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Christiana

Page 18

by Jim Pappas


  "Well said, Matthew,"

  It was just then that a cock crowed several times just outside the window and Samuel asked, "What lesson is in the cocks crowing, Miss Prudence?"

  "Oh, many, I am sure."

  "Really?" answered he with a puzzled frown. "I can't even think of one."

  "Well, for one thing, it reminds us of Peter's sin. And though we be as sure as he that we will never deny our Lord, yet we must ever ask God to preserve us from deceitful self-confidence."

  "A good lesson," answered he. "But you said 'many'."

  "Yes, I did, Samuel," agreed Prudence with a smile. "Let me try another: the cock's crow also reminds us that if we do sin, He is 'faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'."

  "Say, this lesson-finding business is really fun!" declared Joseph. "Do another one about the chicken."

  "Well, in the wee hours of the morning, his crowing tells us to prepare for the fast approaching day."

  "And I'll bet the spiritual lesson is that the day of judgment is drawing nigh and we must be preparing ourselves for it," ventured Matthew.

  Now e'er they knew it, they had spent a month at this wondrous place and were beginning to feel an itching in their feet. So they informed their hosts of their desires and began to pack their few belongings. Then it was that Joseph came to his mother with a most earnest look about him and said, "Mother, remember that we have been counseled to freely ask for help. Might it not be wise to send to the Interpreter and ask for Mr. Great-heart to be our guide?"

  "A good boy you are, Joseph!" she replied gratefully (for, if the truth be known, she had forgotten again). "With your help I shall not forget this time!"

  So she drew up an earnest petition and had it signed by all. Then she prayed Mr. Watchful the Porter, to send it by some fit man to her good friend, Mr. Interpreter. This was done and when He received it, He smiled broadly and declared, "Ah, good! Very Good! Christiana has learned her lesson! Oh, how it pleases the King to have His children ask good things of Him! Runner! Take word back to Christiana. Say that to she who has knocked, it shall be opened. For Great-heart has she asked and Great-heart she shall receive." And so it was done.

  Now shortly before their departure, the Porter called his entire household together to give thanks to the King for sending them such profitable guests. And if be true that 'God inhabits the praises of His people', then God was present in great force that day, for there were many songs of praise and many words of gratitude shared by all. Then the Porter addressed Christiana's band thus, "Tell us, dear hearts, what more may we show thee to help thee on thy way?"

  After a few moments of silence (because the pilgrims knew not what to ask), Prudence said, "Let me show them the fruit, father."

  "Very well, my sweet. But," he warned, "take care that they partake only with their eyes."

  So she had the little band to a small room and showed them one of the fruits that Eve had shared with her husband.

  "What do you suppose this might be?" quizzed Prudence.

  "Hmmm. A delicious-looking fruit," answered Christiana cautiously. "But not one I have ever seen at market. Therefore I cannot tell if it is nourishing food or deadly poison."

  Then Matthew, who had been eying the fruit suspiciously, said, "They remind me of a certain forbidden fruit that hangs over the wall at the beginning of the way."

  "As well they might, eh, Matthew?" replied Prudence. "Yea, indeed! This is one of the fruits from the tree that seduced our mother Eve. 'Twas the eating of a fruit just like this that drove our first parents from the Holy Garden."

  "And certainly there must be a good lesson for us," said Christiana.

  "Probably that the smaller and less tempting a sin appears to be, the greater the guilt in choosing it," volunteered Matthew.

  "Very good, Matthew," said Prudence. "Come. Follow me to another lesson."

  She then had them to a place where they beheld a great staircase leading up so high that its top was lost in the clouds of infinity. Yea, so far did it traverse time and space that even the children's sharp eyes were at a loss to find its end. Now there were angels ascending and descending upon it and Christiana's band were all completely amazed to watch them going to and fro on heavenly errands. After a time their guide made as if she would have them pass on. But James held his mother back and earnestly whispered in her ear, saying, "Mother, please ask if we can stay here a little longer, for this golden stairway with all its shining angels is a most pretty sight."

  Admiring Jacob's Ladder

  And so they lingered at this place and gazed in awe-struck wonder until it seemed their eyes could hold no more. Then were they led to another room where there was a golden anchor hung upon the wall.

  "Do you see yonder golden anchor, Christiana?"asked Prudence.

  "Yes."

  "Take it down and carry it with you,"

  "An anchor? Dear Prudence," protested Christiana. "Will it not slow us up?"

  "Look not with your natural eyes, my sister," answered Prudence. "This anchor is symbolic of God's requirements: while they may indeed appear heavy to the unconverted heart, to a true pilgrim they are not grievous. Indeed, they actually lighten our load and help buoy us up."

  "Really!" exclaimed Christiana. "Then by faith I shall take it up."

  But before Christiana could act upon her words, Samuel had laid hold upon the anchor to hoist it down.

  "Be careful, Samuel," said Mercy nervously. "It looks quite heavy."

  "I will. Hey! Wowie! You won't believe it, Mercy!" cried Samuel enthusiastically. "This thing's light as a feather! In fact, it almost seems to hold me up!"

  "Let me try too," said Joseph.

  "Me too!" piped in James.

  And so each of them took a turn hoisting the golden anchor. Now although it looked to weigh a ton it actually felt light as air. James especially enjoyed posing as a muscle man from the circus - standing on one foot and holding the anchor above his head with one hand.

  "Maybe it's hollow," speculated Matthew suspiciously. "May I test it, Miss Prudence?"

  After an approving nod, Matthew gave the anchor a good kick which set the anchor ringing like a bell. But it also set Matthew to howling and hopping about with a bruised toe. After his brothers had partially recovered from a serious siege of laughter, they hung the anchor in the crotch of a nearby tree to see if the chain would hold. Finding that it held firm, they were soon swinging from it by twos and threes.

  "My!" declared Mercy in amazement. "'Tis light as a feather and yet strong as steel!"

  "Aye," agreed Prudence. "You will find that this anchor will get you through many a hard situation. And it will fasten your faith within the veil wherein Christ our forerunner doth minister in our behalf."

  "It might come in handy should we meet with any storms or cliffy places," observed Mercy.

  "Indeed," agreed Prudence.

  "Come along, boys," called Christiana to her little flock. "Bring me the anchor."

  "Nay," answered Samuel, "but I shall carry it for you."

  "Till you get tired of it. And then it's my turn," volunteered Matthew who was most eager to atone for his past poor performance. He was followed by James and Joseph who also wanted to do their fair share.

  "Good boys, all of you!" declared Prudence. "And you, Christiana - remember to share all your burdens with your children as soon as they are able. As you have served them, so let them serve you and make your life easier. And now, to Abraham's mount!"

  So they had them to the mount upon which Abraham, our father, had offered up Isaac, his son. Here they showed them the altar, the wood, the fire, and the knife; for they remain to be seen to this very day.

  "My!" exclaimed Mercy. "To me this spot seems more sacred than a church. Oh, how my heart burns within me to consider such love to God as Abraham had."

  "And it warms my heart," said Christiana reverently, "to think that a strong young man like Isaac would willingly submit to an aged father - e
ven unto death."

  "Yeah," piped up James. "He could'a pushed his Pappy away and skipped out for home easy as pie. I sure would’a. Well, unless God told me to stay."

  "Oh, that I might be such a son as that," prayed Matthew.

  "And such is my prayer as well," agreed Samuel with resounding 'amens' from James and Joseph - words that brought a proud tear to their mother's eye.

  After this, Prudence and her company took them into the dining room, where stood a lovely harpsichord. Prudence took her seat at the keyboard and accompanied herself as she summarized her lessons in this excellent song:

  "Eve's apple we have showed you -

  Of that be you aware;

  You have seen Jacob's ladder, too,

  Upon which angels are.

  An anchor you received have:

  But let not these suffice,

  Until, with Abra'm, you have gave

  Your best sacrifice."

  Now about this time there came a sound rapping at the door. So the Porter opened it, and behold, there stood Mr. Great-heart himself!

  "Great-heart!" exclaimed Watchful. "Good to see you!"

  "Great-heart?" cried James from the living room. "Is it really Great-heart?" he squealed with delight as he came careening around the corner. Now, when he saw that it was indeed the great hero himself, he dashed headlong into waiting arms. Great-heart scooped the lad up light as a feather and laughed aloud as he spun him round and round. On his part, James was laughing and squealing with delight and crying out, "Great-heart! Great-heart! Mama! Matthew! Everybody come quick! Great-heart has come to us!"

  Soon the entire family had surrounded their guide and Matthew, mindful of their happy tradition, shouted:

  "Hip, hip . . ."

  "Hurrah!" joined in the others. "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!"

  "Good to see you, sir," said Matthew, maintaining the dignity of young manhood (while secretly wishing it were he sitting astride Great-heart's neck instead of James).

  "I'm sure glad to have your brave company, Mr. Great-heart!" declared Joseph.

  "Me too!" added Samuel.

  "Thank you, lads," replied he, setting James lightly on the polished marble floor and shaking hands all round. "It is good to be here. Greetings to thee, faithful wife - and to thee, most virtuous maid."

  "We are all happy to see you again, gentle warrior," said Christiana, with a curtsy.

  "Ah, thank you. And happy I am to be here," he replied with a bow.

  "Welcome, kind sir," said Mercy.

  "Thank you, Mercy. Say," said he confidentially, after motioning Mercy aside. "I hear tell that you have had a suitor come courting."

  "Aye. But none such as my Lord Great-heart would approve. Therefore I have not encouraged him."

  "Ah, a wise decision," said he with a quiet chuckle. "Especially when you see he whom the Lord of the Hill is grooming to be your true companion."

  "Do you know who he is?" she asked eagerly.

  "Oh, my Lord has given me a clue or two."

  "Share them with me!"

  "Nay, nay, nay, lass. This blessed secret shall dawn upon you gentle as the sunrise - not as the bursting of a fireworks. Do you still wear my Master's gift next to your heart?"

  "Aye. It is here," said she, fingering her most precious treasure through the fabric of her blouse.

  "Good. Save it for the one who shall receive your promise." Then Great-heart turned to the mystified family and said, "And now, Christiana and faithful band, the Lord of the hill has sent each of you a bottle filled with new wine freshly squeezed this very morning."

  "Ah, thank you," said Christiana.

  "As for you boys, he has sent some of God's candy: figs, prunes, dates and raisins to refresh you on your way."

  "Hurrah!" cheered all the boys.

  "Well," said Great-heart, "shall we be about our journey? There are those in the Celestial City who await you with eager expectation."

  And so they addressed themselves to their journey. Now as they were getting ready for farewells, Christiana asked Watchful if anyone had passed by recently.

  "Nay, not for some time," answered the Porter. "But my man tells me that recently many pilgrims have been robbed hereabouts. But fear not, for the thieves have been captured and are on trial for their lives."

  "Oh, my," exclaimed Christiana. "Might there not be more of them?"

  "Fear not, mother," Matthew assured her. "We have Great-heart as our conductor."

  "Ah, yes," she agreed. "I had almost forgotten. Dear Mr. Watchful. You have been most kind to us since we came to this place. And while I know I can never repay you fully, please be so kind as to accept this small mite as a token of my gratitude. May it swell into great rivers of benevolence as did that of the poor widow."

  So she pressed a gold coin into his hand, which he graciously accepted, saying, "Let thy garments always be white, and let thy head be anointed with holy oil. Let Mercy live on and not die, and let not her works be few. And you, boys, be sure to flee youthful lusts, and follow after godliness as befits those who expect to inherit eternity. If you do, you shall put gladness into your mother's heart and obtain praise from all that are grave and wise."

  CHAPTER XV

  The Valley of Humility

  So they thanked the Porter and departed - Prudence and Piety going along as far as the Valley of Humility. Now Prudence carried a most unusual-looking lamp, which seemed a bit out of place on such a bright, sunny day. But, knowing that the ways of Prudence were always those of wisdom, no one questioned her, but rather waited to see what would follow.

  Now I saw in my dream that they went forward until they came to the brow of the hill which leads down into the Valley of Humility. Suddenly Piety cried out, "Oh no! I have forgotten the gift I wanted to bestow upon Christiana and her companions. I shall run back and fetch it."

  So she raced back for that which she had forgotten. While waiting, the party relaxed and enjoyed the sweet air that wafted up from the Valley. Then, from a grove just off to the right, Christiana and her band thought they heard music. But 'twas music most curious for, although the voice was that of a bird, the words were in the pilgrims' own language. Listening, they heard:

  "Through all my life Thy favor is

  So frankly showed to me.

  Than in Thy house forevermore

  My dwelling place shall be."

  Now before Christiana could ask what, or where, or how -there came an answering song from across the path saying:

  "For why? the Lord our God is good:

  His mercy is forever sure:

  His truth at all times firmly stood.

  And shall from age to age endure."

  "Prudence," queried Christiana, "whence come these lovely songs?"

  "These are our country birds you hear. And you are indeed blessed to hear them, for they rarely sing except in the warm days of spring."

  "They are lovely!"

  "Indeed," agreed Prudence. "If ever my spirits need lifting I come to the edge of Humility to hear them sing God's praises."

  "My!" exclaimed Mercy. "Wouldn't they make fine house pets!"

  "And so they do," answered Prudence. "And bright is the corner where we hang their cages."

  "Strange though, that we can hear them sing in our own tongue," observed Mercy.

  "Yes," agreed Christiana. "What an amazing thing !"

  "Ah," answered Prudence. "As you draw nearer the City, you will find that all things - from spinning galaxy to lowly rock - sing out the praises of God. Indeed, to the hearing ear, '. . . there is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard'."

  By this time Piety had returned, and, as soon as she had caught her breath, said, "Look here. I have brought you a sketch of the floor plan of our estate - all the rooms, and gardens, and parables are laid out in order that you may call them to mind during hard times. Remember that 'there is nothing to fear for the future except that you shall forget how God has led you in the past'."

  So I saw that t
hey began to wend their way down the steep and treacherous trail that leads into the Valley of Humiliation. But knowing themselves to be weak, they relied much upon the strong arm of Great-heart and the wise direction of Prudence and Piety. Indeed, so cautious were they that they got themselves clean to the bottom with scarcely a slip and nary a fall. When they were safely down, Piety said to Christiana, "This is where your husband had that dreadful fight with the foul fiend, Apollyon. But be of good courage, for as long as you have Great-heart as your conductor, you are sure to fare better than he."

 

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