"Comfort the feeble-minded."--_Paul_.
Feeble-mind shall first tell you his own story in his own words, and then
I shall perhaps venture a few observations upon his history and his
character.
"I am but a sickly man, as you see," said Feeble-mind to Greatheart, "and
because Death did usually knock once a day at my door, I thought I should
never be well at home. So I betook myself to a pilgrim's life, and have
travelled hither from the town of Uncertain, where I and my father were
born. I am a man of no strength at all of body, nor yet of mind; but
would, if I could, though I can but crawl, spend my life in the pilgrim's
way. When I came at the gate that is at the head of the way, the Lord of
that place did entertain me freely. Neither objected he against my
weakly looks, nor against my feeble mind; but gave me such things as were
necessary for my journey, and bade me hope to the end. When I came to
the house of the Interpreter I received much kindness there; and, because
the Hill Difficulty was judged too hard for me, I was carried up that
hill by one of his servants. Indeed I have found much relief from
pilgrims, though none were willing to go so softly as I am forced to do.
Yet, still, as they came on, they bid me be of good cheer, and said that
it was the will of their Lord that comfort should be given to the feeble-
minded, and so went on their own pace. I look for brunts by the way; but
this I have resolved on, to wit, to run when I can, to go when I cannot
run, and to creep when I cannot go. As to the main, I thank Him that
loves me, I am fixed. My way is before me, my mind is beyond the river
that has no bridge, though I am, as you see, but of a feeble mind."
Then said old Mr. Honest, "Have you not some time ago been acquainted
with one Mr. Fearing, a pilgrim?" "Acquainted with him! yes. He came
from the town of Stupidity, which lies four degrees to the northward of
the City of Destruction, and as many off where I was born. Yet we were
well acquainted; for, indeed, he was mine uncle, my father's brother. He
and I have been much of a temper; he was a little shorter than I, but yet
we were much of a complexion." "I perceive that you know him," said Mr.
Honest, "and I am apt to believe also that you were related one to
another; for you have his whitely look, a cast like his with your eye,
and your speech is much alike."
"Alas!" Feeble-mind went on, "I want a suitable companion. You are all
lusty and strong, but I, as you see, am weak. I choose therefore rather
to come behind, lest, by reason of my many infirmities, I should be both
a burden to myself and to you. I am, as I said, a man of a weak and
feeble mind, and shall be offended and made weak at that which others can
bear. I shall like no laughing; I shall like no gay attire; I shall like
no unprofitable questions. Nay, I am so weak a man as to be offended
with what others have a liberty to do. I do not yet know all the truth.
I am a very ignorant Christian man. Sometimes, if I hear some rejoice in
the Lord, it troubles me because I cannot do so too. It is with me as
with a weak man among the strong, or as with a sickly man among the
healthy, or as a lamp despised." "But, brother," said Greatheart, "I
have it in commission to comfort the feeble-minded and to support the
weak." Thus therefore, they went on--Mr. Greatheart and Mr. Honest went
before; Christiana and her children went next; and Mr. Feeble-mind and
Mr. Ready-to-halt came behind with his crutches.