Young people's Pilgrim's progress, with exposition

Introduction

IT was my happy privilege to introduce Dr. S. J. Keid to the B. Y. P. U. Convention at Palacios, Texas, in 1911, when he came to us fresh from Ireland, on a preaching and lecturing tour through the United States.

At our convention, his theme for ten lectures was the immortal allegory of John Bunyan; and so great was the impression created, that it was afterwards suggested by friends, including the editor of a great religious paper, that a Young People's " Pilgrim's Progress " might prove of inestimable service in advancing the standard of Christian living among the young members of our churches.

Dr. Keid's book is the outcome of that suggestion. It does not contain the lectures given at Palacios, but is an attempt to introduce Bunyan's work in a form and style likely to commend itself to the young people of the present generation.

The allegory is broken up into chapters suitably headed, and each chapter contains at the end an exposition on the subject matter. The plan is to provide a spiritual interpretation, suggestive rather than exhaustive, as an incentive to encourage the worthy study of this book, among young Christians of the present day. The design of this book appeals to me, because the members of our junior Sunday-school classes can read and understand

8 Introduction

both book and exposition with ease, while there is abundant food for thought and study to engage profitably the energies of the senior classes of our Sunday-schools, and the study circles of our various young people's organizations.

A few of the longer doctrinal discourses have been omitted, as beyond the scope and purpose of the author. Otherwise, all Bunyan is there ; and if some slight changes in the terminology and language are apparent, they have been introduced to suit readers of a tender age.

The " Pilgrim's Progress " is an inexhaustible mine of Christian stimulus and example. It is one of the age-long books. From it each new generation finds strength and consolation for all its varied needs, because of the essential humanity of the work, and its unchanging witness to the experiences of the Christian life under all circumstances. No book on the Christian life can be compared to this classic ; it has never been superseded.

If by this effort Dr. Reid can stimulate a new interest in our young people to acquaint themselves with the lessons and duties of the Christian life, he will have rendered a valuable service to the churches and the lambs of the Master's fold. May God grant it, for His Name's Sake !

Geo. W. Teuett.

Pastor 1 s Study, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.

Contents

Short Sketch of the Life of John Bunyan i 3

I. Christian Begins His Journey, — Obsti-

nate, Pliable and the Slough of Despond 25

II

CHRISTIAN TEAPPED BY MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN

NOW as Christian was walking by himself, he saw far off some one crossing over the field to meet him ; and they came face to face where their paths met. The gentleman's name was Mr. Worldly Wiseman. He lived in the town of Carnal Policy, a very large town, and quite near to the place whence Christian came. This man, then, meeting with Christian, and having a good idea who he was, for Christian's going away from the City of Destruction was much talked about ; not only in the town where he lived, but also in many other places, saw that Christian was in trouble and very sad, and began to talk with him.

" How now, good fellow," said he, " where are you going with your heavy burden ? "

" A heavy load, indeed," said Christian, " as ever a poor creature carried. And you ask me where I am going? I will tell you, sir. I am going to yon wicket gate before me, for I am told that when I get there I shall be shown how I may get rid of my heavy burden."

" Have you a wife and children ? " said Mr. Worldly Wiseman.

3«

" Yes," said Christian, " but I am so tired of this heavy load that I do not enjoy them as I once did ; sometimes I feel as if I had none." 1

" Will you listen to me," said Mr. Worldly Wiseman, " if I give you good advice ? "

" If it be good I will," said Christian, " f or I am very much in need of it."

Mr. Worldly Wiseman : " I would advise you then that you get rid of your load with all haste, for you will never be happy in your mind till then ; nor can you enjoy the blessings of God till then."

Christian : " That is what I seek ; to be rid forever of this heavy burden ; but get it off my back myself I cannot, nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders; so I am going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden."

Worldly Wiseman : " Who told you to go this way to get rid of your burden ? "

Christian : "A man who seemed to me to be a great and good person. His name was Evangelist."

Worldly Wiseman : " He gave you very bad advice ! There is not a more dangerous way in the world than this he showed to you ; and that you shall find if you heed what he says. You have been in trouble already, for I see the mud of the Slough of Despond is on you, and that is only the beginning of the sorrows that do attend those that go on that way. Listen to me. I am much older

38 Christian Trapped by

than you. If you go on this road, you will be hungry, tired, in pain, and in great danger. You will meet with lions, dragons and many other fearful things, and even death. These things are true, and many men have said so who ought to know. Now why should you destroy yourself on the advice of a person you did not know ? "

Christian : " Why, sir, this burden on my back is more terrible than all these things ; and I do not care what I meet with, if I can get rid of my heavy load."

Worldly Wiseman : " How did you find out you had a burden at first ? "

Christian : "By reading this book in my hand."

Worldly Wiseman : "I thought so, and you made the same mistake of other weak men, reading things you cannot understand, and now you are going on a very dangerous journey to get something you know not what."

Christian : " I know what I want. It is to be rid of my heavy burden."

Worldly Wiseman : " But why go this way, which is so dangerous, when I can tell you how to get rid of your burden without running into any dangers ? And this way is quite near by, and you will be safe and happy and find many friends."

Christian : " Oh, sir, tell me this way ! "

Worldly Wiseman : " In yonder village called Morality there lives a gentleman whose name is Legality, a very wise man of good name, who can help you off with your burden. He has helped many in this way, and besides he has cured those who are almost mad because of their heavy burdens. If you go to him you will be helped at once. His house is not quite a mile from where we stand, and if he is not at home, he has a son, whose name is Civility, who can do as well as the old gentleman himself. And if you wish to stay in this town you can send for your wife and children. There are houses standing empty and you may have one at a cheap rent. Food is cheap and good, and you are sure to make many kind friends."

Now Christian said to himself, that if this were true he had better take Mr. Worldly Wiseman's advice, so he asked the way to Legality's house.

Worldly Wiseman : " Do you see yonder high hill?"

Christian : " Yes, very well."

Worldly Wiseman : " By that hill you must go, and the first house you come to is his."

So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr. Legality's house for help ; but when he got close to the hill it seemed so high, and that side of it which was next the pathway hung over so much that he was afraid to go on, lest it should fall on his head. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than when he was on his way.

Flashes of fire ' came out of the hill that made

Christian afraid he would be burned, and he shook

with fear. 2 And now he began to be sorry that he

had taken Mr. Worldly Wiseman's advice; and

4<D Christian Trapped by

when he saw Evangelist coming to him he began to blush with shame. So Evangelist came nearer and nearer ; he looked at Christian sternly and said to him :

" What are you doing here, Christian ? " But poor Christian did not know what to say, so he did not answer. Then Evangelist said : " Are you not the man I found crying outside the walls of the City of Destruction ? "

Christian : " Yes, dear sir, I am the man." Evangelist : " Did I not show you the way to the wicket gate ? How is it then that you are so quickly turned aside, for you are now out of the way."

Christian : " I met with a gentleman as soon as I had got over the Slough of Despond, who told me I might, if I wished, find a man in the town before me who could take off my burden. He talked much with me and at last got me to yield, so I came here, but when I saw this hill, and how it hangs over the pathway, I came to a standstill for fear it should fall on my head."

Evangelist : " What said that gentleman to you ? "

Christian : " He asked me where I was going, also if I had a family. I told him, and said I was so laden with the burden that is on my back that I did not enjoy my wife and children as I used to." Evangelist : " And what did he say ? " Christian : " He bade me with haste get rid of my burden, "and said that he knew a shorter and better way than mine, not nearly so hard ; and sent me to a gentleman who had skill to take off these burdens. I believed him and turned out of the way, thinking I should soon be rid of my burden. But when I saw where I was I became afraid, and now I know not what to do."

Then Evangelist said : " Stand still a little that I may show thee the words of God." So he stood trembling. Then said Evangelist, " See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, how much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven." ' And he said, " The just shall live by faith," and many other words.

Then Christian fell at his feet as dead, crying, " Woe is me, for I am undone."

Then Evangelist caught him by the hand and said, " Be not faithless but believing," 2 and Christian began to cheer up again and stood on his feet, trembling.

Then Evangelist went on to say : " The man who met you is Mr. Worldly Wiseman, and rightly is he so called, partly because he cares only for the teachings of this world 3 (therefore he always goes to the town of Morality to church), and partly because he loves the kind of teaching which does not compel him to come to the cross.* Now there are three things in this man's advice which you must

1 Heb. xii. 25. a John xx. 27.

3 1 John iv. 5. * Gal. vi. 12.

42 Christian Trapped by

always hate : (1) His turning you out of the way ; (2) his trying to make you hate the cross ; (3) and his setting of your feet in the way that leads to death. You must hate his turning you out of the way, and your own consenting to go out of the way, because this is to reject what God has said in His Word for the advice of a Worldly Wiseman. The Lord says, " Strive to enter in at the strait gate " 1 — the gate to which I sent you — " for strait is the gate that leadeth to life and few there be that find it." 2 This wicked man has turned you away from the little wooden gate and the way that leads to it, and has brought you almost to death.

"Then you must hate his trying to make the cross hateful to you. You must love it more than all the riches of the world. 3 The King of Glory has said that he that ' will save his life shall lose it.' Then you must hate his setting your feet in the way that leads to death. And you must think of him whom he sent you to, and also how that person could never lift the burden off your back.

"The name of that man is Legality, and how could he help you when he has a burden of his own ? No man was ever yet set free of his burden by him, nor is ever likely to be, for by the deeds of the law no man living can be rid of his burden. So both Mr. Worldly Wiseman and his son Civility are bad men. Believe me, there is nothing in all

1 Luke xiii. 24. 2 Matfc. vii. 13, 14.

they have said beyond a desire to cheat you, and take you away from the road in which I had set you."

After this Evangelist called aloud to the heavens, and there came words and fire out of the hill under which Christian stood, and these were the words : " As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse," for it is written " Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." '

Now Christian looked for nothing but death, and began to cry out, calling himself a thousand fools for listening to the words of such a man as Worldly Wiseman. Then he said to Evangelist :

" Sir, what do you think ? Is there any hope ? May I now go back and go up to the wicket gate ; I am sorry I gave heed to this man's advice, but may my sin be forgiven ? "

Evangelist replied, saying: "Your sin is very great, for you have committed two evils ; you have forsaken the way that is good, to walk in evil paths. Yet will the man at the gate receive you, for he has good-will for men. Only be very sure that you do not turn aside again."

Then Christian began to go back to the right way, and Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him a smile, and wished him Godspeed. So Christian went on with haste, and would speak to no man by the way. He went on like one who was walking on forbidden ground, and could not think 1 Gal. iii. 10.

44 Christian Trapped by

himself safe till he was in the way which he left to follow Mr. Worldly Wiseman's advice.

Exposition Up till now Christian had not gone wrong. Neither Pliable nor Obstinate nor his friends nor family could get him to give up his journey. But so clever is Mr. Worldly Wiseman in the use of words and in reasoning that he talks Christian into doing what is wrong. This wrong act of Christian's might not have occurred if he had not been alone — " he was walking by himself " — when Mr. Worldly Wiseman came up and spoke to him. Good company helps to keep us from sinful acts and thoughts and words. The talk of Mr. Worldly Wiseman shows how much pride there was in his heart. He thinks he can get into heaven because he is a good man, when he is really a very bad man, with a heart full of sin. Mr. Worldly Wiseman does not think sin a bad thing, so he does not see the need of a Saviour. Mr. Worldly Wiseman does not think much of the Bible, for that was the book which Christian had in his hand and for which Mr. Worldly Wiseman had no regard, but spoke of it with dislike. All advice is bad which is against the teachings of the Bible. God's way is always best. Do not listen to any one who makes light of sin, or leads you to think less of the Word of God. The kind of people who live in the town of Morality are Pharisees. Our Lord, when on earth, told them that all their prayers and giving to the poor, and keeping of the commandments would not save them. No one can be saved by trying to be good. All must go in at the wicket gate. John Newton tried to save himself and failed. Then he trusted Christ and was made happy in Him. The great Fletcher, of Madeley, had to give up trying to make himself good, and when he asked Christ to receive him, he found peace and joy in Him.

" Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come."

Mr. Worldly Wiseman would teach men not to look beyond this life, but Evangelist would have them think of heaven and hell. He loves the company of the rich and great men. He is fond of money, and to get it will pretend to be a good man, if he can in that way make more than by doing wrong. We should never say we are good merely to please people and make them think more highly of us. Seek not the praise of men, nor try to make a profit out of religion. We must please God. Remember the words the Germans delight in saying, " We Germans fear God, and fear no other." And remember that the only way to life is the way of the cross.

Whom did Christian meet after he left the Slough of Despond ?

46 Christian Trapped

"Where did this man live, and what advice did he give to Christian ?

Whom did he tell Christian to see ?

Did Christian follow his advice ?

What happened to Christian then ?

What old friend met him ?

What did Evangelist say to Christian ?

Why was Christian to hate Mr. Worldly Wiseman's advice ?

Why could not Mr. Legality take Christian's burden off his back ?

Why did Christian lose heart ?

What did he expect ?

What question did he ask Evangelist ?

What did Evangelist say and do when Christian asked for forgiveness ?

What did Christian do when Evangelist left him ?

Ill

THE WICKET GATE AM) THE INTEEPEE- TEK'S HOUSE

I

N a short time Christian got up to the wicket gate. Now over the gate was written, " Knock and it shall be opened unto you." '

" He that will enter in must first without Stand knocking at the Gate, nor need he doubt That is a Knocker but to enter in ; For God can love him, and forget his sin."

He knocked, therefore, more than once or twice, saying,

" May I now enter here? Will He within Open to sorry me, though I have been An undeserving rebel ! Then shall I Not fail to sing His lasting praise on high."

At last there came a grave person to the gate named Good-will, who asked, Who was there ? and whence he came ? and what he would have ?

Christian said : " Here is a poor, burdened sinner. I come from the City of Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion that I may be saved from the wrath to come. I would like to know if you are willing to let me in, because I am told that this gate is the right way."

1 Matt. vii. 7. 47

Good-will : " I am willing with all my heart " ; and with that he opened the gate.

So when Christian was stepping in the other gave him a pull. Then said Christian, u Why did you do that ? " Good- will said : " A little distance away from this gate there is a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the captain. And from that castle both he and those who live with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, hoping that they may kill them before they enter in."

Christian was very glad and thankful that he was safe. The man at the gate asked him who showed him the way to the wicket gate.

" Evangelist told me to come this way and knock, and that you, sir, would tell me what to do."

Good-will : " An open door is set before you and no man can shut it. But how is it that you came alone ? "

Christian : " Because none of my friends saw their danger as I saw mine."

Good-will : " Did any of them know of your coming ? "

Christian : " Yes. My wife and children saw me go, and called after me to return. And some of my friends also called after me, but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way. Obstinate and Pliable tried to bring me back, but when they saw they could not get me to return Obstinate went back, but Pliable came a little way." Then Christian told Good-will how both he and Pliable came to the Slough of Despond, into which they suddenly fell. Pliable was then made sad and unhappy, and would not go on. But, getting out at the side next his own house, he went his way home again. "And if Pliable went home," said Christian, " I turned out of the way, and was no better than he, for I found myself in the way of death, because I did what Mr. Worldly Wiseman told me to do."

Good-will : " Oh, did he meet you ? Did he try to make you go to Mr. Legality to ease your heavy load? They are both cheats. But did you take his advice ? "

Christian : " Yes, as far as I dare. I went to find Mr. Legality, but I thought the hill would fall on my head, so I went no farther."

Good-toill : " That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more."

Christian : " Indeed, I do not know what would have become of me if Evangelist had not met me again. It was God's mercy that he met me, for else I would never have come here. But now I am come; I am indeed more fit for death by that mountain than to stand talking with my Lord, but oh, what a favour this is to me that I am allowed to enter here ! "

Good-will : " We do not object. No matter what they may have done before they came here, they are not cast out. 1 Good Christian, come with me and I will teach you the way you must go. Look before you ; do you see that narrow way ? That

1 John vi. 37.

is the way you must go. It was built by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ and His apostles, and is as straight as a rule can make it."

Christian : " Are there no turnings or windings by which a stranger may lose his way ? "

Good-will : " Yes, there are many paths which branch off from this, and they are crooked and wide. You will always know the right from the wrong; the right way alone is narrow and straight." '

Then the Dreamer heard Christian ask Good- will if he could not help him off with the burden that was on his back, for as yet he had not got rid of it ; but Good- will told him he must bear it till he came to a place where it would fall off his back by itself.

Exposition When Christian came to the wicket gate he knocked many times, not once or twice. He was in earnest, and could not stop knocking till he got in. His hand trembled with fear, but he would not let go. "We knock when we pray. Prayer is the means we are to use to open the wicket gate. And we are to pray till the gate opens and Good-will appears. Good-will is none other than Christ. He takes a great interest in all, and has such a kind and loving heart that he asks after Obstinate, Pliable and Christian's family. He would have been glad if they all had come to the wicket gate. Good-will had a grave look on his face. What 1 Matt. vii. 14.

THE WICKET GATE So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull.

made him so sad was the thought of how few leave the City of Destruction to go to Mount Zion. He loves to help pilgrims, for he not only opens the door, but pulls them in. It is just when we are about to enter that the Evil One may do his best to hurt us. For the great desire of Satan is to keep us from coming to Christ. But Christ is willing with all His heart to take us to Himself, no matter what we have done. Christ is the wicket gate. He said : "lam the door. By Me, if any man will enter in, he shall be saved." We come to Him by prayer, and thus knock, knock. Then Christ hears us and comes to pull us to Himself. We tell Him, as Christian did, who we are, what we want, and where we desire to go. Not only will He make us His own, but He will show us how to find the narrow way, how to know it, and how to keep on it. Even the burden on Christian's back, which was the weight of his sins, did not keep him out. So our sins do not keep us from Christ, if we confess them and ask Him to take them away. As He told Christian, so He will tell us how to get the great load off our souls.

Christian's coming in at the wicket gate was only the start of his journey. He was not to stay there. He must go on. So Good-will says, " I will teach you about the way you must go." Christ said long ago, "Come unto Me," "Come after Me." So when we give ourselves to Jesus we make a beginning in the narrow way. After that we are to walk in that way and do as He tells us.

Then Christian began to get ready for his journey. So Good-will told him that when he had gone some distance from the wicket gate he would come to a house called the House of the Interpreter. He was to knock at the door, and he would be taken in and shown many wonderful things. Then Christian took leave of his friend, and he again bade him Godspeed.

So Christian walked on till he came to the House of the Interpreter, where he knocked over and over again. At last one came to the door and asked who was there.

Christian : " Sir, here is a pilgrim who was told by a friend of the good man of this house to call here. I would like to speak to the master of the house."

So he called for the master of the house, who, when he came, asked Christian what he wanted.

Christian : " Sir, I am a man who has come from the City of Destruction, and am going to Mount Zion, and I was told by the man that stands at the wicket gate, at the head of this way, that if I called here you would show me wonderful things, such as would be a help to me in my journey. "

Interpreter : " Come in. I will show you what will be a great help to you."

So he bade his man light a candle, and asked Christian to follow him. He took him into a room, and told his man to open the door. When the door was opened Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hanging up against the wall, and this is what it was like : His eyes were lifted up to heaven, the best of books was in his hand, the law of truth was written upon his lips, the world was behind his back. He stood as if he pleaded with men, and a crown of gold was over his head.