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the direction of the Way of Salv Mount Sabbath, which rose beyond towards the Celestial City, render by its extraordinary elevation.

Now Humble Mind was in better I saw him in all the course of the pilgrims hastened forwards: f exceedingly foot-sore, yet their sp And as they approached the moun tinguish orchards, olive-yards, vin abounding with every kind of vege tains, where the flocks were washe shepherds feeding their sheep. B steep that they were minded to re minutes before they began to ascen

Now the shepherds Knowledge, ful, and Sincere had been informed his flock on the side of Mount Cle of pilgrims were on the road, and sisted chiefly of little children. which information, the good shephe ordering a wagon to the foot of the every suitable accommodation, and visions, there to wait the arrival of th easier conveyance to the shepherds

This wagon therefore was waiting mountains when the pilgrims came to halt for very weariness. Then ca careful old man, to Martha, whom "Welcome, worthy pilgrim, to the tains! and welcome, all ye, my swe masters' orders I have brought this v up these hills to the abodes of the s you will find in this carriage all ma dations, there is no occasion for a this place."

Upon which they all got into the w lifting in little Grace and Truth: and seasonable assistance to these almost lers. And as they moved, the bells o to ring; for the horses had bells, and written, "Holiness unto the Lord." " they proceeded up the hills, eating

bread which the good shepherds had sent them, as they went along.

Playful then spake: "Well, this is very pleasant; this exceeds all that we have before met with in our pilgrimage. Had we been so much discouraged in the Valley of Adversity as not to advance to this place, how ill we should have done !"

Martha. We should have done as all those do who trust not in God-very foolishly and very wickedly.

Then cried Humble Mind, "O! what lovely cottages, what fair pastures, and quiet resting-places do I see! How very delightful is this place!"

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Look at those lambs feeding near the waterfalls!" cried little Grace.

"And behold that flock of sheep which is going up from the washing!" said Playful.

"Those sheep," said Martha, "are fed in a good pasture, and their folds are upon the high mountains of Israel: for the Lord hath sought them out and 'delivered them out of all places where they were scattered in the cloudy and dark day.' Ezek. xxxiv. 12. In like manner," said she," has the Lord sought us out, and brought us to this place, showing himself our guide and protector through every part of our pilgrimage.' Then sang the pilgrim, for her heart was full of holy joy and gratitude and the children also joined in the song:

"Then let our songs abound,

And every tear be dry,

We're travelling through Immanuel's ground
To fairer worlds on high."

By this time they drew near the shepherds' houses ; when behold, Watchful, Experience, and Sincere were coming forth to meet them. And the shepherd Watchful saluted them with these words :-" Peace be unto you, ye children of the King."

Then said the shepherd Experience, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."" Luke xii. 32.

The shepherd Sincere next spake, "Welcome, thrice welcome are you, O ye redeemed of the Lord, to the Delectable Mountains!"

I saw then that Martha, having alighted from the wagon, bowed low before the shepherds, and said, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of

them that bring good tidings, that bring good tidings of good, that pul say unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"

When the whole party had descen the shepherds said to the little on come, pretty babes! you have mad ney, and are far on your way to the the thousands that set out on pilgr few who reach this place."

Then I saw that Watchful and h ducted them into the house, and large hall, where a long table was evening repast. Now from the w much of the neighbouring country senting so beautiful and charming scarcely be equalled in the whole w fore, while the pilgrims stood feas shepherds went abroad to see their for the night. After which, suppe served up, when they all sat dow thanks to their great Benefactor.

On finishing their evening meal, t heavy with sleep; whereupon the she the little ones are beginning to look we will have prayers without delay, to their chambers. And on the m spirits and strength are recruited some conversation with them-for what they have met with in their shepherds then called an old female they were very fond, named Hospita conducted the pilgrims to their sev sisting of two comfortable rooms ad the larger one for Martha and the lesser one for Humble Mind. So t and were presently fast asleep.

Now at break of day, after listenin bleatings of the sheep upon the hil freshed and cheerful: and having bringing them to so desirable a plac into the hall.

Being all met at breakfast, I heard entered into discourse with the pi their pilgrimage. On this subject many interesting questions to propo

when the pilgrims had satisfactorily replied, the shepherds spake thus-"Happy indeed are you in having come so far on your journey; since this is not the lot of all who look with some desire towards the Hill of Zion: for 'strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life; and few there be that find it.' Matt. vii. 14. There are even many that shall seek to enter therein, and shall not be able. Let us therefore,"

said the shepherds one to another, "offer thanks unto God on account of these pilgrims, for that he has assisted them by his grace to reach Immanuel's Land-this happy land, from which the Celestial City may be seen -and these unwithering pastures, where the flocks of our Lord do securely feed, and where we his shepherds dwell in peace and joy."

I saw then that the shepherd Experience, addressing himself to the pilgrims, and more especially to Martha, said, "My beloved children, had you not met with those afflictions which you have just reported to us, and of which you cannot speak without letting fall the tears of human weakness-you perhaps had not now been thus far on your journey; nay, in prosperity you might have utterly forgotten the Lord, as many others have done. But resolving to make you his own, he mercifully took your treasures from you, and laid them up in heaven; that where those treasures were, there your hearts might be also. Matt. vi. 21. 'For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees and make straight paths for your feet. For you shall assuredly come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant."" Heb. xii. 6, 12, 13, 22-24.

After this the shepherds spake of the shepherd Sincerity, the Interpreter, and Mr. Orthodox, saying, "We are all brethren, the servants of one common Master, and are all employed, in our different stations, about the same great work, namely, feeding the flock, for which our Redeemer was contented to be betrayed, given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross. We are constituted a universal, spiritual,

and living priesthood, having the sheep of the flock committed to our care from generation to generation. Moreover, we continue our priestly office without ceasing; and shall continue it until the time when the universal church shall ascribe dominion, and reverence, and thanksgiving to the Lord of all lords, raised from the dead, who dieth no more, and whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Then shall the borders of the church be enlarged; the same church which you saw in the City of Vanity, of which Mr. Orthodox is minister; -she shall break forth on the right-hand and on the left; and all her children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of her children. In righteousness shall she be established, and shall be far from oppression.' For this church, although now but little, is the espoused of the Lord-' Her Maker is her husband; and her Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. He will lay her stones with fair colours, and her foundations with sapphires: he will make her windows of agates, and her gates of carbuncles, and all her borders of pleasant stones.' Isaiah liv. 3, 5, 11-14. Yea, the time shall come, and is near at hand, when her God shall be called 'The God of the whole earth.' Isaiah liv. 5. And then will all the earth be like these happy mountains, every man living in peace and contentment' under his own vine and his own fig-tree.'" Zech. iii. 10.

Martha then exclaimed, "O happy prospect! how my soul longs for the time when all the kingdoms of the world shall become like the pleasant hills on which we now stand!"

Shepherds. They who understand the signs of the times, have reason to think that happy period not very far off.

Martha. Blessed, indeed, will that season be to those who watch and wait for it!

Shepherds. Pray ye, therefore, that ye also may be found watching.

Martha. I thank God, who by the chastisements of his rod has in some measure compelled me to watch.

"And I too may thank God," said Playful, "who caused me to feel the loving corrections of his hand, when I was like to be lost."

Watchful. I exhort you still to persevere, watching unto prayer: the danger is not past; the enemy is still abroad. Inbred or original sin may be quiet a while; but

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