Christiana Page 14

"Dear sir," begged Mercy, "do continue with us till journey's end. Please."

  "I cannot. I am sorry."

  "But without a brave defender, how can such poor women as we hope to endure such a dangerous way?" begged Mercy, adding her tears to Christiana's.

  "Please, Mr. Great-heart, sir. Can't you come with us just a teensy, weensy way more?" cajoled James.

  "Yes, please, sir. We are so weak and the way is so dangerous!" declared Samuel.

  "Ah," said Great-heart, bowing his head to hide his feelings. "You are like to break my heart with your pleadings, for truly I have come to love you all dearly."

  "Then stay!" cried James.

  "Yes! Stay!" agreed his brothers.

  The Pilgrim's entreat Mr. Great-heart to stay with them

  "The decision is not mine to make, dear ones. If my lord commands, I shall be glad to obey."

  "Then ask him to send you," said Mercy.

  "Such a request is not mine to make, dear Mercy."

  "Whose then?"

  "It is you and you alone that can request an escort. And I must inform thee that in this matter you have seriously failed."

  "In what way?" inquired Christiana.

  "In that you did not request my services all the way to journey's end. You should have done it when my master first assigned me to you."

  "Oh, me! We did not think of it!" groaned Christiana.

  "Neither did you think of it when you left the wicket gate."

  "Aye, sir," confessed Christiana, face grown long by reason of discouragement with herself. "We did not think of it then either."

  "And for our lack of forethought, we came into mortal danger!" added Mercy sadly.

  "And now we have done it again! Oh, Mercy, remember what Help told us after our rescue?"

  "What?"

  "That it is part of God's plan 'to grant us in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not otherwise bestow'."

  "Ah, yes," confessed Mercy. "We are so slow to learn our lessons. But is it entirely too late to ask now, dear Mr. Great-heart?"

  "Regarding the rest of your journey, I do not know. But for now, I have my orders; and so, good Christiana, Mercy, and my brave young soldiers of the cross, I bid you all a fond adieu."

  "Farewell," said Christiana through her tears.

  "Thank you, dear Mr. Great-heart," sniffled Mercy through hers.

  "Farewell, master Great-heart," said Matthew as he shook the guide's hand firmly. "I pray we may meet again."

  "As do I, Matthew," said Great-heart. "But do learn this lesson on behalf of your mother."

  "Which one, sir?"

  "That 'not worth asking means not worth having'."

  "I shall try," promised the lad.

  "Goodbye, Mr. Great-heart," said James bravely, albeit with a husky quality edging his normally clear piping voice.

  "Fare thee well, Sonny," said Great-heart with a tossle of his hair. "Be brave and don't let any giants eat thee up, eh?"

  "I won't. Bye." Then James, having run clean out of courage, buried his tearful face deep in his mother's skirts.

  And so the warrior sadly turned himself into the gathering gloom and was soon lost to their searching eyes.

  "Oh, when will we ever learn?" sighed Christiana as she reluctantly turned to enter the house.

  Then the Porter rang his bell, as was his custom at such meetings, and there came to the door one of the damsels, whose name was Humble-mind. To her the Porter said, "Go, tell the others that Christiana, the wife of Christian is come hither on pilgrimage." And so she did. And as soon as the sound of Christiana's name lit upon their ears, oh, what sounds of rejoicing arose from within!

  Then Discretion came to the door. Upon learning for a certain that it was indeed Christiana, she said, "Come in, Christiana. Come in, thou wife of that good man!"

  So Christiana went in, followed by her children and loving companion. Now they had them into a very large parlor where they were bidden to sit down. So they did and the chief ones of the house, namely Prudence, Piety and Charity, were called to come welcome their guests. So when these noble damsels came in and saw that it was indeed Christiana's band, they saluted them all with a holy kiss and said, "Welcome, ye vessels of the grace of God. Welcome to us, your friends."

  "Our father told us you were a-coming," said Prudence. "Therefore have we prepared a lamb with special herbs and spices to give it a goodly flavor. Therefore, please refresh yourselves with a morsel of meat."

  So when they had supped and ended their family prayers with a psalm, they requested that they might go to their rest.

  Now, as they were being assigned their various rooms, Christiana cleared her throat nervously and said, "A hem. Uh . . . excuse me?"

  "Yes?" answered Watchful with a knowing twinkle in his eye.

  "Might I be so bold as to seek repose in the same room as my husband?"

  "But of course!" answered he with a smile. "Where else? Your baggage is already there, your bath is drawn and the pillows are fluffed. Come this way."

  And so they had them all to their respective rooms. After prayers and a bit of good night chatter, the boys were tucked in with a mother's kiss. Christiana and Mercy however, stayed up a bit to encourage each other in the Lord, thus making the place sacred with their praises.

  "Ah, dear Mercy," began Christiana with exceeding joy. "When my dear husband first left on pilgrimage, had you dared prophesy that I would one day follow in his steps, I would have called you mad."

  "Aye. And in your wildest imaginings, would you have ever dreamed that you would find yourself in his chamber and sleeping upon his very bed?"

  "Nay. I had only the dimmest hope of ever seeing his face again. But now! Oh! But now - I have dreams of one day feeling my husband's arm about my waist again and bowing with him before the great King of Creation. Oh, Mercy," cried Christiana, her eyes now spilling over with tears of gratitude, "the thought! Just the thought is enough to overflow my soul with joy!"

  "Aye. And my heart doth rejoice with you for the hope that is set before you. But wait . . . listen . . . do you hear music?"

  So Christiana perked up her ears and in the silence she thought she could indeed hear the sounds of distant harps and choirs and bells. Then said Christiana, "Yes! It is music. Beautiful music!"

  "But why?"

  "I dare to believe we are hearing the joy that resounds through heaven over one sinner that repents. They are overjoyed that we have come so far as to be resting in this house of God."

  "Ah, wonderful! Music in the house! Music in the heart! And now, music in heaven for joy that we are here! Oh, Christiana! How I love this pilgrim way! Thank you for bringing me with you!" And with that she gave her friend a sisterly embrace and mingled her tears with those of her friend. Then, pulling back and taking Christiana's hands in her own she added, "And Christiana. Should I chance to perish in some danger yet to come - so be it. I will count it a privilege to die for He who sits upon the throne and rejoices over us with singing. Oh, bless Him!"

  "Well, best we get a little sleep, dear Mercy," said Christiana as she stood and pulled back the down comforter.

  "Christiana?" said Mercy, pointing to an envelope. What lies in your bed?"

  "Why, I cannot tell," answered she. "It seems to be some sort of letter."

  "Look! It has your name upon it! And, it be writ in letters of fine gold as was the other, although perhaps not with such a graceful hand. I wonder who . . . "

  "Oh, me!" shrieked Christiana.

  "What?"

  "Can it be?" Thus saying, she stretched forth a trembling hand and picked up the precious epistle. "Oh, me!" she cried as tears began to flow down her cheeks. "Oh, bless him!"

  "Christiana! What is it? Why are you crying?"

  "This rough writing is in my husband's hand," said Christiana, holding the letter close to her breast. "Oh! I do dare believe that this letter is from him!"

  "Oh, then best I leave,"

  "You may stay, Mercy."

&n
bsp; "Nay, for I dare not be present at such a sacred moment. Good night." And with that, she bowed and softly eased out of the room. Upon smelling the letter Christiana found its fragrance to be the same as her other. Opening it as gently as she could with shaking hands, she saw a peacock's feather fall gently upon the bed. "Oh!" she cried. "The dear man!" Then she opened the letter, writ in a manly hand upon the parchment of heaven. And this is what it said:

  My Dearest Christiana,

  I write this letter to you in faith, believing that my prayers for you have been answered.

  What lies ahead I cannot tell you, having not yet come there myself. But I do believe that he which hath begun a good work in me shall finish it. But, should you perchance hear that I have fallen by the way, do not allow my failure to turn you back. There is a greater Husband than I, who yearns over you with a love stronger than death. Do not fail to present yourself before Him by being faithful - especially in the little things.

  Above all, do not hesitate to ask your Lord and his servants for every promised blessing. He has a use for you and He is well pleased when you make the very highest demands upon Him that you may glorify His name. Open wide thy mouth and He shall fill it. Storm the gates of heaven with holy boldness, carrying in all your little flock and many more besides.

  I now bid thee a fond good night with the wish that I were a genie tucked within this letter. Were that so, I would billow forth and tuck you in with a gentle kiss. But alas, for now, I must settle for the wish.

  Until we meet again, may our Heavenly Lover bless thee and keep thee and watch between us while we are apart.

  Your loving husband,

  Christian

  P.S. I have enclosed a peacock's feather with the eye of the rainbow. Think of it as my eye watching o'er you with all the love I own. Adieu.

  Upon reading this, Christiana's eyes ran rich with joyful moisture. She clasped the letter to her breast and fell to her knees beside the bed. There she sobbed out a prayer of renewed dedication to the Lord of Lords and ended with a vow of faithfulness. Then she lay in bed and read the letter a dozen times over until weariness closed her eyes in peaceful slumber.

  There I saw her lie, the fragrant letter lying close to her cheek, and a smile playing upon her lips. And do you know! I think I may have seen her guardian angel appear for a brief moment to tuck the comforter under her chin. But whether I actually saw it or just wished it so, I cannot precisely tell.

  Now sometime in the middle of the night, Mercy laughed. And that with such freedom and bubbly happiness that it awoke Christiana, who smiled, touched the holy letter to her cheek, and then fell asleep again. When morning came, Christiana questioned Mercy about her dreams.

  Mercy's Dream

  "Oh? replied Mercy. " And what makes you imagine that I had such merry dreams, Christiana?"

  "Because you laughed aloud with such exuberance that it awoke me. But pray tell, what was in your dream?"

  "Well, I must inform you that my dream did not begin so merrily as you heard it end. At its first, I saw myself in a solitary place. There I sat all alone, bemoaning the hardness of my heart. Now I had not sat there long but m'thought that many of my boisterous friends gathered about to see me and hear what I was saying. But I took no notice and continued to pray and search my heart to see if I was indeed in the faith.

  After they had listened to my prayers for a time, some of them began to mock and laugh and call me a fool. But when this had no effect, they grew angry and began to throw things at me and to push me about. As they were taunting me so, m'thought I looked up and saw one with wings coming to meet me. At his coming my tormentors fled and vanished away. So he said, 'Mercy. What aileth thee?' So I told him of my fears, saying, 'Ah, sir, 'tis over the hardness of my heart that I am in this state of grief'.

  Mercy: "There I sat all alone, bemoaning the hardness of my heart"

  "Ah. But remember, Mercy, that 'tears may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning'. Peace be to thee!"

  "But I am of such a hard heart and so full of selfishness."

  "That is not how God the Father sees thee."

  "No?' I answered. "How then?"

  "He sees in thee not the vileness of the sinner, but rather the perfect likeness of His Son, in whom thou hast come to trust." Then he wiped my eyes with his kerchief and clad me in snow-white linen. He put a chain about my neck and a beautiful crown upon my head.

  Then he took me by the hand and said, "Mercy, come after me." So he went up and I followed till we came at a golden gate. There he knocked, and when they within had opened, the man went in and I followed him up to a throne. He that sat thereon was glorious to behold and when He saw me, He smiled and said to me, "Welcome, daughter!"

  "Who was it?"

  "'Twas Jesus Himself, Christiana! There was a green rainbow over His throne and on either side were the covering cherubs with their great wings. On each side of Him were the four beautiful beasts that surround the throne of God. And before him sat the four and twenty elders. The place looked all bright and glorious and brighter than the sun. Then, as I looked about, I saw your husband."

  "My husband!"

  "Aye. He came to me with a great beaming smile and asked if I was that same Mercy who had set out on pilgrimage with one Christiana. I was all nervous for he was so vibrant with youth and handsome beyond measure. But I was at last able to nod my head and stammer, 'Aye, sir'."

  "And where is she now?" he asked.

  "She is sleeping at the Porter's house. Yea, and in your very bed, sir."

  "'Indeed? Has she got so far already?'

  "Aye, sir. She is a true pilgrim and worthy of the name."

  "Then she will soon be here!"

  "'Yes sir. And that perhaps sooner than you think." Upon saying that, I chanced to glance towards the throne and saw He that sat thereon smile at my words.

  "Aye," answered Christian with a sigh, "sooner than I think - but much longer than I wish."

  "And do you think she will be glad to see me?" he asked eagerly.

  "Oh, yes! More glad than you can imagine! Her thoughts and words are continually about coming to be with her Lord and you in this blessed place."

  "'Oh, joy! She is really coming! Oh, joy, joy, joy!'

  "Then did your husband sing and dance with such vigor and joy that even the King on his throne could not forebear laughing. Yea, so infectious was His merriment that I found myself laughing with Him."

  "Oh, the dear man!" cried Christiana. "May God speed my way home."

  "As I believe He shall."

  "Ah, Mercy. God has sent thee a good dream to cheer us on our way!"

  "Aye. And I hope I can be there when you come into His presence with singing. Oh, to see the smile on the King's face again! And oh, to see your husband dance his jig for the joy of seeing you! My!"

  "My, indeed! Oh, thank you, Mercy! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Well, we should be up and about our day I suppose. The boys are doubtless exploring the orchards and gardens."

  "Christiana?"

  "Yes, Mercy?"

  "I heard you weeping softly last night. Is all well?"

  "Oh, yes, Mercy. More than you can imagine. The letter was from my husband, and those were tears of joy I shed. That letter, and your dream have given me a hope that shall never pass away!"

  "Oh, I am glad."

  "Shall we be off?"

  "I shall join you in a few moments."

  "And why the delay? Are you not hungry?"

  "Oh, yes. I just want write in my diary. Someday we may want to read of these moments again."

  "Indeed! For what is so encouraging as to remember how God has led us in the past? I shall meet thee at the table."

  "Christiana?"

  "Yes?"

  "If they should perchance invite us to stay a few days, let us please accept. I love to look upon the beauty of Prudence, Piety, and Charity, and would love to know them better."

  "So we shall; for they will not urge us forward until we ha
ve gathered strength for our journey."

  So when they were ready, they came down. And they asked them of their rest and if they had passed a pleasant night.

  "Oh, very good," answered Mercy with a knowing glance at Christiana. "It was perhaps the best night's lodging that ever we had."

  "Good. Will you be able to stay with us for a time?" asked Prudence.