way of salvation which Evangelist had pointed

out.

"Have you been informed, my son," said Mr. Worldly-Prudence, addressing himself to Humble Mind, that this way into which you are so rashly and hastily determined to set your foot, is a way abounding in all manner of snares and dangers; and that if you go unprepared to meet these dangers, you will assuredly perish?"

"I know, sir," replied Humble Mind, "that the way of the pilgrim is thickly set with dangers, and that I am weak, and unprovided with any means of self-defence; but Evangelist has taught me, that I must trust in the Lord, who will assuredly bring me through every trial.'

"The Lord our God," said Mr. Worldly-Prudence, as Evangelist has taught you, will no doubt ultimately become our Saviour; but this consideration is by no means to prevent us from exerting ourselves in the use of those powers which God has given us for the promotion of his glory, and for our own preservation. In the way which Evangelist has persuaded you to take you will meet with thieves, with wild beasts, with giants, and dragons; with adversaries who will ridicule and scoff at you; with some who will endeavour to shake your faith by learned and wily arguments; and others who will endeavour to mislead you by cunning misrepresentations.

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"Now, in order properly to meet all these difficulties," continued Mr. Worldly-Prudence, 'you ought to have learned the whole art of offence and defence, as it is taught in my school; and which I can speedily put you in the way of acquiring, if you will but delay, for a short time, your perilous undertaking, and put yourself

under my care. Moreover, you should have a familiar acquaintance with such facts and objections, such reasonings and arguments, as your adversaries are likely to produce; lest, by your ignorance, you should bring your Christian profession into disgrace. For the adversaries of our Lord are often found to be men of such deep learning, ready wit, and shining talents, as enable them readily to perplex and confound their opponents. And how, I ask, can a child like you, expect to prevail against such persons?"

"Is it not written," said Humble Mind, 'Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?' Matt. xxi. 16.

"It is so written," said Mr. Worldly-Prudence, "and it doth so happen, sometimes, that even babes in Christ appear to triumph over the wise and learned of this world. But these are extreme and rare cases; and such results can only be expected, where the ordinary means of improvement have not been enjoyed. But can the blessing of God be expected to follow a youth, who, being offered the advantages of human learning, rejects them all, either from the indolence of his nature, or from his false notions of religion? Come with me, therefore, I entreat you, Humble Mind,” continued the schoolmaster; "remain awhile under my tuition, and I will arm and prepare you for that mighty warfare with demons and infidels, which he must needs engage in who becomes a pilgrim."

Now I perceived that Humble Mind did not thoroughly understand all these big words which were used by Mr. Worldly-Prudence; but so far he thought he understood their meaning, viz.that the way of salvation was an extremely dan

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gerous one, and one indeed which could not be passed by an ignorant and unarmed child. And now the poor boy felt himself in a strait, not knowing what to do or say: for whereas he was pressed on one side by the dread of Convictionof-Sin, from whose blows he was still exceedingly sore; so on the other he was vehemently urged by Inbred-Sin and Mr. Worldly-Prudence, which last held him by the arm, and seemed by no means inclined to leave his hold.

Now after awhile I looked again, and behold, the enemy had prevailed: so I saw Mr. WorldlyPrudence leading away Humble Mind to his school, having quieted Playful and Peace by a promise that their brother should soon return to them, armed and prepared to be their defender in the perilous journey which they were desirous to undertake.

Then I looked after Humble Mind, whom Mr. Worldly-Prudence had conveyed to his schoolhouse, a very ancient building, situated on an uninclosed ground, among wild olives and other trees, which had never been grafted, and which therefore produced but little fruit. And behold, many boys went to and fro through the courts of the schoolhouse; and I hearkened to the language which they used, but it bore no resemblance to the language of Zion.

So Mr. Worldly-Prudence led Humble Mind into his study; and having examined him concerning what he had learned, he directed him to lay aside for the present the book which Evangelist had given him; instead of which he put into his hands certain heathen writers of ancient date, which he assured him it was necessary that he should study, in order effectually

to refute the adversaries of religion. So having finished the examination, the schoolmaster brought Humble Mind into the schoolroom among the other boys, and Inbred-Sin was with him.

Thus Humble Mind remained for a while in the school of Mr. Worldly-Prudence, studying such books as were placed before him, and playing with his schoolfellows at their customary games.

Now I perceived in my dream, that all those belonging to the school were called Christians, and that certain moral forms were observed by the master; while the religion of Christ was never spoken of in the school; neither was any reference made to our Lord's will and pleasure in the conduct either of scholars or masters; nor could I discover how that which was taught the boys had any tendency, either directly or indirectly, to the advancement of religious knowledge.

Then I watched to observe what effect this mode of life would have upon Humble Mind; and I perceived, that he grew utterly dull and dead with respect to the concerns of his soul; that he conversed with Inbred-Sin as with a bosom friend and brother; and that Inbred-Sin ruled him as entirely as he formerly had done. Thus the enemies of the Lord for awhile were permitted to triumph. In the mean time I looked around for help: but, for the present, could perceive none.

CHAPTER III.

Now I saw, in my dream, that it pleased the Lord of pilgrims, after awhile, to stretch forth his arm for the preservation of the child. And behold, Evangelist came to him as he stood before the door of the schoolhouse, and said, "Humble Mind, what doest thou here? Did I not visit thee in thy father's house? and did I not warn thee to flee from this country? Knowest thou not that sure destruction awaits such as continue to dwell in this place?"

On hearing the words of Evangelist, Humble Mind began to tremble. Inbred-Sin also drew into the back ground; still however keeping close enough to the ear of Humble Mind, to whisper therein the answers which he should make to Evangelist.

"Did I not point out," said Evangelist," the dangers which awaited thee, on remaining in this place? and did I not charge thee, to flee by the gate which is opened at the head of the way? What, then, art thou doing here?"

To this, Humble Mind replied-"Sir, fearing that I might be too weak, to wrestle with the enemies which I was told would meet me in the way, I was persuaded to come hither, in order to learn the art of warfare, and to obtain such kind of knowledge as might fit me to contend with the adversaries of our Lord."

"And what is this art of war? and what is this knowledge," asked Evangelist, "which thou hast been acquiring in this place? Knowest thou not, my son, that he only is strong, who walks in the strength of the Lord? and that he only is