walls many marble statues exceedingly beautiful and in fine proportion, representing the most holy and beloved of God among the children of men-Even such as through faith had subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness had been made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women who had received their dead raised to life again: and others who had been tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." Here were also the statues of such as "had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was not worthy); they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth" (Heb. xi. 33-38); all of them silently suffering for the love which they bore to the Lord of pilgrims. Here also were the memorials of many pious and holy young persons, upon whom God had bestowed grace to serve him in spirit and in truth.

"And there were those who pass'd life's blooming year
Beside the mournful couch of parents dear;

Renouncing all the joys of early days,

To serve their God, and mind his strictest ways."

Here also were representations in marble of parents who, through the love they bore to their Redeemer, had yielded up their dying infants to Him that made them, rejoicing in the full assurance that their little sweet ones were about to be delivered from a vain and evil world; and submissively crying out, "Thy righteous will, most righteous Lord, be done!" "All these, having obtained a good report, through faith, received not the promise: God having provided better things for them" (Heb. xi. 39, 40);—even an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them." 1 Pet. i. 4.

Through this hall the damsels led the little ones into a fair parlour, where sat Prudence, Piety, and Charity, with other virgins of the family. Each of these fair maidens was busied about some appropriate good work;

and as they wrought with their hands they beguiled the time in speaking to each other "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." Eph. v. 19. But upon the little pilgrims being brought in, immediately ceasing from their work and suspending their song, they gathered affectionately around them. Charity kissed them, and Piety gave them her blessing, while Prudence brushed the dust from their white garments. And one welcomed them, and another welcomed them, saying, "Blessed are you, ye chosen ones of the Lord."

So they were made to sit down, and a dish of wholesome food was speedily set before them; of which they were disposed to eat very heartily, since their exercise under Mr. Discipline's management had wonderfully sharpened their appetite. Then having prayed with the family, they were put to bed in a chamber called Peace; where they presently fell into a deep sleep.

Now it is not to be supposed, because the little pilgrims were safely lodged in the palace Beautiful, that they were also set free from the importunities of InbredSin. No: for as that wicked one came with us into the world, so he will go out of the world with us. I had turned my eye upon him from time to time ever since the children were driven from the house of Indulgence. When Mr. Discipline set them running, I saw that InbredSin kept close in with them; not indeed by running with them, but, as I had often observed before, by hanging upon them, and that so heavily, that the children were forced to drag him with great difficulty up the hill. And though he got many strokes from Mr. Discipline's rod, yet he never loosed his hold; but the more Discipline applied the scourge, the more he clung and held fast; giving the poor children many a sore pinch and many a painful twitch. On coming towards the top of the hill, where the way became easier, I saw that he ceased pulling and twitching, and went on quietly behind the children; keeping however quite close to them. He accompanied them also into the palace, withdrawing himself, however, as much as possible from the notice of the damsels of the palace; and when the children went to bed he went with them. Nevertheless he kept himself very quiet all night; and in the morning, just about the time that he expected the children to arise, he laid himself all along on the floor like one dead or fainting. And there he was when Humble Mind and his

sisters, being awakened by the sweet singing of the birds before their window, got up and began to dress themselves.

Now the children, being busily engaged in conversation, never heeded Inbred-Sin till he began to make a low kind of moaning. Whereupon Playful perceiving him, said, "Why, here lies Inbred-Sin like one half dead. Well, well, I hope that Mr. Discipline has at last mastered him with his scourge; for he got many a hearty stripe yesterday."

Then Humble Mind turned to look at him; and little Peace actually began to touch him, in order to certify herself whether he was really dead or not.

"No, no," said Humble Mind, "he is not dead; for I believe that he will never die till we die, and that we shall never get quit of him till we sink into the grave."

"But," said Playful, "he cannot move: I think that both his legs and his arms are broken. Though he may not be absolutely dead, yet it appears to me that the severe blows he received have totally disabled him.”

"Well, well, I wish it may be so," answered Humble Mind; " and then at least he will not torment us so much as he has done. For if he should grow weaker, and we become stronger, we shall soon be more than a match for him. I only wish that, if it were possible, he might die outright; and then how happy should we be !"

"O," said Peace, "in the condition he now is we need not fear him much; for I do not think he could even stand on his legs at present if he were to put forth all his strength.'

By these means Inbred-Sin made the children believe that he was incapable of doing them any further injury, and that there was no manner of cause in future to fear him. So he filled them with vain confidence. Moreover, all the time that they remained at the palace Beautiful, he affected to be quite low and weak, like one in dying circumstances. And thus, notwithstanding all their experience of his subtlety in time past, and all that they had been taught concerning him by the Interpreter and others, the children were again deceived by this new device.

Now as soon as the young ones were dressed, their attendance was required at family prayers; after which all the maidens of the palace, together with the little pilgrims, sat down to breakfast in the parlour.

to her proper work; for no one is idl the Virtues, but all its inhabitants are e those things which are appointed by saw that Prudence, Piety, and Chari the three little ones, began thus to dis Prudence first spake. "My dear ch "if you are so inclined, the Ruler of doubt, grant you permission to remai this place; where you may, with God unto the knowledge of all virtue. B main here you must contentedly subm the place, which, although they may by no means unpleasant; since they w Him who thus characterizes the ser 'My yoke is easy, and my burden is ligh

To this Humble Mind answered, tha ters would gladly remain with them as should grant them permission; and t while, they hoped very carefully to obs the house.

Upon which Piety remarked, " Of you children, you cannot rightly observe place; but ask of God, and he will ass

"I am glad," returned Humble Min there are strict rules to be observed in while I was in the house of Indulgend exercised authority over me, I fell und of the sin that dwelleth in me-and of thinks, this Inbred-Sin is the hardest."

"Very true, my son," said Prudence the slave of sin lives under the cruelles it is in order to free children from the evil passions that the Lord, among ot appointed the rod of correction. Wer without sin, no chastisement would be

I heard then that Humble Mind, bein the damsels, related all that had befall sisters, from the removal of their pare day.

After which Piety thus addressed the "I find, my children, that you have had y God has dealt very mercifully with brought you thus far on your journey your own account, from the time that

father's house you have not ceased to provoke him, through the suggestions of the sin that dwelleth in you. Nevertheless, while 'the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy' (Psalm ciii. 8.), I would have you to remember that on no occasion have you ever turned to Him of your own free will and choice, but have been perverse and stiff-necked, being led continually by your own evil hearts to turn your back both upon him and his ways. Forasmuch, therefore, as you are come thus far on your pilgrimage, all the work and the glory of it belong to the Lord alone, while nothing is to be attributed to your own exertions. For had he not compelled you to follow Him, you would now be wallowing with the swine in the mire of the town in which you were born. 'Where is boasting then? It is excluded.' Rom. iii. 27. Give therefore, my children, all the glory to God; 'for who made you to differ from other children? and what have you which you did not receive?" 1 Cor. iv. 7.

I observed then that the damsels conversed with Humble Mind concerning the several places of educa tion in which he had sojourned. Whereupon Humble Mind would know of them which they thought most objectionable, the school of Mr. Worldly-Prudence, or the place wherein all manner of elegant accomplishments were chiefly taught?

"It is hard, my son," replied Prudence, "to tell which is the worst, or which is the best, of things that are manifestly evil. There is but one way to everlasting happiness; and 'Jesus saith, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.' John xiv. 6. We are therefore to hate every false way, however they may differ one from another, and choose the way of truth alone. Psalm cxix. Now 'the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way' (Prov. xiv. 8.); and we have a promise that to the meek this way shall be pointed out-The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way.' Psalm XXV. 9. But they who seek their own glory, and the setting forth of their own selves, run into all manner of follies, and consume their days in vanity."

Then spake Charity; "Alas! alas! it even causes my heart to bleed, when I think of the many fatal mistakes into which mankind are prone to fall on this subject—