Christiana

by Jim Pappas

  Look upon it from another angle and you will see the very face and similitude of the Prince of pilgrims Himself. Yea, I have spoke with them that have used said looking-glass. They assure me that they have seen therein the very crown of thorns upon His head, the wounds in His hands, His feet, and His side - wounds from whence now shine forth the bright beams of His glory.

  'Tis further said that by looking from various and sundry angles, one can see Him in His life or His death, in His humiliation or His exaltation, in heaven or on earth, coming to suffer or coming to reign. All who gaze into this glass for any length of time become possessed with a burning desire to be like Him; for they see Him as He is, and by beholding become changed. Now this is the wondrous glass for which Mercy did long.

  So it was that soon Christiana and Mercy were granted an audience with the shepherds. After some small pleasantries, Knowledge leaned forward upon his staff and said, "And now, dear Christiana and fair Mercy, what be the cause for which you have called us all together? Ask what you will and it shall be given you of your Father."

  "Dear sirs," began Christiana a bit hesitantly (for she suddenly began to understand the enormity of her request), "my daughter Mercy has conceived a longing in her heart for something she has seen in this, thy house."

  "Oh?" answered Knowledge, with a knowing glance at his brothers.

  "Yes, my lord. In fact, so great is her longing that she fears she shall miscarry if her desire should be denied."

  "Indeed!" exclaimed Sincere, looking at his fellows with a serious look that did not totally disguise a trace of an amused smile. "Well, we certainly can't have any miscarriages going on in Beulah land, now can we? How would that reflect upon our hospitality?"

  "Not very well, brother Sincere," answered Watchful with an assumed air of gravity. "Neither would the King of the Hill be very pleased with our neglect; for He has a deep love for the little one who swims about in the tiny ocean beneath this young lady's heart."

  "Indeed," agreed Sincere. "So. What is this thing that you would have, dear Mercy? We shall grant it if we can."

  "Unto the half of our kingdom," added Knowledge.

  At this, Christiana glanced over at Mercy, whose head was bowed in silent prayer. But feeling her mother's gaze upon her, she looked up with a hopeful smile and began. "I, uh . . . " stammered she before becoming suddenly speechless and blushing.

  "Don't be shy," urged Experience.

  "No," encouraged Watchful, "for 'tis our delight to give good gifts unto pilgrims."

  "Not only our delight," added Knowledge, "but our duty. For our Lord has given us a charge to give as He has given to us - with 'good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over'. Therefore, what would you have from us?"

  From such good assurances, Mercy gathered courage to believe that her request might indeed be granted her. Therefore she at last blurted out, "Sirs, what I have my longing for is the wonderful looking-glass that hangs in the dining room."

  Then there was a moment of stunned silence. The shepherds glanced gravely upon each other with raised brows and expressions of wonder. Seeing this, Mercy conceived that she had committed some severe breach of etiquette and trembled for what might be its consequences.

  "The looking-glass!" exclaimed Experience at last - a look of amazement on his face.

  "She wants the looking-glass!" burst forth Sincere in shock.

  "The looking-glass!" cried Watchful, starting to his feet. "Can you imagine, boys? She wants the looking-glass."

  "Do you think she knows that it took a lifetime of labor to pay for such a glass as that?" queried Experience. "Nay. But I doubt it. Doubt it, I do."

  Now Mercy, taking these exclamations of amazement to be indignant commentary upon her presumption, began to experience hot flashes and broke into a frightened sweat. She bowed her head and began to prepare for a hasty retreat, saying, "Oh, forgive me, my lords. I knew it was precious to you, for I have oft seen you gazing deep into its depths. That is why I was so shy about asking for it. I'm sorry. You shall hear no more of it from me, I promise you. I'm sorry. So sorry."

  Now Mercy had gathered her skirts about her and was turned to depart when Knowledge cried out, "Nay! Nay. Do not go, dear Mercy. We stand in open-mouthed amazement, not at your audacity, but at your wisdom."

  "What?" said she, scarce daring believe what she was hearing.

  "Yea, wisdom," continued he gently, for he had perceived the tears of disappointment welling up in Mercy's eyes. "Verily, dear Mercy, of all the treasures of this house, this is the greatest of all! You have chosen wisely and you shall surely have the desire of your heart. Brother Sincere?"

  "Yes," answered he eagerly. "I'll fetch it for her."

  Then Mercy lowered her head and gave thanks saying, "Oh, thank you very, very much, my lords. By this I know that I have obtained favor in your eyes."

  So Sincere returned bearing the precious looking-glass which he bestowed upon Mercy, saying, "See that you keep it clean."

  "Oh, I shall, sir. Indeed I shall. Is there a special soap I should use?"

  "Nay. There is no soap on earth that can keep this mirror clean."

  "Then how can I . . . "

  "The only way to keep this mirror clear is by looking into it each and every day: morning, night, and noon. Do you understand my meaning?"

  "Aye. Understand I do," said she.

  And so the wondrous glass was given to Mercy while other precious gifts were imparted to her sisters. Yea, Christiana and her daughters were bedecked with fine linen and given rare stones and jewels for their dowry. Moreover, Great-heart and his men were all given medals of honor for their courage in pulling down Despair and his castle of doubt.

  The shepherds adorn the pilgrims

  Now all too soon it was time to resume their journey. Then Great-heart was given a map of the way and certain directions which had formerly been given to Christian and Hopeful. From thence they went on singing:

  "Behold, how fitly are the stages set

  For their relief that pilgrims are become;

  And how they us receive without one let,

  That make the other life our mark and home.

  What novelties they have - to us they give,

  That we, though pilgrims, joyful lives may live;

  They do upon us too - such things bestow,

  That show we pilgrims are where'er we go."

  When they were gone forth from the shepherds, they quickly came to the place where Christian had met with one Turn-away, that dwelt in the town of Apostasy. "This is the place where Christian saw old Turn-away being carried off by seven demons," explained Great-heart. Pointing to a nearby hillside, he called their attention to a small iron door that had yellowish-gray smoke curling out from about all four sides.

  Evangelist trying to persuade Turn-away to resume his pilgrimage

  "And there is the place wherein he was tossed by the demon Legalicus and his motly crew. For he not only turned back from 'the way', but despised the cross and even fought with Evangelist when he would have turned him back to his journey."

  CHAPTER XXVII

  Mr. Valiant-for-truth

  Then they went on, and just at the place where Little-faith had been robbed in the time of Christian's passage, there stood a man with his sword drawn and his face all bloody. When he saw the little band approach, he took a defensive stance and challenged their leader, saying, "Who be you? And whose servant?"

  "I am Great-heart, servant of the Almighty and a conductor of pilgrims. And you?"

  "My name is Valiant-for-truth," answered he. "I too am a pilgrim bound for the Celestial City."

  "Valiant-for-truth!" exclaimed Great-heart enthusiastically. "Why, I have heard good things of you! Come, good fellow. Put up thy weapon. Sit down on this log and let us treat your wounds. We have ointments and bandages aplenty as well as some amazing pills from Dr. Skill. This good woman here can dress your wounds with all the skill and gentleness of a nurse."

  So the
man relaxed his guard and Christiana prepared to cleanse and dress his wounds, which, although many, were all slight. "Here," said she to the man, "let me remove thy helmet."

  "Ahhh. Thank you, Ma'am. Thank you very much."

  "I see you have come fresh from the battle," observed Great-heart, glancing about for any sign of danger. "Do we need to post a guard?"

  "A guard! Ha!" snorted Valiant derisively. "Such chicken-hearts as they would not so much as show their faces to such a brave band as this."

  "My!" exclaimed Christiana, as she finally got down to the skin. "You have taken a nasty slice or two!"

  "Aye," he answered grimly. "But I assure you, Madam, I gave more than I received."

  "Ah, thou art a courageous soldier of the cross," said she. "Try to be brave a bit longer as I cleanse these wounds and apply the cure."

  "I'll do my best, Ma'am. Ouch! Oooh!"

  "I'm sorry. I'll be as gentle as I can."

  "So what happened?" asked Great-heart. "Tell us your tale, man."

  "Well, I was in the way here (ouch!) when three scoundrels accosted me. The leader was named Wild-head. He stood arrogantly in the midst of the path and offered me three choices: first, that I might become one of them; or, second, that I might turn me back to my country; or, third, that I might die upon the spot (which made me think: 'It will take better scoundrels than you to accomplish that one')."

  Wild-head the Bandit

  "Why, the nerve!" exclaimed Great-heart. "And how did you answer him?"

  "To your first question," said I, "It appears to me that you are runagates and thieves."

  " 'Tis a practical profession in these parts," answered another who went by the name of Pragmatic, "what with all so many pilgrims coming and going."

  "Cut the chatter!" commanded Wild-head. "Will you join us or no?"

  "I have ever been a man of honor since beginning my pilgrimage. I will never abandon my principles."

  "Then will you turn back?" demanded the third named Inconsiderate.

  "I answered by - (ouch! . . .)"

  "Sorry," said Christiana tenderly. "But we do need to get these wounds clean or they will fester."

  "I know, I know," answered Valiant bravely. "Do as you must."

  "I'll be as soft as I can. Please go on with your story."

  "As I was saying, I told them that I had been a man of wealth and leisure in my time and that if I had been mindful of such things as that, I would not have come this hazardous way. I further told them that I had counted the cost and had, of my own free choice, left family, wealth, and honor to embark upon this hard way."

  "Bravo!" cheered Great-heart, accompanied by grins and thumbs-up from the boys.

  "Then you will surrender your life, will you, old man?" threatened Wild-head.

  "My life is too dear to give away cheaply," said I. "Further more you have no right to put such evil choices to a child of the King. Therefore, by meddling in sacred things you put yourselves in more danger than you know.''

  "Then to arms, men!" shouted Wild-head. Whereupon all three drew their swords against me and I against them. We fell to it briskly and for about 3 hours I kept them in a puffing sweat. But they were young and I was old. They were three and I was one. They could rest by turns while I must fight on. So I felt my strength beginning to ebb and I shudder to think what another hour might have done. 'Tis good they heard you coming."

  Valiant-for-truth beset by bandits

  "Three against one! Those were great odds!" exclaimed Great-heart.

  "'Tis true," agreed Valiant-for-truth. "But few or many, great or small, it matters not to he that has truth on his side. King David once said, 'Though an host should encamp against me my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident'."

  "Ah, brave words indeed," said Great-heart. "And a brave man thou art."

  "No braver than some of the great ones of Scripture, dear Great-heart," replied Valiant. "How many was it that Samson slew with the jawbone of an ass?"

  "A thousand! But tell me something, Mr. Valiant. Why didn't you cry out for help? Had we heard you, we might have been here sooner."

  "Cry out I did," answered Valiant. "Sent up a thousand prayers to my King! But had I cried aloud, they might have perceived my growing weakness and pressed in for the kill. As it was, I kept them hanging in doubt and so they hung back. And, as for God's help, did you not arrive in His good time?"

  Mr. Valiant-for-truth

  "Hmmm. You are not only brave," proclaimed Great-heart, "but a man of great faith as well. I wish I'd had your help against a couple of giants a ways back."

  "Slay-good and Despair?"

  "Aye."

  "Right villainous knaves! The both of them! I had thoughts of engaging them myself. But since I had no one to back me in prayer, I prayed God to send someone better than I. Which, I see, He did."

  "Better only in that I had this dear woman and her prayer warriors to lift up their hands in my behalf. Besides that, I had Old-honest here and these four young soldiers to help me."

  "Hmmm. Yes, what a blessing."

  "Valiant, may I see your sword?"

  "Certainly," said he, drawing it out a bit gingerly by reason of his stiffening wounds. "Ah! There you be."

  "Hmm, nice," said Great-heart as he examined the weapon admiringly. "Very nice! If I am not mistaken, this is made of Jerusalem steel."

  "Aye. So it is," agreed Valiant-for-truth proudly. "Bestow such a blade as this upon a man well trained in its use, and he may engage angels with it."

  "Ah, as I can see," agreed Great-heart. "I wish I'd had use of it against Giant Despair. Why, I had like to have dulled my edge trying to kill that one!"

  "Not so with a Jerusalem blade, Great-heart. It is 'sharper than any [other] two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart'. Moreover, its edges never grow dull with use but rather sharper."

  "That I can see," said Great-heart as he returned the precious weapon to its owner. It is certainly a fine weapon God has given you. But tell me, having fought on for three hours, were you not weary?"

  "Weary! Hah! Why, I fought until it seemed as if the sword were a living part of my arm. And when I felt my own blood run warm through my fingers, why, 'twas then that I fought with the greater zeal."

  "Ah, greatly to be admired is courage such as this!" said Great-heart. "You have resisted unto blood in your strife against sin. Abide with us, for we are flesh of thy flesh and bone of thy bones."

  By now Christiana had finished washing and dressing Valiant's wounds and had given him some of Dr. Skill's marvelous medicine. She also gave him a generous helping of food from their own provisions of which he partook gratefully. So he was refreshed and joined them on their march towards the City.

  As they went on and conversed, Great-heart felt his spirit greatly drawn out to the man, for Valiant-for-truth was all that his name implied. Now seeing that Valiant had much wisdom and experience to impart, Great-heart wisely asked questions whose answers might bless and encourage the weak and feeble among them.

  "Tell us, Mr. Valiant-for-truth. Where do you hail from?"

  "I come from the province known as Dark-land. I was born in the city of Darkness and my parents abide there still."

  "Darkness, do you say? Hmmm. Isn't the city of Darkness just a few degrees off from the City of Destruction?"

  "Aye. Close enough to be swallowed up in the same flames that are soon to fall upon that place."

  "So what caused you to start on pilgrimage?"

  "Well, there came a man into our parts named Mr. Tell-true. He was a traveling minstrel and also a seller of pearls and fine silks. Wherever he went he would sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Most who heard it thought it merely a pleasant ballad of love and war. But I had been yearning all my days for a reason for my life. And I tell you, Great-heart - as soon as the harmonious strains of that song pie
rced my ears, my heart was touched. This was the answer. This was true truth!"

  "Indeed?"

  "Oh, aye. Verily. The man also sang about a great one named Christian who had forsaken home and country, wife and children, rather than abandon the love he bore for the hero of that song. Ah! How it made my heart burn within me to hear of such love as his!"