they will still talk in the same way, for their sleep is like that of
the man on the mast of a ship, when the waves of the sea beat on him.
Then did Christiana, Mercy and their train go on with fear, and they
sought from their guide a light for the rest of the way.
But as the poor babes' cries were loud for want of rest, all fell on
their knees to pray for help. And, by the time that they had gone but
a short way, a wind sprang up which drove off the fog; so, now that the
air was clear, they made their way.
Then they came to the land of Beulah, where the sun shines night and
day. Here they took some rest, and ate of the fruit that hung from the
boughs round them. But all the sleep that they could wish for in such
a land as this was but for a short space of time; for the bells rang to
such sweet tunes, and such a blaze of lights burst on their eyes, that
they soon rose to walk to and fro on this bright way, where no base feet
dare to tread.
And now they heard shouts rise up, for there was a noise in the town
that a post was come from The Celestial City with words of great joy for
Christiana, the wife of Christian. So search was made for her, and the
house was found in which she was.
Then the post put a note in her hands, the words of which were: Hail,
good Christiana! I bring thee word that the Lord calls for thee, to
stand near His throne in robes of white, in ten days' time.
When he who brought the note had read it to her, he gave her a sign that
they were words of truth and love, and said he had come to bid her make
haste to be gone. The sign was a shaft with a sharp point, which was to
tell her, that at the time the note spoke of, she must die.
Christiana heard with joy that her toils would so soon he at an end, and
that she should once more live with her dear Christian.
She then sent for her sons and their wives to come to her. To these she
gave words of good cheer. She told them how glad she was to have them
near her at such a time. She sought, too, to make her own death, now
close at hand, of use to them, from this time up to the hour when they
should each of them have to quit this world. Her hope was that it might
help guide them on their path; that the Faith which she had taught them
to cling to, would have sunk deep in their hearts; and that all their
works should spring from love to God. She could but pray that they would
bear these words in mind, and put their whole trust in Him who had borne
their sins on the Cross, and had been slain to save them.
When the day came that she must go forth to the world of love and truth,
the road was full of those who would fain see her start on her way; and
the last words that she was heard to say were: I come, Lord, to be with
Thee.
THE END.