esteem for the elder. But," continued she, "they that judge wisely, give the highest honour to the elder without despising the younger, and take delight in seeing them labour hand in hand, each in his proper place, in the blessed work of instructing the ignorant."

Now I saw, in my dream, that, when the damsel Piety had thus spoken, she led the children up to the ancient brothers, introducing them as little ones who were humble, and willing to be instructed. So after laying their hands upon them, and blessing them, the sages caused them to occupy places at their feet.

On that very day therefore they began to study under the direction of these venerable teachers: and from thenceforward, while they remained in the palace Beautiful, they went daily at a certain hour into the library to receive such instruction as was judged fitting for them. And now Humble Mind was made to understand wherein Mr. Worldly-Prudence's system of education was defective, to wit, in that he did not make the Book of God the basis and ground-work of his plan, using heathen authors only as auxiliary lights, and their works as books of reference. And thus he not only bewildered and lost himself amid the mazes of heathen darkness and heathen morality, but became the means of misleading multitudes of others.

In receiving the instructions of these venerable men, the little pilgrims spent many hours every day; and whenever they had discovered extraordinary assiduity, I saw that they were allowed by the damsels of the palace to enjoy the fields or gardens of innocent pleasure. These gardens are the peculiar gift of the Lord of lords to the damsels the Virtues, and by him rendered inex

pressibly delightful; in order that the saints upon earth, being sometimes permitted to take the air in them, might have some little foretaste of those joys which are reserved for them in heaven, through the merits of him in whom is their trust. These gardens are near adjoining to the palace Beautiful, and the damsels of that house have the sole charge of them, with express command from the Most High, that none enter therein, or eat of their fruit, but such as love him and seek to do his will.

Now I looked, and behold, there was nothing wanting in these gardens that could render them desirable, such as mossy fountains and curious waterfalls, blooming parterres and fragrant groves, verdant uplands and shadowy glens, with every variety that could delight the eye or ravish the fancy. Here were specimens of certain lovely flowers of Paradise, which had escaped the general destruction made by sin. Here were young lambs sporting without fear, and little fawns bounding over the hills. And here also I beheld many birds of exquisite plumage and extraordinary note, such as certain ancient pilgrims are reported to have listened to with peculiar transport when travelling through these parts. These birds were heard answering each other from the high woodlands, in sweet song, and their voices were wonderfully ravishing to such as silently walked in the shadowy dells beneath. I saw too, among these fields, many lovely cottages, and quiet resting places, which God had prepared for certain aged pilgrims who loved and trusted in him. These were under the charge of Charity, who had the care of providing them with such things as were necessary; and there 'the poor among men rejoiced in the Holy One

Isaiah xxix. 19.

Here were also a

of Israel.' variety of pleasing arbours, to which, in the cool of the day, the two venerable brothers, Divine and Human Knowledge, were accustomed to retire, together with Prudence, Piety, Charity, and the other damsels of the palace, for the purpose of taking their evening repast. Where, while they temperately feasted upon the milk of the flock and the fruits of the garden, they held profitable discourses on subjects of high importance, to wit, how they might best fulfil the will of God, in relieving the wants of the poor, and in turning the simple to the wisdom of the just. And sometimes, in these hours of quiet leisure, Divine Knowledge would unfold the interesting secrets of prophecy, together with the mighty plans of providence for bringing about the restoration of lost mankind, and the final glory of Christ's kingdom upon earth—and blessed were those who heard the gracious words that proceeded out of his lips. There was, moreover, present in these assemblies an aged matron, called Experience, whose tales of ancient times were at once most profitable and most pleasant; and I perceived that all her discourse continually tended to prove one thing, namely, that, like king David, she had been young, and then was old, but had never seen the righteous forsaken, nor their seed begging their bread.' Psalm xxxvii. 25.

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The little children were permitted to sit upon the moss at the feet of Charity, while these discourses were delivered, and which they listened to with delight, while they thankfully partook of the food provided for them. After which they either played together upon the hills and lawns, rivalling the young fawns and lambs in their

innocent gambols; or they walked with Piety in the solemn grove, where they were regaled with the music of its sacred songsters; or they performed some kind offices for the aged pilgrims, whose little cottages were scattered over these delightful regions. And at these times the gladness of their young hearts not only shone through their eyes, but very frequently expressed itself in such songs as these

"These are the joys he makes us know
In fields and villages below;
Gives us a relish of his love,

But keeps his noblest feast above."

CHAPTER XIII.

Now I saw, in my dream, that the King of kings permitted the children to remain in the palace Beautiful for a considerable length of time; where as they increased in stature they grew in favour both with God and man.

Two young damsels, called Decency and Order, had the special charge of them, and led them sweetly through the duties of every day. They were called up early every morning, and taught to devote the early part of the day to God; after breakfast, they spent a few hours with their tutors; at noon they were fed by Temperance; and in the afternoon they were taught by Prudence such useful works as are necessary to the economy of human life after which they were directed by Charity to apply those works to such uses as might be approved in that day when the Lord shall say to those on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre

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pared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.' Matt. xxv. 3436. Here also the children learned from Piety to perform the sweet work of praise; putting music to its best and highest use, namely, the sitting forth the glory of God.

Now, during the whole of this season which passed so pleasantly with the little pilgrims, Inbred-Sin, aware that all the inhabitants of the palace would rise up against him, if he should once dare to show his face among them, kept himself carefully in the back-ground; where it was his object to persuade the little ones that he was in a very weak and languishing state, and never likely to be in a condition to torment them again as he had formerly done. Yet at this very time while he affected such extreme languor, he was not less busy with his mischievous suggestions than in seasons of more apparent liveliness and vigour. It was now his way, when he could get at the children's ear unobserved, to flatter them upon their great attainments in virtue, and even to speak in high terms of their victory over himself, as well as of the esteem in which they were held throughout the palace. Thus he went on, secretly introducing poison into their hearts, and making even their good works the means of their transgressing: nevertheless, as his work was silently carried on, so its effects, for a season, were not discoverable.

I perceived then that, after awhile, it was signified to the children that they must continue their pilgrimage. Upon which Prudence, Pie