Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-03-18
JOHN BUNYAN.
A Writer Who Never
Even Went to
School.
Observation-Disclosures,


peare, no writer is more indelibly
printed on the English mind and
character than John Bunyan. Even
to-day there are hundreds of villages
throughout the country where the
Bible and Bunyan compose the entire
library of the inhabitants. His
death occurred in the year of grace
1888. Bunyan was born at Elston,
small village near Bedford, in
1928. His father was tinker, who
had his forge at Elston. He was
married three times. John being the
first child of his second wife.
According to Bunyan himself, he
never went to school. All he learned
which was very little beyond read
ing and writing-he picked up as
best he could at home. But even
such studies were soon denied him,
for his father early had need Of him
in the workshop. At the age of six
teen his mother died; shortly after
his father married again, and AS the
home conditions were thoroughly un-
congenial John Bunyan left and en-
listed as a soldier. These were the
days of the Civil War, when the coun-
try was divided between Royalists
and Parliamentarians Bedforshire
was most decidedly on the side Of the
latter. 1t Is more than probable,
therefore. that young Bunyan fought
against the King.
But, however, that may be, little
is heard of him again until, the army
being disbanded, he returned tome
and married. At the time he was
scarcely twenty, his wife about the
same age. neither had a penny to
bless themselves with, their united
worldly goods amounting to two reli-
gious books, the dowry of his wife.
But these two volumes were the max
ing of Bunyan; he read and re-read
them, until at last "the ungodliest
fellow for swearing that was ever
heard" for such was the epithet cp-
piled to him in his youth, became a
changed being; he thought of moth
ing but religion and the future of
his soul. in all of which speculations
he was encouraged by his wife. For
some years, as he tells us in his
"Grace Astounding" the most fierce
conflict ragged within him; he had
heard some old women discussing the
things of God" Hope and fear. joy
and despair, torments, illusions, in
short, doubts as to the truth of Chris
tianity, nearly drove him mad. In
the end he was converted to the faith
and Joined the Nonconformists. OF
which sect these women were men,
bers. His wife dying about this
time. he removed with his two chill
dren, one of whom was blind, to
Bedford. where he nearly died him.
self. On his recovery he was select
ed deacon by his sect.
At the restoration. the old acts
against Nonconformity being revived,
John Bunyan. who continued his
preaching despite the law, was ar
rested and imprisoned 1t is more to
his credit that, although he was
aware of the warrant issued against
him, he refused to save himself by
flight. Ultimately he was tried and
condemned. and for the next twelve
years prison was his earthly home.
Shortly after his committal 1t was
discovered that the trial was irregu-
lar. On this score he might have
been released, for it seems that the
n hn
rid of him. On Bunyan. however,
stating that he was firmly resolved
to commence preaching again il his
freedom was granted, there was no
help for it but to keep him under
lock and key. Again, on the occa-
sion of Charles lis coronation, Bum
van refused to take advantage Of the
royal clemency, which was extended
to all but felons. Up to this time
his many admirers had done all in
their power to bring about his re-
lease on terms that he would ac-
cept. Repeated failure. however,
damped their efforts, and so he re-
mained prisoner until 1872. The
] ulk of his time he gave up to writ
ing tracts and books, of which he
produced a great number, his crown
ing effort being THE Pilgrims Prog
ress."
Released at last from his prison
cell, Bunyan found the religious at
mosphere of the outside world conf
pletely changed. King Charles had
suspended all penal statutes against
Nonconformists, and more, Bunyan
received a royal license to preach.
He was not slow to take advantage
of the occasion; his ministerial la
bors increased hundredfold. His
persecution at an end, little more of
consequence was heard of him. He
preached anywhere, always attract
ing huge audiences. 1t is said that
on one occasion 1900 people collect
ed to hear him in London at o'clock
on winter morning. One most im-
portant feature of Bunyan's minis
trations must not be lost sight of. He
never on single occasion through
out his whole life brought politics
into his preaching. In 1888, at the
age of sixty, he was attacked by what
was then known as sweating sick
ness" On his recovery, being called
to Reading to effect family recon-
ciliation, he caught chill, which
cost him his life.-London Globe.