We read The Pilgrim’s Progress in the original language. I actually have a very old copy, given to me by my grandmother from her library. There is no publication date, but it is very old, and I love it. When you run your fingers over the page, you can feel the text, and it smells like my Bamie’s house. There are no illustrations. I was considering showing the girls the illustrations here, but when I looked at some of them, I felt they were so unlike what I had pictured in my imagination, that perhaps the children would feel the same way.
I only require narrations from Katja, as Annalissa is in her first year, I like Annalissa to listen, mostly to get used to the language so that she will be able to narrate it next year. I have skipped a couple of very wordy passages, but really only a couple. There are passages that are more exciting than others, but in general, Katja really enjoys this book. I try to remember to explain some of the new words we will be reading before each day’s selection, especially character names, which are very significant. Otherwise, the older English isn’t a problem. Sometimes I wonder how much she is getting out of it, but she usually surprises me with how much she takes in. Of course, she doesn’t catch everything; but what she does understand, she knows, and remembers. She has, on different occasions, connected some passage in the book to something she read in the Bible, or to one of her Papa’s sermons. I expect she will continue making connections even after we have finished the book, because it is in her heart. Below is one of Katja’s verbal narrations, and the original text (in italics) for comparison (NB This is an older one; I only chose this particular passage because it was the only one I has already typed out).
Then, taking him by the hand, he led him to a big parlour. The parlour was very dusty because it had never been swept. Then the Interpreter called somebody to sweep it. And when he had begun to sweep, the dust flew around so much that Christian almost choked. So the Interpreter told a girl to go get some water and sprinkle it with water. And when he was done, the parlour was beautiful.
- What is this for? asked Christian.
This is for to show thee that the man had dusted it, that when the dust flew about, it meant a person’s heart must be covered with Jesus. And when it flew around and you almost choked, it was to show thee that some people don’t want Jesus’ blood
Now when you saw the girl come sprinkle it with water, this is to show thee, that the King of Glory must inhabit your heart.
Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlour that was full of dust, because never swept; the which, after he had reviewed a little while, the INTERPRETER called for a man to sweep. Now, when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to fly about, that CHRISTIAN had almost therewith been choked. Then said the INTERPRETER to a damsel that stood by, "Bring hither the water, and sprinkle the room;" the which, when she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.
Chr. Then said CHRISTIAN, "What means this?"
Inter. The INTERPRETER answered, "This parlour is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the gospel: the dust is his original sin and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first is the law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the gospel. Now, whereas thou sawest that, so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about, that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith: this is to show thee that the law, instead of cleansing the heart, by its working, from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the soul, even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give power to subdue (#Ro 5:20 7:9 1Co 15:56).
"Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure (ease)—this is to show thee that when the gospel comes, in the sweet and precious influences thereof, to the heart, then I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued; and the soul made clean through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of Glory to inhabit (#Joh 15:3 Ac 15:9 Ro 16:25,26 Eph 5:26).
Note: If you have never read The Pilgrim’s Progress, you really ought to. It will likely surprise you, and cause you to you see some things in a way you never have before. There are golden nuggets of truth on every page.
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Sense & Sensibility ePatterns