The Childrens Hour, v 5 | Page 9

that the day of Judgement was come, and that I was not ready for
it: but this frighted me most, that the Angels gathered up several, and left me behind; also
the pit of Hell opened her mouth just where I stood: my Conscience too within afflicted
me; and as I thought, the Judge had always his eye upon me, shewing indignation in his
countenance.
Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Hast thou considered all these things?
_Chr._ Yes, and they put me in hope and fear.
_Inter._ Well, keep all things so in thy mind that they may be as a Goad in thy sides, to
prick thee forward in the way thou must go. Then Christian began to gird up his loins,
and to address himself to his Journey. Then said the Interpreter, The Comforter be
always with thee, good Christian, to guide thee in the way that leads to the City. So
Christian went on his way, saying--
Here I have seen things rare and profitable; Things pleasant, dreadful, things to make me
stable In what I have began to take in hand; Then let me think on them, and understand
Wherefore they shew'd me was, and let me be Thankful, O good Interpreter, to thee.

AT THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
By John Bunyan
Behold there was a very stately Palace before him, the name of which was _Beautiful_;
and it stood just by the High-way side.
So I saw in my Dream that he made haste and went forward, that if possible he might get
Lodging there. Now before he had gone far, he entered into a very narrow passage, which
was about a furlong off of the Porter's lodge; and looking very narrowly before him as he
went, he espied two Lions in the way. Now, thought he, I see the dangers that Mistrust
and Timorus were driven back by. (The Lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.)
Then he was afraid, and thought also himself to go back after them, for he thought
nothing but death was before him: But the Porter at the lodge, whose name is Watchful,

perceiving that Christian made a halt as if he would go back, cried unto him, saying, Is
thy strength so small? Fear not the Lions, for they are chained, and are placed there for
trial of faith where it is, and for discovery of those that have none. Keep in the midst of
the Path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.
Then I saw that he went on, trembling for fear of the Lions, but taking good heed to the
directions of the Porter; he heard them roar, but they did him no harm. Then he clapt his
hands, and went on till he came and stood before the Gate where the Porter was. Then
said Christian to the Porter, Sir, what House is this? and may I lodge here to-night? The
Porter answered, This House was built by the Lord of the Hill, and he built it for the relief
and security of Pilgrims. The Porter also asked whence he was, and whither he was
going?
_Chr._ I am come from the City of Destruction, and am going to Mount _Zion_; but
because the Sun is now set, I desire, if I may, to lodge here to-night.
_Por._ What is your name?
_Chr._ My name is now Christian, but my name at the first was _Graceless;_ I came of
the race of Japhet, whom God will perswade to dwell in the Tents of Shem.
_Por._ But how doth it happen that you come so late? The Sun is set.
_Chr._ I had been here sooner, but that, wretched man that I am! I slept in the Arbour that
stands on the Hillside; nay, I had notwithstanding that been here much sooner, but that in
my sleep I lost my Evidence, and came without it to the brow of the Hill; and then feeling
for it, and finding it not, I was forced with sorrow of heart to go back to the place where I
slept my sleep, where I found it, and now I am come.
_Por._ Well, I will call out one of the Virgins of this place, who will, if she likes your
talk, bring you in to the rest of the Family, according to the rules of the house. So
Watchful the Porter rang a bell, at the sound of which came out at the door of the house, a
grave and beautiful Damsel named Discretion, and asked why she was called.
The Porter answered, This man is in a Journey from the City of Destruction to Mount
Zion, but being weary and benighted, he asked me if he might lodge here to-night; so I
told him I would