I couldn't remember ever seeing so many flowers before, and hearing so many different birds sing. We were safely past the Dark Valley, out of the reach of Giant Despair, and we certainly couldn't see places like Doubting Castle and Vanity Fair from here.
What we could see was the Celestial City across the Dark River. As I looked at it, knowing it was where the King and his Son lived, I began to feel shaky with joy. I had to sit down to recover, and Hopeful sat with me.
"The thought of what's ahead is almost too much to take in," he said, as his eyes sparkled.
As soon as we were feeling better, we continued on our way, going past orchards, vineyards and gardens. Although they were fenced in, we found open gates to go through. By the edge of a wood we saw a small arbour.
Let me tell you what an arbour is. It's a sort of reltesh; I mean a sort of trelesh. No, I mean it's a sort of leshert. Sorry, I keep mixing up the letters! Can you sort them out and make the right word?
I noticed a man watching us. We told him who we were and he explained he was the gardener. The gardener invited us to pick fruit and refresh ourselves. "There's a shelter here, where you can sleep," he said, showing us the arbour built from timber and green leaves.
"Who do all these gardens and orchards belong to?" I asked.
"They are the King's," he said. "He planted them here for his own enjoyment, and also as a place where pilgrims like you can rest."
"Oh, Hopeful," I said one evening, as we sat in the arbour, watching the sun slowly sink behind the hills, "aren't you glad we came? I seem to be forgetting all the troubles we've had, now that we're happy."
Hopeful smiled. "I'm glad I didn't lose my Roll of Faith at Vanity Fair. The King's Son must surely have been helping me."
The gardener came and stood by us. "What happens to pilgrims now?" I asked him.
The man sat down with us and put a hand on his chin, deep in thought. "Some pilgrims live quietly in this land for many years," he said, "but usually the King gives them work to do in the country of the evil prince."
"I remember when Help pulled me out of the Slough of Despond," I told the gardener. "He said he'd been to the Gates of the City, but the King had given him some work to do before he could enter. I'll go away and work for the King if he wants me to, but I think I'd like best to go straight to the City."
Hopeful agreed. "So would I."
The King's gardener told us of the good things that lay ahead. So we stayed happily in Beulah, talking and thinking about the King. A few angels walked with us from time to time, for we were on the border of the Celestial City.
We watched Ignorance walk past the gates of the King's gardens, but he wasn't wearing the King's clothes, and the gardener didn't invite him in. I noticed that the angels, although they saw Ignorance as he walked along, didn't speak to him or give him any encouraging message from the King.
One day we followed Ignorance to the bank of the Dark River. He kept looking across at the walls of the Celestial City, then he stepped into the water. The water was rough and he jumped back out, a puzzled look on his face.
"I don't want to cross just yet," I heard him say.
I hurried over to Ignorance. "It's still not too late to go through the Wicket Gate and find the Cross," I told him. "I know the Way, and I can take you there if you like."
What do you think Ignorance will say?
Ignorance shook his head. "I can't be bothered about that sort of thing now. Anyway, it's probably too late."
Hopeful joined us. "No, it's never too late," he said. "Not until you cross the Dark River."
Ignorance sighed loudly. "That's where I'm going," he said, pointing to the walls of the Celestial City. "I've not been a bad person, so I don't think there'll be a problem. I can't see a bridge, so maybe there's a boat to carry the pilgrims over."
"There is a boat," a voice said behind us.
We turned to see who was speaking. It was the King's gardener.
"There is a boat," he repeated quietly, out of the hearing of Ignorance, "but it belongs to the evil prince. The King's pilgrims never use it. The boatman's name is Vain-Hope. Here he comes now. Look, he's seen Ignorance, and he's rowing towards him."
"Come on, Ignorance, it's time for you to cross over," the boatman called, as he drew his craft into the riverbank. "I've brought my boat for you."
Ignorance looked pleased. "I suppose the King sent you."
"Of course," Vain-Hope replied, but it sounded like a lie.
He held out his hand and Ignorance took it, stepping into the boat. Then Vain-Hope picked up his oars and prepared to row across the rough water.
"What do I do when I get to the other side," we heard Ignorance ask.
Vain-Hope pointed to a path on the opposite bank. "That's the best way," he explained. "It's smooth and easy. If the King's angels had come to meet you, they'd have taken you by another road that's steep and difficult to climb. Go straight up to the Golden Gates, and you'll soon find your way to the King's palace."
We watched the boat reach the far bank of the River, where Ignorance got out. He turned and began to climb the path towards the City.
"What will happen to him now?" I asked the gardener.
"Ignorance will come to a gateway," the gardener said. "On the archway he will see some words written in large letters:
"BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WASH THEIR ROBES, SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY ENTER BY THE GATES INTO THE CITY."
The gardener shook his head. "Ignorance will think to himself that he's tried to do his best, so he'll call out, 'I'm a pilgrim, and I've just crossed the River. I wish to live in the Celestial City."
I frowned. "And then?"
The gardener looked unhappy. "Then Ignorance will be asked for his Roll of Faith. I have seen it happen many times. He will put his hand into his pockets and pretend to feel for it."
"Won't he be let in?" Hopeful asked.
"The City is so beautiful," I added. "I want to live there forever."
"And so you will," the gardener assured us. "You came through the Wicket Gate and went past the Cross. The King's own Son built the Wicket Gate, but Ignorance chose not to go through it. So he has no place in the Celestial City."
*
I often sat with Hopeful to watch angels from the Celestial City, as they came across to visit the people who lived with us in the land of Beulah. Sometimes they brought messages from the King to his servants, and we learnt that it would not be long before a message was given to us.
One morning, while we were walking slowly among the vines, we saw two angels coming down the path to meet us.
"Are you travelling to the Celestial City?" the angels asked.
"Yes," we replied together.
The angels asked us many questions, and we told them everything that had happened since we began our pilgrimage. I told of my difficulties and dangers, and Hopeful explained how he wasted so much time in Vanity Fair.
"We've often behaved badly," I said, "but we've been sorry afterwards."
"We have," Hopeful added quietly.
"Forgiveness is a gift offered by the King, and you have accepted it," the angels told us.
"We love the King with all our hearts," I said.
"He knows you do," the angels replied. "And he's sent us to tell you he wants you to enter his City."
Hopeful said he felt excited. I wanted to feel like that, but when I thought of meeting the King I became anxious, and said to the angels, "Will you go with us?"
"We will go with you a little way," they promised, "and meet you again at the Gates of the Celestial City."
They told us to follow them, and we went out of the garden and down to the edge of the Dark River. The reflection of the sun shining on the other side was so glorious that we weren't able to see clearly, but the water between us and the Celestial City looked especially dark.
"Oh," I cried, almost in panic, "if we don't use Vain-Hope's boat, how are we to get across?"
They
will have to walk through:
"You have to walk through the water," the angels said, "but there's no need to be afraid. The King's City is on the other side, and you will soon be safely inside its Gates."
Hopeful raised his head and looked across the river. "Look," he said, "I can see the Gates. Oh, Christian, why are you frightened?
"It's all right for you," I said, "but the King is never going to receive me. I've been a bad pilgrim."
I could no longer see the light beyond the Dark River, and I shivered as I looked at the cold water, then turned once more to the angels. "It's too deep," I said. "I'll be drowned."
"No," the angels told me, "you won't find it too deep. Don't look at the water, Christian, but lift up your eyes to the light."
I tried to be brave. "Do the King's pilgrims always cross safely?"
"Yes, Christian, always," the angels said. "Do not be afraid. Trust in the King, and remember all that he has done for you through his Son."
The angels turned away, and Hopeful put his arm round my shoulders. "Come on, Christian, we'll soon be over. I know the King will take care of us."
We walked slowly down the bank and stepped into the cold River.
I could feel the water pulling at me, trying to drag me under. But Hopeful held me tightly, his eyes fixed on the far bank.
"I keep thinking of all the bad things I've done in my life," I gasped, as a wave hit me in the face. "You go on, Hopeful. I don't deserve to get across safely."
Hopeful wasn't giving up on me. "I can see people waiting for us on the other side," he said. "Just keep going, Christian. The King loves you and wants you with him."
Then I heard the King's Son calling to me with words I'd read in my Book. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you."
I felt my courage returning, and I could touch the river bed and walk to the far bank. The two angels who led us down to the Dark River were there to receive us.
The City stood on a great hill, but we went up to it easily because the angels held us by our arms. I looked down at my clothes, wondering if I'd kept them clean enough to meet the King and his Son. To my amazement I saw that we'd been given shining clothes, and far below, floating away in the River, were the ones we'd travelled in.
Suddenly we were swept up by a host of angels telling us about the beauty and joy that we would find in the Holy City.
Can you remember all the words on the archway? Can you remember some of them?
I looked at Hopeful, with tears in my eyes. "I want to thank the King and his Son for bringing us safely here," I said.
"And so you shall," the angels told us. "The King's Son will wipe away every tear from your eyes. There will no longer be any death. There will no longer be any sadness, or crying or pain. That is all in the past."
"And what are we to do here?" I asked.
The angels smiled. "You will be able to praise the King with shouting and thanksgiving. You will meet your family and friends who have already crossed the Dark River, and they will welcome you with joy."
We came to an archway, with the words that the gardener told us were written there:
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WASH THEIR ROBES, SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY ENTER BY THE GATES INTO THE CITY.
The King's servant looked down from the archway, and took our Rolls of Faith to carry to the King. The Rolls were sealed with the King's Son's own seal, and I knew that when the King saw the seal he would be glad.
Sure enough, the servant returned quickly and ordered the Gates to be opened, so he could take us to the King.
We passed through the gateway and found young Faithful and my mother, and a great crowd waiting to receive us with music and songs of welcome. I noticed that Hopeful didn't have any friends to greet him, for he'd left them behind in the City of Destruction. But people gathered round and spoke kindly to him, and he seemed to forget his loneliness at once.
I heard the bells in the City ring again for joy, and the King's Son came to us, and said, "Christian and Hopeful, you are good and faithful servants. Come and share my joy."
The City shone like the sun, and the streets were paved with gold. People walked with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises.
Then Hopeful sang, "Blessing and honour and glory and power belong to the One sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever."
I knew then why the King's Son is called the Lamb. He let himself be killed as a sacrifice, to take all my guilt and wrongdoing away so I could stand here in front of him, washed clean.
The King's Son held me securely in his arms. "Do not be afraid, Christian," he said. "I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One. I was dead, but now I am alive for ever and ever."
And the angels sang, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty."
I was in Heaven!
PART 2
CHRISTIANA'S STORY
MY NAME IS CHRISTIANA. I think my friend Christian has already told you about me. I expect he said I was too busy at home to join him on his journey to the King. Well, I still am busy, ever so busy, because I have four younger brothers to look after. I expect Christian told you that, too.
I live in a place called the City of Destruction, which is as bad a city to live in as its name sounds. The only place where I feel happy is on the hill above the city, which is where I am now.
I like to sit up high like this. It's where I once sat with Christian -- before he went on his journey. I have my four brothers with me today, and they're all younger than me. I'm worried how I'm going to look after them in the coming winter.
I often think about the journey Christian made, and wonder where he's living. Is he in the Celestial City, or was he lost crossing the Dark River?
While my mother and father were travelling to the Celestial City they begged me to start my journey -- and take my brothers with me. Then last year my father entered the Dark River. A few days later, my mother followed him.
Christian often talked about a special Book he was reading, but I didn't really believe what the Book said.
I look across the open fields and see a light shining brightly in the distance. I remember Christian telling me there's a high wall there, and a door in it with a Wicket Gate where pilgrims must start their journey.
Perhaps we'll all go there one day. Matthew and Samuel are probably old enough, but as I look at Joseph and James who are eight and nine, and they do seem rather young. I think I'll have to wait a couple of years, because I can't leave them behind.
I stand up and signal to my brothers to follow me back to our home in the City of Destruction.
Joseph and James are aged 8 and 9. Are they old enough to start out on the journey that Christian has already taken? If not, how old do you think they need to be?
You will have to read a few more pages before you find the answer!
It's the evening now, and I've prepared tea for my brothers, which went down well. The four of them are out in the streets with their friends, and the house is quiet. I sit by the fire and keep thinking about our father and mother -- and about Christian.
In the night I have a lovely dream. I'm in the Celestial City, walking along its streets with Christian. My brothers are there with us. We go into a wonderful palace where the King's Son meets us and speaks to us.
I wake up with a jump. I wish it had been true, and not just a dream. Although it's early, I get dressed and begin to tidy the house. After breakfast, I jump as someone knocks on the door.
I expect to see a neighbour, but a woman visiting the city is standing there. She says her name is Wisdom, and she's the daughter of Evangelist.
"Christiana, I've wanted to speak to you for some time," Wisdom says, "but I've not been able to find you in the streets."
"No," I say, "I'm tired of the city, so I usually go up the hill to get away from it."
Wisdom lays her hand on my shoulder. "I don't think you're all that happy."
"I'm not
," I tell her. "I'm lonely."
"Why is that? You have your brothers."
"I'm lonely because our father and mother have crossed the Dark River, and so has Christian, and I don't know what's become of them."
"They're with the King in his wonderful City. That's why the King's Son has sent me to tell you to start your journey at once."
I shake my head. "My brothers …"
"You must bring them with you," Wisdom says quickly. "The King's Son will take care of you all."
"So many of us?" I can't believe what I'm hearing. I wonder if the King knows what my brothers are like. I wonder if he knows what I'm like.
Wisdom smiles. "The King's City is large, and there's room in it for every pilgrim." She draws out a folded sheet paper.
"What is it?" I ask.
"It's a letter from the King. Keep it safe and read it often."
"What does it say?" I have to know, but my eyes are running too much to see it clearly.
"It's a promise from the King. To you."
"For me?" I turn away to hide my tears. Not only is Wisdom being kind, but the King has even sent me a letter.
Christiana's tears have smudged the paper, making some letters look like an X. Where is she invited to go?
I'm going to the Celestial City, and I'm still finding it hard to believe that the letter is for me. As I read it, my heart fills with joy mixed with unhappiness -- joy that the King should send me such a loving message, and unhappiness that I've never even bothered with him before.
I look up again at Wisdom, who is standing near me. "I'll go," I say, "and I'll try to get my brothers to go with me."
Wisdom smiles. "I'm glad," she says. "Don't wait any longer, Christiana. The way is easier for young people, and the King will help you in your difficulties."
"Difficulties?" I'm not sure I want too many difficulties. "Can you go with us? I won't be frightened if you show us the way."
Wisdom shakes her head. "No, Christiana, I have other work to do. But there's no need to be frightened. The King's Son will watch over you. Did you see a light in the distance, when you were on the hill?"