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to deliver themselves. Their bodies were pampered with luxurious living, and their days passed away in idleness. Moreover, they were surrounded with all manner of playthings and toys: yet were they very unhappy, by reason of the sin which dwelt in them. For Inbred-Sin meddled more and more with them every day: insomuch that pride, and selfishness, and malice, and envy, successively exercised a complete dominion over them.

Then they remembered the days that were past, and wished it were with them as formerly; nevertheless Inbred-Sin suffered them not to call upon the Lord. Whereupon I began to fear that these little ones would be utterly lost; not remembering the faithfulness of him who had called them by his grace. (1 Thess. v. 24.)

CHAPTER XI.

Now it was a custom, and had been so, as I found, from time immemorial, for such of the Lord's servants as were stationed along the way for the reception and assistance of pilgrims, to hold communication with each other, by letter, concerning the affairs of pilgrims: by which means all the pilgrims on the road were well known in all those places, and a vigilant watch was maintained, lest any of them should fall into the hands of the enemy.

In consequence of this established rule, the damsels at the palace Beautiful having about this time received a letter from the Interpreter, giving them notice that certain little pilgrims were upon the road, they sent forth a faithful servant, called Discipline, to meet them, and bring them up the hill Difficulty. Discipline therefore set forth, and sought the children up and down. At length receiving information that they were in Mrs. Indulgence's house, he went immediately thither, and demanded of her, how she dared to detain those chosen little ones under her unholy roof?

At this Indulgence trembled, well knowing that Discipline came not without authority: so she delivered up the children into his hands.

Then Discipline spake sternly to them, and asked them what they did there? Moreover, he took his rod and corrected them; after which he drove

them before him into the right way. Neither did he spare them till he had urged them almost to the top of the hill Difficulty; and it was wonderful to observe how he caused the children to exert themselves. At first indeed they cried and complained piteously; but as they ascended higher and higher, they moved on with so much briskness, that although Discipline followed them up close behind, yet he forbore to use his scourge as he had done: till at last I perceived that, instead of employing the rod, he encouraged them to proceed by the kindest words he could use.

The sun was about to set when they came within view of the palace Beautiful: nevertheless the loveliness of the place was plainly to be discerned; while the freshness and sweetness of the mountain air produced a very reviving effect upon the weary little travellers.

Now I saw that there were lions chained on each side of the way which led to the palace. But these creatures took no notice of the pilgrims as they passed; though the children trembled at the sight of them, and looked very pale.

So Discipline led them up to the gate of the palace; where I saw that the children turned to offer him their united thanks for having brought them to that place, and for all the assistance with which he had favoured them. Nay, I perceived that they kissed the hand which held the rod of correction, yea, and the very rod itself. And herein were the words of the wise man verifiedFoolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (Prov. xxii. 15.)

Upon this, Discipline smiled, and said, "I am the servant of the Most High, and have been employed by him to bring many pilgrims to this place. But without the aid of his Holy Spirit, I can accomplish nothing: give, therefore, the

glory to God. For such is the condition of man, since the fall of Adam, that he has no power of himself to come to this abode of the Virtues, nay, nor even so much as to desire to do so, without God's help." (See 10th Article of the Church.)

So after ringing the bell, behold, the gate was presently opened by Mr. Watchful, the porter. Now the old porter smiled on observing the youthful pilgrims before his gate; and laying his hands upon their heads, he thus spake: "What! more fruit of your labours, Mr. Discipline? You are by far the most successful of all our agents: for by your means I have the pleasure of opening the gates of this palace to many fair little travellers, who would never, I am sure, have reached this place without your help."

"I had not brought you these, Mr. Watchful," returned Discipline, " without God's help. You know that I am but an instrument in his hands, and a very mean one too: therefore, to God be all the glory."

"Very true," answered Mr. Watchful; "Paul planteth, Apollos watereth; but God gives the increase." (1 Cor. iii. 6.)

By this time, one of the damsels of the house having heard the porter's bell, was come to the door. The damsel's name was Humility; and she was one of the many lovely virgins who dwell there together in sweet harmony and love. Of these, Prudence, Piety, and Charity are considered as the chief; but there are several younger branches of this family who are not less lovely than their elder sisters. Humble Mind then delivered to the damsel Humility the note which he had received from the Interpreter, and which she immediately carried to those within. Whereupon the little pilgrims were called in, while Mr. Discipline went about other work.

Then such of the damsels as had received orders to introduce the little pilgrims, took them by the hand, and led them first into the hall, which was a noble apartment, where were ranged upon pedestals near the walls many marble statues, exceedingly beautiful and in fine proportion, representing the most holy and beloved of God among the children of men-Even such as through faith had subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness had been made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women who had received their dead raised to life again: and others who had been tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection. Here were also the statues of such as had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins; being destitute, aflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth; (Heb. xi. 33-38.)—all of them silently suffering for the love which they bore to the Lord of Pilgrims. Here also were the memorials of many pious and holy young persons, upon whom God had bestowed grace to serve him in spirit and in truth.

"And there were those who pass'd life's blooming year Beside the mournful couch of parents dear;

Renouncing all the joys of early days,

To serve their God, and mind his strictest ways."

Here also were representations, in marble, of parents who, through the love they bare to their Redeemer, had yielded up their dying infants to

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