constantly in my ears, 'turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die." Then I thought If what these watchmen say be true, it is as bad to stay in the city as to travel by the trains,' and I thought I could never again enter the city, and, as I wandered up and down, restless and wretched, I saw a sign-post-' To the Celestial City.' Upon examining it more closely I saw written :-' Ye have not yet resisted unto death, striving against sin. Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet.' I did not stay to read further, but set off at once. I met with nothing remarkable, and was just beginning to think there would be nothing to bear and nothing to brave. When I saw those red berries I tried to climb the path, but slipped down again and again, and just when other boys would have given it up, I determined that I would not be conquered by a little bank by the road-side, and I seemed to want the berries all the more because they were difficult to get; so I made another effort, climbed the bank, and filled my pockets with the berries. You know the rest of my story, but you do not know how thankful I am to the Lord of the Way for healing me, and sending me two fellow-travellers. Let us thank God, and take courage."

CHAPTER V.

Earnest and Lowly then told Fearless how they had lived merrily in the city, and danced and played, thinking themselves as good as their neighbours, and fancying that such good children as they were must be saved when the city was burnt up, when one evening they heard one of the faithful ones cry, 'Rejoice in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the days of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes, but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." They went home sorrowful, but neither told the other what was passing in his mind. But the next morning's dance had no charms for them, and after it was over (as you have heard) they determined to leave all, and journey to the heavenly city. As they thus walked and talked together, they travelled far on their

were

heavenly way, and at length sat down to rest, being very weary. Sleep overtook them, and they slumbered long and heavily, till they awakened by a loud voice, saying, "Arise and depart, for this is not your rest." They started up, and found the air damp and chilly. Dark clouds were drifting along the sky, and a tempest was gathering over their heads. They looked about in every direction, uncertain whether to proIceed, or take shelter under a tree, when all at once Earnest bethought him of his guide-book. He looked eagerly at it, but his eyes were still heavy with slumber, so that he could not read, but he prayed, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wonderful things out of thy law." Suddenly his sight became more clear, and he saw distinctly "A Lodge for Pilgrims" marked on the map, a few yards from the place they were now in. They had not been able to see this building on account of the trees by which it was surrounded. They ran on, and had but just reached the gate, crying, "Hide me from the windy storm and tempest," when the door was opened by a porter, and they remembered it was recorded in their guide-book, "In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me." So the storm raged without, but they felt it not, for they slept sweetly in the shelter their Lord had provided for them. In the morning the porter wakened them, and gave them provisions for their day's journey. Earnest drew Lowly aside, and begged her to ask the porter for food for two days, lest they should not meet with a house on the following day. "Trust," (for that was the porter's name) said, "Nay, my little friends, not so. In your book you may read, 'Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof,' and yet, again, 'Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Take no thought for the morrow.' Then he bade them farewell, and sent them away with a blessing. So they set forth once more, refreshed and strengthened, and journeyed on for many miles. But the day was hot, and at noon they were weary and exhausted, so that they could go no farther. Lowly began to droop, and they were compelled to halt awhile

till she recovered. Then Earnest and Fearless led her between them, and cheered her with words from their precious guide-book, for there was a word in season for them at all times. Then Lowly saw a high rock before them. They hastened up to it, and there rested awhile in the shadow of that great rock in a weary land. They took some refreshment, and washed their feet at a stream that ran hard by. Moreover, they drank heartily from a spring that gushed from the side of the rock where they sat. When they were quite rested they arose, and continued their journey. The waters from that precious rock had so cheered and strengthened them that they walked bravely on, singing:

"O Lord, another day is gone
And we have been protected;
And ever as we've journey'd on
Our steps have been directed."
Preserve us safe, defend us still,
And let us never wander,
Till we arrive at Zion's hill

That glorious city yonder.
Where all is rest, and joy, and love,
Where we shall grieve Thee never;
But soar aloft, to dwell above,

With our Great King for ever."

The breezes blew softly, and the little birds sang their evening hymns to their Creator. Thus they went onward, till the shadows closed round them like curtains. But they had no fear of the darkness. They knew that their Lord had given His angels charge concerning them, and that no harm could befal them. Very soon the large round moon rose in the east, and shed her soft, sweet light on their path. After a while they entered a thick grove whose trees shut out the light of the moon, and they were beginning to grow weary again, when they saw down a short lane, a lodge, with a lamp burning in front. They went to it, and knocked long and loud for entrance, but no one answered them. The watch-dog too, began to bark furiously, and poor little Lowly trembled so that she could hardly stand. But Fearless comforted her in his usual way, "Fear not, my staff will keep him at a distance." But still the children knocked without any answer, till they were perplexed, and knew not what to do. It was too dark to see the plans on their map, and they dared not go back out of the

grove, when suddenly Lowly recollected her lamp of faith. It had hung at her side ever since she left the wicket-gate. She soon kindled it, and sat down to examine her map. There she saw the house marked plainly, and by it was written, "Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away." Then it came into their mind (what they had not thought of before) that the lodge was not in their path, but down a short turning to the left. Then they hastened into the narrow path once more, and through the grove, lighted by the lamp of faith. "O! how good is our Heavenly Father," said they, "He hath not left us without a guide on our journey. We thought it hard that no one answered our loud knockings, yet, if we had had our desire, and had been admitted to that house, what would have become of us?" Then they thanked their gracious Saviour, who had delivered them in His own way, and had not left them to trust in their own understanding. When they had passed through the grove all was bright moonlight again, and they went on joyfully till they saw a "House for Pilgrims" before them. The kind host took them in, fed them, and conducted them to their chambers, for they were very weary with their long day's travel. They slumbered till the dawn of the next day, and their sleep was sweet unto them. Then they awoke, greatly refreshed and strengthened, and thanking their good friend, they offered their prayers and praises to the Lord of the Way, who had put it into his heart to show kindness to them, and set out on another day's journey.

CHAPTER VI.

It was a bright morning, and our young friends walked cheerfully onwards till they were weary, for the road is up-hill all the way to Mount Zion (except the descent of the Hill Difficulty, and the Delectable Mountains). As the sun rose it beat fiercely on their heads, so that they were wellnigh exhausted. Now Fearless began to complain, saying, "It is better for me to die than to live." But Lowly reasoned with him, saying, "Doest thou well to be angry?" And he said, "I do well to be angry."

So

Then Earnest and Lowly left reasoning with him, seeing he was wise in his own conceit. But they besought the Lord and He prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over them that it might be a shadow over them, to deliver them from their grief. they were exceeding glad of the gourd, and rested in its shadow all that day and night. But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered, and it came to pass when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind, and the sun beat upon the head of Fearless that he fainted, and wished in himself, to die, and said, "It is better for me to die than to live." But his friends betook themselves to

prayer in their distress. They read also in their guide-book the history of three children, who were cast into a fiery furnace, and were not burnt. Then said they, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, and in Him we trust." Then were they strengthened, and soon afterwards the wind changed; and there arose a cloud which increased in size till it covered the heavens, and there was a sweet refreshing shower. After a while the rain ceased, the sun shone out, and there was a beautiful rainbow seen in the heavens. Then they remembered another part of their guide-book, in which it was written, "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth." Now, I saw in my dream that Fearless lay fainting on the ground, and Earnest and Lowly thought he was dead, and they wept much at his unhappy end. They thought it would be useless to speak to him, and yet they could not bear to leave him a second time lifeless. Then they recollected another verse of their Book, "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." They prayed earnestly to their Father in heaven to restore their erring companion; and while they were yet speaking, he came slowly towards them. The cooling shower had fallen on his fevered body and revived him. So he arose and sought for his staff, which he had thrown from him in his anger, and leaning on it he joined his friends before they had finished their supplications. They welcomed him back right lovingly, while he rejoiced with trembling. Then they went on to

the Interpreter's house. The porter quickly opened the door to them, and they were very glad to rest themselves, being extremely weary. They spent the remainder of the day in sweet converse with the inhabitants of the house, and went early to rest. In the morning they were awakened by the birds singing sweetly outside their windows. They arose quickly, and after thanking their Heavenly Father for His care of them, they descended to the hall, where they were joined by all the members of the household. After a plentiful and wholesome repast, their host proceeded to show them some of the wonders of the place, as he does to all those pilgrims who sojourn at his house. They went into a large empty room, lighted by a skylight at the top. There they were left alone for a short time, and they began to wonder why they had been brought there, for there was no furniture of any kind, nor any windows out of which they might take a survey of the prospect around the house. At last, Lowly espied a number of small holes or openings in the walls, fitted with glass. These had been unnoticed by her companions, they had been looking higher, and so failed to perceive them.

Lowly peeped through one of them and saw a large green meadow, covered with sheep. A shepherd was lying asleep on a flowery bank, but the sheep looked frightened, and bleated piteously. Then a great fierce wolf leaped into the fold, and the shepherd awoke, and, seeing the wolf coming towards him, he left the sheep and fled, and the wolf attacked the poor sheep. Then came another shepherd, ruddy, and of a beautiful countenance. He had a harp in his hand, and sang hymns of praise to his Creator, while he took charge of his flock. While he was singing, there came a lion and a bear and took a lamb out of the flock, and he went out after him and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against the shepherd, he caught him by his beard, and slew him. He slew both the lion and the bear. Now Lowly was much astonished at what she saw, and she thought within herself, Surely no man could love his friends more than this good shepherd loves his sheep." But after a time this shepherd was

forced to go away to live with a king, and comfort him with his music. Then Lowly was afraid the poor sheep would perish without a keeper. But they were not left for long, for shortly afterwards the owner of the sheep came into the field. He was a great King, above all lords, and He ruled them and fed them, and watched over them. Lowly thought of a verse in her precious book (which she loved more and more every day), "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom," and she felt that she loved that blessed Shepherd with all her heart. She heard Him say, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine; and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Then little Lowly, quite forgetting where she was, fell on her knees and exclaimed aloud, "Lord, make me one of the lambs of Thy flock!" She then looked up and saw the master of the house standing by her side, and she blushed and looked frightened. he smiled kindly on her, and "Fear not, dear child, listen once more to the Good Shepherd." Then Lowly looked again through the glass and heard Him say, "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." He then asked her if she understood what she had seen?" and she said, "Not quite." Then said he, "The first shepherd of the sheep was a hireling. The sheep did not belong to him, and when the wolf came, he ran and fled. The second was keeping his father's sheep. His name was David. While he was in the field he kept the sheep well, but he had to leave them. But the Good Shepherd is the Lord of Glory who liveth, and was dead, and behold He is alive for evermore. died to save those precious sheep, and no man can take them out of His hand." Then Lowly thanked the good Interpreter, and thought much of what he had told her.

But said,

He

CHAPTER VII.

Lowly and the Interpreter then went to the place where Earnest and Fearless were looking, and their guide said "What do you see, my boys?" And Fearless said, "Sir, I have been looking at a crowd of people passing along the road. They seemed to be following some great physician, for numbers of sick persons were brought to him, and he healed them in a moment. Surely there never was such a physician before. Then I saw one poor woman trying very hard to get near this good man, but she could not speak to him for the crowd. Then she came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment. Now I heard the people saying that she had been ill for twelve years, and had spent all her money upon physicians, but none of them could heal her. But directly she touched the garment she felt well. Then the Physician turned round and said-" Who touched me?" And when all denied, one of His fol lowers said "Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou who touched me ?" But He said

Somebody hath touched me, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me." And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately; and He said unto her "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace."

Then said the Interpreter-" What can you learn from this sight?" "0! I admire that brave woman. She was not afraid of the crowd, but came right up to the Good Physician and touched His garment. That is just what I would have done." "And yet," said the Interpreter, "she was afraid of offending. She came trembling, when she thought her Lord was angry: let it teach you this lesson-always fear God, and then you will have little else to fear. Be not high-minded, but fear." Then Fearless coloured, and the tears came into his eyes as he remem bered how he had rebelled and murmured against his heavenly Father. Their guide then turned to Earnest, and asked what he had been looking at. "I have been watching that same Physician, Sir, and a woman came to

Him as He sat in a house, and she fell at His feet, and cried unto Him, saying 'Have mercy on me, O! Lord, Thou Son of David, my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.' But He answered her not a word; and I wondered that He did not speak to her, and supposed that the woman would have gone away, think. ing she had displeased her Lord. But still she cried for help. Then His friends besought Him, saying-'Send her away, for she crieth after us.' I suppose the poor woman thought that the disciples would beg their Master to cure her daughter. Then the Physician said-'I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' Then I heard some of them that stood by, say-This woman is not a daughter of Israel; she is a Gentile.' I thought then that the woman would surely leave off praying to Him. But she came and worshipped Him, saying-Lord, help me.' But He answered and said-'It is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to dogs.' I was very sorry for the poor woman, and began to think the Physician unkind. But the woman did not seem offended or angry. answered mildly Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.' Then the Physician smiled on her and said, 'O! woman, great is thy faith. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.' And her daughter was cured that very hour."

She

we

"Well, my boy, what may learn from this story ?" "O! Sir," said Earnest, "I can learn a great deal from it. First, never to leave off praying till our prayer is answered. Secondly, never to think hard thoughts of our Lord, though He may not grant all our desires at first. Thirdly, never to pray to any one else. When that poor woman besought the disciples, instead of praying to their Lord for her, they only begged their Lord to send her away, because she cried after them." "Very good," said the Interpreter; "there is no other name given among men, whereby we may be saved, but the name of Jesus. He is the only Physician for the soul, and He gives us healing without money and without price."

CHAPTER VIII.

The good Interpreter shewed them many more views, and explained them. In one they saw the sower sowing the seed, and some fell by the way side, and was very soon picked up by the birds. Some fell on stony ground, some among thorns, and some on the good ground. When it was covered with earth, the children said "Is it not all lost? for we cannot see it." "Have patience, my little friends," replied the Interpreter. "If you were to see this same field at harvest time, you would find that the seeds had sprung up and borne some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred-fold. They then saw the prodigal son setting out on his journey with his portion, and the same son wasting his substance in riotous living. Then feeding the swine, whose food he would gladly have shared, but no man gave unto him. When he was nearly starved with hunger he thought of his kind father and his dear home, and said'I will arise and go to my father.'" "I should think his father would have nothing more to do with him after his having left him in that undutiful manner," said Earnest. "God's thoughts are not as our thoughts, neither are His ways as our ways. Look at the other end of the picture." Then they saw that while he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion on him, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said-"Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." But the father said

-"Bring forth the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet, and bring hither the fatted calf, and let us eat and be merry, for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found,' and they began to be merry. Then said Lowly-"How pleased his elder brother must have been. I know I should be, if my brother were lost and found again." "Alas! no," said their guide. "Hear him asking the servants what these things mean, and see him come to his father complaining that he had never had a kid given to him, though he had served his father those many years. The father answered his ungrateful son with the greatest mildness-Son, thou art ever