Chapter 39 Summary

The best thing to see in Smyrna is Mount Pegus of Scripture, which is a place of ancient citadel ruins at the top of a hill. On the way, they stop at Polycarp's tomb (briefly) and then to the site of one of the Seven Apocalyptic Churches of Asia. The attendant there gives everyone a little wax candle, which Twain puts under his hat. The sun is so hot, the candle melts all down his head and neck. On the way to the citadel, Twain and the other pilgrims argue over the meaning of the biblical passage regarding the "crown of life," which supposedly was to be granted to the Seven Churches if they were "faithful unto death." Some of the members argued that Smyrna would not have been destroyed so many times if this prophecy applied to its church. They suggest that...