The Pilgrim’s Progress: Part 2: The Pilgrims Cross the River Summary & Analysis

Finally, the pilgrims arrive in Beulah, where bells and trumpets sound so beautifully that the pilgrims are unable to sleep, yet they are still refreshed. The water of the place is a little bitter, yet sweet when swallowed. The children of Beulah gather sweet-smelling spices with which the pilgrims anoint their bodies in preparation for their journey over the River.

After a while, an urgent message is brought for Christiana from the Celestial City. The letter is from Christian. He tells Christiana that her Master is calling for her, and that she will be in his presence within 10 days. She tells Mr. Great-heart, and he welcomes the news and gives her advice about crossing the River. She gives her children her blessing and leaves what little she has to the poor. Christiana asks Mr. Valiant-for-Truth to watch over her children after she is gone. She also says farewell to Honest, Ready-to-Halt, Dispondency, Much-afraid, and Feeble-mind, leaving each of them with encouraging words.

On Christiana’s last day of life, the road is filled with people accompanying her to the riverbanks. Beyond the River, horses and chariots are waiting to bear her to the Gate of the Celestial City. She waves goodbye to her loved ones and enters the River, quickly passing out of their sight. When she enters the Gate, she is received with joyful ceremonies.

Sometime later, Mr. Ready-to-halt gets a message from the Celestial City, telling him to prepare to feast with Christ in his Kingdom the day after Easter. When he goes to the bank of the River, he leaves his crutches behind. Mr. Feeble-mind, Dispondency, and Much-afraid follow after, with Much-afraid singing a heavenly song as she goes. Mr. Honest finds the River overflowing in some places, but his friend Good-conscience meets him there and helps him across. Mr. Valiant-for-Truth leaves behind his sword and courage for other pilgrims to claim, taking his scars with him as a witness.

When Mr. Stand-fast is summoned from the Celestial City, he asks Mr. Great-heart to go to his family and tell them all that has happened to him. When he steps into the River, it is calm, and he stands in the water talking to his friends. He says that although the River has often frightened him, he can now think only of the joys that await him on the other side.

The pilgrims are welcomed into the Celestial City with glorious music. When the narrator leaves that place, it’s said that Christian’s and Christiana’s sons, with their wives and children, are still alive, adding to the growth of the Church.