BUNYAN'S "PILGRIM'S PROGRESS."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3201, 29 May 1909, Page 5

BUNYAN'S "PILGRIM'S PROGRESS."

address by the rev. c. e. PORTER. The Rev C. E. Porter delivered the second address on the above subject before a good audience last Wednesday evening, The speaker emphasised the fact that the characters in the great allegory were res!: Bunyan had met them all in Bedford; and to-day oi;e meets them as one moves about in the various circles oi society. Then these characters illustrate the great variety of experience through which Christians pass as they' journey through Earth to Heaven. The city of Destruction was simply described in a concrete fashion. The Christian suddenly became conscious of the reality, the power and destructiver.ess of sin; he was awakened by the Eternal Spirit to face the Great Facts of the Unseen World. His turning his back on his old surroundings and his moving toward the wicket gate, past which he was to lose his burden, was simply a graphic way of describing conversion. After he had been on his way some distance two of his neighbours "Mr Pliable" and Mr Obstinate," made up their minds to bring him back. They failed in this, and "Obstinate" went back to his home. "Mr Pliable" was quickly persuaded to accompany the pilgrim. He was a type'of those who are easily led, and who yield to the force whicl: happens to be about them at the moment. He was eager to hurry on, as he heard about all the great anc good things the "Christian" expectec to receive at the end of his pilgrim' age. Suddenly they both fell inti what Bunyan calls a "Slough o: Despond," described as a horribh bog on the road, which could not b< filled up in spite of all the labou: of the king's roadmenderu. "Pli able" at once became hopeless!; discouraged, and struggled out oi the side nearest his old life am was soon back in the city of De . struction, leaving the pilgrim t 1 struggle as best he could in the mir; bog. Next Wednesady Mr Porter wil speak on "Mr Help" and "M Worldly Wiseman."