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compared to the gates of hell. The Valley of the Shadow of Death is a place in which the soul is bereaved of all divine consolation, where the Lord hideth his face, and causeth the believer to pass through a state of painful separation from himself. Yea, in that valley are sometimes felt, in a degree, the very torments of hell itself, which consist, we believe, in an eternal separation from God. So that, could a man in the Valley of the Shadow of Death be surrounded by earthly pleasures of every description, he would still find it a hell; because God being the fountain of all true happiness, not even a single drop of real comfort can be tasted where he is absent. But the valley into which we are now entering is called the Valley of Adversity; and it hath been sunk in this place by the express command of the King himself, that pilgrims, in travelling through it, may utterly lose sight of Vanity. This valley, moreover," continued he, "though stripped of every earthly comfort, abounds in such pure and spiritual delights, that many experienced pilgrims, after passing through it in a right frame of mind, have been constrained to say, It is well for us that we have been in trouble. Notwithstanding which," added the messenger, "I never knew any one descend into the Valley of Adversity, without shuddering and trembling as you now do."

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Indeed, sir," said Playful, "I cannot wonder that any one should tremble in descending into this valley; for never, indeed, did I see so gloomy a place. Here too I find that all the afflictions of past days are brought to my recollection; and especially the loss of my little Peace, which is as present with me at this moment as if it had happened but yesterday. Neither is there any thing at hand to divert my thoughts from these sad remembrances: but wherever I turn my eyes, they encounter only emblems of sorrow and mourning."

Then said the servant, “The evening is now far advanced, and you must needs be much fatigued; let us therefore sit down in this place, and endeavour to take some repose."

So sitting down by the way-side, they there produced some of the refreshments given them by Mrs. Bountiful. But when they sought water, they could find only an exceedingly bitter stream, which flowed from a neighbouring rock.

I heard then that the messenger began to reason with

them on this disappointment, and to declare the salutary effects which sometimes flow from the bitterest dispensations of Providence; when being deprived of other comforts, the soul is led to seek those consolations for which it had not the slightest desire in more prosperous circumstances. "By these means," continued he, "do pilgrims in the Valley of Adversity acquire the habit of communing with God, and fixing their affections on things above; while their spirits are refined and sanctified, through the blessing of God upon their earthly affections: thus tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope."" Rom. v. 3, 4.

"But do you think, sir," said Humble Mind, “that afflictions must necessarily be endured in order to salvation ?"

"Affliction," replied the messenger, " may be used as an outward means to bring us into closer union with Christ but, without the Divine help, it can profit us nothing. For unless the blessing of God be upon our trouble, it will rather harden and irritate, than fit us for the reception of truth. In proof of which, as you travel along this valley, you will see the graves of many who, having refused comfort where alone it could be found, at length despairingly put an end to their own lives, and were buried by the way-side as a warning to others."

After this, the servant of Mr. Orthodox proposed that they should all. go to prayer, in order that, before they slept, they might seek consolation from above. They addressed themselves therefore to prayer, and continued for some time calling upon their Saviour, earnestly supplicating him to undertake their cause, and appear as their Advocate with the Father-when behold, while they yet called upon their Redeemer, a "light rose in obscurity, and the darkness was as the noon-day." Isaiah lviii. 10. Then looking up to the heavens, they were favoured with the same kind of glorious vision which caused the martyr Stephen to exult even in the agonies of death. So they gazed till the tears gushed from their eyes; and as they gazed they exclaimed, "It is good for us to be here; and here we could remain with thee for ever, O Lord, our refuge in time of affliction (Jer. xvi. 19): for thou hast lifted up the light of thy countenance upon us; yea,' thou hast put gladness in our hearts."" Psalm iv. 6, 7.

Then said the messenger, "Did I not tell you what things were to be expected in this valley? and how blessed those times often prove in which we enjoy the fewest earthly comforts ?"

Thus the young pilgrims continued looking upwards, and talking with the messenger, till their hearts becoming warm with the love of God, they rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory. And now they were enabled to speak even of the death of Peace in the language of cheerful hope, though not indeed without sheding tears of tenderness. "Our little Peace," said Humble Mind, 66 was everywhere my sweet companion and my friend. She lay in my bosom through all the nights of our pilgrimage; and as she slept her little arms embraced me. Nevertheless I am now enabled to give her up without a murmur; inasmuch as I know that she is at home and at rest in the presence of her heavenly Father." "Where," added Playful, "we shall shortly meet her again, never more to be separated; and where she, and we, and our beloved parents shall dwell together, rejoicing before the throne of our adorable Saviour."

Then I heard that Humble Mind broke into a transport of praise, saying, "Our beloved Saviour 'is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely.'" Sol. Song v. 10, 12, 15, 16.

In this manner they continued conversing together, and occasionally meditating upon the glorious vision they had enjoyed, till sleep overcame them; for they had travelled far that day, and their repose was sweet unto them.

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They remained asleep till day-dawn: and no sooner did they awake, than they began to relate their dreams to each other, and behold, they were the same. their sleep they thought that Peace came and stood immediately before them and she was all fair; there was no spot in her. Sol. Song iv. 7. And she called to them, and spake to them; and her words were like " a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice." Ezek. xxxiii. 32. "Weep not for me, nor bemoan me, sweet brother and sister," she said; "but watch over your

selves, lest you should by any means dishonour your holy profession. When the Lord took away my breath, my mortal part went down into the dust, but my spirit was carried by the angels into my Father's bosom. I have received the crown of righteousness-all tears are wiped from my eyes—I am ‘arrayed in fine linen, clean and white' (Rev. xix. 8.); and the Lamb hath presented me to himself without spot or stain of sin. Mourn not for me, beloved companions of my pilgrimage on earth; but mourn for your sins, lest by them we should be separated for ever. 'For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."" 2 Cor. vii. 10.

Now, while Humble Mind and Playful yet rejoiced in their sweet dream, behold, the messenger of Mr. Orthodox called upon them to rise and gather the manna, which then lay thick upon the ground-thicker indeed than the little pilgrims had seen it in any part of their journey, saving under the cross and in the Valley of Humiliation: so the children presently filled their golden pots, and betook themselves to their journey. But, before they set out, the messenger took his leave, saying that he had already staid beyond his appointed time, and that his master's business required his speedy return.

"What!" said Humble Mind," must you go and leave us in this valley?" The messenger, however, having convinced them that his return was absolutely necessary, they opposed it no further, but allowed him to depart without another word.

I saw then, in my dream, that the young pilgrims continued to descend deeper into the valley during the whole day. But although their way was indeed very dismal, I observed that they were so refreshed by the manna which they had gathered in the morning, and with which they continued to regale themselves through all the hours of the day, as well as with the remembrance of their cheering dream, that they no longer heeded the doleful objects which were everywhere presented to their view. Now through all the valley were scattered cypress-groves, tombs, open graves, decayed and gloomy edifices, sandy and salt wastes, black and fetid pools, precipices, and pitfalls; and on a certain spot in the very bottom of the valley there was a flock of vultures, with other unclean birds, feeding on the

corpse of one who, not being able to endure the gloomy scene around him, had endeavoured to put an end to his misery by rushing uncommanded into the presence of his Maker. The only plants which grew in this valley were such as wormwood and rue, with a few other bitter herbs. Nevertheless, amid all the disheartening appearances with which they were surrounded, the little pilgrims proceeded on their way, from morning to night, not only without uttering a single complaint, but blessing God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth pilgrims in all their tribulation." 2 Cor. i. 3, 4.

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Thus they continued their journey till night; when they quietly laid themselves on the ground, and soon fell fast asleep. So I observed the young pilgrims as they slept and behold, Inbred-Sin was busy as aforetime at their ears, and his whisperings seemed greatly to disturb them, for they often started in their sleep. Nevertheless, their sleep was heavy, so that they did not awake till the sun was high. And behold, on opening their eyes and looking around, they perceived that the manna, which had lain thick about them at the dawn, was now melted away; upon which they began bitterly to lament their slothfulness. Moreover, they endeavoured to refresh themselves with some of the preserved fruits and other good things which they had brought from Mr. Orthodox. But this food, being now dry and stale, did not afford them such nourishment as they used to derive from the bread which cometh down from heaven, to wit, that sacred manna which has been the appointed food of pilgrims from time immemorial.

The young pilgrims then arose to prosecute their journey; and inbred-Sin, being in high spirits, ay, and much at his ease (as he generally is with such persons as rise too late in the day to have leisure for their usual devotions), walked side by side with the pilgrims, and soon entered into discourse with them. And first, he found fault with the length of the valley, with its dismal appearance, its extreme solitariness, and the bleakness of the air which blew through it; and not being rebuked by his companions, he ventured even to speak certain words of dissatisfaction against the Most High, for directing the path of his servants through such dreary scenes.

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