One hour’s walk from Bedford brings me to Elstow. This is the birthplace of the man who wrote the greatest book this world ever saw, excepting only the Bible. The old dormer-windowed cottage where Bunyan first saw light still survives the wrecks of time. On the village green, near by the cottage, is an old church where in early life he was sexton. Close by this church stands Bunyan’s chapel, where he first began to publish the glad tidings of salvation.
BUNYAN’S COTTAGE.
At the forks of the road, about two hundred yards from the cottage, is a lordly elm-tree, beneath whose sheltering branches Bunyan used to stand and preach the gospel to listening thousands. I climb this tree, and cut several branches of which to make pen-stocks.
Well, reader, I am tempted to go on and give you the thoughts that are passing through my mind; but I must not. Like Bunyan’s Pilgrim, I am tired. I feel weak and faint. I must have quiet and rest, so let us close this chapter.
CHAPTER XIV.
BRITISH BAPTISTS—THEIR DIVERSITIES—THE REGULAR BAPTISTS OF ENGLAND.