When we had fairly cleared the Straits of Affliction, and had entered the calm and beautiful sea already mentioned, we found the air most balmy and exhilarating, the sky exquisitely clear, while the sun with his bright cheering rays beamed softly upon us. All on board being now in good spirits and much invigorated, we strove to set everything in good trim, and glided smoothly onwards, cheering one another with many songs of praise and rejoicing as we went.
We had now entered the delightful Sea of Tranquility: a sea unruffled by storms and tempests, whose calm and peaceful waters stretched onwards to the very shores of the Celestial Land.
Immediately before us, and but a little way from the point where the narrow Straits of Affliction emerged into this open sea, we beheld a lovely island richly clad with the most beautiful verdure. And on this island there stood a stately palace, whose lofty towers rose majestically by the margin of an inviting harbor; where we found many voyagers, on their way to the Celestial Shores, resting awhile and taking in fresh supplies.
As we entered this rest haven, a heavenly psalm of praise burst forth from the assembled fleet that thrilled us with delight.
The holy Feast of Remembrance was again being kept; and the burden of their glorious song, that rose in sweetest strains to heaven, was:
“Worthy of eternal glory,
Lamb of God, slain on the cross;
Heaven and earth repeat the story,
Of His boundless love for us.
“Louder yet shall be our praising,
In yon heavenly courts on high;
With angelic hosts uniting,
Songs of praise shall fill the sky.”
Here we had the happiness of meeting our friend Captain Faithful again, with other well-known and trusty servants of our King, such as Captains Piety, Devotion, Heavenly-minded, Great-grace, Hopeful, Steadfast (as well as the Captain of the Humble Confidence that was formerly the Never-sure) and many others: with whom we took sweet counsel concerning our voyage, recounting our various trials, the happy deliverances we had experienced, and the glorious prospects before us. Thus, we enjoyed many pleasant hours of most profitable fellowship together.
The Governor of the palace, whose name was Godly Experience, then sent an invitation to all the fleet to come to a banquet which was prepared according to instructions from the King; who had commanded that a sumptuous feast should be provided for all true voyagers that came thus far on their way to the Port of Paradise.
A goodly company then assembled in the banqueting hall of the palace—brave and faithful servants of the King, many of whom could tell of the hard battles they had fought and the struggles they had passed through; while others bore not a few marks of the maltreatment they had received at the hands of the King’s enemies; but all now wonderfully revived and most happy.
With much gladness and rejoicing we sat down together in the King’s palace, which was called the Palace of Delight, to enjoy this royal feast which our good King had graciously provided for us.
“These,” said Mr. Experience, in opening the feast with thanksgiving, “are the rich and health-giving viands which the King and Prince Emmanuel in their loving kindness have been pleased to provide for you, to refresh and strengthen you by the way: so that, with renewed health and vigor, you may pursue the rest of your voyage, to the joy and honor of your glorious Prince, and the praise and glory of the King’s most holy name.”
Though this royal banquet was in some measure like the one which we had enjoyed in the King’s Pavilion at the Port of Peace, it was however much richer; the refreshments provided being more varied, so as to suit our improved tastes and appetites, and our need of stronger nourishment.
While thus seated, sweet and delicious odors pervaded the great halls of this pleasant Palace of Delight, cooling fountains played around us, the singing of many birds cheered and enlivened us, and the “voice of the turtle was heard in the land.” Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord had truly come; and we could say, “The lines are fallen unto us in pleasant places; yea, we have a goodly heritage.”
Spread out before us in the richest abundance, we had the “Bread of Life” sent down from heaven, the “hidden manna,” the “Living Waters springing up into everlasting life,” “all manner of pleasant fruits,” “the wine that maketh glad the heart of man,” with “milk and honey” also; while the delightful voice of the Master of the feast—even of the Holy One whose presence filled the place—was heard in sweetest accents saying, “Eat friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly O beloved.” “And let thy soul delight in fatness.”
Like the Israelites under Joshua, who, after they had entered the land of Canaan, encamped in Gilgal and then partook of the “Old corn of the land,” so we in the same manner spiritually were now privileged thus to eat and be satisfied.
All the guests were remarkably invigorated by these most nourishing viands of the King—so suitable to the requirements of our souls at that time—and greatly refreshed, too, by the rich dainties so bountifully provided.
This was indeed our happy Gilgal of higher spiritual enjoyments; of a deeper insight into the marvelous thoughts and ways of God, of a fuller realization of nearness to our Divine Lord; and our high place and standing with Him in the heavenlies.
“You have now come spiritually,” said Godly Experience, “‘unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the Covenant, and to the blood that speaketh better things than the blood of Abel.’”
In such a place, and in the presence of such glorious company, we could not but “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”; for our place and privileges now were infinitely higher and more glorious than we had ever anticipated, even after we had found the way of life.
In the midst of the feast, and when our joy was at its highest, Captain Piety exclaimed, “How excellent is Thy loving kindness O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings; they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house, and Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures.”
The company at the feast were then drawn into godly discourse by Captain Faithful observing, “What think you brethren of the place to which our good King has now brought us?”
“‘Tis the highest, happiest and most privileged spot,” replied Captain Heavenly-minded, “on this side the glorious Port to which we are sailing; though we know it by faith at present. For it is here, in the infinite grace of our glorious King, that He ‘hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.’ As our blessed Prince rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, so by faith are we risen with Him in our thoughts and affections, and in the joy and power of holy living, above the things of this world, into the high and holy place of blessing and privilege in His presence; waiting for the yet fuller redemption, when we shall be translated into His immediate presence above; and when ‘He shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.’”
“Here too,” added Captain Hopeful, “we are well within sight of, and very near to our Celestial home; while at any moment the Prince Himself may come forth to meet us and conduct us to His Celestial palace.”
Faithful. “Seeing then that we are thus exalted into such a high and privileged place of nearness to our Prince, our chief thoughts and affections should ever be centered on things above— ‘being dead to the world, and our life hid with Christ in God’ —so that our walk and conversation should be such as becometh those who are thus seated in the heavenlies; and who wait for their Lord.”
Devotion. “Perfectly true indeed, Captain Faithful, and exactly in accordance with our holy instructions; then we should, moreover, always bear in mind that all our movements, henceforth, should be strictly in keeping with, and worthy of this high and honorable place to which we are raised; and that we be no more ‘tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine:’ but being sincere ‘may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.’”
Great-grace. “Progress, heavenly progress, should now be our watchword. Babes we were at one time, needing the ‘milk of the word’; but now having been nourished with ‘strong meat,’ it becometh us to advance in spiritual growth, ‘Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’; and thus ‘go on unto perfection.’”
“As breaks the morn from shades of night,
With first a few faint gleams of light;
That as the sun mounts up the sky,
Bursts forth unto the perfect day:
So shines the path each day more bright,
Of all true saints, who walk in light.
Or when like infants newly born,
They things divine begin to learn;
Though feeble then, they grow at length,
And onward ‘go from strength to strength:’
Until to manhood’s state they rise,
Prepared for mansions in the skies.”
After the banquet the Governor conducted to the high towers of the palace, where the King’s Observatory was placed, for the convenience of all mariners on their way to the Celestial Shores.
In the clear and serene atmosphere of that highly favored place, and with our vision marvelously improved of late, we could take in wider and far more extensive views from these lofty towers than any we had previously seen.
Pointing in the direction we had lately traversed, “See,” said Mr. Experience, “the way you have been conducted hither; and admire the mercy and the goodness that have brought you safely through such perils.”
Looking backwards over the wide expanse of waters towards the far distant horizon, we could still see crowds of vessels stranded on the Proving Shoals, struggling with fierce storms, that were sweeping them down, one after another, into the great maelstrom.
Many could also be seen sailing up towards the entrance into Conflict Channel, and then hastily bearing away, to seek in vain some other passage.
A few could, however, be seen entering the Narrow Channel; but, as Experience observed, even some of them, at the very first attack from the forts, struck their colors and yielded: and then quickly turned into the long creek, into which we were asked to turn aside by the giant Intolerance. These it should be known had never passed through the Strait-of-the-Cross, but were mere imitators and followers of others, appearing as celestial voyagers, when it was the worldly fashion to do so, by falsely hoisting the Prince’s colors.
“That creek,” continued Mr. Experience, “is known by the attractive, though misleading, name of Morality; and runs into the long and winding passage of Self-deception, which, though it be a long and crooked way, leads ultimately, like all those devious channels, down to the Great Abyss.”
As our eyes were directed further on to the porter’s lodge at Temptation Point, Captain Faithful inquired: “Well, Captain Steadiest, how fared you with the old gentleman at the lodge?”
Steadfast. “By a careful study of our charts, with constant prayer and watchfulness, we got to know all about him and his wiles beforehand; so we were thus somewhat prepared and on our guard. But we did not get off without a severe struggle with that most crafty foe.
“And though he sent some of his wicked sons after us, to persuade us to enter the tempting channel, whose persistent efforts tried us not a little, we gave them no heed whatsoever, but pushed on directly into the right channel before us. But we were much pained at the easy manner in which some, calling themselves servants of our King, were allured by that old deceiver, and the speed with which they hurried down into the smooth but fatal stream.”
“A sad sight truly,” said Mr. Experience, “which we often witness from these high towers; and for one who escapes as you have, we see thousands passing into that ruinous channel.”
Still gazing for a while down upon that great channel of Worldly-desires—or rather broad sea as it now appeared to us—we were amazed at beholding such a countless number of vessels collected together therein.
Some were rushing to and fro as if in hot pursuit of some invisible objects, which they never seemed to secure; for these shadowy forms, which neither we nor they themselves could see, perpetually eluded their grasp. Others appeared to be moored at the numerous quays that ran along the whole coast, but were most restless, and jostling one another incessantly; while others were unsuccessfully striving to ride at anchor—all presenting a scene of indescribable restlessness and confusion.
A mysterious glary light of strange enchantment seemed to pervade the whole scene, which was rendered awfully weird and appalling in contrast with the dense black clouds that hung perpetually over the place like a gloomy funeral pall.
“You will observe,” said Mr. Experience, “that there is no rest to be found anywhere down there among those busy fleets; though, strange to say, it is soul rest they all ardently desire, but which they, in their strong delusion, vainly imagine can be found in the gratification of their worldly desires, as it is with all the frequenters of Pleasureland: with which indeed the channel down there is connected on the farther side.
“Although assisted by all the arts and devices of Mr. Love-of-the-world, the lord of the manor, who strives to entertain them in every variety of way, they never can find true rest down there. Their anchors are cast in nothing but sand and slime; hence it is you see them drifting every moment, and carried into the numerous eddies and whirlpools with which the channel abounds; where they are whirled round and round, until drawn in and lost: or are driven by violent tempests down the stream and miserably wrecked on the rocks below.”
As we were listening to these awe-inspiring words, we caught sight of the terrible Phantom ship, moving stealthily in the midst of the fleets, about to snatch some unfortunate vessel away. “Ah,” said Mr. Experience, “there goes the King of Terrors, to perform his dread work again. Not an hour passes that someone does not hear his awful summons; and see now, in a moment they have to leave all, and that forever, too. Yet those who are left for a while longer take not the slightest heed to what is transpiring every hour, till in their turn they also are snatched away by the irresistible monarch, when it is too late to escape.”
“But why,” inquired Captain Piety, “are they so reckless as to visit, and above all to continue in a channel beset with such awful dangers.”
Experience. “As Captain Faithful could tell you—for he has conversed with many who have been down there—those infatuated mariners think, and loudly persist in saying, that it is only in that channel that true happiness can be found! Excitement and the gratification of their fleshly desires, they foolishly think are the only ways in which happiness can be secured. And though they are themselves the constant witnesses of so many sad disappointments and heartrending shipwrecks, and the sudden disappearance of their comrades at the dread call of the King of Terrors, they obstinately refuse to attend to or even believe the warnings and friendly counsels of the numerous King’s messengers, who are sent to them from time to time.”
Faithful. “Yes, and more than that—in their blind folly they will stoutly contend that the narrow way appointed by our King is a gloomy and miserable way, from which all joy and happiness are banished!
Mr. Heart. “A most astounding delusion, as I have proved and can truly testify from happy experience.
“In the excitements of Pleasureland where we first sought for happiness, we found nothing but continual disappointment and sickness of soul; but ever since we sailed through the Strait-of-the-Cross, abounding joy and rejoicing, as well as real solid happiness, have been the portion of our lot.
“Truly pleasantness and peace have ever attended us in all our course from the Cross thus far.
“We have had, it is true, to encounter some storms, trials, tribulations, conflicts and afflictions; but none of those did we ever pass through that were not made the immediate occasion of increased joy and happiness to us, through the blessed nearness of our loving King and Father, which was so specially vouchsafed unto us during all such seasons. So that our severest trials were always made to us our highest times of enjoyment and blessing.”
Experience. “Then you, with thousands of other saints, have proved beyond question the truth of that inspired saying, ‘Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.’”
Faithful. “Never was a truer saying than that, yet, though an angel came down from heaven, or a returned spirit from the other world, to proclaim it to those unhappy and mistaken mortals down yonder, they would not believe it; so persistently do they cling to their fruitless and fatal pursuits in search of happiness.”
Steadfast. “And can it be true, that some believers, who have strayed out of their course, may be found among those deluded mariners, joining with them in their vain pursuits down in that channel?”
Experience. “Alas! many, I regret to say, to their sorrow and hurt; and to the great dishonor of their Lord and Master; as Captain Faithful here can tell us. And a most distressing sight it is to see at times some of these unfaithful ones, when they find out their lamentable mistake, slipping their cables in the greatest alarm, and hurrying with all speed to escape for their lives from the dangers around them. Then in their trepidation and fear, they run into all sorts of dangers and difficulties upon the rocks on the one side, or sandbanks on the other; and to the end of their voyage have a sad and miserable time of it: being harassed by awful fears and doubts all the rest of the way. Moreover, having spent so much of their valuable time in worldly folly down there, they have no time—even if they had the inclination—to call in here, to be refreshed as you have done. So they rush by in a most wretched and crippled condition, all on board being sick and feeble from inhaling the pestilential atmosphere of that deadly region. Thus, they may be seen fleeing for their lives, often in great terror, and ever haunted with the impression that they are being pursued by the grim Spectral Ship, seeking to hurry them down to the doom of the unbelievers. And though finally saved—it may be—on reaching the other side, (through the abounding mercy of our beloved Prince), it is but a very narrow escape; and while they suffer much loss, they win not the crown that awaits the faithful, who run their course correctly, without turning to the right hand or the left.”
Directing now our gaze further along the intricate Conflict Channel, particularly to the Narrows of Trouble and the Straits of Affliction, reminding us of our many struggles there, Captain Faithful remarked, “Many voyagers wonder why the way to the Port of Paradise should lead through such a difficult and trying channel.”
Experience. “To many, no doubt this is a great mystery, and will continue to be so in some measure until they see in the light of the Prince’s presence above the wise and most gracious purpose of our King in the appointment of such a way.
“You have doubtless observed the light cloud that spreads over the whole length of Conflict Channel, by which it appears to be continually overshadowed.”
Faithful. “Yes, truly, and there it still remains; but though a cloud, how very different it is from the heavy black cloud that always hangs so gloomily over the channel of Worldly-desires down yonder.”
Experience. “Aye, indeed, very different! one the dark symbol of impending judgment, and the other full of the richest blessings, like the precious rain clouds, that pour down their fertilizing showers upon the earth, or like the refreshing dew of Hermon.
“Now take your telescopes and carefully look again on that remarkable cloud that hangs so lightly over the rough and narrow channel, which has ever been such a mystery to many mariners.”
After looking intently for some time, as we were directed, we beheld a bright rainbow stretched across the center of the cloud; and in the many bright colors thereof we could discern, in letters of light, the wonderful words: “That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
“In those heaven-sent words, on that bright bow of promise that spans the whole cloud, you have revealed to you somewhat of the gracious purpose of our King in the appointment of such a channel.
“And when you consider the glorious end your loving Father hath in view, in leading you through the trials and afflictions of that narrow channel, even ‘Praise and honor and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ,’ you cannot but be constrained to say: ‘O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!’
“Besides, that very necessary Channel of Conflict, beset with trials and difficulties as it appears, is your Father’s special training school, to prepare you for His holy presence in the Courts of Paradise above.
“‘Tis there His children are chastened for their profit, and ‘tis there they learn such heavenly lessons as never could be learned elsewhere—no, not in Paradise itself. For it is there and by those very trials, too, the saints learn the precious lessons of faith and holy confidence in their Heavenly Father: humility, patience, subjection, self-denial and every virtue, whereby they are made partakers of His holiness.
“Therefore it is that all true saints can, and do, rejoice in trials and tribulations.
“Now turn your telescopes,” continued Mr. Experience, “and look in the opposite direction, towards the land whither you are journeying.”
As soon as we had turned to look, a flood of glorious light burst upon us, the splendor of which dazzled us for a moment and rendered us mute with delightful astonishment. The light of the Holy City, the Port of Paradise itself, came now within the range of our vision from those lofty towers; and the rich glow of golden light reflected therefrom brilliantly illuminated everything around us, as well as the whole extent of the quiet Sea of Tranquility, over which we had yet to sail, before we arrived at our desired haven.
Before, at the Castle of Consolation, we had but a faint and distant glimpse of the Holy City; but now we could trace more distinctly, with the aid of our telescopes, the brilliant outlines of the Golden City with the jasper walls, and were enraptured with the glorious sight.
Glancing backwards again for a moment (by way of contrast with the vision before us) on the narrow Conflict Channel, and especially the Straits of Affliction, through which we had recently toiled, we now saw how insignificant all our late trials had been, in view of the grand prospect before us: whereupon Mr. Heavenly-minded exclaimed with great rapture: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory:” to which Captain Hopeful immediately added, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Absorbed in contemplating the exquisite vision of the Golden City—apparently but a little way off— upon which all eyes were riveted, we now ardently longed to resume our voyage, so as to reach our glorious home on the other side of the Ocean of Time, of which we had so often heard.
Before leaving the Palace of Delight, however, the Governor led us to a large fountain or laver of water, clear as crystal, in which we were directed to bathe ourselves, so as to wash away (as he remarked) the defilements we had contracted by the way, during our many trials, temptations, and wanderings.
This needful washing being accomplished, whereby all were much refreshed, Mr. Experience then presented each of us with a new bright banner, having inscribed thereon the cheering words, “The Lord Is Risen Indeed,” saying as he did so, “Let it be your constant pleasure as you now sail onwards to display most prominently with your other flags this distinguishing banner—a further and most valuable gift from your Prince—as a witness of His triumphant resurrection; which is the consummation of the great work of redemption, and the completed foundation upon which your noble faith and all your bright hopes are forever securely established.
“It is, moreover, to be displayed as a perpetual testimony of the marvelous fact that you are now by faith risen with Him in the heavenlies, in all your thoughts, affections and aims, preparatory to being actually raised after the similitude of His own resurrection, to be forever in His Presence, as was truly remarked by Mr. Heavenly-minded at the feast. Now trim your lamps afresh, and remember to keep them always burning brightly, in readiness to meet the Bridegroom, when He goeth forth to call His Bride. And never forget His words, ‘Surely I come quickly,’ and ‘Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.’”
After thanking Mr. Experience for his kind instructions, and when about to depart on our voyage, he further admonished us by saying: “Though you have but a short distance now to sail, over a smooth and tranquil sea, you will still need to exercise the greatest vigilance, as your great adversaries the pirates can find their way even to this quiet sea, to allure voyagers out of their right course.
“With the glorious light of the Holy City fully in view, and the blessed hope of soon meeting your beloved Prince, you should now, while ‘Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ Farewell.”