I perceived then that the spirit of cheerfulness and holy resignation which had supported the young travellers during the past day, forsook them entirely while they sinfully hearkened to the words of Inbred-Sin. Whereupon they began not only to loiter in the way, but, after a while, to stand perfectly still; when InbredSin ventured to propose that they should turn back immediately to the town of Vanity. But although Humble Mind dreaded to proceed any further in that dismal valley; yet he foresaw the danger of turning back. He therefore stood demurring, while Inbred-Sin pressed and urged him to return without delay; Playful all the while weeping, and hanging about him, wishing in her heart that he would consent to do so, though not presuming to solicit him.

Now, having always observed that whenever InbredSin could bring the young pilgrims to hesitate, or to parley with them on any point, he was sure to carry the day; so I now expected every moment to see them turn their backs on Mount Zion. And this, no doubt, would have been the case, had not the Lord sent them timely assistance. For behold, while Humble Mind and his sister stood thus sinfully demurring with Inbred-Sin, a company of pilgrims came along the way from the town of Vanity, with their faces towards Mount Zion. And as they walked, they beguiled the solitary way with songs of praise.

This party consisted of a middle-aged matron, of a comely and decent appearance, with two little damsels of very tender age. And behold, the elder pilgrim led the younger ones by the hand, supporting their steps lest they should stumble for the way in this place was as rough and uneven to the foot as it was unpleasant and forbidding to the eye. Nevertheless, there was nothing of discontent or dissatisfaction in the countenances of these pilgrims. They had happily learned in whatever situation they were, therewith to be content; and could therefore travel through the Valley of Adversity with cheerful countenances; because their affections, especially those of the elder pilgrim, were set upon things above, and not upon things on the earth.

Now I saw in my dream that when these pilgrims, the elder of whom was called Martha, and the two young ones Grace and Truth, came near to Humble Mind and his sister, they stood still, while the matron

thus addressed them :-"Wherefore, my young pilgrims," said she, "for pilgrims I see you are by your white garments, and the impress of our Lord's signet upon your forehead,-wherefore do you stand still, with your faces, as it were, turned from Mount Zion? Having come thus far on your journey to the blessed country, surely you cannot have a thought of turning back! Or perhaps you are offended, as many have been before you, with this Valley of Adversity; supposing, though falsely indeed, that they only who are Christians are liable to affliction in the flesh. Whereas, 'man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward' (Job v. 7); insomuch that he who would escape it must needs leave the world itself."

I saw then that Humble Mind and Playful looked ashamed on being thus addressed by the stranger pilgrim; when Inbred-Sin whispered to them that they should deny having had any thoughts of returning. So they replied to the pilgrim Martha, "We have had no thoughts of returning; but are only standing a while to rest ourselves, before we proceed on our journey."

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My children," said Martha, "I am unable to look into your hearts, and, being but a stranger, I have no right to question you upon your delay. There is One, who is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, to whom you must be accountable: nevertheless, as it is not yet noon-day, be advised by me, and proceed on your journey without further delay. Wherefore should you linger in this valley is it so agreeable a place that you should desire to abide in it? 'Look

at the generations of old, and see: did ever any trust in the Lord and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise that called upon him?" Eccles. ii. 10.

The pilgrim Martha then proposed that they should join company, and go on together; to which she was the more inclined, as she was a lover of little children, and had great delight in leading them along the way of holiness.

Now Humble Mind and Playful in some respects liked this proposal, perceiving that the stranger was a person of an agreeable countenance; for although she appeared grave, as it becometh a pilgrim to be, yet her manner withal was very pleasant. Moreover, they liked the aspect of little Grace and Truth; and especially as the

features of Truth somewhat resembled the well-remembered features of little Peace. Nevertheless, InbredSin supposing that the company of these pilgrims would not be favourable to his cause, endeavoured as much as possible to put Humble Mind upon rejecting Martha's invitation. She, however, would take no denial, fully persuaded that her company might be advantageous to the young pilgrims; on this account she pleaded hard, and at length prevailed. So Humble Mind and his sister consented to go on with the unknown pilgrims.

I saw then, in my dream, that Humble Mind soon found himself peculiarly refreshed with the society of the pilgrim Martha. I hearkened therefore to their discourse as they walked on; and behold, they beguiled the time by relating to each other the events of their pilgrimage, and the dealings of the Lord with them. Humble Mind and Playful first related what had befallen them in the way: after which Martha thus began :

"I am," said she, "in common with all others of the children of Adam, a native of the Valley of Destruction, and my heart was 'in bondage under the elements of the world.' Gal. iv. 3. Even those dear friends whom I had received from the Lord, my husband and children, proved but so many ties binding me down closer to the world. I was truly dead in sin, and even pleaded my earthly comforts as excuses for my worldly mind. Nevertheless, the Lord in his infinite mercy called me to himself; and that in as peculiar and tender a manner as the mother adopts towards her sucking child; neither was this call used only once or twice, but many and many times repeated, while I remained deaf to its importunity."

I heard then that Playful interrupted Martha, in order to put this question, to wit, What she meant by the calls of the Almighty? whether she was to understand by them a voice from heaven, or any other miraculous interference?

To which Martha replied, that she presumed not to say, that, even in these days, none were called in a somewhat extraordinary manner; but with respect to herself, no means had been used which could be called miraculous or out of the usual course of God's dealings with his servants.

"Nevertheless," said she, "this is certain-not only that every event of my life has been ordered by the

Almighty Ruler of all things for the advancement of my spiritual good; but that, after being once awakened from the death of sin, I was made to hear the voice of God in every event that befell me. Still, however, I felt a strong attachinent to the world; and more especially to my husband and my two sweet babies, from whom my chief domestic comforts flowed. My home was then my gourd, under the shade of which I delighted to dwell; but when it pleased the Lord to prepare a worm to smite my gourd, I became distressed above measure. My husband was first removed from me. He became a pilgrim, and, like little Peace, in a short time fulfilled a long time; when being made white in the blood of his Saviour, he passed through the river of death, and is now rejoicing in the house of his Father above.

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Being deprived of this my beloved companion," said Martha, "I clung more fondly to my children. But the Lord was pleased shortly to remove these also; thus bereaving me totally of my dearest earthly comforts, and causing me to forget the days of my prosperity. And now, in this season of adversity, the Lord revealed himself to my soul in such a manner as effectually to overcome all resistance. He drew me towards himself with the cords of love, compelling me to seek rest in his presence, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he made me,' the chief of sinners, 'accepted in the Beloved.' Ephes. i. 6.

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Hereupon I quitted my native place, even the Valley of Destruction; and having entered in at the gate which is at the head of the way, I have come thus far on my journey towards my heavenly Father's house."

CHAPTER XX.

Now it came to pass, that when the pilgrims had travelled for some days through the Valley of Adversity, the country became more open and pleasant; soon after which they came out from the valley upon a pleasant plain, scattered over with clumps of trees, affording a delightful shade. The air on this plain, though fresh, was not so piercing as in the Valley of Adversity, while

all the surrounding objects wore a cheerful and lightsome appearance. Then I looked after the pilgrims, and saw that Humble Mind walked first with little Truth; for Humble Mind loved the little girl exceedingly, fancying that he discovered in her some resemblance to his beloved Peace: and I heard that he endeavoured to instruct her, as he had been accustomed to instruct his departed little sister.

After proceeding thus for a while, Inbred-Sin crept softly up to the ear of Playful; when I immediately became alarmed for the consequence, though unable to imagine what kind of mischief could be brought out of their present circumstances-not considering that Inbred-Sin is never at a loss how to produce evil, and that he is a workman capable of effecting great things with few or no apparent materials. So Inbred-Sin, as I said, drew up close to Playful, and whispered something in her ear; upon which, she fell back behind the other pilgrims, for the purpose of meditating at leisure upon the whisperings of the tempter. Then said Inbred-Sin, fetching a course about, as his manner often was before he came to the point at which he aimed, “Tell me, Playful, do you not love your brother above all the world besides ?"

"Certainly I do," said Playful.

"But do you imagine," replied the other, "that he has an equal regard for you ?"

"I always thought so," said Playful.

"You thought so, because your heart is good, and free from suspicion," returned Inbred-Sin: "but cannot you recollect that he generally showed a preference for your sister Peace, and that he more frequently conversed with her than with you?"

"If he loved Peace more than he loved me, he did but what was right, and I cannot blame him," said Playful; "for my beloved little Peace was more lovely than I am, and more worthy the regard of those who are taught to prefer that which is excellent."

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"That may have been so far true," said Inbred-Sin, as to form some excuse for your brother's loving Peace better than he loved you. But what excuse can be made for his preferring the company of Truth to that of his only sister ?"

"I have no reason to think that he does so," said Playful.