The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-12
AP0LLYON'S DARTS.
The Rev. Mr.. Sender Adapts a
Story From "The Pilgrims
Progress"

In the series OF sermons Pastor John L.
Scudder, Of the Tabernacle, is at present
preaching upon Bunyan's "Pilgrim's
Progress" the eloquent preacher last
night preached on the subject, palace
Beautiful. and described the fight which
took place between Christian and ApolI-
yon in the Valley of Humiliation.
Last Sabbath evening"" he said, 1--WE
saw Christian safely escoused within the
Palace Beautiful. He had climbed the
Hill of Difficulty, passed the lions which
threatened 20 destroy him. aud found in
this palace a must enjoyable place in
which to pass the night"
The pastor described Christians awak-
ening In the morning in the Chamber of
Peace amid floods of sunlight with a
song upon his lips. aud said. "Tis well
to commence the day with praise to God"
as Christian did, aud to have the fra
grance Of thanksgiving abide with you
through all the busy hours which fol-
low. After dining Christian was taken
into a large chamber, where records OF
greatest antiquity were shown him.
FROM this literary retreat he was led into
another room called the armory. Here
he was shown q dazzling collection Of
weapons. Here, Bunyan said, was
enough to harness out as many men for
the service Of their Lord as there were
stars in the heavens Unconsciously
Christian was drinking in fresh courage
for the conflict before him. Before ieay-
ing be was taken to the top OF the palace
that he might have view Of the Delect-
able Mountain, an elevated district not
far from the Celestial city. he was
given his choice of weapons from the
armory. and be thoroughly equipped
himself for the battles of the journey
ahead of him.
THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION.
From the palace the road led into
steep and dismal valley-the Valley of
Humiliation. The descent was danger
Gus and the ascent difficult. Christian
received several falls in the descent. He
had travelled but u short distance in this
gloomy valley when he found mis- way
blocked by a foul tiend. whose name was
Apollyon. The monster was hideous to
took upon. He was clothed with scales.
| like q fish: he had great ugly wings like
a dragons: his feet were those Of bear,
| and his mouth like that of a lion. This
| fight with Apollyon was one of tie most
exciting incidents In Christians career.
he knew not whether at first TO flee or
| 10 hotd his ground but thanking the
Lord OF the Hill for his coat of mail he
advanced forward for the conflict. Apol-
| lyon wanted to know why one of mis- sub
| jects should go from the City of Destruc-
ridicuie Christians attempt, aud pointed
out his many failures Of the past. Chris
tian replied that he had indeed been
born in Apollyon's dominions. but his
service was hard and his wages such as
no man could live on. for the wages OF sin
Is death.
APoLLYoN's DARTS.
Finding he could not thus deter Chris
| tian from pursuing his journey, Apollyon
broke into violent rage and cried, Il am
an enemy to this Prince. hate his per-
son, hts Ia ws and his people Now pre-
pare thyself TO die, for | swear by my in
| fernal den that thou shalt go no further"
\ and with that be hurled flaming dart at
| Christians breast. but the latter caught
| it on his shield and was unharmed.
| Christian drew his sword and the direful
| conflict commenced.
| Apollyon threw darts as thick as hail
and wounded Christian in head, hand
and foot. Christian fought with despera-
! tion until half the day was spent. His
strength was almost gone. Apollyon
| closed in upon him and gave him u dread
| full fall, in which Christians sword fie W
out of his hand. As Apollyon was about
| TO deal Christian mis- death blow the latter
suddenly reached out for his sword and
caught 1t, saying, Rejoice not against
me- O, my enemy; when j fall 1 shall
rise," and with that he gave Apoilyon
deadly thrust, which made him give back
as though he had received mortal
wound, and with that he spread forth his
| dragon wings and sped away. In all this
| figure. says Bunyan, no one can imagine
what Yelling and hideous roaring Apoi-
| lyon ma de and what sighs and groans
| burst from Christians heart.
Christian healed himself with the
| leaves of the tree of life.
THE LESSONS
The speaker left Christian in the Dis
NAL Valley of humiliation while he
gathered up the lessons taught by the
narrative. To these he devoted the latter
half of his interesting sermon. Palace
| Beautiful. he said, represented the
Church in her social aspect, and aptly
symboIized the mid-week meetings for
conference and prayer. Christian was
made to feel welcome from the moment
he entered the palace. He searched the
records, and found pleasure and profit in
their perusaL So might we. The study
of Gods word was an important feature
| In successful prayer meeting Christian
saw the DelectaDle Mountain from the
dome of the palace. We never get so
near heaven as in prayer meeting. But
long. rough journey is ahead of us.
| Many dreadful battles between self and
| Satan must be fought before we shall
touch the hallowed ground. As Chris
| tian equipped himself from the armory of
| the Palace, so we may in the prayer
meeting prepare ourselves for the battles
| before US. We must be warriors, clad in
| mail, and able TO withstand the fiery
darts of the devil Christians salvation
rested in the timely retaking of the
| sword His sword was the word of G cd.
II declares that if you fall, by Gods help
you shall rise sgain, and come off more
than conqueror through Him that loves
| vou