THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

THE EIGHTH BOOK.

CHRISTIAN IS FAVOURED WITH A NEW AND EX

CELLENT COMPANION IN HOPEFUL

THEY ESCAPE A NEW TEMPTATION SEE THE PILLAR OF SALT ARE DELIGHTFULLY ENTERTAINED AT THE RIVER OF GOD BUT, UNHAPPILY FORSAKING THE MAIN ROAD FOR THE SAKE OF EASIER WALKING, THEY WANDER INTO BY-PATH MEADOW, WHERE NIGHT AND A FEARFUL STORM COME ON THEY FALL INTO

THE CRUEL HANDS OF GIANT DESPAIR

ARE CON

BUT

FINED IN DOUBTING CASTLE FOR FOUR DAYS

AT LENGTH MAKE THEIR ESCAPE BY MEANS OF A KEY.

NOT long alone did pious Christian walk,
For one call'd Hopeful join'd him now in talk.
'Twas what he saw the patient pilgrims bear,
During their persecutions in the fair,
Prevail'd on him to leave his native home,
And Christian-like, a pilgrim to become."
Together they pursued their journey still,
(Beyond the plain of Ease, at Lucre-hill)

* It often happens that when the Lord removes a valuable friend by death, he raises up another to supply his place. See here the effect of persecution, it excites inquiry, and produces converts.

6

Demas salutes them- Gentlemen,' he cried,

Pray have the goodness just to turn aside

And view this rich, this noble silver-mine, 'Where wealth and treasure in abundance shine;" 'Stop here and dig awhile-with little pains, Great and astonishing will be your gains.'

'Come, then,' said Hopeful, let us go and see,

Here some have riches gain'd, and why not we?' "Not I," said Christian, "not a step I'll move, "This bait will certainly our ruin prove.

*

"Who will be rich fall into many a snare;

"And Oh! the thousands that have perished there!" By-ends who follow'd after, soon began

To listen to his talk; then down he ran;

Anxious for wealth, poor wretch, he long had been, Plung'd in the pit and no more was seen.

By-ends and silver Demas both agree;
One calls, the other runs, that he may
A sharer in his gains, so many do

In this world settle, and no farther go.

be

* A new temptation is presented. Prosperity is as dangerous as adversity.

"The love of money is the root of all evil; which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows," 1 Tim. vi. 10. How great is the privilege of having a faithful friend at hand, to warn us of our danger!