Pilgrim's Progress

The Departure

By John Bunyan

Some time ago, I told you of my dream about Christian the Pilgrim, and of his dangerous journey to the Celestial Country; and the telling of it was pleasing to me and I hope profitable to you. Now, not long ago, I went down again towards that place wherein there is a Den; and having taken up my lodgings in a forest near by — I slept and dreamed again!

I thought that I saw in my dream the little house in the City of Destruction, which had once been Christian's home. In that house sat Christian's wife, her eyes full of brinish tears and her mind burdened with many grievous thoughts.

Then, as she moaned and wept, she said to her children, "Sons, we are all undone! Your father is gone to the Celestial Land. He would have had us with him — but I would not go. And now we are left alone in this place with no one to comfort us."

With that the boys fell all into tears, and cried out to go after their father.

"Oh, that we had gone with him!" cried CHRISTIANA, for that was her name. "Oh. that we had shared his burden and his perils — for then had it fared well with us."

Then all wept and cried out, "Oh, woe worth the day!"

In the morning when they were up and still feeling very sorrowful, they heard someone knocking hard at the door.

"If you come in God's name, come in," said Christiana.

So he opened the door and came in, saying, "Peace be to this house!"

Christiana saw that he was a messenger, and her heart waxed warm, for she hoped that he brought news of her husband.

Then he said to her, "My name is SECRET, and I dwell with those that are high. I have come from the Lord of the Celestial Land to tell you that he is willing to receive you. He invites you to come to his table, and he will feed you with the fat of his house. Your husband is already there, and he will be glad to hear the sound of your feet."

At this the good woman was quite overcome, and she cried out, "Sir, I am ready to go. Will you carry me and my children with you?"

Then answered the messenger, "Christiana, the bitter is before the sweet. You must pass through troubles, as Christian did — before you can enter the Celestial City. Follow the light which you see dimly in the distance. Go to the wicket gate. Keep to the straight and narrow way."

Having said this, the messenger bade her farewell, and Christiana called her sons together.

"Come, my children," she said, "let us pack up and be off to the gate that leads to the Celestial Land!"

When the children heard this, they danced for joy, for they longed to follow in the footsteps of their father. So all made haste to get ready for the journey.

But just as they were about to be gone, two women who were neighbors of Christiana came up to the house and knocked at the door. And when they saw the mother and the boys all ready to set out from their home, they were much surprised.

"Indeed, indeed, what is the meaning of this?" asked one of them, whose name was Mrs. TIMOROUS.

"We are going on a journey," answered Christiana.

"A journey! Where to, I pray you?" cried Mrs. Timorous.

"Even to go after my good husband," said Christiana; and with that she began to weep.

"I'm afraid you'll be sorry for it," said Mrs. Timorous. "Only think of the perils in your way. Think of your four little boys, and remember that the safest place is at home."

"Tempt me not, my neighbor," answered Christiana. "I have fully made up my mind, and nothing can turn me back."

"Fool! fool!" said Mrs. Timorous, and she mocked Christiana and spoke many bitter words to her. Then she turned to the other young woman and said," Come, MERCY, let us go home. She will have her own way, and so let her suffer as she deserves."

But Mercy's kind heart was touched at the thought of parting with Christiana. So she answered Mrs. Timorous, and said, "Nay, I think I will walk a little way with her and the boys. The day is bright and fair, and I will help them to get well started on their journey."

"Ha!" said Mrs. Timorous. "You want to go a fooling, too, do you? But take heed in time, and be wise. While we are out of danger, we are out; but when we are in, we are in."

Then Mrs. Timorous returned to her own house. And Christiana and her boys went out hopefully and began their journey. And the sweet-faced maiden whose name was Mercy went with them.

"I will be your companion even to the wicket gate and as much farther as the King will permit me to go," she said.