Young Folks' Treasury, Volume 3 — The Pilgrim's Progress

ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR

As I slept I dreamed a dream.

I dreamed, and behold, I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face away from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back.

I looked, and saw him open the book, and read therein, and as he read, he wept and trembled.

His fear was so great that he brake out with a mournful cry, saying, "What shall I do?"

In this plight therefore he went home, and did all he could to hide his distress from his wife and children.

But he could not be silent long, because his trouble increased.

Wherefore at length he began to talk to his wife and children thus: "O my dear wife," said he, "and you my children, I am in despair by reason of a burden that lieth heavy on me.

Moreover I am for certain told that this our city will be burned with fire from heaven, when both myself, with thee, my wife, and you, my sweet babes, shall be ruined, except some way of escape can be found."

At this his wife and children were sore amazed, not because they believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they thought he must be ill to talk in so strange a way.

Therefore, as it was evening, and they hoped sleep might soothe him, with all haste they got him to bed.

But the night was as troublesome to him as the day, wherefore instead of sleeping he spent it in sighs and tears.

So when the morning was come, they asked him how he did.

He told them, "Worse and worse," and began to talk to them again in the same strange manner, but they began to be careless of his words.

They also thought to drive away his fancies by harsh and rough behavior to him.

Sometimes they would mock, sometimes they would scold, and sometimes they would quite neglect him.

Wherefore he began to stay in his room to pray for and pity them, and also to comfort his own misery.

He would also walk alone in the fields, sometimes reading and sometimes praying, and thus for some days he spent his time.

Now I saw in my dream that when he was walking in the fields, he was reading his book and greatly distressed in mind.

And as he read, he burst out crying, "What shall I do to be saved?"

I saw also that he looked this way and that way, as if he would run.

Yet he stood still, because, as I saw, he could not tell which way to go.

I looked then, and saw a man, named Evangelist, coming to him, who asked, "Wherefore dost thou cry?"

He answered, "Sir, I see by the book in my hand that I am condemned to die, and after that to be judged.

And I find I am not willing to die, nor able to be judged."

Then said Evangelist, "Why not willing to die, since in this life you are so unhappy?"

The man answered, "Because I fear this burden will sink me lower than the grave, and the thought of that makes me cry."

Then said Evangelist, "If this be thy fear, why standest thou still?"

He answered, "Because I know not whither to go."

So Evangelist gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, "Fly from the wrath to come."

The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, "Whither must I fly!"

Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, "Do you see yonder Wicket-gate?"

The man said, "No." "Well," said the other, "do you see yonder shining light?"

He said, "I think I do."

Then said Evangelist, "Keep that light in thine eye, and go up directly thereto, so shalt thou see the gate.

When thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do."

So I saw in my dream that the man began to run.

Now he had not run far from his own door when his wife and children, seeing it, began to cry after him to return.

But the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, "Life, life, eternal life!"

So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain.

The neighbors also came out to see him run.

And as he ran some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return.

Among those that did so were two that were resolved to fetch him back by force.

The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other was Pliable.

Now by this time the man was got a good distance from them, but they had made up their minds to follow him, which they did, and in a little time overtook him.

Then said the man, "Neighbors, wherefore are you come?"

They said, "To persuade you to go back with us."

But he said, "That can by no means be.

You dwell in the City of Destruction, the place where I was born.

Be content, good neighbors, and go along with me."

"What!"

said Obstinate, "and leave our friends and our comforts behind us!"

"Yes," said Christian, for that was his name.

"What do you seek, since you leave all the world to find it?"

said Obstinate.

"I seek a treasure that never fades away.

It is laid up in heaven and is safe there," said Christian.

"Read it so, if you will, in my book."

"Tush!"

said Obstinate, "away with your book.

Will you go back with us or no?"

"No, not I," said the other, "because I have just set out."

"Come then, Neighbor Pliable, let us turn again and go home without him."

Then said Pliable, "If what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours.

My heart makes me wish to go with him.

But, my good Christian, do you know the way you are going?"

"I am directed by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall be told about the way."

"Come then, good neighbor," said Pliable, "let us be going."

Then they went both together.

"And I will go back to my place," said Obstinate.

"I will be no companion of such mistaken and foolish fellows."

Now I saw in my dream that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain.

"I will tell you what my book says of the country to which we are going, and of the people we shall meet there," said Christian.

"But do you think the words of your book are certainly true?"

said Pliable.

"Yes," said Christian, "for it was written by Him who cannot lie."

"Well," said Pliable, "tell me about this country."

"In this country," said Christian, "we shall live for ever.

There are crowns of glory to be given us, and garments that will make us shine like the sun."

"This is excellent," said Pliable; "and what else?"

"There shall be no more crying nor sorrow, for He that is the Owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes," said Christian.

"And what companions shall we have there?"

asked Pliable.

"There we shall be with those that will dazzle your eyes to look on.

There also you shall meet with thousands and tens of thousands that have gone before us to that place.

None of of them are hurtful, but loving and holy.

In a word, there shall we see some with their golden crowns, there we shall see maidens with golden harps, there we shall see men that here were cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten by beasts, and drowned in the seas, all for the love they bare to the Lord of this place.

Now they are all well, and clothed with beautiful garments."

And as Pliable heard of the excellence of the country and of the company to which they were going, he said, "Well, my good companion, glad I am to hear of these things.

Come on, let us go with more speed."

"I cannot go as fast as I would by reason of this burden that is on my back," said Christian.

Now I saw in my dream that just as they ended their talk, they drew nigh to a bog that was in the midst of the plain, and they being heedless did both fall suddenly into it.

The name of this bog was the Slough of Despond.

Here therefore they struggled for a time, being grievously covered with dirt.

And Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.

Then said Pliable, "Ah, Neighbor Christian, where are you now?"

"Truly," said Christian, "I do not know."

At this Pliable began to be offended, and said angrily, "Is this the happiness you have told me of all this while?

If I get out again with my life, you shall possess the wonderful country alone."

And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the bog which was next to his own house.

So away he went, and Christian saw him no more.

Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone.

But still he tried to struggle to that side of the Slough that was further from his own house, and next to the Wicket-gate.

But he could not get out because of the burden that was upon his back.

And I beheld in my dream that a man came to him, whose name was Help, and asked him what he did there.

"Sir," said Christian, "I was bid to go this way by a man called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, and as I was going thither I fell in here."

"Why did you not look for the steps?"

said Help.

"I was so full of fear," answered Christian, "that I fled the next way and fell in."

Then said Help, "Give me thy hand."

So Christian gave him his hand, and he drew him out and set him upon sound ground, and bid him go on his way.

Now in my dream I stepped up to the man that plucked Christian out, and said: "Sir, wherefore, since over this place is the way from the City of Destruction to the Wicket-gate, is it that this Slough is not mended, that poor travelers might go over in more safety?"

And he said to me, "This place cannot be mended, yet it is not the pleasure of the King that it should remain so bad.

His laborers also have for more than sixteen hundred years been employed on this patch of ground, in the hope that it might perhaps be mended.

There has been swallowed up here twenty thousand cartloads of the best material in the attempt to mend the place.

But it is the Slough of Despond still; and still will be so, when they have done all they can.

It is true that there are some good and strong steps even through the very midst of this mire.

But men through the dizziness of their head miss the steps and so tumble into the mire, but the ground is good when they have once got in at the gate."

Then I saw in my dream that by this time Pliable was got home to his house.

So his neighbors came to visit him, and some of them called him wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for going with Christian.

Others again did mock at his cowardliness, saying, "Surely since you began to go, you need not have been so base as to have given out for a few difficulties."

So Pliable sat like a coward among them.

Now as Christian was walking alone, he espied one afar off, come crossing over the field to meet him.

The gentleman's name was Mr. Worldly Wiseman.

He dwelt in a very great town, close by the one from which Christian came.

This man, then, meeting with Christian, began thus to enter into some talk with him: "How now, good fellow, whither are you going in this burdened manner?"

"A burdened manner indeed," said Christian.

"I am going, sir, to yonder Wicket-gate before me, for there, I am told, I shall be put into a way to be rid of my heavy burden."

"Hast thou a wife and children?"

asked Mr. Worldly Wiseman.

"Yes, but I am so laden with this burden that I cannot take that pleasure in them as formerly."

"Will you hearken to me if I give thee counsel?"

"If it be good, I will, for I stand in need of good counsel."

"I would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get thyself rid of thy burden, for thou wilt never be contented till then."

"That is what I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden, but get it off myself I cannot, nor is there any man living in our country who can take it off my shoulders.

Therefore I am going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden."

"Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?"

"A man that appeared to me a very great and honorable person.

His name, as I remember, is Evangelist."

"He has given thee foolish counsel.

There is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath directed thee.

Thou hast met with some danger already, for I see the mud of the Slough of Despond is upon thee.

Hear me, I am older than thou.

Thou art likely to meet with, in the way which thou goest, painfulness, hunger, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and death."

"Why, sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me than all these things."

"But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend it?

Hadst thou but patience to listen, I could direct thee how to get what thou desirest, without the danger that thou in this way wilt run thyself into."

"Sir, I pray that thou wilt tell me this secret."

"Why, in yonder village there dwells a gentleman, who is very wise, and who has skill to help men off with burdens like thine from their shoulders.

To him thou mayest go to be helped at once.

His house is not quite a mile from this place, and if thou dost not desire to go back to the City of Destruction, as indeed I would not wish thee, thou mayest send for thy wife and children to come to thee to this village.

There are houses now standing empty, one of which thou mayest have without great cost.

Food is there also, cheap and good, and what will make thy life the more happy is, that thou shalt live beside honest neighbors, in respect and comfort."

Now the Christian puzzled, but he thought, "If what Mr. Worldly Wiseman says is true, my wisest plan is to take his advice."

"Sir," said Christian, "which is my way to this honest man's house?"

"Do you see yonder high hill?"

"Yes, very well."

"By that hill you must go, and the first house you come to is his."

So Christian turned out of his way to go to the house for help.

But behold, when he was now close to the hill, it seemed so steep, and also that side of it that was next the wayside did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to venture farther, lest the hill should fall on his head.

Wherefore he stood still, and knew not what to do.

Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was in his way.

There came also flashes of fire out of the hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burned.

Here therefore he did quake for fear.

And now he began to be sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel.

Then he saw Evangelist coming to meet him, at the sight also of whom he began to blush for shame.

So Evangelist drew nearer and nearer, and coming up to him, he looked upon him with a severe and dreadful countenance.

"What dost thou here, Christian?"

said he.

At which words Christian knew not what to answer, wherefore at first he stood speechless before him.

Then said Evangelist, "Art not thou the man I found crying without the walls of the City of Destruction?"

"Yes," said Christian, "I am the man."

"Did I not direct thee the way to the little Wicket-gate?"

"Yes," said Christian.

"How is it, then, that thou art so quickly turned out of the way?"

"I met with a gentleman as soon as I had got over the Slough of Despond, who told me that in yonder village I might find a man who could take off my burden."

"What was he like?"

"He looked like a gentleman, and talked much to me, and got me at last to believe his words.

So I came hither, but when I beheld this hill and how it hangs over the way, I suddenly stood still lest it should fall on my head."

"What said that gentleman to you?"

"Why, he asked me whither I was going, and if I had a wife and children, and he bid me make speed to get rid of my burden.

And I said, 'I am going to yonder gate to be told how I may get rid of it.'

"So he said he would show me a better and a shorter way, and not so full of difficulties as the way that you directed me.

But when I came to this place, I stopped for fear of danger, and now I know not what to do!"

So Christian stood trembling before Evangelist.

Then said Evangelist, "Give heed to the things I shall tell thee.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman sought to turn thee out of the way and to bring thee into danger.

In yonder village has no man ever yet got rid of his burden, nor is he ever likely to lose it there.

Therefore, Mr. Worldly Wiseman and his friend are deceivers, and cannot help thee."

After this there came words and fire out of the mountain under which Christian stood.

Now Christian looked for nothing but death, and began to cry out, saying he would he had never met Mr. Worldly Wiseman or that he had never listened to him.

Then he turned to Evangelist and said, "Sir, what do you think?

Is there any hope?

May I now go back and go up to the Wicket-gate?

Or shall I be sent back from the gate ashamed?

I am sorry I have listened to this man's counsel, but may my sins be forgiven?"

Evangelist said to him, "Thy sin is very great.

Thou hast left the good way and walked in forbidden paths.

Yet will the man at the gate receive thee, for he has good will for men.

Only," said he, "take heed that thou turn not aside again."

Then did Christian prepare to go back.

And Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him Godspeed.

So Christian went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way.

Even if any one spoke to him, he would not venture an answer.

He walked like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe, till again he had got into the way which he had left to follow Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel.

So in process of time Christian got up to the gate.

Now over the gate there was written, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

He knocked therefore more than once or twice.

At last there came a grave person to the gate, named Good-will.

He asked who was there, and whence he came, and what he desired.

"I am a sinner," said Christian; "I come from the City of Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion.

I am told that by this gate is the way thither, and I would know if you are willing to let me in."

"I am willing with all my heart," said Good-will, and he opened the gate.

So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull.

"Why do you do that?"

said Christian.

Then Good-will told him, "A little distance from this gate a strong castle has been built, of which Beelzebub is the captain.

And he and those that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, hoping they may die before they enter in."

So when Christian had come in, Good-will asked him who had directed him to the gate.

"Evangelist bid me come here and knock, as I did.

And he said that you, sir, would tell me what I must do."

Then Good-will said, "Come a little way with me, good Christian, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go.

Look before thee; dost thou see this narrow way?

That is the way thou must go, and it is as straight as a rule can make it.

This is the way thou must go."

"But," said Christian, "are there no turnings, nor windings, by which a stranger may lose his way?"

"Yes, there are many ways join this, but they are crooked and wide.

Thou mayest know the right from the wrong way, for the right way is always strait and narrow."

Then I saw in my dream that Christian asked him if he could not help him off with his burden that was upon his back.

For as yet he had not got rid of it, nor could he get it off without help.

But Good-will said, "Thou must be content to bear it, until thou comest to a place where stands a Cross, for there it will fall from thy back of itself."

Then Christian began to get ready to continue his journey.

So Good-will told him that when he had gone some distance from the gate, he would come to the house of the Interpreter, at whose door he should knock, and he would show him wonderful things.

Then Christian took leave of his friend, and he again bid him Godspeed.

Now Christian went on till he came to the house of the Interpreter, where he knocked over and over.

At last one came to the door and asked who was there.

"Sir," said Christian, "I am a traveler who was told by Good-will to call here.

I would therefore speak with the master of the house."

So he called for the master of the house, who, after a little time, came to Christian and asked what he would have.

"Sir," said Christian, "I am a man that has come from the City of Destruction, and I am going to Mount Zion.

I was told by the man that stands at the Wicket-gate that if I called here you would show me things that would help me on my journey."

Then said the Interpreter, "Come in, and I will show thee what will help thee."

So he commanded his man to light the candle, and bid Christian follow him.

Then he took him into a private room, and bid his man open a door.

And Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hung up against the wall.

He had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and a crown of gold did hang over his head.

Then said Christian, "What means this?"

"The man whose picture this is," answered the Interpreter, "is one of a thousand.

He is the only man who may be thy guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way.

Wherefore be very careful to remember whom thou hast seen."

Then the Interpreter led him into a very large parlor that was full of dust, because it was never swept, and after he had looked at it for a little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep.

Now when he began to sweep, the dust began to fly about, so that Christian was almost choked.

Then said the Interpreter to a damsel that stood near, "Bring hither the water and sprinkle the room."

And when this was done the room was swept and cleansed.

Then said Christian, "What does this mean?"

The Interpreter answered, "This parlor is like the heart of an evil man.

The dust is his sin, and the damsel that sprinkles the water is the Gospel."

I saw moreover in my dream, that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand and led him into a little room, where sat two little children, each one in his chair.

The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the other Patience.

Passion seemed to be very discontented, but Patience was very quiet.

Then Christian asked, "What is the reason of the discontent of Passion?"

The Interpreter answered, "The governor of the children would have them wait for their new toys, till the beginning of next year, but Passion wishes to have them all now, while Patience, is willing to wait."

Then the Interpreter took Christian to a place where there was a fire burning against a wall, and one standing near it, always casting much water upon it to quench it, yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.

But afterwards the Interpreter took him to the back of the wall, where he saw a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, and he poured the oil continually, but secretly, into the fire.

"What does this mean?"

asked Christian.

The Interpreter answered, "The fire is a picture of the grace God puts into the heart.

He that casts water on it to put it out is the Evil One.

And the man who pours oil on the fire to keep it alight is Christ."

I saw also that the Interpreter took Christian again by the hand and led him into a place, where was builded a stately palace, beautiful to behold, at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted.

He saw also upon the top of the palace certain persons walking, and they were clothed all in gold.

Then said Christian, "May we go in here?"

So the Interpreter took him and led him toward the door of the palace.

Now before they came up to the door, they passed a man, sitting at a table, with a book and his inkhorn before him, to take down the name of any who should enter.

And, behold, at the door stood a great company of men, who wished to go in, but did not dare to enter, for within the doorway stood many men in armor to guard it.

Now, these men in armor were determined to do any who would enter as much harm and mischief as they could.

Christian was amazed.

At last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men, Christian saw a man with a very strong face come up to the man that sat at the table, saying: "Set down my name, sir."

And when this was done, Christian saw the strong man draw his sword and put an helmet on his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed men.

The armed men fought with great strength, but the man with the strong face was not at all discouraged, but fought most fiercely.

So after he had received and given many wounds to those that tried to keep him out, he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the palace.

Then there was a pleasant voice heard from those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying: "Come in, come in;

Eternal glory thou shalt win."

So he went in and was clothed in such garments as they.

"Now," said Christian, "let me go."

And the Interpreter said, "Hast thou understood these things?"

"Yes," said Christian, and he began to get ready to go on his journey.

Then said the Interpreter, "God be always with thee, good Christian, to guide thee in the way that leads to Mount Zion."

Now I saw in my dream that the highway up which Christian was to go was fenced on either side with a wall.

Up this way therefore, did Christian run, but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back.

He ran thus till he came to a steeper place, and upon that place stood a Cross, and a little below, a Sepulcher.

So I saw in my dream that just as Christian came up to the Cross his burden fell from off his back, and began to tumble till it came to the mouth of the Sepulcher, where it fell in and I saw it no more.

Then was Christian glad and happy, and he stood for a while to look and wonder, for it was surprising to him to see that the Cross should make him lose his burden.

Now as he stood looking, behold three Shining Ones came to him and greeted him.

The first said to him, "Thy sins be forgiven thee."

The second took away all his rags and clothed him in new raiment.

The third set a mark on his forehead and gave him a roll with a seal on it, which he should give in at the Celestial Gate.

So they went their way.

Then Christian gave three leaps for joy and went on singing.

I saw then in my dream that as he walked he saw two men come tumbling over the wall into the narrow way.