The Childrens Hour, v 5 | Page 5

upon this, and they are crooked and
wide: But thus thou mayest distinguish the right from the wrong, that only being straight
and narrow.
Then I saw in my Dream, that Christian asked him further If he could not help him off
with his Burden that was upon his back; for as yet he had not got rid thereof, nor could he
by any means get it off without help.
He told him, As to the Burden, be content to bear it, until thou comest to the place of
_Deliverance_; for there it will fall from thy back itself.
Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his Journey. So the
other told him, that by that he was gone some distance from the Gate, he would come at
the House of the Interpreter, at whose door he should knock, and he would show him
excellent things. Then Christian took his leave of his Friend, and he again bid him God
speed.

A VISIT TO THE HOUSE OF THE INTERPRETER
By John Bunyan
Then Christian went on till he came at the House of the Interpreter, where he knocked

over and over; at last one came to the door, and asked Who was there?
_Chr._ Sir, here is a Travailler, who was bid by an acquaintance of the Good-man of this
house to call here for my profit; I would therefore speak with the Master of the House. So
he called for the Master of the house, who after a little time came to Christian, and asked
him what he would have?
_Chr._ Sir, said Christian, I am a man that am come from the City of Destruction, and
am going to the Mount _Zion_; and I was told by the Man that stands at the Gate, at the
head of this way, that if I called here, you would shew me excellent things, such as would
be an help to me in my Journey.
_Inter._ Then said the Interpreter, Come in, I will shew thee that which will be profitable
to thee. So he commanded his man to light the Candle, and bid Christian follow him: so
he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door; the which when he had
done, Christian saw the Picture of a very grave Person hang up against the wall; and this
was the fashion of it. It had eyes lift up to Heaven, the best of Books in its hand, the Law
of Truth was written upon its lips, the World was behind his back. It stood as if it pleaded
with men, and a Crown of Gold did hang over his head.
_Chr._ Then said Christian, What means this?
_Inter._ The Man whose Picture this is, is one of a thousand; he can beget Children,
travel in birth with Children, and nurse them himself when they are born. And whereas
thou seest him with eyes lift up to Heaven, the best of Books in his hand, and the Law of
Truth writ on his lips, it is to shew thee that his work is to know and unfold dark things to
sinners; even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with Men; and whereas thou
seest the World as cast behind him, and that a Crown hangs over his head, that is to shew
thee that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his
Master's service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have Glory for his reward.
Now, said the Interpreter, I have shewed thee this Picture first, because the Man whose
Picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going hath
authorized to be thy Guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way;
wherefore take good heed to what I have shewed thee, and bear well in thy mind what
thou hast seen, lest in thy Journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but
their way goes down to death.
Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large Parlour that was full of dust,
because never swept; the which after he had reviewed a little while, the Interpreter called
for a man to sweep. Now when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to fly
about, that Christian had almost therewith been choaked. Then said the Interpreter to a
Damsel that stood by, Bring hither the Water, and sprinkle the Room; the which when
she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.
_Chr._ Then said Christian, What means this?
_Inter._ The Interpreter answered, This Parlour is the heart of