The Pilgrim's Progress in the Nineteenth Century

IN journeying through the wilderness of this world, it happened that I fell in company with a man of singular parts, whose name was Mr. Sagacity; and having far to travel in the same road, I enjoyed the pleasure of his society, and the benefit of his conversation, for many days. Knowing that he was the same person who had formerly given a relation of the adventures of certain pilgrims, in their progress from the city of Destruction to the Celestial Country, I embraced the opportunity of inquiring further respecting them; and was much delighted with hearing the old gentleman relate again the various perils the pilgrims encountered, for the love they bore to the Prince Immanuel, the wonderful deliverances which they had experienced by the strength of his arm, and the happy termination of their journey. When the good man dwelt on the joys of the state in which they now are, and spoke of those things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, I felt my heart burn with strong desire to go also on pilgrimage, to be a follower of them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises, that I too might share in the glories of the new Jerusalem, and might sit down with the general assembly of pilgrims at the marriage supper of the Prince Immanuel.

So strongly had these things taken possession of my mind, that when I laid me down to sleep at the inn, I had no sooner closed my eyes, than my imagination returned to the pilgrims and their adventures. Methought I stood upon an eminence, which commanded an extensive prospect of the country,

and allowed me to extend my view far to the east. On my right, in the plain below, was the city of Destruction, with the towns of Stupidity, Sensuality, and Carnal Security, and the extensive regions of the province of Darkland. To the south was Mount Sinai, and just beyond it the town of Formality, the village of Morality, and the other towns and villages of Pharisee-land. Just before me was the wicket-gate, which stood at the head of the narrow way; and from this gate, stretching due east, far as the eye could reach, lay the road to the Celestial City.

On directing my attention to the valley below me, I perceived that the suburbs of the city of Destruction were extended close up to the wicket-gate; and that this part of the city, as well as every other, was exceedingly populous. Fixing my eyes upon the inhabitants, I observed that all was bustle and confusion among them. All appeared eagerly engaged, and exerting all their powers, in the pursuit of something, but what, I could not at first distinctly perceive. On drawing nearer, and looking more attentively, I could more clearly distinguish what their employments were. Some of them were endeavoring to climb a high hill called Worldly-Honor. The sides of this hill were very steep, and at the same time very slippery, so that few of the climbers ever reached the summit. And those few who did reach the summit, I perceived did not remain there; but presently their heads grew dizzy, and they tumbled headlong, to be seen no more. Many were the expedients resorted to, in order to mount up this dangerous hill. Some mounted upon the shoulders of others, that they might reach a place where there was foot-hold, and all seemed willing at first to take others upon their shoulders, with the expectation that when they were up, they would assist them in turn. But these expectations were seldom realized; for those who were up seemed so intent upon mounting higher, as not to regard those below, any further than they needed their help. Many who had reached a considerable elevation were pulled down by others who were desirous of taking their places. And many who thus pulled others down, fell with them to the bot

tom.

Some having secured the ladder of popular favor, ascended quickly to a great height, when the ladder suddenly gave way, and their bones were broken with the fall.

Others I saw digging with vast labor in a mine called Worldly Gain, and burdening themselves with great quantities of the earth they brought thence. Many of those who descended into the mine I observed never came out again; but the earth often fell in upon them and buried them alive. Such occurrences, however, did not seem in the least to damp the

ardor of the survivors, who continued digging with the same eagerness, though at the imminent hazard of their lives. The earth, which was brought from the mine, appeared to occasion many quarrels among those who possessed it. And when they carried it home, I saw that they were not able to sleep, for fear that others should set upon them and take it away. Children often wished their parents dead, that they might get possession of what was in their hands; and as soon as their parents were out of the way, quarrelled among themselves about the division. And I saw, moreover, that several very ill-favored and dreadful shapes, called Fraud, and Lying, and Perjury, and Murder, were continually walking about amongst the diggers, taking the earth from some and giving it to others. Those who received it from them seemed to exult for a few moments in the possession; but soon another monster called Remorse, with vipery hair and snaky whip, pursued them wherever they went.

Another part of the inhabitants I saw employing themselves very differently still. These were chiefly of the younger sort. In the midst of the city ran several deep, turbid, sluggish streams, called the streams of Sensual Pleasure, the waters of which were mingled with vast quantities of mire and filth, which were drained off from the streets and common sewers of the city, and continually sent forth the most offensive and pestilential exhalations. These streams, flowing together in the heart of the city, formed a vast whirlpool, called the Vortex of Dissipation, in which multitudes were continually swallowed up, and carried into the Dead Sea. To these foul streams vast crowds of both sexes were continually resorting, and with the greatest seeming eagerness were drinking down the fetid waters with an insatiable thirst. Numbers were sailing down these streams to the Vortex of Dissipation, and many boys were bathing in them, and sporting in the mire and filth.

When I had seen the inhabitants of the city thus employed, I said to myself, These people cannot be in the enjoyment of right reason, they are certainly beside themselves. And what strengthened me in this opinion was, that I saw no one among them who was at all satisfied with his present condition; but the mind of every one appeared like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. And notwithstanding that they found so little satisfaction in their pursuits, they still returned to them with as much eagerness as ever. And I saw, moreover, that every one had a heavy burden on his back, like that which the pilgrim Christian had before he became a pilgrim; and that although these burdens seemed to me to be sufficiently heavy to sink them down to Tophet, yet

none of them seemed to be sensible that he had any burden at all. And besides this, I perceived under the whole city a vast pit, filled with combustible materials, and burning with great fierceness, which had gradually worn away the ground on which the city stood, so that in many places it was a mere shell, and often trembled under them, as if it were ready to crumble in pieces, and plunge the whole city into the burning abyss below. And notwithstanding all this, they appeared to be as unconcerned, and as eagerly engaged in their various employments, as if there were no danger to be apprehended.

While I looked at them, and wondered at their conduct in their present circumstances, I observed one near me, whose name was Revelation, to whom I addressed myself, and inquired if he could explain these things.

Then said he to me, This whole country was once under the dominion of the Celestial King, who governed it with the greatest equity and mildness, and imposed no restraints upon the inhabitants, but such as were necessary for their own and the general good. The black tyrant, however, the implacable enemy of their King, found means to persuade them that the wholesome restraints they were under were intolerable, and too grievous to be submitted to; and that if they would revolt from their lawful prince, and put themselves under his control, they should be exalted to great dignity, and enjoy unbounded liberty. They accordingly revolted from their rightful King, and became the subjects of the black tyrant.

But he has greatly deceived them, said I. He has so, replied Mr. Revelation; for instead of being highly exalted, and becoming as gods, which he promised them, they have debased themselves to the lowest depth of degradation, and have become the vilest of creatures. And instead of enjoying greater liberty, they are now the veriest slaves in the universe.

They do not appear to be in the enjoyment of their right reason, said I.

Rev. They are not. "Their hearts are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live." The black tyrant has blinded the eyes of their understanding. And so complete is his influence over them, that they do not perceive their bondage, nor the heavy burdens they have upon their backs. They are greatly to be pitied, said I.

Rev. They are indeed; but they are more to be blamed.

How is that? said I. Do we not think a man excusable for what he does under the influence of lunacy, when he is not in the enjoyment of right reason?

Rev. We do so when a man is under the influence of natural blindness, madness, or lunacy. But the madness of these

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