Christiana

by Jim Pappas

  "Please, Lovey. Just for one teensy, weensy moment?"

  "I . . . "

  "Please, my beloved. I do miss thee so."

  "And I thee. But . . ."

  "But what?"

  "Hmmm. Stand thee up. Let me look at you."

  "But I am so weak!"

  "I shall help you."

  "But I . . . "

  "Please!"

  "Well, all right, if you insist. Help me."

  "Yes, of course. There you are. Hmmm."

  "How do I look? I do hope I have not grown plump in your absence. Some women do that, you know. Eat and eat and eat when they are lonesome. Stand-fast? Why are you looking at me so funny that way?"

  "Hmmm. The face and body belong to Marriana."

  "Yes."

  "And the speech and voice are hers . . . "

  "But of course!"

  "And even the smell of the breath and the gentle caress upon my neck is hers . . . "

  "What else would you expect, silly man? I have not forgotten what giveth thee pleasure."

  "But . . . "

  "But! But what?"

  "Your words . . . "

  "What about them?"

  "They are words of delay, of indulgence, of disobedience!"

  "Husband!"

  "They are like the words Eve employed to tempt father Adam."

  "Eve!"

  "And yet, they come from the mouth of my wife!"

  "Stand-fast, dear! Don't hurt me with such suspicious words. Here, let me hold you."

  "No. Stand back."

  "Oh, Stand-fast. Your arms! So masculine!"

  "Stand back!"

  "Me? Stand back? Nay, but I will . . . "

  "Let me go!"

  "Beloved, I . . . "

  Stand-fast resists “Marianna” with the Word of God.

  "I said, hands off, wench!"

  "Stand-fast! Is that any way to treat your dear wife?"

  "You are no wife of mine!"

  "Yea, but I am. Touch me, hold me close and let me whisper words of love that only you and I have shared. Kiss me."

  "Back, demon!"

  "'Demon?"

  "Get thee behind me, Satan. For 'thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve'!"

  "Husband!"

  "Must I strike you with my staff?"

  "Then, dear Valiant, before my very eyes my wife dissolved into the person of Madam Bubble again. She leered at me and in a mocking voice said:

  "Do you think it would do any good, O foolish pilgrim?"

  "I knew it was you!"

  "Did you now? It certainly took you long enough. You were but a kiss away from eternal rest, you know."

  "Aye. You almost had me, for the match was perfect."

  "But of course. I have been the lead actress on many a stage. I find that I am most convincing to men when they are alone upon their bed after their wife's funeral. I am quite good at what I do."

  "So I have seen."

  "But, all acting aside, dear Stand-fast. The way is hard and my arbor is sooo cozy. Come aside with me and I shall . . . "

  "No more!"

  "I can give you . . . "

  "Nay, but I strike you with my staff! Hah!"

  "Tee, hee, hee! What is a staff to me? Come rest for but one moment."

  "Why, the nerve of the fiend!" exclaimed Valiant-for-truth indignantly.

  "Aye," answered Stand-fast. "'Twas indeed a fiend."

  "So how did you get rid of her . . . er, rather . . . 'him'?"

  "I don't know, sir. I could neither persuade it nor force it to flee. When I turned to run, it seized my cloak and I had to leave it in her hand."

  "Like Joseph!"

  "Yes. But even then she pursued me until I fell on my knees and cried out to the God of heaven to save me!"

  "And then was it gone?"

  "Nay. Not at the first. But I remembered to obey the words of James. So I first turned to God. Then I resisted the devil and believed the word of God which saith that 'when the enemy comes in like a flood, then shall the Lord lift up a standard against him'."

  "And then was it gone?"

  "Yes! Yes, yes, yes! The Spirit did intercede for me with groanings and utterances that cannot be spoken! Victory was mine!"

  "Praise God!" shouted Valiant-for-truth.

  "Praise God!" shouted all the women.

  "Hip, hip, hurrah!" cheered the young men.

  "Yippee! Yahoo!" cried the children.

  "Aye. Praise God indeed," said Stand-fast, who had broken a sweat in the recounting of his harrowing ordeal. "But I assure you that I was not about to risk another encounter. That is why you saw me running when you called. Yea, I had a hard time stopping."

  "Why?" asked Valiant.

  "Because I thought you were just another manifestation of the same temptation."

  "Well," said Great-heart, "'tis no wonder that the sound of thy voice was so urgent."

  "Aye. I was fighting for my very life."

  "Indeed. This woman is a witch and it is by her sorceries that this ground is enchanted. 'Twas she that set Absalom against his father, and Jeroboam against his master. 'Twas she that persuaded Judas to sell his Lord, and prevailed with Demas to forsake the pilgrim's life. None can tell of the mischief that she doeth. She makes variance betwixt rulers and subjects, betwixt parents and children, 'twixt neighbor and neighbor, 'twixt a man and his wife, 'twixt a man and himself, 'twixt the flesh and the heart. Yea, they that lay their head in her lap had just as well use a chopping block for their pillow."

  "As did 'ole Self-will!" put in Benjamin.

  "Aye," continued Great-heart. "Our Lord has said that even to lay lustful eyes upon her, or her human sisters, is to commit adultery."

  "Oh," exclaimed Stand-fast, "what a miracle of grace that I could resist her, for who knows where she would have led me!"

  "Hah! I know!" sneered Great-heart. "Into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in perdition, that's where!"

  "Aye," agreed Stand-fast. "Praise God I was delivered."

  "Yes, praise God indeed," agreed Christiana.

  "Indeed," said Old-honest. "It was good, Master Stand-fast, that you were true to your name. 'Be thou faithful unto death and thou shalt inherit a crown of life'."

  "Thank you," said Stand-fast. "And now may I put my thoughts into a verse?"

  "Of course," answered Great-heart. "Say on."

  "What danger is the pilgrim in!

  How many are his foes!

  How many ways there are to sin,

  No living mortal knows!

  Some of the ditch shy are, yet can

  Lie tumbling in the mire:

  Some, though they shun the frying pan,

  Do leap into the fire."

  "Aha! A very good verse!" proclaimed Old-honest with a chuckle. "But do tell, sir, are you truly alone?"

  "Aye," answered Stand-fast, lowering his head in sadness. "I am alone."

  "But as I recall, you have a family - your lovely wife the duchess and four young children."

  "Five children, sir. There was a wee one born on the eve of my departure."

  "Ah. So you could not persuade Marriana to join you then?"

  "Nay. Though I pleaded as for my own life, she would not hear of it. We were wealthy and the thought of leaving all was more than she could bear. She is stuck fast to the treasures of this world and I fear I will never see her again. Yea, though I knew that it was a demon I saw just now, I wished with all my heart to believe it was she. Oh!" said Stand-fast, turning away to conceal his tears. "Oh, how the very thought of her doth break my heart in two!"

  "Weep not, gentle Stand-fast," encourage Christiana tenderly.

  "I'm sorry, Madam. But I cannot help it by reason of the love that I bear for her."

  "I understand," sympathized she, "but there is yet hope."

  "How can there be?" he sobbed. "She stayed behind."

  "As did I."

  "You? Who . . . ?"

  "I am Christ
iana."

  "Christiana? Christiana! The wife of Christian, the pilgrim?"

  "Aye, the same. I was once such a stubborn one as your wife is. But, as you can see, the prayers of my husband have been more than answered."

  "Then . . . then there is hope?" he asked earnestly, wiping away tears with his sleeve. "Is there really hope?"

  "Oh, aye," affirmed Christiana confidently. "Better than hope, for now we shall all join thee in thy prayers."

  "Then there is hope! Ah, thank you, dear woman. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

  "Dear Stand-fast?" said Mercy.

  "Yes, Ma'am?"

  "I am Mercy. Your wife and I were best of friends."

  "Mercy? Ah, the famous Mercy! Yes, I remember my wife making mention of you often."

  "Be pleased to know, sir, that I have been praying for Marriana every day since I came on pilgrimage. And God has given me the assurance that our prayers will be answered. The Lord says that though the answer tarry, we must wait for it."

  "Yes, Ma'am. Thank you so much - both of you."

  With such kind words did Christiana and Mercy comfort Stand-fast and encourage him in his way.

  Now the witch was the last of the temptations in that dreary place and, to the great relief of all, the Enchanted Ground was soon left far behind them.

  CHAPTER XXX

  The Land of Beulah

  After this, I beheld until they came unto the land of Beulah, where the sun shines night and day. Here, because they were weary, they be took themselves to rest awhile. And because this country was maintained for the benefit of pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards belonged to the King of the Celestial Country, they felt at perfect liberty to partake of His choicest fruits.

  The Pilgrims at rest in the land of Beulah

  Here there were many citizens going to and fro with praises to God upon every lip. Here too the Shining Ones were frequently seen walking among the people. And whenever a new band of pilgrims came there, the people would call to each other across the park or town square saying;

  "Have you heard? More pilgrims have come to town today."

  "And our last group went over the river this morning!" another would call back. "They have gone through the pearly gates and are safe forever!"

  The shouting of the townspeople, the ringing of bells, and the blowing of trumpets prevented the weary pilgrims from sleeping as much as they wished. But no matter, for they found that in the land of Beulah, a short cat-nap was worth a good night's sleep.

  The little ones made merry with other children of that happy place and chased the ducks and pigeons in the parks. Wee little Ellen found herself a kitten to love and Benjamin and Christopher became the proud owners of a fine puppy. As I was amusing myself with the beholding of these things, I heard Samuel address himself to Matthew, saying:

  "Matthew, what are all these angels for?"

  "I don't know," answered he. "Let's ask one of the townsfolk. Uh, excuse me, sir. Uh, what are all these shining ones here for?"

  "Why, they are here to greet thee and comfort thee after thy wearisome journey," answered the citizen.

  "Did you hear, boys?" exclaimed Matthew. "We are here! We are really here! Mother! Can you believe it! We are actually here!"

  Then Christiana turned to Great-heart as if afraid to believe her senses, and asked, "Great-heart, is it true? Are we here?"

  "Aye," answered he triumphantly. "As soon as you cross over the river, you shall be with the King. He shall serve you with His own hand and walk and talk with you as with a familiar friend."

  "Oh, blessed thought!" thrilled Christiana. "So long dreamed of, so earnestly fought for! And now! Now! 'Tis almost come to pass!"

  "Aye!" agreed Great-heart, his own heart warmed by playing the midwife at the birth of such joys.

  "Then," said Christiana, signaling to her four boys to gather round, "with your permission, my boys have a custom to observe."

  "Oh?" answered Great-heart. "Which?"

  "Boys! Ready?" called she.

  "Ready!" answered they as gleefully as little children.

  Then cried Christiana joyfully, "Hip, hip . . . "

  "Hurrah!" Shouted they at top volume,

  "Hip, hip . . ."

  "Hurrah!"

  "Hip, hip . . ."

  "Hurrah!"

  Then the entire band joined in shouting, "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" at the top of their lungs. Ready-to-halt threw his cap into the air and once again danced a jig with Miss Much-afraid. Old Mr. Honest kicked up his heels a time or two and even Mr. Feeble-mind managed a heartfelt grin.

  Then the pilgrims got up and wandered to and fro to explore the place. And how their ears were now filled with heavenly noises and their eyes delighted with celestial visions! In this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelled nothing, tasted nothing that was in any way offensive.

  Now there came a day when Christiana and her boys were inclined to go down to the river. So down to the river they went.

  "My!" exclaimed Christiana as she saw the mighty waters rushing swiftly all white with foam. "This is indeed a fearsome river!"

  "Aye," agreed Matthew, lost in admiration for the father who had crossed over so courageously.

  "'Tis no wonder your father feared to cross over," said Christiana in awe.

  "But look!" said Matthew, whose eyes had traveled beyond the river. "On the far shore we can see the highlands of heaven!"

  "I can see the gates of the City!" shouted Samuel.

  "And there is the New Jerusalem itself!" cried Joseph.

  "My, Christiana!" exclaimed Mercy, lost in rapt amazement. "I never dreamed that it would be so huge!"

  "Aye," agreed Christiana reverently. "And I'll wager that we are seeing only a small corner. See how the walls extend behind those glorious mountains!"

  "Ah," sighed Mercy. "I suppose we shall only know of its true glories by going there."

  "And I'll wager that when we arrive, it will take us years to explore all of its many wonders," added Christiana.

  "Say," suggested Joseph, "let's take a taste of the water of this river." So they each took a drink therefrom and found that, although it was a bit bitterish to the tongue, it proved quite sweet when once 'twas down (And this is in agreement with the experience of all).

  Now along the banks of this river was a wall etched with the names of all that have been pilgrims. Also a history of some of their famous deeds. Then James, who had been searching among them, suddenly shouted:

  "Mother, come over here! Look!"

  "What is it, James?" inquired Christiana, hobbling over as best she could (for I must inform you that many years have passed since the beginning of my dream, and Christiana was feeling a bit creaky in her bones).

  "Look!" said he excitedly. "This wall has all the names of pilgrims who have crossed over this river!"

  "Indeed?"

  "Aye," he replied. "There must be uncounted millions listed here! Maybe billions!"

  "All whose names are entered and retained in the Lamb's Book of Life. See if we can find father's name here."

  So they all set themselves to the task of finding a memorial to their loved one.

  "Look at the inscription next to this name," called Joseph. "'Mighty-man - river a'raging'. I wonder what that means?"

  "Don't know," returned James. "This one here says: 'Wee-maid - river a'tricklin'."

  "Look here," called Matthew. "This one says: 'Weary-mother - river very low'."

  "But this one says: 'Mr. Vanquish-all - river overflowing,'" put in Samuel.

  "Look!" Look, look, look! cried Mercy. "You won't believe it! This one says 'Mr. Fearing - river nigh unto dry.'"

  "Indeed!" exclaimed Christiana, limping over to see for herself. "Ah, wonderful! So Mr. Fearing really did cross over!"

  "Aye," answered Mercy. "And apparently nearly dry-shod at that."

  "Then it appears that the river rises or falls in accordance with the faith of those crossing over," conclud
ed Christiana.