STANDFAST”SostandfastintheLord，mydearlybeloved。”——Paul。
　　InhissupplementarypictureofStandfastJohnBunyanisseenathisverybest，bothasareligiousteacherandasanEnglishauthor。OntheEnchantedGroundStandfastissetbeforeuswithextraordinaryinsight，sagacity，andwisdom；andthenintheterribleriverheissetbeforeuswithanequallyextraordinaryraptureandtransport；while，inallthat，BunyancomposesinEnglishofastrengthandabeautyandamusicinwhichhepositivelysurpasseshimself。JustbeforehecloseshisgreatbookJohnBunyanrisesupandoncemoreputsforthhisveryfulleststrength，bothasaministerofreligionandasaclassicalwriter，whenhetakesStandfastdownintothatriverwhichthatpilgrimtellsushasbeensuchaterrortosomany，andthethoughtofwhichhassooftenaffrightedhimself。
　　WhenGreatheartandhischargewerealmostattheendoftheEnchantedGround，soweread，theyperceivedthatalittlebeforethemwasasolemnnoiseasofonethatwasmuchconcerned。Sotheywentonandlookedbeforethem。Andbehold，theysaw，astheythought，amanuponhisknees，withhandsandeyesliftup，andspeaking，astheythought，earnestlytoonethatwasabove。Theydrewnigh，butcouldnottellwhathesaid；sotheywentsoftlytillhehaddone。Whenhehaddone，hegotupandbegantoruntowardstheCelestialCity。”So-ho，friend，letushaveyourcompany，”calledouttheguide。Atthatthemanstopped，andtheycameuptohim。”Iknowthisman，”saidMr。Honest；”hisname，I
　　know，isStandfast，andheiscertainlyarightgoodpilgrim。”
　　ThenfollowsaconversationbetweenMr。HonestandMr。Standfast，inwhichsomecomplimentsandcourtesiesareexchanged，suchasareworthyofsuchmen，metatsuchatimeandinsuchaplace。”Well，but，brother，”saidValiant-for-truth，”tellus，Ipraythee，whatwasitthatwasthecauseofthybeinguponthykneesevennow？
　　Wasitforthatsomespecialmercylaidobligationsuponthee，orhow？”AndthenStandfasttellshowashewascomingalongmusingwithhimself，MadamBubblepresentedherselftohimandofferedhimthreethings。”Iwasbothawearyandsleepyandalsoaspoorasahowlet，andallthatthewickedwitchknew。Andstillshefollowedmewithherenticements。ThenIbetookme，asyousaw，tomyknees，andwithhandsliftupandcries，IprayedtoHimwhohadsaidthatHewouldhelp。Sojustasyoucameupthegentlewomanwentherway。ThenIcontinuedtogivethanksformygreatdeliverance；forIverifybelievesheintendedmenogood，butrathersoughttomakestopofmeinmyjourney。WhatamercyisitthatIdidresisther，forwhithermightshenothavedrawnme？”
　　Andthen，afterallthisdiscourse，therewasamixtureofjoyandtremblingamongthepilgrims，butatlasttheybrokeoutandsang:”Whatdangeristhepilgrimin，Howmanyarehisfoes，Howmanywaystherearetosin，Nolivingmortalknows！”
　　1。”Well，asIwascomingalongIwasmusingwithmyself，”saidStandfast。Youunderstandwhatitistocomealongmusingwithyourself，doyounot，mybrethren？”IwillmuseontheworkofThyhands，”saysthePsalmist。Andagain，”WhileIwasmusingthefireburned。”Well，Standfastwasmuchgiventomusing，justasDavidwas。Eachseveralpilgrimhashisownwayofoccupyinghimselfontheroad；butStandfastcouldnevergethisfilljustofmusing。
　　Standfastlovedsolitude。Standfastlikednothingbetterthantowalklongstretchesatatimeallbyhimselfalone。StandfastwasliketheapostlewhenhepreferredtotakethetwentymilesfromTroastoAssosonfootandalone，ratherthantoroundthecapeonshipboardinacrowd。”Mindinghimselftogoafoot，”saystheapostle’scompanion。ItwouldhavemadeapreciouschapterintheActsoftheApostleshadtheauthorofthatbookbeenabletogivehisreaderssomeofPaul’smusingsashecrossedtheTroadonfootthatday。ButintheabsenceofPaul’smusingswehaveherethemusingsofamanwhomPaulwouldnothaveshakenoffhadheforegatheredwithhimonthatlonelyroad。ForStandfastwasinadeepandseriousmusemileaftermile，when，whoshouldstepintothemiddleofhispathrightbeforehimbutMadamBubblewithherbodyandherpurseandherbed？Now，hadthishungryhowletofapilgrimbeenatthatmomentinanyotherbutamusingmoodofmind，hehadtoacertaintysoldhimself，soulandbody，CelestialCityandall，tothatimpudentslut。But，asHewouldhaveitwhooverrulesMadamBubble’sdescents，andallthings，Standfastwasatthatmomentinoneofhismostmusingmoods，andallhersmilesandallheroffersfellflatandpooruponhim。CultivateStandfast’smoodofmind，mybrethren。Walkagooddealalone。Strikeacrosscountryfromtimetotimealoneandhavegoodlongwalksandtalkswithyourself。Andwhenyouknowthatyouarepassingplacesoftemptationseethatyourthoughts，andevenyourimaginations，arewelloccupiedwithsolemnconsiderationsaboutthecertainissueofsuchandsuchtemptations；andthen，toyou，astoStandfast，”Thearrowseenbeforehandslacksitsflight。”
　　2。But，musingalone，thearrowseenbeforehand，andall，Standfastwouldhavebeenalostmanonthatlonelyroadthatdayhadhenotinstantlybetakenhimselftohisknees。AnditwaswhileStandfastwasstillonhiskneesthattheascendingpilgrimsheardthatconcernedandsolemnnoisealittleaheadofthem。Didyoueversuddenlycomeacrossamanonhisknees？DidyoueversurpriseamanatprayerasGreatheartandhiscompanionssurprisedStandfast？Idonotask，Didyoueverenteraroomandfindafamilyaroundtheirmorningoreveningaltar？Wehavealldonethat。Anditleftitsownimpressionuponus。Butdidyoueverspringasurpriseuponamanonhiskneesaloneandinbroaddaylight？Ididtheotherday。Itwasbetweenelevenandtwelveo’clockintheforenoonwhenIaskedaclerkifhismasterwasin。
　　Yes，hesaid，andopenedhismaster’sdoor。When，beforeIwasaware，Ihadalmostfallenoveramanonhiskneesandwithhisfaceinhishands。”Ipraythee，”saidValiant-for-truth，”telluswhatitwasthatdrewtheetothykneesevennow。Wasitthatsomespecialmercylaiditsobligationsonthee，orhow？”Ididnotsaythatexactlytomykneelingfriend，thoughitwasonthepointofmytonguetosayit。Mydearfriend，Iknew，hadhisowndifficulties，thoughhewasnotexactlyaspoorasahowlet。AnditmighthavebeenaboutsomeofhisinvestmentsthathadgoneoutofjointthathewentthatforenoontoHimwhohadsaidthatHewouldhelp。Or，liketheauthoroftheChristianPerfectionandTheSpiritofPrayer，itwasthesixthhouroftheday，andhemayhavegonetohiskneesforhisclerks，orforhisboysatschool，orforhimselfandforthemaninthesamebusinesswithhimselfrightacrossthestreet。Iknewthatmyfriendhadthecharmingbookathomeinwhichsuchcounselsastheseoccur:”Ifmasterswerethustoremembertheirservants，beseechingGodtoblessthem，lettingnodaypasswithoutafullperformanceofthisdevotion，thebenefitwouldbeasgreattothemselvesastotheirservants。”
　　Andperhapsmyfriend，aftersettinghisclerkstheirseveraltasksfortheday，wasnowaskinggraceofGodforeachoneofthemthattheymightnotbeeye-servantsandmen-pleasers，buttheservantsofChristdoingthewillofGodfromtheheart。Or，again，hemayhavereadinthatnoblebookthispassage:”IfafatherweredailytomakesomeparticularprayertoGodthatHewouldpleasetoinspirehischildrenwithtruepiety，greathumility，andstricttemperance，whatcouldbemorelikelytomakethefatherhimselfbecomeexemplaryinthesevirtues？”Now，myfriendwhocantell？
　　mayjustthatmorninghavelosthistemperwithhisson；orhemaylastnighthaveindulgedhimselftoomuchineating，orindrinking，orindebate，orindetraction；andthatmayhavemadeitimpossibleforhimtofixhiswholemindonhisofficeworkthatmorning。Or，justtomakeanotherguess，whenheopenedthebookI
　　hadaskedhimtobuyandread，hemayhavelightedonthisheavenlypassage:”Lastly，ifallpeoplewhentheyfeelthefirstapproachesofresentmentorenvyorcontempttowardsothers；orifinalllittledisagreementsandmisunderstandingswhatevertheyshouldhaverecourseatsuchtimestoamoreparticularandextraordinaryintercessionwithGodforsuchpersonsashadrousedtheirenvy，resentment，ordiscontent——thiswouldbeacertainwaytopreventthegrowthofalluncharitabletempers。”YoumaythinkthatIamtakingaroundaboutwayofaccountingformyfriend’ssoconcernedattitudeattwelveo’clockthatbusinessday；butthewholethingseemedtomesounusualatsuchatimeandinsuchaplacethatIwasledtosuchguessesasthesetoaccountforit。
　　InsoguessingIseenowthatIwasintrudingmyselfintomattersI
　　hadnobusinesswith；butallthatdayIcouldnotkeepmymindoffmyblushingfriend。For，likeMr。Standfast，mydearfriendblushedashestoodupandofferedmethechairhehadbeenkneelingat。”But，why，didyouseeme？”saidMr。Standfast。”Yes，Idid，”quoththeother，”andwithallmyheartIwasgladatthesight。””Andwhatdidyouthink？”saidMr。Standfast。
　　3。”Wasit，”askedValiant-for-truth，inaholycuriosity，”wasitsomespecialmercythatbroughttheetothykneesevennow？”Yes；
　　Valiant-for-truthhadexactlyhitit。Graciouswits，likegreatwits，jumptogether。”Yes，”confessedStandfast，”Icontinuetogivethanksformygreatdeliverance。”Mybrethren，youallprayimportunatelyinyourtimeofsoretrouble。Everybodydoesthat。
　　Butdoyoufeelanobligation，likeStandfast，toabidestillonyourkneeslongafteryourtroubleispast？Natureherselfwillteachustopray；butitneedsgrace，andgreatgracecontinuallyrenewed，toteachustopraise，andtocontinueallourdaystopraise。Howweonceprayed，ay，asearnestly，andasconcernedly，andascarelessastowhoshouldseeorhearusasStandfasthimself！Howsomeofushereto-nightusedtowalkacrossawholecountryallthetimepraying！Howwehoodwinkedpeopleinordertogetawayfromthemtoprayfortwentymilesatatimeallbyourselves！Underthatbush——itstillstandstomarkthespot；inthatwood，longsincecutdownintoploughedland——wecouldshowourchildrenthespottothisdaywhereweprayed，tillamiraclewaswroughtinourbehalf。Yes，tillGodsentfromaboveandtookusasHenevertookapsalmist，andsetourfeetuponastillmorewonderfulrock。HowHe，yes，HE，withHisownhandcutthecords，brokethenet，andsetusfree！Come，allyethatfearGod！wethensaid，andsaiditwithallsinceritytoo。Andyet，howhaveweforgottenwhatHedidforoursoul？Westartlikeaguiltythingsurprisedwhenwethinkhowlongitissincewehadaspellofthanksgiving。Shameonus！Whattreacherousheartswehave！
　　Whatshortmemorieswehave！Howsoonweforgiveourselves，andsoforgettheforgivenessofourGod！Brethren，letusstilllayplansforpraiseasweusedtodoforprayer。Ifourfriendswillgooutwithus，letusatleastinsistonwalkinghomealone。LetussaywithPaulthatwegetsickatsea；and，besides，thatwehavesomecallstomakeandsomesmallaccountstosettlebeforeweleavethecountry。Tellthemnottowaitdinnerforus。Andthenletustakeplentyoftime。Letusstopatallouroldstationsandcallbackallouroldterrors；letusrepeataloudouroldpsalms——thetwenty-fifth，thefifty-first，thehundredandthird，andthehundredandthirtieth。WeusedtoterrifypeoplewithourprayersasStandfastterrifiedtheyoungpilgrimsthatday；letussurpriseanddelightthemnowwithourpsalmsofthanksgiving。
　　For，withallourdisgracefulingratitudeinthepast，ifWilliamLawisright，weareevenyetnotfarfrombeinggreatsaints，ifheisnotwrongwhenheasks:”Wouldyouknowwhoisthegreatestsaintintheworld？Itisnothewhopraysmostorfastsmost；itisnothewhogivesmostalms，orismosteminentfortemperance，chastity，orjustice。ButitishewhoismostthankfultoGod，andwhohasaheartalwaysreadytopraiseGod。Thisistheperfectionofallvirtues。JoyinGodandthankfulnesstoGodisthehighestperfectionofadivineandholylife。”Well，then，whatanendlesscauseofjoyandthankfulnesshavewe！Letusacknowledgeit，andhenceforthemployit；andweshall，pleaseGod，evenyetbecountedasnotlowdownbuthighupamongthesaintsandtheservantsofGod。
　　4。Christianasaidmanykindandwiseandbeautifulthingstoalltheotherpilgrimsbeforesheenteredtheriver，butitwasobservedthatthoughshesentforMr。Standfast，shesaidnotonewordtohimwhenhecame；shejustgavehimherring。”Thetouchishumanandaffecting，”saysMr。LouisStevenson，inhisdelightfulpaperonBagster’s”Bunyan，”intheMagazineofArt。Bytheway，doyouwhoareloversofBunyanliteratureknowthatremarkableanddeliciouspaper？TheMessrs。Bagstershouldsecurethatpaperandshouldissueaneditiondeluxeoftheirneglected”Bunyan，”withMr。Stevenson’spaperforaprefaceandintroduction。Bagster’s”IllustratedBunyan，”withanintroductionontheillustrationsbyMr。LouisStevenson，ifIamnotmuchmistaken，wouldsellbythethousand。
　　5。LordRoseberyknowsbooksandlovesbooks，andhehascalledattentiontothesurpassingbeautyoftheEnglishinthedeathbedscenesofthePilgrim’sProgress。Andeveryloverofpure，tender，andnobleEnglishmust，liketheForeignSecretary，haveallthosepreciouspagesbyheart。Wereitnotthatweallhaveacowardlyfearatdeathourselves，andthinkitwickedandcrueleventohintathisapproachingdeatheventoafast-dyingman，wewouldneverletanyofourfriendsliedownonhissick-bedwithouthavingareassuringandvictoriouspageofthePilgrimreadtohimeveryday。Ifthedoctorswouldallowme，Iwouldhavetheseheavenlypagesreprintedinsick-bedtypeforallmypeople。ButIamafraidatthedoctors。AndthusoneafteranotherofmypeoplepassesawaywithoutthefortificationandtheforetastethatthedeathbedsofChristian，andChristiana，andHopeful，andMr。
　　Fearing，andMr。Feeble-mind，andMr。Honest，andMr。Standfastwouldmostsurelyhavegiventothem。Especiallythedeathbed，ifImustsocallit，ofMr。Standfast。ButasChristianasaidnothingthatcouldbeheardtoMr。Standfastabouthisorherlatterend，butjustlookedintohiseyesandgavehimherring，soImaynotbeabletosayallthatisinmyheartwhenyourdoctorisstandingcloseby。ButyouwillunderstandwhatIwouldfainsay，willyounot？Youwillremember，andwillhavethisheavenlybookreadtoyoualternatelywithyourBible，willyounot？Eventhemostgodlessdoctorwillgivewaytoyouwhenyoutellhimthatyouknowaswellashedoesjusthowitiswithyou，andthatyouaretohaveyourownwayforthelasttime。Iknowadoctorwhofirstforbadeherministerandherfamilytotellhispatientthatshewasdying，andatthesametimetoldthemtotakeawayfromherbedsideallsuchalarmingbooksasthePilgrim’sProgressandtheSaint’sRest，andtoreadtoherareassuringchapteroutofOldMortalityandPickwick。
　　Itwill，nodoubt，putthebest-preparedofusintoadeepmuse，asitputStandfast，whenwearefirsttoldthatwemustatonceprepareourselvesforachangeoflife。ButIforonewouldnotforworldsmissthatsolemnwarning，andthatlastmusing-time。ItwillallbejustasmyMasterpleases；butifitiswithinHiswillIshalltillthencontinuetopetitionHimthatImayhaveapassageovertheriverlikethepassageofStandfast。Or，ifthatmaynotnowbe，then，atleast，amusing-timelikehis。ThepostfromtheCelestialCitybroughtMr。Standfast’ssummons”open”inhishand。AndthusitwasthatStandfast’stranslationdidnottakehimbysurprise。Standfastwasnotplungedsuddenlyandwithoutwarningintotheterribleriver。Hetooktheopensummonsintobigownhandandreaditoutlikeaman。Afterwhichhewent，ashismannerwas，foragoodwhileintoadeepandundisturbedmuse。AssoonashecameoutofhismusehewouldhaveGreathearttobesentfor。Andthentheirlastconversationtogetherproceeded。Andnooneinterferedwiththetwobrave-heartedmen。
　　Nooneinterposed，orsaidthatGreatheartwouldexhaustoralarmStandfast，orwouldinjuriouslyhastenhisend。Notonlyso，butallthewaytillhewashalfovertheriver，Standfastkeptuphisownsideofthenobleconversation。Anditishissideofthathalf-earthly，whole-heavenlyconversationthatIwouldliketohaveputintosuitabletypeandscatteredbroadcastoveralloursick-
　　beds。
　　6。”Tellme，”saysValdestoJuliainhisChristianAlphabet，”haveyouevercrossedadeepriverbyaford？””Yes，”saysJulia，”Ihave，manytimes。””Andhaveyouremarkedhowthatbylookinguponthewateritseemedasthoughyourheadswam，sothat，ifyouhadnotassistedyourself，eitherbyclosingyoureyes，orbyfixingthemontheoppositeshore，youwouldhavefallenintothewateringreatdangerofdrowning？””Yes，Ihavenoticedthat。””Andhaveyouseenhowbykeepingalwaysforyourobjecttheviewofthelandthatliesontheotherside，youhavenotfeltthatswimmingofthehead，andsohavesufferednodangerofdrowning？””Ihavenoticedthattoo，”repliedJulia。Now，itwasexactlythissamewayoflooking，notattheblackandswirlingriver，butattheangelicconductwaitingforhimatthefurtherbank，andthenattheopengateoftheCelestialCity，——itwasthisthatkeptStandfast’sheadsosteadyandhisheartlikeaglowingcoalwhilehestoodandtalkedinthemiddleofthegiddystream。YouwouldhavethoughtitwasPaulhimselftalkingtohimselfontheroadtoAssos。ForIdefyeventheapostlehimselftohavetalkedbetterormoreboldlytohimselfevenonthesolidmiddayroadthanStandfasttalkedtohimselfinthebridgelessriver。”Iseemyself，”hesaid，”attheendofmyjourneynow。Mytoilsomedaysareallended。Iamgoingnowtoseethatheadthatwascrownedwiththorns，andthatfacethatwasspatuponforme。IlovedtohearmyLordspokenof，andwhereverIhaveseentheprintofHisshoeintheearthIhavecovetedtosetmyfootalso。Hisnamehasbeentomeasacivet-box；yea，sweeterthanallperfumes。HiswordIdidusetogatherformyfood，andforantidotesagainstmyfaintings。Hehasheldme，andIhavekeptmefrommyiniquities。
　　Yea，mystepsHehasstrengthenedinmyway。”Now，whileStandfastwasthusindiscoursehiscountenancechanged，hisstrongmanboweddownunderhim，andafterhehadsaid”Takeme！”heceasedtobeseenofthem。Buthowgloriousitwastoseehowtheopenregionwasnowfilledwithhorsesandchariots，withtrumpetersandpipers，andwithsingersandplayersonstringedinstruments，alltowelcomethepilgrimsastheywentupandfollowedoneanotherinatthebeautifulgateofthecity！
　　MADAMBUBBLE”Vanityofvanities，allisvanity。”——Solomon。”Ihaveovercometheworld。”——OurLord。”Lovenottheworld，neitherthethingsthatareintheworld。Forallthatisintheworld，thelustoftheflesh，thelustoftheeyes，andtheprideoflife，isnotoftheFather，butisoftheworld。Andtheworldpassethaway，andthelustthereof。”——John。”Thisbubbleworld。”——Quarles。
　　MadamBubble’sportraitwasfirstpaintedbythePreacher。Andhepaintedherportraitwithextraordinaryinsight，boldness，andtruthfulness。ThereisthatinthePreacher’sportraitofMadamBubblewhichonlycomesoftheartisthavingmixedhiscolours，asMilmansaysthatTacitusmixedhisink，withresentmentandwithremorse。OutofHisreadingofSolomonandMosesandtheProphetsonthissamesubject，aswellasoutofHisownobservationandexperience，conflictandconquest，ourLordaddedsomestronganddeepandinwardtouchesofHisowntothatwell-knownpicture，andthennameditbytheNewTestamentnameoftheWorld。Andthen，afterHim，Hislongest-liveddisciplesetforththesamemotherandherthreedaughtersunderthethreenamesthatstillsticktothemtothisday，——thelustoftheflesh，thelustoftheeyes，andtheprideoflife。ButitwasreservedforJohnBunyantofillupandtofinishthoseoutlinesofScriptureandtopouroverthewholeworkhisowndepthandstrengthofcolour，till，altogether，MadamBubblestandsoutasyetanothermasterpieceofourdreamer’sastonishinggenius。Letustakeourstandbeforethisheavingcanvas，then，tillwehavetakenattentivenoteofsomeofJohnBunyan’sinimitabletouchesandstrokesandtriumphsoftruthandart。”Oneinverypleasantattire，butold……Thiswomanisawitch……Iamthemistressoftheworld，shesaid，andmenaremadehappybyme……Atall，comelydame，somethingofaswarthycomplexion。”Inthenewlydiscoveredportraitofawoman，byAlbertDurer，oneofthemarksofitsgenuinenessisthewaythatthegreatartist’sinitialsA。D。arepencilledinontheembroideryofthelady’sbodice。Andyouwillnoteinthisgentlewoman’sopendressalsohowJ。B。isinextricablywovenin。”Shewearsagreatpursebyhersidealso，andherhandisofteninherpursefingeringhermoney。Yea，thisisshethathasboughtoffmanyamanfromapilgrim’slifeafterhehadfairlybegunit。
　　Sheisaboldandanimpudentslutalso，forshewilltalkwithanyman。Iftherebeonecunningtomakemoneyinanyplace，shewillspeakwellofhimfromhousetohouse……Shehasgivenitoutinsomeplacesalsothatsheisagoddess，andthereforesomedoactuallyworshipher……Shehashertimesandopenplacesofcheating，andshewillsayandavowitthatnonecanshowagoodcomparabletohers。Andthusshehasbroughtmanytothehalter，andtenthousandtimesmoretohell。Nonecantellofthemischiefthatshedoes。Shemakesvariancebetwixtrulersandsubjects，betwixtparentsandchildren，’twixtneighbourandneighbour，’twixtamanandhiswife，’twixtamanandhimself，’twixtthefleshandtheheart。”Andsooninthegreatoriginal。”Hadshestoodbyallthiswhile，”saidStandfast，whoseeyeswerestillfullofher，”youcouldnothavesetMadamBubblemoreamplybeforeme，norhavebetterdescribedherfeatures。””Hethatdrewherpicturewasagoodlimner，”saidMr。Honest，”andhethatsowroteofhersaidtrue”。
　　1。”Iamthemistressofthisworld，”saysMadamBubble。Andthoughallthetimesheisaboldandimpudentslut，yetitisthesimpletruththatshedoessitasaqueenoverthisworldandoverthemenofthisworld。ForMadamBubblehasaroyalfamilylikeallothersovereigns。Shehasacourtofherown，too，withitsball-roompresentationsanditsbirthdayhonours。Shehasacabinetcouncilalso，andabarandabenchwiththeirpleadingsandtheirdecisions。Farmorethanallthat，shehasachurchwhichshehasestablishedandofwhichsheisthehead；andafaithalsoofwhichsheisthedefender。Shehasastandingarmyalsofortheextensionandtheprotectionofherdominions。Sheleviestaxes，too，andsendsoutambassadors，andmakestreaties，andformsoffensiveanddefensivealliances。ButwhatabubbleallthisWorldistohimwhoseeyeshaveatlastbeenopenedtoseethehollownessandtheheartlessnessofitall！Forallitspursuitsandallitspossessions，fromachild’srattletoaking’ssceptre，allisonegreatbubble。Wealth，fame，place，power；art，science，letters；politics，churches，sacraments，andscriptures——allaresomanybubblesinMadamBubble’sWorld。Thiswickedenchantress，ifshedoesnotfindallthesethingsbubblesalready，byonetouchofherevilwandshemakesthemso。Sheturnsgoldintodross，Godintoanidlename，andHisWordintowordsonly；unlesswheninhermalicesheturnsitintoafruitfulgroundofdebateandcontention；agroundofmaliceandhatredandill-will。Vanityofvanities；allisvanityandvexationofspirit。Still，shesitsaqueenandagoddesstoagreatmultitude:toallmen，tobeginwith。And，likeagoddess，sheshedsabroadherspiritinherpeople’sheartsandliftsupuponthemforatimethelightofhercountenance。
　　2。”Iamthemistressoftheworld，”shesays，”andmenaremadehappybyme。”——Iwouldliketoseeoneofthem。IhaveseenmanymentowhomMadamBubblehadsaidthatiftheywouldberuledbyhershewouldmakethemgreatandhappy。ButthoughIhaveseennotafewwhohavebelievedherandletthemselvesberuledbyher，Ihaveneveryetseenonehappymanamongthem——Thetruthis，MadamBubbleisnotabletomakemenhappyevenifshewishedtodoit。Sheisnothappyherself，andshecannotdispensetootherswhatshedoesnotpossess。And，yet，sucharehersorceriesthat，whileherolddupesdieinthousandseveryday，newdupesareborntohereverydayinstillgreaternumbers。Newdupeswhoruntothesameexcessoffollywithherthattheirfathersran；newdupesledinthesamemaddanceafterMadamBubbleandherthreedaughters。But，always，andtoallmen，whatabubbleboththemotherandallherdaughtersare！Howtheyallmakepromisesliketheirlyingmother，andhow，likeher，theyallleadmen，ifnottothehalterandtohell，asGreatheartsaid，yettoalifeofvanityandtoadeathofdisappointmentanddespair！Whatbubblesofemptyhopesbothsheandherthreechildrenblowupinthebrainsofmen！Whatpicturesofuntoldhappinesstheypaintintheimaginationsofmen！Whatpleasures，whatsuccessesinlife，whathonoursandwhatrewardsshepledgesherselftoseebestowed！”Shehashertimesandopenplacesofcheating，”saidonewhoknewherandallherwayswell。Andwhenmenandwomenarestillyoungandinexperienced，thatisoneofhergreatcheatingtimes。Atsomeseasonsoftheyear，andinsomewaters，tothefisherman’ssurpriseandconfusion，thefishwillsometimestakehisbarehook；
　　abitofaredragisadeadlybait。AndMadamBubble’spoorestandmostperfunctorybuskingisquiteenoughforthefoolishfishsheanglesfor。Andnotinoursaladdaysonly，whenwearestillgreeninjudgment，buteventogreyhairs，thiswickedwitchcontinuestoentrapustoourruin。Love，inallitsphasesandinallitsmixtures，firstdeludestheveryyoung；andthenplace，andpower，andfame，andmoneyarethebaitshebusksforthemiddle-
　　agedandtheold；andalwayswiththesamebubbleend。ThewholetruthisthatwithoutGod，thelivingandever-presentGod，inallagesofitandinallpartsandexperiencesofit，ourhumanlifeisonehugebubble。Afar-shining，high-soaringbubble；butsoonerorlaterseenandtastedtobeabubble——adeceit-filled，poison-
　　filledbubble——Happybyher！Allmenhappybyher！Theimpudentslut！
　　3。Anotherthingaboutthisslutisthis，that”shewilltalkwithanyman。”Shemakesuptousandmakeseyesatusjustasifwewerefreetoacceptandreturnherthreeoffers。AndstillshetalkstousandoffersusthesamethingssheofferedtoStandfasttill，toescapeherandheroffers，hebetookhimselftohisknees。
　　Nay，truthtotell，aftershehaddeceivedusandensnaredustillwelayinhernetcursingbothherandourselves，soboldandsoimpudentandsopersistentisthistemptressslut，andsuchfoolsandidiotsarewe，thatwesoonlayoureyesonherpaintedbeautyagainandourheadsinherloathsomelap；ourheadsonthatblockoverwhichtheaxehangsbyanangryhair。”Shewilltalkwithanyman。”Nodoubt；but，then，ittakestwotomakeatalk，andthesadthingisthattherearefewmenamongussowise，sosteadfast，andsoexperiencedinherwaysthattheywillnotonoccasionletMadamBubbletalkhertalktothem，andtalkbackagaintoher。
　　Theoldestsaint，theoftenestsoldandmostdearlyredeemedsinner，needstosuspecthimselftotheend，tillheisclearoutofMadamBubble’senchantedgroundandforeveroverthatriverofdeliverancewhichshallsweepMadamBubbleandallherdaughtersintothedeadseaforever。”Thegrey-hairedsaintmayfailatlast，Thesurestguideawandererprove；
　　DeathonlybindsusfastTothebrightshoreoflove。”
　　4。”Shehighlycommendstherich，”theguidegoesonaboutMadamBubble，”andiftherebeonecunningtogetmoneyinanyplaceshewillspeakwellofhimfromhousetohouse。””Theworld，”saysFaber，”isnotaltogethermatter，noryetaltogetherspirit。Itisnotmanonly，norSatanonly，norisitexactlysin。Itisaninfection，aninspiration，anatmosphere，alife，acolouringmatter，apageantry，afashion，ataste，awitchery。Noneofallthesenamessuitit，andallofthemsuitit。Meanwhileitspoweroverthehumancreationisterrific，itspresenceubiquitous，itsdeceitfulnessincredible。Itcanfindahomeundereveryheartbeneaththepoles。Itiswiderthanthecatholicchurch，anditismasterful，lawless，andintrusivewithinit。Wearealllivinginit，breathingit，actingunderitsinfluence，beingcheatedbyitsappearances，andunwarilyadmittingitsprinciples。”LetyoungministerswhowishtopreachtotheirpeopleontheWorld——afterstudyingwhatthePreacher，andtheSaviour，andJohn，andJohnBunyansayabouttheWorld，——stillreadFaber’spowerfulchapterinhisCreatorandCreature。Yes；MadamBubblefindsahomeforherselfineveryheartbeneaththepoles。ThetruthisMadamBubblehasnohome，asshehasnoexistence，butinhumanhearts。
　　AndallthatSolomon，andourSaviour，andJohn，andJohnBunyan，andFrederickFabersayabouttheworldandaboutMadamBubbletheyreallysayabouttheheartofman。Itiswe，youandI，mybrethren，whosohighlycommendtherich。Itisweourselvesherewhospeakwellfromhousetohouseofhimwhosefatherorwhoseselfhasbeencunningtogetmoney。Weeitherspeakwellorillofthem。Weeitheraresickwithenvyatthem，orwefawnuponthemandfalldownbeforethem。Howmenriseinouresteeminthedegreethattheirmoneyincreases！Withwhatreverenceandholyawewelookupatthemasiftheyweregodsandthesonsofgods！
　　Theybecomemorethanmortalmentoourreverentimaginations。Howhappy，howallbutblessedtheymustbe！wesaytoourselves。
　　Withinthoseparkgates，underthosehightowers，inthatsilver-
　　mountedcarriage，surroundedwithallthoseliveriedservants，andlovedandhonouredbyallthosearrivingandleavingguests——whathappinessthatrichmanmusthave！Weareeithereatenupoflean-
　　eyedenvyofthisandthatrichman，orwepositivelyworshipthemasothermenworshipGodandHissaints。Yes；MadamBubbleisourverymother。Sheconceivedusandshesuckledus。Wewerebroughtupinhernurtureandadmonition。WelearnedherCatechism，andhershrineisinourhearttonight。Likeher，ifonlyapilgrimispoor，wescornhim。Wewillnotknowhim。Butiftherebeanyone，pilgrimorno，cunningtogetmoney，wehonourhim，andweclaimhimasourkindredandrelation，ouracquaintanceandourfriend。Wewillspeakoftenofhimassuchfromhousetohouse。
　　Justseeifwewillnot。Thereisroominourhearts，MadamBubble，thereisroominourheartsforthee！
　　5。”Shelovesthemmostthatthinkbestofher。”But，surely，surely，theguidegoesquitetoofarinblamingandbeingharduponpoorMadamBubbleforthat？For，togiveherfairplay，sheisnotatallaloneinthat。Istheguidehimselfwhollyabovethat？Dowenotalldothat？Isthereoneinten，isthereoneinathousand，whohatesandhumiliateshimselfbecausehisloveofmenandwomengoesupordownjustastheythinkofhim？Yes；
　　GreatheartistruetohisgreatnameinhiswholeportraitofMadamBubblealso，andnowheremoretruethaninthispresentfeature。
　　Forwhenanymancomestohaveanytruegreatnessinhisheart——howhedespisesanddetestshimselfashefindshimselfoutinnotonlyclaimingkindredandacquaintancewiththerichanddespisinganddenyingthepoor；but，stillmore，inlovingorhatingothermenjustastheyloveorhatehim！Theworldlovesherown。Yes；buthewhohasbeentakenoutoftheworld，andwhohashadtheworldtakenoutofhim，heloves——hestrivestolove，hegoestohiskneeseverydayhelivestolove——thosewhonotonlydonotthinkwellofhim，butwhoboththinkillofhimandspeakillofhim。”Humility，”saysWilliamLaw，”doesnotconsistinhavingaworseopinionofourselvesthanwedeserve，orinabasingourselveslowerthanwereallyare。Butasallvirtueisfoundedintruth，sohumilityisfoundedinatrueandjustsenseofourweakness，misery，andsin。Hewhorightlyfeelsandlivesinthissenseofhisconditionlivesinhumility。And，itmaybeadded，whenourheartsarewhollyclothedwithhumilityweshallbeprompttoapprovethejudgmentandtoendorsethesentenceofthosewhothinkandspeaktheleastgoodofusandthemostevil。
　　6。”’Twasshe，”sotheguideatlastwoundup，”thatsetAbsalomagainsthisfather，andJeroboamagainsthismaster。’TwasshethatpersuadedJudastosellhisLord，andthatprevailedwithDemastoforsakethegodlypilgrim’slife。NonecantellallthemischiefthatMadamBubbledoes。Shemakesvariancebetweenrulersandsubjects，betweenparentsandchildren，’twixtneighbourandneighbour，’twixtamanandhiswife，’twixtamanandhimself，’twixtthefleshandtheheart。”Now，Ishallleavethatlastindictmentanditslessonsanditsapplicationstoyourselves，mybrethren。YouwillgetfarmoregoodoutofthisaccumulatedcountagainstMadamBubbleifyouexplainit，andopenitup，andproveit，andillustrateittoyourselves。Explain，then，inwhatwaythissorceresssetAbsalomagainsthisfatherandJeroboamagainsthismaster。Pointoutinwhatwayshemakesvariancebetweenarulerandhissubjects，andgiveillustrations。Putyourfingeronaparentandonachildbetweenwhomthereisvarianceatthismomentonheraccount。And，ifyouarethatparentorthatchild，whathaveyoudonetoremovethatvariance？NametwoneighboursthattoyourknowledgeMadamBubblehascomebetween；andsaywhatyouhavedonetobeapeacemakerthere。SetdownwhatyouwouldsaytoamanandhiswifesoastoputthemontheirguardagainstMadamBubbleevercominginbetweenthem。And，lastandbestofall，pointouttoyourselfatwhattimesandinwhatwaysthiswickedwitchtriestomakevariancebetweenGod’sHolySpiritstrivingwithinyouandyourownevilheartstillstrongwithinyou。Whenyouarewearyandsleepyandhungryasahowlet，and，MadamBubbleandherthreedaughtersmakearingroundyou，whatdoyoudo？Doyouevertaketoyourknees？Reallyandhonestly，doyou？Whenyoufindyourselfoutlookingwithholyfearonarichandloftyrelation，andwithinsufferablecontemptonapoorandintrusiverelation，bywhatnamedoyoucallyourself？Writeitdown。Andwhenshewouldfainputvariancebetweenyouandthosewhodonotthinkwellofyou，whatstepsdoyoutaketofoilher？
　　Whereandhowdoyougetstrengthatthatsuprememomenttothinkofothersasyouwouldhavethemthinkofyou？”Oh，”saidStandfast，”whatamercyitisthatIdidresisther！fortowhatmightshenothavedrawnme？”
　　GAIUS”Gaius，minehost。”——Paul。
　　GoodmanGaiuswastheheadofahostelthatstoodonthesideofthehighwaywellontotheCelestialCity。Thehostessofthehostelwasnomore，andtheoldhostel-keeperdidallheroncewell-doneworkandhisownproperworkintothebargain。Everydayheinspectedthewholehousewithhisowneyes，downeventothekitchenandthescullery。Thegoodwomanhadleftourhostanonlydaughter；but，”Keepherasmuchoutofsightasispossible，”shesaid，andsofellasleep。AndGaiusrememberedhiswife’slasttestamenteveryday，tillnoneofthehostelcustomersknewthattherewassomuchasayounghostessinallthehouse。”Yes，gentlemen，”repliedtheoldinnkeeper。”Yes，comein。Itislate，butItakeyoufortruemen，foryoumustknowthatmyhouseiskeptopenonlyforsuch。”Sohetookthelargepilgrimpartytotheirseveralapartmentswithhisowneyes，andthensetaboutasupperforthosesolatearrivals。Stampingwithhisfoot，hebroughtupthecookwiththeeuphoniousandeupepticname，andthatquick-witteddomesticsoonhadasupperonthetablethatwouldhavemadeafullman’smouthwater。”Thesightofallthis，”saidMatthew，astheunder-cooklaidtheclothandthetrenchers，andsetthesaltandthebreadinorder——”thesightofthisclothandofthisforerunnerofasupperbegettethinmeagreaterappetitetomyfoodthanIthoughtIhadbefore。”Sosuppercameup；andfirstaheave-shoulderandawave-breastweresetonthetablebeforethem，inordertoshowthattheymustbegintheirmealwithprayerandpraisetoGod。Thesetwodisheswereveryfreshandgood，andallthetravellersdideatheartilywellthereof。Thenextwasabottleofwineredasblood。SoGaiussaidtothem，”Drinkfreely；thisisthejuiceofthetruevinethatmakesgladtheheartofGodandman。”Andtheydiddrinkandwereverymerry。
　　Thenextwasadishofmilkwellcrumbed。AtthesightofwhichGaiussaid，”Lettheboyshavethat，thattheymaygrowthereby。”
　　Andsoon，dishafterdish，tillthenutscamewiththerecitationsandtheriddlesandthesawsandthestoriesoverthenuts。Thusthehappypartysattalkingtillthebreakofday。
　　1。Now，itisnaturaltoremarkthatthefirstthingaboutahostishishospitality。Andthat，too，whetherourhostisbuttheheadofahostellikeGoodmanGaius，ortheheadofawell-
　　appointedprivatehouselikeGaius’sneighbour，Mr。Mnason。Thefirstandthelastthingaboutahostishishospitality。”Saylittleanddomuch”istheexampleandtheinjunctiontoallourhousekeepersthatRabbanShammaidrawsoutoftheeighteenthofGenesis。”BelikeyourfatherAbraham，”hesays，”ontheplainsofMamre，whoonlypromisedbreadandwater，butstraightwaysetSarahtokneadthreemeasuresofherfinestmeal，whileherantotheherdandfetchedacalftenderandgood，andstoodbythethreemenwhiletheydideatbutterandmilkunderthetree。MakethyThorahanordinance:saylittleanddomuch:andreceiveeverymanwithapleasantexpressionofcountenance。”Now，thiswasexactlywhatGaiusourgoodmandidthatnight，withoneexception，whichweshallbeconstrainedtoattendtoafterwards。”Itislate，”hesaid，”sowecannotconvenientlygoouttoseekfood；butsuchaswehaveyoushallbewelcometo，ifthatwillcontent。”AtthesametimeTaste-that-which-is-goodsoonhadasuppersentuptothetablefitforaprince:asupperofsixcoursesatthattimeinthemorning，sothatthesunwasalreadyintheskywhenOldHonestclosedhiscasement。”Diningincompanyisadivineinstitution，”saysMr。EdwardWhite，inhisdelightfulMinorMoralitiesofLife。”LetSoyer’sartbehonouredamongallmen，”hegoeson。”Cookerydistinguishesmankindfromthebeaststhatperish。Happyisthewomanwhosedailytableistheresultofforethought。Herhusbandshallriseupandcallherblessed。Itispiteouswhentheculinaryartisneglectedinouryoungwomen’seducation。Letthem，asSt。Petersays，imitateSarah。Letthemseehowthatvenerableprincesswentquicklytoherkneading-troughandovenandpreparedanextemporecollationofcakesandpilaufortheangels。Howfewladies，whetherGentilesorJewesses，coulddothelikeinthepresentday！”
　　2。ThewistfulandpunctiliousattentionthatGoodmanGaiuspaidtoeachindividualguestofhiswasafinefeatureinhismunificenthospitality。Hemadeeveryonewhocrossedhisdoorstep，downeventoMr。Fearing，feelatonceathome，suchwashisexquisiteaswellashismunificenthospitality。”Come，sir，”
　　hesaid，clappingthatwhite-facedandtremblingpilgrimontheshoulder，”come，sir，beofgoodcheer，youarewelcometomeandtomyhouse；andwhatthouhastamindto，thatcallforfreely:
　　forwhatthouwouldsthavemyservantswilldoforthee，andtheywilldoitfortheewithareadymind。”Allthesame，foralongtimeMr。Fearingwasmortallyafraidoftheservants。HewouldassoonhavethoughtofstampinghisfootforaduchesstocomeupasforanyofGaius’sserving-maids。Hewasafraidtomakeanynoiseinhisroomlestallthehouseshouldhearit。Hewasafraidtotouchanythingintheroomlestitshouldfallandbebroken。Weourselves，withallourassumedeaseandelaborateabandon，areoftenafraidtoringourbelleveninaninn。Mr。Fearingwouldassoonhavepulledthetailofarattlesnake。Butbeforetheirsojournwasover，theGuidewasamazedatMr。Fearing，forthathare-heartedpilgrimwouldbedoingthingsinthehousethathehimselfwouldscarcelydowhohadbeeninthehouseathousandtimes。ItwasGaius’sexuberantheartinessthathaddemoralisedMr。Fearingandmadehimalmosttooforwardevenforawaysideinn。
　　InlittlethingsalsoGaius，minehost，showedhissensitiveandsolicitoushospitality。Weallknowhousekeepers，nottosayinnkeepers，andnototherwiseungeneroushousekeeperseitherwhowillgrudgeusasixpennyworthofsticksandcoalsinacoldnight，andthat，too，inaroomfurnishedtooverflowingbyMortonBrothersortheMessrs。Maple。Wetakeacandlestickandadozencandleswithusinthebootofthecarriagewhenwewishtoreadorwritelateintothenightinthatgreathouse。Anotherhousekeeper，whowouldgiveyouheronlydaughterwithherwealthydowry，willsometimesbeseenbyallinherhousetogrudgeyouafreshcupofafternoonteawhenyoudropintoseeherandherdaughter。Shesaystoherselfthatitistosparetheservantsthestairs；but，allthetime，underthestairs，theservantsareblushingforthesometimesunaccountablestinginessoftheirunusuallymunificentmistress。Ishallgiveyou”lineuponline，preceptuponprecept，herealittleandtherealittle”ofAristotleuponmunificenceinlittlethingstillyoucomeuptohispaganstandard。”Thereisarealgreatness，”hesays，”eveninthewaythatsomemenwillbuyatoytoachild。Eveninthesmallestmattersthemunificentmanwillactmunificently！”AsGaius，minehost，munificentlydid。
　　3。Speakingofchildren，whatanightofentertainmentgoodoldGaiusgavethechildrenofthepilgrimparty！”Lettheboyshavethecrumbedmilk，”hegaveorders。”Butterandhoneyshalltheyeat，”heexclaimedoverthemasthatbrimmingdishcameup。”ThiswasourLord’sdishwhenHewasachild，”hesaidtothemotheroftheboys，”thatHemightknowtorefusetheevilandtochoosethegood。”Thentheybroughtupadishofapples，andtheywereverygood-tastedfruit。ThensaidMatthew，”Mayweeatapples，sincetheyweresuchbyandwithwhichtheserpentbeguiledourfirstmother？”ThensaidGaius，”Applesweretheybywhichwewerebeguiled，Yetsin，notapples，hathoursoulsdefiled。
　　Applesforbid，ifeat，corrupttheblood。
　　Toeatsuch，whencommanded，doesusgood。
　　DrinkofHisflagonsthen，thouChurch，HisDove，AndeatHisappleswhoaresickoflove。”
　　ThensaidMatthew，”ImakethescruplebecauseIawhilesincewassickwitheatingoffruit。””Forbiddenfruit，”saidthehost，”willmakeyousick，butnotwhatourLordhathtolerated。”Whiletheywerethustalkingtheywerepresentedwithanotherdish，anditwasadishofnuts。Thensaidsomeatthetable，”Nutsspoiltenderteeth，especiallytheteethofchildren，”whichwhenGaiusheard，hesaid，”HardtextsarenutsIwillnotcallthemcheaters
　　Whoseshellsdokeeptheirkernelsfromtheeaters；
　　Opethentheshellsandyoushallhavethemeat；
　　Theyherearebroughtforyoutocrackandeat。”
　　ThenSamuelwhisperedtohismotherandsaid，”Mother，thisisaverygoodman’shouse；letusstayhereagoodwhilebeforewegoanyfarther。”ThewhichGaiusthehostoverhearing，said，”Withaverygoodwill，mychild。”
　　4。WidowerasoldGaiuswas，andneverforasinglehourforgotthathewas，therewasacertainsweetandstatelygallantryawakenedinhiswitheredoldheartatthesightofChristianaandMercy，andespeciallyatthesightofMatthewandMercywhentheywereseentogether。Heseemstohavefallenalmostinlovewiththatagedmatron，ashecalledher，andthedaysofhisyouthcamebacktohimashestudiedtheyoungdamsel，whowastoherasadaughter。Andthissettheloquaciousoldinn-keeperuponthatfamousorationaboutwomenwhicheverymanwhohasamother，orawife，orasister，oradaughterhasbyheart。Andfromthathewentontodiscourseonthegreatadvantagesofanearlymarriage。
　　Hewasnottheman，norwashespeakingtoamotherwhowasthewoman，evertobecomeavulgarandcoarse-mindedmatch-maker；atthesametime，helikedtoseeMatthewandMercysentoutonamessagetogether，leavingittonatureandtogracetodotherest。
　　Theprosandconsofearlymarriagewereoftenupathisheartytable，buthealwaysdebated，andGaiuswasagreatdebater，thattruehospitalitylargelyconsistedinthrowingopenthefamilycircletoletyoungpeoplegetwellacquaintedwithoneanotherinitspeaceandsweetness。AndGaiusbothpractisedwhathepreached，andatthesametimeendorsedhiswatchfulwife’slasttestament，whenhegavehisdaughterPhebetoJames，Christiana’ssecondson，andthuswasleftalone，pooroldGaius，whenthehappyhoneymoonpartystartedupwardfromhishosteldoor。
　　5。TheirnexthostwasoneMr。Mnason，aCyprusianbynation，andanolddisciple。”Howfarhaveyoucometo-day？”heasked。”FromthehouseofGaiusourfriend，”theysaid。”Ipromiseyou，”saidhe，”youhavegoneagoodstitch；youmaywellbeweary；sitdown。”
　　Sotheysatdown。”Ourgreatwantawhilesince，”saidOldHonest，”washarbourandgoodcompany，andnowIhopewehaveboth。””Forharbour，”saidthehost，”youseewhatitis，butforgoodcompanythatwillappearinthetrial。”AftertheywerealittlerestedOldHonestagainaskedhishostiftherewereanystoreofgoodpeopleinthattown；and，”How，”hesaid，”shallwedotoseesomeofthem？Forthesightofgoodmentothemthataregoingonpilgrimageisliketotheappearingofthemoonandstarstothemthataresailingupontheseas。”ThenMr。MnasonstampedwithhisfootandhisdaughterGracecameup，whenhesentheroutforfiveofhisfriendsinthetown，sayingthathehadaguestortwoinhishouseatpresenttowhomhewouldliketointroducethem。
　　Now，thisisanotherofthegoodqualitiesofagoodhost，toknowthebestandthemostsuitablepeopleinthetown，andtobeonsuchtermswiththemthatonshortnoticetheywillstepacrosstohelptoentertainsuchtravellersashadcometoMr。Mnason’stable。Anditisanexcellentthingtobesurethatwhenwearesoinvitedweshallnotonlygetagooddinner，butalso，asgood”kitchen”withourdinner，goodcompanyandgoodconversation。ItisnothingshortofafinearttogathertogetherandtoseatsuitablybesideoneanothergoodandsuitablepeopleasMr。andMissMnasondidintheirhospitablehousethatafternoon。Andthen，astothetalk:letthehostandthehostessintroducetheguests，andthenlettheguestsintroducetheirowntopics。Andasfaraspossible，inacityandadaylikethis，letourtopicsbebooksratherthanpeople。Andletthebooksbethebooksthattheguestshavereadratherthanthosethatthehostandthehostesshaveread。Booksareafinesubjectforatalkattable。Only，letgreatreadersordertheirlearnedandliterarytalksoasnottoleadthelesslearnedintotemptation。Thereisnofinerexerciseoffinefeelingthantobeabletocarryonaconversationaboutmattersthatotherpeoplepresentareignorantof，andatthesametimetointerestthem，tosetthematease，andtomakethemforgetbothyouandthemselves。IhadalettertheotherdayfromanEnglishChurchclergyman，inwhichhetellsmethathisbishopiscomingthismonthtohisvicarageforakindofvisitationandretreat，andthattheyaretohaveWilliamLaw’sCharactersandCharacteristicsreadaloudtothemwhenthebishopandtheassembledclergyareattheirmeals。Formypart，Iwouldratherhearagoodall-roundtalkonthatbookbythebishopandhisclergyaftertheyhadallreadthebookoverandoveragainathome。ButsuchreadingsatassembledmealshaveallalongbeenafeatureofthebestfraternallifeintheChurchofEnglandandinsomeofthesisterchurches。
　　6。Now，afterdiningandsuppingrepeatedlywithgarrulousoldGaius，andwiththeall-but-silentMr。Mnason，Ihavecomehomeruminatingagainandagainonthis——thatagoodhost，thebesthost，letshisgueststalkwhileheattendstothetable。Ifthetruthmayevenbewhisperedtoone’s-selfaboutatablethatonehasjustleft，Gaiusdidhisbesttospoilhisgoodsupperbyhisownover-garrulity。Itwasgoodtalkthatheentertainedhiswaitingguestswith，butwemayhavetoomuchofagoodthing。Hisorationinpraiseofwomenwasanexcellentoration，haditbeendeliveredinanotherhousethanhisown；and，say，whenhewasaskedtogivethehealthofChristiana，orofMatthewthebridegroomandMercythebride，itwouldthenhavebeenperfect；
　　butnotinhisownhouse，andnotwhenhisguestswerewaitingfortheirsupper。Ontheotherhand，youshouldhaveseenthatperfectgentleman，Mr。Mnason。ForthattrueoldChristianandoldEnglishgentlemanneveronceopenedhismouthafterhehadsethisguestsa-talking。Hewastoobusywatchingwhenanyman’sdishwasagainempty。Hewastoomuchdelightedtoseethateveryoneofhisguestswashavinghispunctualshareofthesupper，andatthesametimehisfullshareofthetalk。Mr。Fearing’ssmallvoicewasfarmorepleasanttoMr。Mnasonthanhisownvoicewasinhisownbeststory。AsIopenedmyowndoortheothernightaftersuppingwithMr。andMissMnason，Isaidtomyself——OnethingIhaveagainseenandlearnedto-night，andthatis，thatahost，andstillmoreahostess，shouldtalklessattheirowntablethantheirmostsilent，mostbashful，andmostbackwardguest。”Makethisanordinanceforthee，”saidRabbanShammaitohissonsinthelaw；”receiveallthyguestswithapleasantexpressionofcountenance，andthensaylittleanddomuch。”
　　CHRISTIAN”ThediscipleswerecalledChristiansfirstatAntioch。”——Luke。”AlmostthoupersuadestmetobeaChristian。”——KingAgrippa。”LeteveryonethatnameththenameofChristdepartfrominiquity。”——Paul。
　　AlltheotherpersonagesinthePilgrim’sProgresscomeandgo；
　　theyallascendthestageforalongerorshortertime，andthenpassoffthestageandsopassoutofoursight；butChristianintheFirstPart，andChristianaintheSecondPart，areneverforasinglemomentoutofoursight。And，accordingly，wehavehadrepeatedoccasionandopportunitytolearnmanyexcellentlessonsfromthechiefpilgrim’supwardwalkandheavenlyconversation。
　　Butsofullandsoricharehislifeandhischaracter，thatsomeveryimportantthingsstillremaintobecollectedbeforewefinallyclosehishistory。”Gatherupthefragmentsthatnothingbelost，”saidourLord，afterHismiraculousmealofmultipliedloavesandfisheswithHisdisciples。AndinlikemannerIshallnowproceedtogatherupsomeoftheremainingfragmentsofChristian’slifeandcharacterandexperience。AndIshallcollectthesefragmentsintothethreebasketsofhisbook，hisburden，andhissealedrollandcertificate。
　　1。Andfirst，afewthingsastohisbook。”AsIsleptIdreamed，andbeholdIsawamanclothedinragsstandinginacertainplace，withhisfacefromhisownhouse，abookinhishand，andagreatburdenuponhisback。Ilookedandsawhimopenthebookandreadtherein；andashereadheweptandtrembled；andnotbeingablelongertocontainhebrokeoutwithalamentablecry，saying，WhatshallIdo？”Wehearagreatdealintheseadvertisingdays，andnotonewordtoomuch，aboutthebooksthathaveinfluencedandgonelargelytothemakingofourgreatmen；butGraceless，likeJohnBunyan，hisbiographer，wasamanofbutonebook。But，then，thatbookwasthemostinfluentialofallbooks；itwastheBookofbooks；itwasGod’sveryownandpeculiarBook。Andthoseofuswho，likethisman，havepassedoutofagracelessintoagraciousstatewillforeverrememberhowthatsameBookatthattimeinfluencedustillitmadeuswhatweareandshallyetbe。Wereadmanyothergoodbooksatthatepochinourlife，butitwasthepureBiblethatwereadandprayedoveroutofsightthemost。
　　WeneedednocommentatorsorexegetesonoursimpleBibleinthosedays。Thegreattextsstoodouttooureyesinthosedaysasiftheyhadbeenwrittenwithasunbeam；whileallotherbooksandwereadnothingbutthebestbooksinthosedayslookedliketwilightandrushlightbesideourBible。Inthoseimmediate，direct，andintensedayswewouldhavesatisfiedWordsworthandMatthewArnoldthemselvesinthewaywereadourBiblewithoureyeneverofftheobject。TheFourLastThingswereeverbeforeus——deathandjudgment，heavenandhell。”Omydearwife，”saidGraceless，”andyouthechildrenofmybowels，Iyourdearfriendaminmyselfundonebyreasonofaburdenthatliethharduponme；moreover，I
　　amforcertaininformedthatthisourcitywillbeburnedwithfirefromheaven，inwhichfearfuloverthrowbothmyself，withtheemywife，andyoumysweetbabes，shallmiserablycometoruin，exceptthewhichyetIseenotsomewayofescapecanbefoundwherebywemaybedelivered。”Hewouldwalkalsosolitarilyinthefields，sometimesreadingandsometimespraying；andthusforsomedayshespenthistime。GracelessatthattimeandatthatstagewouldhavesatisfiedtheexigentauthorofthePracticalTreatiseuponChristianPerfectionwherehesaysthat”wearetooaptalsotothinkthatwehavesufficientlyreadabookwhenwehavesoreaditastoknowwhatitcontains。Thisreadingmaybequitesufficientastomanybooks；butastotheBiblewearenottothinkthatwehavereaditenoughbecausewehaveoftenreadandheardwhatitteaches。WemustreadourBible，nottoknowwhatitcontains，buttofillourheartswiththespiritofit。”And，again，andonthissamepoint，”ThereisthisunerringkeytotherightuseoftheBible。TheBiblehasonlyoneintent，andthatistomakeamanknow，resist，andabhortheworkingofhisfallenearthlynature，andtoturnthefaith，hope，andlongingdesireofhishearttoGod；andthereforeweareonlytoreadourBibleswiththisviewandtolearnthisonelessonfromit……ThecriticlooksintohisbookstoseehowLatinandGreekauthorshaveusedthewords”stranger”and”pilgrim，”buttheChristian，whoknowsthatmanlivesinlabourandtoil，insicknessandpain，inhungerandthirst，inheatandcoldamongthebeastsofthefield，whereevilspiritslikeroaringlionsseektodevourhim——heonlyknowsinwhattruthandrealitymanisapoorstrangerandadistressedpilgrimupontheearth。”JohnBunyanreadneitherPlatonorAristotle，buthereadDavidandPaultillhewasthechiefofsinners，andtillhewasfirsttheGracelessandthentheChristianofhisownnext-to-the-Biblebook。
　　2。Inthesecondplace，andastohisburden。Wearesuppliedwithnoparticularsastothefirstbeginnings，thegradualmake-
　　up，andatlasttheterriblesizeofChristian’sburden。Whatthispilgrim’syouthfullifemusthavebeeninsuchacityashisnativecitywas，andwhilehewasstillayoungmanofsuchanameandsuchacharacterinsuchacity，wearelefttoourselvestothinkandconsider。Gracelesswashisnamebynature，andhislifewasashisnameandhisnaturewere。Still，asIhavesaid，wehavenodetailedandparticularaccountofhisearlylifewhenhisburdenwasstilldayandnightinthemakingup。Howlongintoyourlifewereyougraceless，mybrother？Andwhatkindoflifedidyouleaddayandnightbeforeyouwerepersuadedoralarmed，asthecasemayhavebeenwithyou，intobeingaChristian？Whatburdensdoyoucarryonyourbrokenbacktothisdaythatweremadeupinthedaylightorinthedarknessbyyourownhandsinyourearlydays？
　　Wereyouearlyorwereyoutoolateinyourconversion？OrareyoutrulyconvertedtoGodandtosalvationevenyet？Andareyouatthismomentstillbindingaburdenonyourbackthatyoushallneverlaydownonthissideyourgrave——itmaybe，notonthissideyourburningbedinhell？AskyourselvesallthatbeforeGodandbeforeyourownconscience，andmakeyourselvesabsolutelysurethatGodatanyrateisnotmocked；and，thereforethatyou，too，shallintheendreapexactlyasyoufromthebeginninghavesown。”Howcamestthoubythyburdenatfirst？”askedMr。Worldly-Wisemanatthetremblingpilgrim。”Byreadingthisbookinmyhand，”heanswered。And，inthelongrun，itisalwaystheBiblethatbestcreatesasinner’sburden，bindsitonhisback，andmakesitsoterriblyheavytobear。Fearofdeathandjudgmentwillsometimesmakeupandbindonasinner’sburden；andsometimesthefearofman’sjudgmentonthissideofdeathwilldoit。Fearofbeingfoundoutinsomecaseswillmakeaman’ssecretsinfartooheavyforhimtobear。Thethroneofpublicopinionisnotaverywhitethrone；atthesametime，itisacoarseforecastandaroughforetasteofthelastjudgment；andthefearofitnotseldommakesaman’sburdensimplyintolerabletohim。Sometimesagreatsinner’sburdenleadshimtoflightandoutlawry；sometimestomadnessandself-murder；andsometimes，bythetimeousandsufficientgraceofGod，tothewayofescapethatourpilgrimtook。Tendernessofconscience，also，simplesoftnessofheartandconscience，willsometimesmakeaterribleburdenoutofwhatothermenwouldcallaverylightmatter。Bindaburdenonthatironpillarstandingthere，anditwillfeelnothingandsaynothing。
　　But，bindthesameburdenonthatmaninwhoseseatthatdeadpillartakesupasitter’sroom，andhewillmakeallthatareinthehousehearhissighsandhisgroans。Andlayanactofsin——anevilwordorevilworkorevilthought——ononemanamongus，andhewillwalkaboutthestreetswithaserectaheadandassmilingacountenanceandaslightastepasifhewereaninnocentchild；
　　while，layhalfasmuchonhisneighbour，anditwillsobruisehimtotheearththatallmenwilltakeknowledgeofhimthatheisamiserableman。OurLordcouldnodoubthavecarriedHiscrossfromthehallofjudgmenttothehill-topwithouthelphadHisbacknotbeenwetwithblood。Whatwithawholeandanunwealedbody，awell-restedandwell-nourishedbody，Hecouldeasilyhavecarried，withHisbrokenbodyandbrokenheartHequitesankunder。AndsoitiswithHispeople。OneofHisheart-broken，heart-bleedingpeoplewillsinkdowntodeathandhellunderaburdenofsinandcorruptionthatanotherofthemwillscarcelyfeelorknoworbelievethatitisthere。Somesinsagaininthemselves，andbyreasonofseveralaggravations，arefarmoreheavytobearthanothers，andbysomesinnersthanothers。IwasreadingBishopAndrewestomyselflastnightandcameuponthispertinentpassage。”Sin:itsmeasure，itsharm，itsscandal。Itsquality:howoften——howlong。Thepersonbywhom:hisage，condition，state，enlightenment。Itsmanner，motive，time，andplace。Thefollyofit，theingratitudeofit，thehardnessofit，thepresumptuousnessofit。Byheart，bymouth，bydeed。AgainstGod，myneighbours，myownbody。Byknowledge，byignorance。Willinglyandunwillingly。Ofoldandoflate。Inboyhoodandyouth，inmatureandoldage。Thingsdoneonce，repeatedoften，hiddenandopen。
　　Thingsdoneinanger，andfromthelustofthefleshandoftheworld。Beforeandaftermycall。Asleepbynightandawakebyday。Thingsrememberedandthingsforgotten。Throughthefierydartsoftheenemy，throughtheuncleandesiresoftheflesh——I
　　havesinnedagainstThee。Havemercyonme，OGod，andforgiveme！”Thatisthewaysomemen’sburdensaremadeuptosuchgiganticproportionsandthenboundonbysuchacutecords。ThatisthewaythatLancelotAndrewesandJohnBunyanwalkedsolitarilyinthefields，sometimesreadingandsometimespraying，tilltheoneofthemputhimselfintohisimmortalDevotions，andtheotherintohisimmortalGraceAboundingandPilgrim’sProgress。”ThenIsawinmydreamthatChristianaskedtheGate-keeperfurtherifhecouldnothelphimoffwithhisburdenthatwasuponhisback，forasyethehadnotgotridofit，norcouldhebyanymeansgetitoffwithouthelp。Hetoldhim，”Astothyburden，becontenttobearituntilthoucomesttotheplaceofdeliverance，forthereitwillfallfromoffthybackitself。”NowIsawinmydreamthatthehighwayupwhichChristianwastogowasfencedoneithersidewithawall，andthatwallisSalvation。Upthisway，therefore，didburdenedChristianrun，butnotwithoutgreatdifficulty，becauseoftheloadonhisback。Heranthustillhecametoaplacesomewhatascending，anduponthatplacestoodacross，andalittlebelowinthebottomasepulchre。SoIsawinmydreamthatjustasChristiancameupwiththecrosshisburdenloosedfromoffhisback，andbegantotumbleandsocontinuedtodotillitcametothemouthofthesepulchre，whereitfellinandIsawitnomore。ThenwasChristiangladandlightsome，andsaidwithamerryheart，”HehathgivenmerestbyHissorrow，andlifebyHisdeath！””BlestCross！blestSepulchre！BlestratherbeTheManthattherewasputtoshameforme。”
　　But，then，howitcouldbethatthissohappymanwasscarcelyastone-castpastthecrosswhenhehadbegunagaintoburdenhimselfwithfreshsin，andthustodisinterallhisformersin？Howatruepilgrimcomestohavesomanyburdenstobear，andthattillheceasestobeanylongerapilgrim，——aburdenofguilt，aburdenofcorruption，andaburdenofbarecreaturehood，——Imustleaveallthat，andallthequestionsconnectedwithallthat，foryoualltothinkoutandworkoutforyourselves；andyouwillnotsayanymorningonthisearth，likeMrs。Timorous，thatyouhavelittletodo。
　　3。ThethirdofthethreeShiningOneswhosalutedChristianatthecrosssetamarkonhisforehead，andputarollwithasealsetuponitintohishand。Arollandasealwhichhebidhimlookonasheran，andthatheshouldgivethatrollinattheCelestialGate。Bunyandoesnotinallplacescomeuptohisusualclearnessinwhathesaysaboutthesealedroll。Wemustbelievethatheunderstoodhisownmeaningandintentioninallthathesays，firstandlast，abouttheroll，buthehasnotalwaysmadehismeaningclear，atleasttooneofhisreaders。Theologicalstudents，and，indeed，allthoughtfulChristianmen，areinvitedtoreadDr。
　　Cunningham’spowerfulpaperonAssuranceinhisReformers。ThewholeliteratureofAssuranceistheretakenupandweighedandsiftedwithallthatgreatwriter’sincomparablelearningandpowerandjudgment。OurLargerCatechism，also，isexcellentonthissubject；andthissubjectisafavouritecommonplacewithallourbestCalvinistic，Puritan，andEvangelicalauthors。Letustaketwoorthreepassagesoutofthoseauthorsjustasaspecimen，andsoclose。”Cantruebelievers”——LargerCatechism，Question80——”Cantruebelieversbeinfalliblyassuredthattheyareinanestateofgrace，andthattheyshallperseverethereintotheend？Answer:
　　SuchastrulybelieveinChrist，andendeavourtowalkinallgoodconsciencebeforeHimmay，withoutextraordinaryrevelation，byfaithgroundeduponthetruthofGod’spromise，andbytheSpiritenablingthemtodiscerninthemselvesthosegracestowhichthepromisesofeternallifearemade，andbearingwitnesswiththeirspiritsthattheyarethechildrenofGod，theymaybeinfalliblyassuredthattheyareintheestateofgrace，andshallperseverethereinuntosalvation。”Question81:”Arealltruebelieversatalltimesassuredoftheirpresentbeinginastateofgrace，andthattheyshallbesaved？Answer:Assuranceofgraceandsalvationnotbeingoftheessenceoffaith，truebelieversmaywaitlongbeforetheyobtainit，and，aftertheenjoymentthereof，mayhaveitweakenedandintermittedthroughmanifolddistempers，sins，temptations，anddesertions；yetaretheyneverleftwithoutsuchapresenceandsupportoftheSpiritofGodaskeepsthemfromsinkingintoutterdespair。””AChristian’sassurance，”saysFraserofBrea，”thoughitdoesnotfirstlyflowfromhisholiness，yetiseverafterproportionabletohisholywalking。Faithiskeptinapureconscience。Sinislikeablotofinkfallenuponourevidence。ThisIfoundtobeatruth。””Itwasthespeechofonetome，”saysThomasShepardofNewEngland，”nexttothedonationofChrist，nomercylikethis，todenyassurancelong；andwhy？ForiftheLordhadnot，Ishouldhavegivenwaytoalooseheartandlife。AndthisisaruleIhavelongheld——longdenialofassuranceislikefiretoburnoutsomesinandthentheLordwillspeakpeace。””ServeyourGoddayandnightfaithfully，”saysDr。Goodwin。”Walkhumbly；andthereisapromiseoftheHolyGhosttocomeandfillyourheartswithjoyunspeakableandglorioustorearyouuptothedayofredemption。Suethispromiseout，waitforit，restnotinbelievingonly，restnotinassurancebygracesonly；thereisafurtherassurancetobehad。””Iwouldnotgiveastrawforthatassurance，”saysJohnNewton，”whichsinwillnotdamp。IfDavidhadcomefromhisadulteryandstillhavetalkedofhisassurance，Ishouldhavedespisedhisspeech。””Whenwewantthefaithofassurance，”saysMatthewHenry，”letuslivebythefaithofadherence。”AndthenthewholetruthisinanutshellinIsaiahandinJohn:”Theeffectofrighteousnessshallbequietnessandassuranceforever，”and”Mylittlechildren，letusnotloveinword，neitherintongue，butindeedandintruth。
　　Andherebyweshallknowthatweareofthetruth，andsoshallassureourheartsbeforeHim。”
　　CHRISTIANA”Honourwidowsthatarewidowsindeed。”——Paul。
　　WeknownexttonothingofChristianatillaftersheisawidowindeed。Thenamesofherparents，andwhatkindofparentstheywere，theschoolsandtheboarding-schoolstowhichtheysenttheirdaughter，herschoolcompanions，thebookssheread，ifsheeverreadanybooksatall，theamusementsshewasindulgedinandindulgedherselfin——onallthatherotherwisefullandminutebiographeriswhollysilent。Hedoesnotgobackbeyondhermarriedlife；hedoesnotevengobacktothebeginningofthat。
　　TheonlythingwearesureofaboutChristiana’searlydaysisthatshewasanutterlyungodlywomanandthatshemarriedanutterlyungodlyman。”Haveyouafamily？Areyouamarriedman？”askedCharityofChristianintheHouseBeautiful。”Ihaveawifeandfoursmallchildren，”hereplied。”Andwhydidyounotbringthemalongwithyou？”ThenChristianwept，andsaid:”Oh，howwillinglywouldIhavedoneit；buttheywereallutterlyaversetomygoingonpilgrimage。””Butyoushouldhavetalkedtothem，”
　　saidCharity，”andhaveendeavouredtohaveshownthemthedangerofbeingbehind。””SoIdid，”answeredChristian。”AnddidyoupraytoGodthatHewouldblessyourcounseltothem？””Yes，andwithmuchaffection；foryoumustthinkthatmywifeandpoorchildrenwereverydearuntome。””Butwhatcouldtheysayforthemselveswhytheycamenot？””Why，mywifewasafraidoflosingtheworld，andmychildrenweregivenovertothefoolishdelightsofyouth；sowhatwithonethingandwhatwithanother，theyleftmetowanderinthismanneralone。”
　　Butwhatherhusband’sconversion，goodexample，andmostearnestentreatiescouldnotalldoforhisworldlywife，thathissuddendeathspeedilydid。AndthusitisthatbothChristiana’sbestlife，allourinterestinher，andallourinformationabouther，dates，sadtosay，notfromherespousal，norfromhermarriageday，norfromanypartofhermarriedlife，butfromherhusband’sdeath。Hermaidenhoodhasnointerestforus；allourinterestisfixedonherwidowhood。Thisworkoffictionnowinourhandsbeginswhereallotherworksoffictionend；forinthelifeofreligion，youmustknow，ourbestisalwaysbeforeus。Well，scarcelywasherhusbanddeadwhenChristianabegantoaccuseherselfofhavingkilledhim。Totakeherownbitterwordsforit，themostagonisingandremorsefulthoughtsaboutherconducttoherhusbandstungherheartlikesomanywasps。Ahyes！Awasp’sstingisbutabladeofinnocentgrasscomparedwiththethoughtsthathavestungusallaswerecalledwhatwesaidanddidtothosewhoarenownomore。Therearegravesinthechurchyardwedarenotgonear。”Ihavesinnedawayyourfather！”shecried，asshethrewherselfontheearthatthefeetofherastoundedchildren。”Ihavesinnedawayyourfatherandheisgone！”Andyettherewasnomarkofabulletandnogashofaknifeonhisdeadbody，andnochemistrycouldhaveextractedonegrainofarsenicorofstrychnineoutofhisblood。Buttherearemanywaysoftakingaman’slifebesidesthoseofpoisonoraknifeoragunshot。
　　Constantfault-finding，constantcorrectionandstudiedcontemptbeforestrangers，totalwantofsympathyandencouragement，gloomylooks，roughremarks，allblameandneverawordofpraise，thingslikethesebetweenmanandwifewillkillassilentlyandassurelyaspoisonorsuffocation。Lookathome，mybrethren，andaskyourselveswhatyouwillthinkofmuchofyourpresentconductwhenithasborneitsproperfruit。”Uponthiscameintohermindbyswarmsallherunkind，unnatural，andungodlycarriagestoherdearfriend，whichalsocloggedherconscienceanddidloadherwithguilt。Itallreturneduponherlikeaflashoflightning，andrentthecaulofherheartasunder。””Thatwhichtroublethmemost，”shewouldcryout，”ismychurlishcarriagestohimwhenhewasunderdistress。Iamthatwoman，”shewouldcryoutandwouldnotbeappeased——”Iamthatwomanthatwassohardheartedastoslightmyhusband’stroubles，andthatlefthimtogoonhisjourneyalone。HowlikeachurlIcarriedmyselftohiminallthat！Andsoguilttookholdofmymind，”shesaidtotheInterpreter，”andwouldhavedrawnmetothepond！”
　　Aminister’swidowoncetoldmethatshehadgonehomeafterhearingasermonofmineonthetext，”Whatprofitisthereinmyblood？”andhaddestroyedapaperofpoisonshehadpurchasedinherdespaironthepreviousSaturdaynight。Itwasnotasermonfromherunconsciousminister，butitwasfarbetter；itwasaconversationthatChristianaheldwithherfourboysthatfairlyandforeverputallthoughtofthepondoutoftheirmother’sremorsefulmind。”SoChristiana，”aswereadintheopeningofherhistory——”soChristianacalledhersonstogetherandbeganthustoaddressherselfuntothem:Mysons，Ihave，asyoumayperceive，beenoflateundermuchexerciseinmysoulaboutthedeathofyourfather。Mycarriagestoyourfatherinhisdistressareagreatloadonmyconscience。Come，mychildren，letuspackupandbegonetothegate，thatwemayseeyourfatherandbewithhim，accordingtothelawsofthatland。”Ilikethatpassage，Ithink，thebestinallChristiana’sdelightfulhistory——thatpassagewhichbeginswiththesewords:”Soshecalledherchildrentogether。”