and Jacob, and to the prophets, men that God has taken away from the evil to come, each one walking in his uprightness.

The Pilgrims, inquiring what they were to do in this holy place, they were answered that there they would receive the comforts of all their toil, and joy for all their sorrow; they would reap what they had sown, even the fruit of all their prayers, tears, and suffering for the king on their way. In that place you will wear crowns of gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the HOLY ONE, and serve him continually with praise, shouting, and thanksgiving. There they would have the pleasure of meeting those friends who had gone there before them, and receive with joy those that should follow after them. When the King of Glory shall come, with the sound of trumpet, you will come with him, and you will sit with him, and have a voice in the judgment against his and your enemies. While they were thus drawing toward the Gate, a company of the heavenly host came out to meet them, to whom the Shining Ŏnes introduced the Pilgrims, saying, "These are the men who have loved our Lord, when they were in the world, and have left all for his holy name; and he hath sent us to fetch them, so that they may go in, and look their Redeemer in the face, with joy. Then the heavenly host gave a great shout, saying, "Blessed are they that are called to the marriage-supper of the Lamb."" Then there came out several of the king's trumpeters, who came in white and shining raiment, who made even the heavens to echo with the loud and melodious sounds of the trumpets. They then compassed them around on every side, and thus conducted them to the upper regions. Here, also, they had the city itself in view, and their ears were delighted with the ringing of all the bells to welcome them. But, above all, the thought of their dwelling forever and ever in that glorious place, what tongue can tell the joy? Thus they came up to the Gate.

Immediately after death, the Pilgrims are conducted by angels up to the Celestial City, or Paradise, and we have every reason to believe that every believer, at his death, is attended by

angelic beings, as was Lazarus when he was carried to Abraham's bosom. The conversation of those angelic beings is entirely scriptural, intelligible, animating to every pious mind.

The Pilgrims enter the City. Fate of Ignorance. When the Pilgrims came up to the Gate, they beheld written over it, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the

city." The Shining Ones then bade them call at the Gate, which, when they had done, some of the.heavenly inhabitants looked over the Gate from above, to whom it was said, "These Pilgrims came from the City of Destruction, for the love they bear to the King of this place." The Pilgrims then delivered the certificates they had received at the beginning of their journey. When these were received by the King, he commanded the gate to be opened, "that the righteous who kept the truth might enter."

As the two Pilgrims entered the Gate, they were transfigured, and had raiment put upon them that shone like gold; they had crowns given them in token of honor, and harps to sound the praises of the King. The 'bells of the city rang for joy, and numerous voices were heard to say, "Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." The Pilgrims themselves sung with a loud voice, 'Blessing, honor, glory, and power be to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever."

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While these things were taking place, Ignorance was seen to come to the river-side, without half the difficulty which the two Pilgrims had experienced, as he was ferried over in a boat by one called Vain-hope. When he came up to the Gate, he was asked from whence he came, and what he would have. He answered that he had ate and drank in the presence of the King, and that he had taught in their streets. When asked for his Certificate, he was speechless. The King then commanded two Shining Ones to bind him and take him away, and cast him into darkness. So I awoke, and behold it was a dream.

The certificates which the Pilgrims presented at the Gate, signifies the inward testimony of pardon and acceptance which Christians have received from their divine Lord and Master, answering to the Roll presented to Christian when he lost his burden at the Cross. It is quite possible that persons who have lived an inconsistent or even disgraceful life to their Christian profession, may die with a considerable

degree of composure and resignation, under the delusion of a vain hope. They may even believe a lie till they arrive at the gate of the Heavenly City. But the Supreme Lord and Judge will say unto all such, "Depart from me, I never knew you, all you that work iniquity." May the good Lord deliver us from such a hope and destiny; but may we, like the Christian Pilgrims, be admitted into the joy of our Lord.

This picture is drawn from the Frontispiece to the second part of the Pilgrim's Progress, from the edition of 1687, the year previous to the decease of the "Immortal Dreamer." Bunyan appears dreaming the second time. Christiana, with her children and Mercy, are leaving the City of Destruction and going toward the Wicket Gate. The enemy who tried to stop their pathway is seen in the distance.