A Celestial Pilgrimmage

For several years it had been in the mind of the author to write a complete allegory of the Christian life. This intention was brought to fulfilment this year, which is the three hundredth anniversary of John Bunyan’s birth. This seems a propitious time to bring out such a work.

In writing A Celestial Pilgrimage, A Twentieth Century Pilgrim’s Progress, I have found it necessary to use some of the same characters and situations as Bunyan used. This arises from the fact that certain fundamental Christian experiences are the same today as they were then, yea, and ever shall be. Yet considerable new material has been brought into this allegory of a modern Christian pilgrimage from earth to heaven to correspond to modern conditions of Christian life. Two other cities besides Vanity are introduced—Soul Cripple City and Smokepall. The Modern Celestial Railway, the Trembling Escalator, Chastening Castle, Fantasy Hill, and many other new features appear. In this present work the reader will notice that Christian does more than save himself; he helps save others. Several of the exploits of the book relate to the efforts of Christian to save others who were in trouble.

In fact, this is an entirely new work. I have drawn for material upon my thirty-eight years of Christian experience, which began when I was sixteen years of age. My early experience was greatly clouded by doubt caused by a naturally skeptical disposition. After long struggles these doubts were conquered.

Yet we give credit, first to the immortal Dreamer of Bedford, for the main idea, and second to Nathaniel Hawthorne, for the idea of the Modern Celestial Railway.

We give most credit to Him who cast up the Highway for his redeemed to travel upon. To Him we ascribe all honor and glory, with the fervent hope that the end of life to each of our readers will be like Christian’s.

ROBERT L. BERRY

ANDERSON, INDIANA [From the Foreword]