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

for both seemed equally straight before them. They stood still to consider, and a man covered with a bright robe came to them and spoke to them so fair that they followed, nor thought because of his soft speeches to doubt him. Therefore, they forgot to look at the- note of the way which the shepherds had given to them.
 Before they were aware, the man led them into a net where they lay sadly entangled On that the robe fell from the man and they saw that his flesh was black. He left them there, crying sadly; and they bewailed themselves till at last at last a shining one approached with a whip of small cords.
 Did not the shepherds bid you beware of the Flatterer?" asked the shining one. And did they not give you a note of the way?' He laid his whip upon them and beat them sorely, saying: "As many as l love, l rebuke an1 chasten; be zeal ous, therefore and repent"
 This done, he liberated them and bade them go on their way. Soon they met one who had his back toward Zion. His name was Atheist, and he fell into a very great laughter when they told him whither they were bound
 T have been seeking this city for 20 years,' said he, and have found no more of 1t than l did the first day I set out. I have been further than you to seek it. Had there been such a place I would have reached It." More did he say in the same wise till Christian almost forgot that he had seen the gate from the Delectable Mountain and asked Hope ful: Can it be true which this man hath said?'
 Take heed" cried Hopeful and re- minded Christian of all that the shep- herds had told them and all that they had seen of testimony. They turned from Atheist and left him laughing.
 But soon Hopeful began to feel very drowsy, and now Christian had to set himself to argue with his companion and warn him that they were on the En- chanted Ground, where all who stept would sleep forever as punish ment for their sloth in well doing. So Hopeful thanked Christian, and these two real ized how we'll it had been said by the wise man that two are better than one.
 Helping each other, they got over the Enchanted Ground and entered the country of Beulah, whose air was sweet and where the sunshone night and day, while their ears were solaced by the song of birds. Here they saw shin ing ones walking, for it was on the borders of Heaven, and the city was in sight.
 It was builded of pearls and precious stones. The streets were paved with gold. The city was so extremely glor- ious that they could not look upon 1t with open face, and fell sick with great longing.
 Two men in raiment that shone like the city, and with countenances that were as the glory of light, came to them and led them on the way till they were opposite the gate. But river ran between and there was no bridge. By your own faith you must obtain the city" said the men, You must go through the river or you cannot come in at the gate.'
 Christian looked on the flood with a great fear, but Hopeful spoke courage to him and they addressed themselves othe water. Presently Christian cried out woefully: q sink in deep waters. The pillows go over my head; All his waves go over mel"
 Be of good cheer, my brother" an- swered Hopeful. T feel the bottom, and it is good"
 "Ah." mourned Christian, my friend, the sorrows of death have compassed me about. I shall not see the land that flows with ilkand honey"
 With that a great darkness and horror fell upon him. He could not think of the sweet refreshments that he had met in his pilgrimage. He had terror of mind and fears that he should die in that river and never obtain entrance at the gate. He also was much in troublesome thought of his sins. Sometimes he would go quite down and rise up again from the water half dead.
 Hopeful bore him up nightly and cried: q see the gate' and spoke many other words of great courage and hope. And all at once Christian broke out with loud voice: "Oh, I see Him again, And He tells me, When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee'" "
 At that he found ground to stand on. They stepped out of the waters, leaving their mortal garments behind them on the brink. A company of the heavenly host came out to meet them and shouted, and the Kings trumpeters, in white and shining raiment made even the heavens echo to melodious noises and loud.
 So compassed by angels before, behind, at the right hand and at the left, went the two pilgrims to the Celestial Gate. And as they entered it they were transfgured and they had raiment on them like gold. They who met them gave them harps to praise with and crowns, in token of hon. or. And about them moved some that had wings and answered one another without intermission, saying, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord."
 Next Sundays one-page classic will be Cousin Pons,' by Honore de Balzac.
 Boy Has Strange Disease. From the New York World