The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-06

found a voice. and it is their voice today almost as it was two and one-quarter cen- turies ago. His great allegory has been translated into almost every language, and it is as clear and significant to one race as to another It is the story of simple, everyday human soul striving to obey and follow that inward monitor which dwells within us all.
 sThe Pilgrims Progress" is Bunyans one good work. He wrote prodigious quantity of other things. but they have been forgotten by the world. and with justice, for they are dull. though the student of Bunyan finds delights hidden in them. For the general reader, his ''Graee Abounding" Is the only other work that possesses much interest. WHERE came a day when Christian
 became frightened of the wrath to be, and foresaw destruction for his city and for his wife and children if they did not find a way to be saved. His friends and relatives would not believe him. and thought he was mad. There fore. he retired himself to the fields reading il his book and greatly distressed in his mind, crying out the while: What shall l do to be saved?'
 Sometimes he would look about him wildly. as one wishful to run; yet he stood still for he could not tell which way to go. To this poor man, oppressed SD sorely. there came man named Evan gelist. who pointed over a very wide field to a distant shining light Keep that light in your eye said he, and go up directly thereto So shall thou see wicket gate. at which, when thou knock est. 1t shall be told thee what thou shalt do"
 Christian began to run, and his neigh bors ran after him some mocking, others threatening, and still others demanding that he return. Two were resolved to fetch him back by force. Christian re- sisted, saying that they dwelled in the. City of Destruction, and were certain, sooner or later to sink lower than the grave into a place that burns with fire and birthstone. One neighbor Obstinate by name. re- viled him for being willing to leave | friends and comforts behind him for a | crazy quest. The other neighbor, Pliable, | listened to Christians warnings and de- | cided to go with him, whereupon Obsti- nate withdrew in high dudgeon, crying | out upon them both. For a while Pliable was so raVished at | the thought of escaping destruction and entering a place of glory and life ever lasting such as Christian pictured, that | he begged Christian to hasten. But all | at once both being needless in their l hurry, they walked straight into a miry | slough that lay in the midst of the plain. l The name of that slough was Despond, IL, fr,. l,afp grievousy bedaubed with dirt. Christian began to sink in the mire, because he bore heavy burden on his back Phi able struggled out and ran home again, vowing angriy that Christian might pos sess the brave country for himself if it was so hard to reach.
 Christian, though he was sore beset, still struggled to reach that side of the slough that was furthest from his own house and nearest toward the wicket gate. At last a man named Help came along and set him on solid ground again Soon afterward Christian met Mr. Worldly Wiseman. who dwelled in the great town of Carnal Policy. close to Christians native city He had heard of Christians departure, which had been
 
 give him good advice.
 First he counseled him to get rid of the great burden on his back with all speed, but this Christian could not do, nor could any man in his country take it from his shoulders. When he told MT. Worldly Wiseman whither Evangelist had told him to go for help, MT. Worldly Wise man denounced his counselor as a mis- chief maker.
 You have come by this burden, said he, through reading the book that Is in your hand It is happened unto thee, as to other weak men who meddle with things too high for them. Now I will show thee how to rid myself of thy burden with much safety, friendship and content In wonder village of Morality there dwells very good and judicious gentleman whose name is Legality. He, or his very pretty young son, Civility, will ease thee presently"
 Christian was half convinced and turned toward the village; but before he reached it Evangelist appeared and cried: By the deeds of the law no man can be rid of his burden. MT. Legality Is a cheat and his son, notwithstanding his simper-
 
 Christian began to cry out lamentably. fearing that now the man of the gate would not receive him for that he had wandered from the straight path. But Evangelist assured him that though his sin was great, yet would the master of the gate receive him, because he had good will toward men
 Christian hurried back to the hath so sorely frightened that he neither spoke to any others on the way, nor would he answer them, and so in time he came to the wicket.
 >Ts One named Good Will, a grave and quiet man, opened the gate and admitted him. ''Go by this way said he. Tt was cast up by the patriarchs, Christ and His Apostles, and it is as straight as a rule can make it. Many ways butt down upon it, but they are crooked and wide and only the right road is straight and mar TOW"
 Also he showed Christian the house of the Interpreter at some distance from the gate, and promised that the pilgrim would find excellent things therein. This was so. The master of the house showed him The Interpreter called for a man to sweep, whereupon the dust began to fly so abundantly that Christian was nearly choked. Then the Interpreter told a dam