BUNYAN'S "PILGRIM'S PROGRESS."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3213, 12 June 1909, Page 7

BUNYAN'S "PILGRIM'S PROGRESS."

LECTURE BY THE REV. C. E. PURTER. In spite of the intense cold there was an excellent attendance at the mid-week meeting of the Methodist Church, when the Rev. C. E. Porter delivered his weekly lecture on "The Pilgrim's Progress." His subject last Wednesday evening was "The Interpreter's House." The speaker described how the Pilgrim reached the "Wicket Gate," to which he had been directed at the first by "Evangelist," and how after knocking "not once or twice," he was admitted by "Goodwill," who gave him careful instructions as to the narrow cath leading to the "Interpreter's House." On reaching this place he had again to knock several times before he was admitted. This fact was used to illustrate the need for importunate prayer. God does nut always answer the Christian's prayer instantly. He sometimes delays the answer in order to test the sincerity and the intensity lof the petitioner's desire. Half- \ hearted people soon cease their prayers, but the whole-hearted and determined never cease until the answer comes and the door is opened, when they are certain that their prayer is in harmony with the Divine i Will. By the "Interpreter's House," the Church is represented, and the "Interpreter" stands for the Minister. The house was full of interesting and instructive things, and the "Interpreter" had great ability in explaining them and in conveying the lessons so needful to the pilgrims. He wab a real helper to them on their way. The Church ought to be a place to which people will delight to come. It should be so bright, so cheerful, so interesting and instructive that folk will long for the time of service to arrive. In order to do this the Minister must be familiar with the deep things of the Spiritual Life, and must have the ability to present them in an interesting and winsome manner. He must be indeed an interpreter to those who listen to him. The first thing the "Christian" saw in the "Interpreter's House" was a picture of a very grave person upon the wall. Bunyan knew the value of pictures in conveying truth. Jesus thought and taught in pictures. His hearers not only heard, but they saw the truth. This grave person had his eyes lifted up toward Heaven—in this he was the opposite of "Worldly Wiseman," who never looked in that direction. The best of books was in his hand. He placed his Bible above every other be ox. The law of truth was ;written on his Jips. His speech was true and pure and good. He realised the importance of words. The world was behind his back. He stood as if pleading with men, and a crown of gold was hanging over his head. Bunyan by this picture has given a full-length portrait of the earnest Christian Minister. After the "Interpreter" had explained this picture, he showed the Christian into a very dusty room. A man was called to sweep it out, but he only caused the dust to fly about, so that the "Christian" was almost choked. Then a damsel came and sprinkled the roorr. with water, after which she was able to thorougly cleanse it. The dusty room represents the human heart in its sinful state. The hearts of very many people are places in which all sorts of moral dust and rubbish is allowed to accumulate, and it only requires a spark of temptation to set the whol; wheel of their nature on fire of Hell. The man with the broom represents the law, which, while it can make us conscious of our sinful state has no power to cleanse or liberate us. The damsel with the water represents the Gospel which alone can thuioughly cleanse the human heart. Experience has proved, and is proving, the power of the Gospel of Christ to make the heart a fit habitation for the Holy Spirit. I Mr Porter will continue the subject of the "In'erpreter's House" on Wednesday evening r.ext.