By this time we had passed into the quiet Port of Peace, whither the Herald was conducting us to the King’s Pavilion, where a Royal banquet was prepared for us. As however we had no raiment fit to appear in such Royal company, we were now clad with pure white robes of perfect beauty, prepared expressly by the King for us. These were the spotless robes of righteousness presented to everyone who came in by the Strait-of-the-Cross. So marvelous was the change in our appearance when thus clad that we scarcely knew each other.
Furthermore, the gracious King had not only commanded to put the best robes upon us, but that rings also should be put on our hands, and shoes on our feet, the fatted calf killed for the feast, and that all should rejoice and be merry; “For,” said the King, in the amazing tenderness and loving kindness of His heart, “This My son was dead, and is alive again; He was lost and is found.”
The bounteous feast was then spread, such as only the good King Elohim and Prince Emmanuel could provide; while everything was suited to our need as those who had been just brought to life. And the fullness of joy and gladness we then enjoyed will ever be remembered by us. Then we sang again—
“The Wanderer no more will roam,
The lost one to the fold hath come,
The prodigal is welcomed home,
O Lamb of God, to Thee!
“Though clothed in rags, by sin defiled,
The Father did embrace His child;
And I am pardoned, reconciled,
O Lamb of God, in Thee!
“It is the Father’s joy to bless;
His love has found for me a dress,
A robe of spotless righteousness,
O Lamb of God, in Thee!
“And now my famished soul is fed,
A feast of love for me is spread,
I feed upon the children’s bread,
O Lamb of God, in Thee!”
As we thus joyfully sang, a sweetly tender voice whispered in our ears, “Henceforth it will be your happy privilege to call the King your Father, for He hath received you into His household, adopted you as His children, and made you heirs of a glorious inheritance with Prince Emmanuel Himself.”
The time had now come when we should make an entirely new start and proceed on our voyage to the Celestial Shores, as we had mercifully found the right channel that led directly to those happy regions. But before setting forth on our new course, we were taken to the King’s refitting dock in the Port of Peace, to be equipped for the rest of our voyage.
Conducted then to the refitting station, we were ushered into the presence of a venerable personage of the most dignified bearing, who in the King’s court was Chief Counselor, and whose name was Wisdom.
In a kind and gentle voice, we were asked to show the charts and instruments we had hitherto used on our voyage, whereupon we produced the things we had from old Way-of-the-world.
Looking gravely and sadly upon these, Wisdom remarked: “No wonder you wandered so much out of the right course, and encountered so many perils, with nothing better than these old charts and these defective instruments to guide you. The charts, as you must know by this time, are wholly incorrect and intentionally false, and therefore misleading; while these instruments are of the basest materials, and utterly worthless.” So, with His wise counsel, we were induced to throw them overboard—not, however, without some sighs of regret from Mr. Thoughts, by whom they had always been greatly prized.
“Now,” said our venerable Counselor, “I have, first of all, to present you with this most precious gift from the King—a compass of celestial make, that is perfectly true in all its parts and movements, and by which alone you are now to steer on your new and heavenward course.
“Without it you cannot safely steer for one moment.
“The pole of attraction to which this your faith compass ever turneth is the blessed Prince Emmanuel Himself; and while one point of the needle pointeth backwards to His wondrous cross, where He bare your sins in His own body on the tree, by virtue of which you are cleansed and saved, the other—the steering point—ever turneth forward to your Prince where He now is, at the right hand of the throne of God on high.
“Ever bear in mind that it is only while keeping your eyes steadfastly fixed on Him to whom the needle of your compass always points you can possibly keep a faithfully true and straight course to the Port of Paradise.
“Another most valuable gift from the King is this celestial Chronometer, which I have also to present to you. And you must know that it infinitely surpasses the unreliable instrument you got from old Way-of-the-world, whose varying motions were regulated only by the ever changing and uncertain moods and beats of the fickle world. But this is a perfect instrument, set and kept in motion by the King Himself: whose infinite Love is the mainspring and regulating power of every holy impulse in the universe.
“To your special care, Mr. Heart, the keeping of this priceless instrument is now entrusted.
“Constantly will you have need to consult it, that you may at all times know your whereabouts and how to regulate all your movements aright across this pathless and perilous ocean: for it is only by so doing that you can pursue the right course marked out for you on the Royal charts, and thus moreover enjoy continually the favor of the King and Prince Emmanuel.”
Pointing now to a strong Anchor among his treasures, Wisdom directed us to hoist it on board, saying as we did so that it had been forged in the King’s own foundry, of the truest and strongest metal, and that we should ever find it both sure and reliable; so that by holding firmly thereto, we should always be safe in all emergencies. “But be sure,” added our Counselor, “in all your trials and difficulties to secure a firm hold upon this your new anchor of hope, which will never fail you.”
“As, moreover, all mariners who cross the trackless deep need to take their observations from the lights of heaven, in order to know their position, so will you continually need to take your sights from the ‘Sun of Righteousness,’ that you may always know your state and progress, and thus be able to preserve a correct course throughout all your voyage.
“For this purpose,” said Wisdom, “this valuable Sextant is now given to you.
“Its constant use you are ever to consider an important duty as well as a most blessed privilege, for it is thus you will be enabled to proceed on your way with joy and confidence—guided by the clear light of the brightest of all suns, the ‘Sun of Righteousness’—realizing and enjoying an abiding sense of Prince Emmanuel’s presence and help throughout all your course; whereby alone you can hope to succeed in making a useful, happy, and prosperous voyage.
“Remember also,” continued our divine Instructor, “that your whole course, even to the very Port of Paradise, is clearly marked out on the Royal Charts. You should therefore diligently search and consider them, and that continually, so that you may never for a moment lose your way.
“Beware of being misled by ignorant and crafty voyagers, who, being out of the right way themselves, and not knowing the King’s counsels, endeavor to lead others astray by wrong and deceitful interpretations of these most perfect charts.”
We were then taken into the King’s Armory to be furnished with a complete set of armor, so as to be duly equipped for the conflicts we might have to encounter on our new course.
While admiringly scanning the rich stores of armor laid out before us, our Counselor observed: “All over this wide ocean which you have yet to traverse, innumerable enemies of the King are constantly prowling, ever seeking to turn the King’s servants from their proper course, and thus seeking to accomplish their destruction.
“Abaddon that mighty chief of the pirates, and his vast host of piratical followers, are—as you will find—most terrible foes, who persistently attack all the voyagers on this ocean with the most malignant cruelty.
“You will, therefore, need to ‘put on the whole armor of God,’ so as to be able to withstand their fierce attacks. Here then is the golden girdle, to gird up the loins, and preserve truth in the inward parts; the strong breastplate to safeguard the seat of the affections, in the maintenance of righteousness; the feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; the indispensable shield of faith wherewith to ‘quench the fiery darts of the wicked’; the head protecting helmet to preserve the full consciousness and certainty of your salvation; and this mighty ‘sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God’ of pure celestial temper, which is ‘quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,’ before which none of your assailants will be able to stand for a moment, when rightly used. It was with this very sword that Prince Emmanuel utterly defeated the prince of darkness.
“To your particular care, Mr. Conscience, this trusty weapon is now committed; and it is hoped that you will always be ready to use it valiantly in resisting the assaults of the pirates, should they ever attempt to board you.
“See to it also, Captain Will, that all your men are well exercised in the use of your valuable shields, as the fiery darts of the enemy will often be hurled upon you like showers of hail, and the only way to ward them off will be by the skillful use of the invulnerable shield of faith.
“‘Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.’ ‘Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.’
“On all occasions, too, let your banners be fully set up and unmistakably displayed, so that all may know that you are the loyal servants of Prince Emmanuel. Your ensign, bearing thereon the Cross of Calvary, ever hoisted at the peak; while your pure white flag, bearing the emblem of the harmless dove of peace, should always appear on your main.
“Another very important matter I would impress upon you,” said our sage Counselor, “seeing that Prince Emmanuel has specially mentioned it in His instructions to all His followers who have escaped by the way of the cross, and have entered into His service: It is that your lights should be always kept clearly burning, so that your fellow voyagers may be enabled to see your correct navigation, and thus be helped to steer in the right course to the Celestial Shores; and, moreover, be led to give praise to our gracious King for His great goodness and loving kindness in having provided such a gracious and wonderful way of life.
“Furthermore, for your own comfort and stability, as well as for a testimony to others, you will also need to have before you on all occasions the records of your full assurance—your properly attested credentials and passports—showing your changed condition and acceptance at the cross, your new relationship and standing by faith in the presence of the King your Father, the new course into which you have been enabled to steer, your sailing orders, and whither you are bound.
“Through the marvelous grace of the good King Elohim these precious assurances are now presented to you as prepared by the King Himself, to which He has, in His amazing condescension, affixed His Royal Seal: to the end that you may never doubt or question, for one moment, your perfect acceptance with the King, your being now in the right course for the Port of Paradise, or your eternal security.
“Moreover, they are already recorded in the archives of Heaven, and thus preserved in safe keeping of Prince Emmanuel Himself, from whose custody they can never be removed.
“Your final and eternal condition of safety—the fruit of the new life you have now obtained—is therefore securely kept in the hands of the Prince, until that day when you shall be called above to be in His presence forever.
“With these duplicates of the heavenly records in your possession you should always be confident of your acceptance and place as children in the King’s family; and of the glorious inheritance reserved for you in the future. Be sure to preserve them with the utmost care, for should Abaddon the great pirate, or any of his crew, ever manage to get on board (which it is hoped you will never permit) their first effort would be to steal these valuable title deeds, and thus lead you into sad perplexity and doubt as to your course. Many who have thus been robbed have ever after, even to the end of their voyage, sailed on their way in sad bewilderment, fear and uncertainty, like mariners in a perpetual mist.
“Now, as befitting the great change through which you have passed, and the new course upon which you have entered, you are no longer to retain your old name of Wanderer, but, in lieu thereof, be henceforth known as the Christian Believer.
“Have this your new name ever clearly displayed in the plainest characters, that all your fellow voyagers on this ocean may know your changed condition and that you have entered the service of the blessed Prince Emmanuel.”
Then our divine Counselor, with an expression of the deepest reverence, and a grave and solemn voice, spoke again, and said, “Last of all and most important, I am commissioned to tell you that the invisible and Holy Presence of the King Himself will ever remain on board with you, even to the end of your voyage, to comfort, instruct, counsel and guide you in all your ways. His presence moreover will always be to you an earnest (as well as the source of all your present peace and happiness) of your blessed inheritance hereafter. Strive ever to remember this; above all, be sure not to grieve the Holy One by any waywardness, or a desire to wander out of the right course, as you used to do before you came in by the way of the cross.”
When Wisdom had thus kindly concluded all his gracious directions, and was about to bid us farewell, as the time for departing on our voyage had come, he said, “Remember, you can do nothing of yourselves—not a furlong can you move without help—but you can hoist your sails and brace them up to the winds of heaven, and if by constant prayer you will seek assistance, the celestial breezes will speedily waft you onward to your desired haven.
“Be on your guard against Abaddon, for there is not a spot on all this ocean where he, or some of his crew, are not lurking to allure unwary mariners out of their course to utter ruin. Remember also to set your watch regularly, to look out continually for Prince Emmanuel, who may possibly come and call you at any moment into His Presence above.” So saying he commended us to God and said, “May the Lord who is faithful establish you, and keep you from evil.”
Then unfurling and hoisting all our sails with alacrity, and with our banners floating aloft, we proceeded on our voyage with much rejoicing, shaping our course directly for the Port of Paradise, as pointed out to us on the Royal charts; being favored with a most delightful and propitious gale, we soon had full way on, and made steady progress.
The marvelous change through which we had recently passed, and the princely way we had been equipped for the rest of our voyage, they were now our constant themes of conversation and delight: and for the abundance of our joy we could scarcely think of aught else by day or night. Mr. Heart, now fully recovered, was most bright and happy, directing every movement on board. Captain Will and our excellent Pilot, Mr. Conscience, no longer opposed to each other, were cordially uniting all their energies to navigate our little boat aright. Conscience was also frequently at the helm, and the Captain, with his two active mates, was carefully seeing that all his orders and the directions of Mr. Heart were promptly carried into effect.
As for Mr. Feelings, he was so overcome with delight that he almost wept for joy and could not find language to express the happy state he was in; while Mr. Thoughts occupied us for hours together by repeating the kind and gracious words of Wisdom, and by dwelling on the delightful prospect of meeting the blessed Prince, and being forever in His Presence.
The exuberant joy, too, of our boatswain, Mr. Emotions, was also most refreshing and cheering to us all, for he skipped about like a young hart, asking all to join him in singing the praises of the good King and Prince Emmanuel. Most gladly did we all respond to the invitation of the joyous boatswain, and then, led by Mr. Feelings, we heartily sang:
“Endless praise and adoration,
Be to Thee our gracious King,
Who did’st thus provide salvation,
To Thyself our souls to bring.
“Glory, glory everlasting
Be to Him who bore the cross,
Who redeemed our souls by tasting
Death, the death deserved by us!
“His is love, ‘tis love unbounded,
Without measure, without end;
Human thought is here confounded;
‘Tis too vast to comprehend.
“While we tell the wondrous story
Of the Saviour’s cross and shame,
Sing we, ‘Everlasting glory
Be to God and to the Lamb.’”
We were, indeed, most truly happy then, exulting in all the freshness and joyousness of the new life that had been imparted to us; which, like a rich fountain, filled our souls to overflowing.
Besides, we had now found the only true resting place for the weary, in the Lord of life and glory; and knowing that we had come into all this favor and blessing by the King’s own appointed way (the Strait-of-the-Cross), that we had been forever cleansed at the Cross, and sealed with the seal of eternal life by the Holy Spirit, while our prow was turned towards the everlasting hills of the Celestial shores, with the prospect of being soon in the presence of Prince Emmanuel Himself, we could but rejoice, and that continually. Still, we might not for a moment relax our vigilance in the navigation of our boat, for the great current in the ocean was running as strongly as ever against us, so that we had unceasingly to strike across it, and sometimes to sail in the very teeth of it. But the winds of heaven being strongly in our favor, we were kept from drifting with the tide, and thus enabled to hold on our course steadily for some time, at least after our new start.