LESSON 49 CHRISTIAN AND THE LIONS

CHRISTIAN AND THE LIONS

Nearly three hundred years ago, John Bunyan, whilst imprisoned in Bedford jail, wrote his famous book, "Pilgrim's Progress," which all boys and girls should read. It is one of the best and wisest books to be found in the whole world.

In "Pilgrim's Progress" Bunyan tells of the trials and troubles that beset all who try to fight against evil and do good. He says that a good life is like a long journey from the City of Death to the Holy City of God.

So, in order to tell us how to fight evil and live the good life, he recounts [1] the dangers that a good man— Christian by name— encountered [2] in escaping from the City of Death to the Holy City.

It would take up more space than is to be found in this lesson to tell you all that befell Christian on his journey. We shall, therefore, tell only how Christian escaped from the lions, after he had climbed up the Hill of Difficulty.

Now when he was got up to the top of the hill, there came two men running against him amain; the name of the one was Timorous, and the other Mistrust; to whom Christian said, 'Sirs, what's the matter, that you run the wrong way?'

Timorous answered that they were going to the City of Zion, and had got up that difficult place. 'But,' said he, 'the further we go, the more danger we meet with; wherefore we turned, and are going back again.'

Yes,' said Mistrust, 'for just before us lie a couple of lions in the way, whether sleeping or waking we know not; and we could not think if we came within reach, but they would presently pull us to pieces.'

Then,' said Christian, 'you make me afraid, but whither shall I fly to be safe? If I go back to mine own country, I shall certainly perish [3] there. I must venture: to go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward.'

So Mistrust and Timorous ran back again down the Hill of Difficulty, and Christian went on his way. But he soon turned back again, for he found that he had lost a precious roll of writing, and he was bound to find this before going on his way.

When, at length, Christian had found his roll, night was coming on, and the way was therefore more difficult and more dangerous. He bemoaned his carelessness, but still went on until he had again climbed up the Hill of Difficulty.

Now also he remembered the story that Mistrust and Timorous told him of how they were frightened with the sight of the lions. Then said Christian to himself again,'These beasts range in the night for their prey; and if they should meet with me in the dark, how should I escape being torn to pieces by them?'

Then he went on his way. But, while he was thus bewailing his unhappy lot, he lifted up his eyes and behold there was a very stately palace before him, the name of which was Beautiful; and it stood just by the highway-side.

So he made haste and went forward, that, if possible, he might get lodgings there.

Now, before he had gone far, he entered into a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong from the porter's lodge.

HE HEARD THE LIONS ROAR, BUT THEY DID HIM NO HARM!

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 Timorous were driven back by.'

Then he was afraid, and thought also to go back after them, for he thought nothing but death was before him.

But the porter of the lodge, whose name was Watchful, seeing that Christian made a halt as if he would go back, cried out unto him, saying, 'Is thy strength then 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 them that have none. Keep in the middle of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.'

Then Christian went on, trembling for fear of the lions, but taking good heed to the directions of the porter. He heard the lions roar, but they did him no harm! Then he clapped his hands, and went on till he 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 for the relief of pilgrims.'

The porter then asked whence Christian had come, and whither he was going, and was told that he was on his way from the City of Death to the Holy City, and, at last, he was lodged safely for the night in the palace."

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[1] recounts: Tells; relates.

[2] encountered: Met with.

[3] perish: Die.