1gU THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS.

Then said the visitor, “Christiana, the bitter is before the sweet. Thou must
through troubles, as did he that went before thee, enter the Celestial City. Where-
fore I advise thee to do as did Christian thy husband: go to the wicket-gate yonder
over the plain, for that stands in the head of the way up which you must go; and |
wish thee all good speed. Also I advise that thou put this letter in thy bosom, that
thou read therein to thyself, and to thy children, until you have got it by rote of
heart; for it is one of the songs that thou must sing while thou art in this house of
thy pilgrimage." Also this thou must deliver in at the farther gate.”

Now, I saw in my dream, that this old gentleman, sé told me the story, did him-
self seem to be greatly affected therewith. _Henoreover proceeded, and said:

So Christiana called her sons togettier, and began thus to address herself unto
them: ‘“ My sons, I have, as you may perceive, been of late-tinder much exercise in
my soul about the death of your father: not for that I doubt at all of his happiness, for
I am satisfied now that hé is well. I have also been ‘tauch affected with the thoughts
of mine own state. and yours, which I verily. believe is: ‘by nature miserable. “My
carriages also to your father in his distress is~a ereat load to my conscience, for I

hardened both mine own heart and oe against him, and. refused to go with him on

pilgrimage. oe . ss

“The thoughts of these things mold now aie me Gane bat for a dream ren
Thad last night,.and but. for the encouragement that this stranger has ‘given me this
morning. Come, my children, let us _pack-up, and. be gone to the gate-that leads to
the Celestial Country, that  weanaly see your father, and: be with him and his com-

 

panions in peace, according t to the laws of that: Jand.

 

tear ‘3, for” OF ¥ that. she" heart of their mother

 

Then did’ her children burst out:
was so inclined. So their. visitor bade ‘them farewells ;-ertd they began to prepare to

 

set out for their j journey.

~ But while they were sie ton to) bes Gone, as of the women that were Christiana’s
neighbors .came up to the house; and set at the door. To whom she said as
before, “If you come_in- God's name, come in.” At this the women were stunned ;
for this kind of language they used not to hear, or to perceive to drop from the lips
of Christiana. Yet they came in; but, behold they found the good woman preparing
to be gone from her house.

So they began, and said, “ Neighbor, pray what is your meaning by this?”

“ Christiana answered and said to the eldest of them, whose name was Mrs. Timor-
ous, “I am preparing for a journey.”

eT ee aon Roars