Books are like men: great ones are rare.
Occasionally a book is written that affects the
thinking of people for centuries. To this class
belongs John Bunyan's _Pilgrim's Progress_,
published 1678-1684.
It is the story of the journey of a man named
Christian the Pilgrim, who travels from the City of
Destruction to the Holy City. On this journey
Christian is beset by all manner of terrors,
temptations, and evils. The story is an allegory,
portraying life and its struggles if one attempts
to live righteously. Its language is that of the
Bible. Its dialogue and characters seem real, and
its narrative is full of action.
Now I beheld in my dream that Christian and Hopeful
had not journeyed far until they came where
the river and the way parted, at which they were not a
little sorry; yet they durst not go out of the way. Now
the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender 5
by reason of their travel; so the souls of the pilgrims were
much discouraged because of the way. Wherefore, still
as they went on, they wished for a better way.
Now, a little before them, there was on the left hand of
the road a meadow, and a stile to go over into it; and that 10
meadow is called Bypath Meadow. Then said Christian
to his fellow, "If this meadow lieth along by our wayside,
let us go over into it." Then he went to the stile to see,
and behold a path lay along by the way on the other side
of the fence. 15
"'Tis according to my wish," said Christian; "here is
the easiest going; come, good Hopeful, and let us go over."
"But how if this path should lead us out of the way?"
"That is not likely," said the other. "Look, doth it
not go along by the wayside?"
So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow, went after
him over the stile. When they were gone over, and were 5
got into the path, they found it very easy for their feet;
and withal they, looking before them, espied a man walking
as they did, and his name was Vain-Confidence: so
they called after him, and asked him whither that way
led. 10