The Radiant City : $b An AllegoryGarratt, Evelyn R.
Religion
The Radiant City : $b An Allegory
Garratt, Evelyn R.
Allegories; Christian fiction; Christian life; Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Fiction
"My sword is never out of my hand," said the traveller, "had it not
been for that I should have been lost on the road long ago."
"But look at me," said Amer, "I have conquered triumphantly the last
enemy that attacked me, and am not now afraid. You should trust the
King more and hasten forward."
"But we must obey Him as well as trust Him," answered the traveller;
"He tells us in the Guide Book, 'Ponder the path of thy feet, and let
all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the
left: remove thy foot from evil.'"
"Your progress must be so slow," said Amer.
"I have learnt that 'the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to
the strong:' I have learnt this through many a downfall. I do not judge
for you or for others, but for me, my only safety is to live day by
day looking towards my King and pondering the path at my feet. Is it
not written, 'Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look
straight before thee.' 'Looking unto Jesus.'"
As the man spoke he lifted his eyes towards the Radiant City, and his
face was suffused with the light of it.
Amer followed the direction of his glance and was startled to see,
that although he had noticed the bright reflection of the City on the
traveller's face, the Radiant City itself looked still dimmer to him
than it had a few minutes before.
He made no mention of this however to his companion, but he glanced
about him a little uneasily, for he felt conscious of an influence
that he had not known before. He was not aware that one of the worst
of enemies that he could meet on his journey, was at his heels, though
quite invisible.
"Well," he said, "I must away. This slow pace does not suit me
altogether; nor do I think it necessary." And with a wave of the hand
he bounded forward.
The traveller he had left behind him, sighed.
"Ah!" he cried, "what must it be to be as good and strong as he. He
cannot be so easily tempted as I am. I shall have to walk carefully all
my life, or I shall grieve my dear Saviour, who has done so much for
me."
Then he took out his Guide Book as he walked, and opened it.
The words that met his glance were these:—
"'My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in
weakness.'"
Meanwhile Amer made his way up the hill. His sword was hanging loosely
by his side, and not seeing any enemy in sight, he took off his helmet
and carried it in his hand. His mind was full of his victories over the
enemy who had accosted him twice during his journey up the hill. As
he found himself nearing the top, so full of congratulations was he,
and so glad that it had not been his fate to make so slow a journey as
the traveller he had passed, that he began to sing. And the words he
sang were some that he had seen in the Guide Book, and which seemed
appropriate to his present state.
"'In my prosperity I said, I shall never be removed: Thou Lord, of Thy
goodness hast made my hill so strong.'"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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