon of
offences. He also. would have thee know that He inviteth thee to come into His
presence, to His table, and that He will feed thee with the fat of His house, and with
the heri itage of Jacbb thy father.

There is Christian, thy husband that was, Eile more, his companions, ever
beholding that face that doth minister life to beholders; and they will be glad when
they shall hear the sound of thy feet step over thy Father’s threshold.”

Christiana at this was greatly abashed in herself, and bowed her head to the
ground.

This visitor proceeded, and said, “Christiana, here is also a letter for thee, which I
have brought from: thy husband’s King.” So she took it, and opened it ;’ but it s:nelt

after the manner of the best perfume ;”

also it was written in letters of gold. The
contents of the letter were these: “That the King would have her to do as Christian
her husband 5) ES that was the way to come to His City, and to dwell in His presence
with joy for ever.

At this the | \good woman was quite overcome; so she cried out to eee visitor, “Sir,
will you carr K me and my children with you, that we also may go and worship this

King?” ‘