*5*** «£?^ 2( 'QjL »■•»■•»••>■>•■>••>••>■•>-•>■•>■■»■•>•>■ ►»>->.>..iJ$ <■<■< <•<•<<■<•< < < < < <<•■<•«•< — ^(i (g*\ m \ -^& $ * THE V i LONDON : W. II. BROOM, 47, ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD. PRICE TWOPENCE. && f «V #> — >■ ■> > >•■>>■>■>■•>•>>>•>>••>■> >.>.ij;-< ■<•<■< ■<■< Eittk iikrim. i I < •< •< ••< ■< •< •< •< < •< < < *£ljfe -sSGte. ™> .-*rr -S^.t .)« TTL£ 1^1 f Sri r* -ffecf i i THE LITTLE PILGRIM. A NEW EDITION LONDON : W. H. BROOM, 47, ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD. FROME : IT. T. BUTLER, STEAM PRINTING WORKS, It THE LITTLE PILGRIM. In a large old house, with two kind aunts, The little Marian dwelt ; And a happy child she was, I ween, For though at times she felt That playmates would be better far Than either birds or flowers ; Yet her kind aunts and story books Soothed many lonely hours. Her favourite haunt in summer time Was a large old apple tree, And oft amidst its boughs she sat, With her pet book on her knee. THE LITTLE PILGRIM. " The Pilgrim's Progress" was its name, And Marian loved it mnch ; It is, indeed, a precious book ; There are not many such. She read it in her little bed, And by the winter fire j And in summer, in the apple tree, As though she ne'er would tire. But, unexplained, 'tis just the book To puzzle the young brain-; And she, poor child, had no kind friend The meaning to explain. For though her aunts were very kind, They were not very wise ; They only said, " Don't read so, child ; I'm sure you'll hurt your eyes." But Marian read, and read again, And visions strange and wild Began to fill the little head Of the lovely dreaming child. She thought that Christian and his wife, And all their children too, Had left behind their earthly home, And done what she must do. " I'll take my Bible," said the child, cc And seek the road to heaven ; I'll try to find the Wicket Gate, And hope to be forgiven. u I wish my aunts would go with me ; But 'tis no use to ask, They are so deaf, and rather lame, They'd think it quite a task. THE LITTLE PILGRIM. D " Yes, I must go alone, I see, And I shall not let them know ; Or, like poor Christian's friends they'll say, c My dear, yon must not go/ " But I must wait till some grand scheme Can all their thoughts engage, And then Fll leave my pleasant home, And go on pilgrimage/' She had not waited long before, One fine autumnal day, She saw the huge old coach arrive, To take her aunts away. " We are going out to spend the day," The two old ladies said ; " We mean to visit Mrs. Blair • Poor soul, she's ill in bed. u But, Marian, you must stay at home, For the lady's ill, you see ; You may have your dinner, if you like, In the large old apple tree, " And play in the garden all the day, Quite happy and content." A few more parting words were said, And off the ladies went. The servants, too, were all engaged ; " The day is come at last," Said Marian ; u but, oh ! I wish My pilgrimage were past." She knelt beneath the apple tree, And for assistance prayed ; Then, with her basket in her hand, Forth went the little maid. I ^ --.:■■' ; • Behind the house where Marian dwelt. Far in the distance, lay A high, steep hill, on which the sun Shone forth with cheering ray. That Difficulty was its name, The child had often thought ; And towards that hill she turned her head, - With hopeful visions fraught, The flowers seemed to welcome her, 'Twas a lovely autumn morn, The little lark sang merrily About the rising corn. " Ah ! little lark, you sing," she said, " On your early pilgrimage ; I too will sing, for pleasant thoughts Should now my mind engage/ )> THE LITTLE PILGRIM. In clear, sweet tones she sung a hymn, And tripped lightly on her way, Until a pool of thick, soft mud Across her pathway lay. " This is the Slough of Despond/'' she cried, Yet she bravely ventured through, And safely reached the other side, But she lost one little shoe. On an old gray stone she sat awhile, And ate some fruit and bread, Then took her little Bible out, And a cheering Psalm she read. Then with fresh hopes she wandered on, For many miles away ; But she reached the bottom of the hill Before the close of day. She clambered up the steep ascent, Though faint and weary too ; But firmly did our Marian keep Her purpose still in view. « Fm glad at least the arbour's past/' Said the little tired soul ; " Fm sure I should have stopped to rest, And lost my little roll/'' On the high hill top she stands at last, And our weary Pilgrim sees A porter's lodge of ample size, Half hid by sheltering trees. She clasps her hands with joy, and cries, " O there's the Wicket Gate ! And I must seek admission now, Before it is too late." . Gently she knocks — 'tis answered soon, And at the open door Stands a tall stout man ; poor Marian felt As she never felt before. With tearful eye and trembling heart. Flushed cheek and anxious brow, She said, ' ' I hope you're Watchful, Sir ; I want Discretion now." Ci O yes, I'm watchful \" said the man, ff Asa porter ought to be ; I s'pose you've lost your way, young Miss ? You've lost your shoe, I see. u Misses I" he call'd to his wife within, " Here's a child come to our door; You'll ne'er see such a one again, If you live to be fourscore. THE LITTLE PILGRIM. 9 I u She says she wants discretion, And sure I think so too ; But I know some who want it more, Who will not own they do." " Go to the Hall/'' his wife replies, ' ' And take the child with you ; The ladies there are all so wise, They'll soon know what to do/' The man complied, and led the child Through many a flowery glade ; " Is this the Palace Beautiful ?" Enquired the little maid — " There to the left, among the trees ?" " Why, Miss, 'tis very grand ; You may call it a palace, if you like, 'Tis the finest in the land. " But see, we're come to the fine old porch, And the wonderful marble hall ; Here, little lady, you must stay. Whilst I the servants call." Tired and sad he left the child, But he quickly re-appear'd, And with him the lady of the house ; Poor Marian's heart was cheer'd. " Sweet little girl," the lady said, In accents soft and kind, " I'm sure you sadly want some rest, And rest you here shall find." To a room where three young ladies sat, The child was quickly led ; " Piety — Prudence — Charity," To herself she softly said. , * " What is your name, my little dear ?' ! Said the eldest of the three, Whom Marian in her secret soul, Had christen'd Piety. Admiringly she watch' d the child, Who indeed was passing fair ; Around her bright and lovely face Fell waves of auburn hair. " How did you lose your way, my love ?'' Gently she raised her head, — " I do not think I've lost my way," The Little Pilgrim said. " This is the Palace Beautiful ; May I stay here to-night ?" She smiled and said, "We're glad our house Finds favour in your sight. • .'HTffJ!, THE LITTLE PILGRIM. H " Yes, gladly will we lodge you here For many nights to come." " Thank you/' she answered, " hut I soon, Must seek my heavenly home. " The Valley of the Shadow of Death Is near this house I know." She stopped, for she saw, with great surprise, Their tears begin to flow. She little thought the mourning dress, That all the ladies wore, Was for one whom they had dearly loved, And could see on earth no more. Their brother had been called away, Their brightest and their best ; No wonder then that Marian's word Roused grief in every breast. Sobs only for a while were heard ; At length the mother said, " My child, you have reminded us Of our loved and early dead. " But this you could not know, my dear; And, oh ! indeed 'tis true, We all are near to death's dark vale, Even little girls like you." " Yes," said the trembling, timid child, " I knew it would be so ; But, ma'am, I hope that Piety May be with me when I go. " And will you show me your armoury, When you have time to spare ? Oh ! I hope there is some small enough For a little girl to wear." *— ^™ IMIIflH * Waiting their heavenly Saviour s voice To call them to His home. His home, and theirs because 'tis His, Who graciously receives, And in unfathomable love Eternal glory gives. 'Tis faith alone in Jesu's name, Takes sin and guilt away j He bids you come and trust his grace, Oh ! come without delay. So may you happy pilgrims be, And know your sins forgiven -^ And, " by a new and living way, Pursue the path to heaven. w ." "t-T^lek, steam piunting works, frome. ■**\ 1&®L vj&fr • > To be had of the same Publisher :— THIS PRESENT AGE. By Geobge Cuth- bert, Curate of Oswestry. Price -id. A BASKET OF FRAGMENTS AND CRUMBS. Compiled by Lieutenant-Colonel RdWIiANDSON. Clotll, Is. POEMS AND PROSE. By F. Wiiithelp, Curate of Otley, Yorkshire. Cloth, 6d. HYMNS FOR CHILDREN. Carefully selec- ted by W. H. B., with Music. Paper 2<1., Cloth 4d. " Sunday School Teachers, who have hitherto found difficulty in selecting Hymns suited for Children, will hail this book with delight," THE TAUGHT OF THE FATHER; i^v. the Grace of God in its Elevating and Ei lightening Power. By Lieutenant-Colonel M- J. BowXjANDSON. Price -id. GG3PEI TEXTS, printed on Sheets 1.3 ins 20 ins. Nos. 1—12, in Packets. Is. THE MOTHER'S PRAYER ANSWERED I'M SO HAPPY. Halfpenny. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON GENE- SIS. Twopence. GOSPEL TICKETS, for. Schools, all different, -id. j ei- gross, Most of the texts present man's need and God's lemedy. EASY CtUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON SCRIPTURAL SUBJECTS, lid. 4 ^■ipt