The Democratic advocate., 1909-05-07
JOHN BuNYAN.
A Writer Who Never Even Went 10
school.


With tie exception OF Shakespeare,
no writer is more fndellDIy printed
on the English mind and character
than John Bunyan. Even today there
are hundreds Of villages throughout
the country where the Bible and Bun
yHn compose the entire library of the
inhabitants. His death occurred In
the year Of grace 1855 Bunyan was
born az Elston small village near
Bedford, In 1923. His father was q
tinker. who had his forge at Elston.
He was married three times, John
being the first child OF his second wife.
According to Bnnyan himself, he
never went TO school. All he learned
which was very little beyond read
ing and writing-he picked up as
best be could at home. But even
such studies were soon denied him.
for his father early had need OF him
In the workshop. Al 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 we're the
days OF the Civil War, when the conn-
try was divided between R0yalists and
ParIiamentarlRns. Badfordshire wan
most decidedly on the side Ol the lat
ter. it h more than pr0beble. there
fore. that young Bunyan fought
against the King
But, however that may be, little
IS heard 81 him again until. the army
helng diabaudcd, he returned home
aud married AZ the time be was
scarcely twenty, his wlfe about the
aamn age neither had penny 10
bless themselves with. their united
worldly goods amounting 10 two reli-
giOne books, The dowTy of his wife
But these tsu volumes we're The max
Ing of fsuusan; he read and fe-rcHd
them, Until NJ last the uhgodliees
fellow for kweArins chat was eYer
heard" FOR such waa tke eplthet ap-
piled 10 hsm In bis youth, became a
changed being. he thought 0f moth
Ing but religion snd the future og
hia soul, Ia all Of which speculationH
be vas encouraged by his wife. For
some years, ~ ha tells uN In hia
Grace Astounding. the most Aarce
conflict ragged within him. he had
heard some old women discussing tho
things Of God" Hope and fear. joy
and despair, tormenta. Illusions. In
abort, doubts as 10 the truth 81 Chris.
the eud he waa converted 10 the faith
and Joined tho NoBconformlsta. os
which sect these women Were mem
bera. His wife dying about thig
time. he removed with hia two chill
drens one of whom wae blind. 10 Bed
ford, where he nearly died himself
On his recovery he was selected a
deacon by hts sect.
A. the restoration. the old acts
aEninai NoacontormitF being revived.
John fiunyan. who continued hls
preaching despite tliw law, war ar
rested aud imprisoned II II More
20 his credit that. although hr WAS
hware of the warrant issued against
him. he refused to save himself hy
fiRht Ultimately he WAS tried and
condemned, and fof the next twelve
ypatn pFtaun was hts earthly home
Shortly after his commlttai u Was
discovered thst the trial waa irfegu.
lar on this gcofo he might have been
released fof Il seems that the justices
we're really anxious to be lid ~ him
On Bunyhn, however, aiaiing that he
wAR frmly resolved 10 enmmenea
preaching again II hia freedom was
granted, there was no help for Il but
/ 70 keep him under lock and key.
Again. on the occasion Of Charles
Ills coronation. Bunyan refused to
take advantage ~ the royal clsmency.
which was extended 10 all bur fel0ns
Up 10 this time hla many admirers
had dong all In their power 90 bring
about HIS release on terms that he
would accept Repeated failure, how
ever, damped their efforts. and 40 he
remained prisoner until 1872. The
bulk Of his time he gave up 20 writ
ing tracts and books. OF which he pro-
duced a great number. his crowning
effort being The Pilgrims Progress
Released at last from his prison
cell, Bunyan found the religious at
mosphere OF the outside world com
pieteiy changed. King Charles had
suspended all penal statutes against
Nonc0nfrorfnlatn and more. .Bunyan re-
ceiyed a royal license TO preach Ie
was not slow 10 take advantage OF the
occasion. his ministerial laborn In
creased hundredfold. His persecu-
tion al an end. little more OF conae-
quence was heard Of him. He preach
ed anywhere. always attracting huge
audiences. II Is said that on one oc-
casion 1900 people collected to hear
him In London az o'clock on a win