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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/6494-0.txt b/6494-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..087b3fc --- /dev/null +++ b/6494-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7894 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, by W. +S. Harris + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States +and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no +restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it +under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this +eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the +United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you +are located before using this eBook. + + +Title: Mr. World and Miss Church-Member + +Author: W. S. Harris + +Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6494] +[Last Update: March 14, 2022] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +Produced by: Anne Soulard, Joshua Hutchison, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. WORLD AND MISS +CHURCH-MEMBER *** + + + + +MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER +A TWENTIETH CENTURY ALLEGORY + +BY +REV. W. S. HARRIS. + + + + +to + +Edwin L. Bergstreser + + WHOSE TESTED FRIENDSHIP I HAVE + ENJOYED FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS AND + WHOSE KINDLY INFLUENCE HELPED + ME TO PERSEVERE IN WRITING + THIS ALLEGORY + THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY + DEDICATED. + + + + +Preface. + + +After long and careful study we send forth this book to do its work. +We offer no apology for adding one more volume to the endless library +of modern times, constantly increasing at the rate of over one hundred +volumes per week, the great bulk of which is consigned to the debris +of the passing years. We pray that this book may find a field of +usefulness rather than an early grave. + +We need not tell of the pleasures and difficulties we experienced in +preparing these twenty-five chapters for the press. Let it be known, +however, that we were seconded and assisted by several able critics +who, each one independently of the others, kindly reviewed the +manuscript. At the suggestions of these critics minor changes were +made in the several manuscript editions. These critics deserve much +credit especially for the literary finish there may be to this book. + +The illustrations were drawn by Paul J. Krafft, of New York. They +evince patient study and careful work, and display a creative genius +well suited to the field of allegory. + +The leading moral truths are developed in the memorable journey of +Miss Church-Member upon the Broad Highway in company with the polite +and yet fiendish Mr. World. In this lifelike journey the two companions +come in contact with many of Satan’s up-to-date schemes, and witness +his far-extended operations in many a wicked realm. In the descriptions +of all these things we have endeavored to be suggestive rather than +exhaustive, for we have withheld the almost infinite details and brought +to light only a mere synopsis of the panorama as seen from the lofty +summit. + +Will not the reader, as he takes one step after another in the progress +of the story, realize more keenly than ever the unspeakable deceptions +of Satan, so bewitchingly robed in the garments of subtle treachery? +The course of Miss Church-Member is a sad comment on the moving masses +who are so thoroughly led captive by the Devil as to imagine that they +are traveling on a more convenient way to Heaven while they are actually +on the Broad Highway to destruction. The logical ending of such a life +is pictured in the remorseful and tragical experiences of Mr. World +and Miss Church-Member in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It is our +prayer that each reader may be saved from such a terminus of life by +journeying on the King’s Highway and taking Christ as his all in all. +Then when he comes to the place made shadowy by the power of sin and +death, he will be surrounded with a light from the sure city of God, +and by a convoy of angels whose music will quell his rising fears and +by whose power he will be transported to his never-ending home. + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +Contents + + 1. The Meeting of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member + 2. The By-Path + 3. The Devil’s Optical College + 4. Satan Interpreting Scripture + 5. The Devil’s Pawn Shop + 6. Satan’s Law Departments, (Underground) + 7. The Hill of Remorse + 8. The Valley of Temptation + 9. The Tower of Temptation + 10. Dark Schemes of Satan + 11. Schools of Literature,--First and Second Divisions + 12. The Theatre + 13. Schools of Literature,--Third Division + 14. The Devil’s Temperance College + 15. Infernal School System + 16. Expert Inventors of the Broad Highway + 17. The Wizard City + 18. The Festival + 19. The Missionary College + 20. The Rival Churches + 21. From the Valley of Conviction to the Devil’s Auction + 22. The Devil’s Hospital + 23. Satan’s Secret Service + 24. The Last Warning + 25. The Valley of the Shadow of Death + + +List of Illustrations. + + 1. Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century + 2. Miss Church-Member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim + 3. “Let us follow this shining path,” hopefully urged Miss + Church-Member + 4. Leaving the Optical College + 5. A scene in the Devil’s Pawn Shop + 6. The Shorter and Broader Way to Heaven + 7. The final triumph of right over the black hordes of civil iniquity + 8. On the Hill of Remorse + 9. The victory of Mrs. Discouraged on the Tower of Temptation + 10. The Devil’s substitute for the prayer-meeting + 11. A scene in the Devil’s Temperance College + 12. The Wizard City + 13. The Festival + 14. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member entering the Valley of Conviction + 15. The Devil’s Auction + 16. Miss Church-Member carried to the Devil’s Hospital + 17. Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the Black River + 18. The glorious end of the righteous + + + + +Introduction + +BY BISHOP RUDOLPH DUBS, D. D., LL. D. + + +In response to the earnest request of the author of this book I have +written these introductory words, after a careful, deliberate reading +of the allegory. What I have written expresses my own opinion of the +book, uninfluenced by motives of friendship for the author or any other +consideration. + +The book is a powerful allegory, somewhat after the style of Pilgrim’s +Progress, but in no sense is it an imitation of any existing work of +the kind. It is a masterful presentation, wrought out with excellent +judgment and consummate skill. + +The creatures of the author’s vivid imagination are perfectly formed +and fittingly clothed, living, moving, feeling, talking, in complete +harmony as the development of the great drama goes on to its +consummation. The author has evidently made a careful and profound +study of the manifold dangers which beset the Christian church and +threaten her spirituality, and consequently her influence and power +in saving the lost and maintaining the gospel standard of life and +godliness in the world. + +The encroachments of worldings upon the church are truthfully and +graphically set forth. The manifold forms of temptation and danger are +clearly exposed, and faithful, tender, earnest warnings and admonitions +are set over against them. In depicting the various efforts of Satan +and his agents to lead Christians away from God and duty, the author +shows an extensive knowledge of the devices of the evil one, as well +as a clear insight into the drift and tendency of modern forms of +wickedness. + +The final results of compromise with the world are set forth in vivid, +graphic pictures drawn on the dark shadows as with a pencil of fire. +The downward course of the deluded soul is followed, step by step; the +snares and delusions of sin are exposed; the mask of vice is +relentlessly torn away, and church-members can here see what fellowship +with the world really means and whither it leads. + +The religious tone of the book throughout is excellent. The delusive +character of sin is plainly pointed out. The devices of Satan are laid +bare with unsparing hand. The abominations of vice are not concealed. +All this is done in language well chosen and unexceptionable. The +Christian life is pictured without cant or exaggeration. The beauty +and blessedness of a devoted life are eloquently portrayed. True +religion with its present comforts and its great rewards is presented +in a most attractive form, and the contrast between the worlding and +the faithful Christian, here and hereafter, is impressively set forth. + +With this favorable opinion of the book, to whose edifying pages I +introduce the reader, I deem it proper for me also to recommend it +most heartily as a book worthy of a place on every family table and +in every Sunday-school library. Let young and old read its fascinating +and instructive pages. Let it be circulated by hundreds and thousands +of copies. May the blessing of God attend the book in its mission and +ministry wherever it is read. + +RUDOLPH DUBS. + +_Chicago, Ill., March, 1901_. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE MEETING OF MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER + +1. The dying of a century compared to the waning of a day. + +2. The allegory opens with a panoramic view of human life, as seen +through the open door of the twentieth century, on the Broad Highway +and King’s Highway. Blackana is introduced. + +3. Mr. World meets Miss Church-Member at a place called Fellowship. +From here she journeys with him on the Broad Highway where she witnesses +several sad endings of human life. + + +In the closing hours of a long day I climbed a rugged path to a high +eminence whence I overlooked a beautiful valley and watched, with +increasing delight, the changing hues of earth and sky. + +As the shadows of twilight were deepening each moment grew more strange +and mysterious until the waning day seemed to be transformed into the +dying of the century. Then I saw, as “through a glass darkly,” the +whole panorama of human life, with its painful pictures of sadness and +sin, and its blessed scenes of peace and righteousness. I also heard +the unmistakable wails of a suffering humanity and the turmoils of +myriad contentions, all strangely mingling with the songs of glory and +the shouts of spiritual triumph. + +In deep silence I continued looking upon these endless confusions of +the church and the world as they still played their perplexing parts +in the fitful drama before me. All of this so preyed upon my mind that +I involuntarily cried out, in the anguish of my soul: “When will +confusion come to an end, and sweet peace cover the earth as the waters +cover the sea?” + +“Will you wait for the winds to answer, or shall I?” replied a voice +so passing strange that I was startled. + +I turned to see in whose presence I was and, to my horror, I beheld +a dark creature unlike any mortal being. He was without definite form +and not cumbered with any garments. His indescribable face was set +with two bright eyes, softened in expression until a slight halo +revealed to me a countenance half beautiful and half terrible. “Who +are you, and what is your mission?” I finally ventured to ask after +speech had found my lips, for I was altogether ignorant of his nature +or purpose. + +“I am Blackana, from the lower world of spirits, and am commanded here +to stay until released.” + +[Illustration: Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century.] + +“Until released? What power binds you here, and how long will you +abide?” I asked in dread suspense. “I must remain, as your companion +and interpreter, until the vision is past.” + +I trembled under these announcements, but I was assured that underneath +me were “the everlasting arms” and, moreover, I heard a still, small +voice whispering within me: “Stand still, O mortal man! Neither Blackana +nor any of his horde shall do thee harm. He hovers before thee at my +bidding, and will leave thee only at my command. Ask him what thou +wilt, and he must answer thee, even to the limit of his knowledge.” + +At this juncture, and without a moment’s warning, my vision was enlarged +and an unusual light flashed upon me. Quickly I cast my wondering eyes +all about me and saw that I was standing at the very threshold of a +great door. It was of such imposing dimensions and so magnificently +constructed that only the architects of Heaven could have designed it. + +Instinctively I turned to Blackana, whom I could now face without fear: +“Where are we, and what is the meaning of this great door?” And as I +spoke unseen hands swung it open upon its hinges. + +“We are standing at the open door of the twentieth century. You may +look out into the coming years as far as you wish,” replied Blackana +in a cold, indifferent manner. + +Thrilled by such an unusual sight, and the thought which his +interpretation and words suggested, I marveled at his sullenness, for +Blackana did not so much as lift his head to see the spectacle. + +“O, Blackana!” I cried, “why are you so dead to such surroundings?” + +“These are mere playthings,” was his gruff reply. “To me the doors of +the centuries, which open and shut on the cycles of time, are as +trifles, neither lessening my misery nor adding to my pleasure.” + +During a brief, thoughtful silence I continued looking at him, as a +shudder swept my whole being. I then turned from this creature so +shrouded in mystery and, stepping forward to look through the open +door, I was suddenly overawed at the still greater scenes which spread +in wondrous panorama before my entranced vision. + +Under the new light I beheld a marvelous sight, for I could distinctly +see the myriad millions of humanity moving on the paths of life toward +a common goal. + +In the bright halo of the scene I saw the beautiful King’s Highway, +on which were marching the hosts of the church militant, led +triumphantly by the Spirit of God to the very gates of the Celestial +City, which, though distant, I could yet see under the dazzling light +radiating from the central throne of glory as from untold suns. + +In the darker shadows of this same panorama I saw the Broad Highway +with its thronging multitudes. Some, with deliberate step, scrutinizing +the objects along the way; others, in mad haste, rushing on toward an +awful destruction whose wreck and ruin loomed up dimly in the glare +of an eternal burning. + +Among the happy pilgrims of the King’s Highway was one named Miss +Church-Member, who had left the Broad Way of death, and entered, through +Christ, into that marvelous light wherein she was now walking. Her +tread was in sweet harmony with the footsteps of her Master, and her +beautiful face was all aglow with the passion of pure love. + +A pilgrim’s robe added beauty to her form; a Bible, carried under her +arm, gave some evidence of her spiritual character; and a religious +emblem, worn over her heart, told that she was a member of some +Christian organization. + +Miss Church-Member, in traveling her chosen path, tarried at a place +called Fellowship which occupied a pleasing site close by the King’s +Highway. Here one could readily speak and associate with the travelers +who moved in gay companies along the Broad Highway. + +At this visiting place she met a certain Mr. World--a good, jolly +fellow, of corpulent build, who was attired in the fashion of the day, +and bore himself with more than usual jauntiness in the presence of +Miss Church-Member. + +After a pleasing conversation, in which Mr. World plied his Satanic +shrewdness and sophistry, he was emboldened to give this brief +invitation: “Will you journey a short distance with me on this Broader +Way that I may prepare myself, with more facility, to accompany you +where you wish, even on a path as narrow as the one you seem to love?” + +“Ah, Mr. World,” she said, with a tolerant smile, “do you not know +that you are walking on the way of danger and death? Why would you +have me share your folly? It were a thousand times better for you to +join me at once on a path that leads to everlasting happiness. Here +you can drink the water of life in abundance, and feed upon angels’ +food. O, come, Mr. World,” she added as she spoke more earnestly, +“linger no longer, carry out the resolution which you have already +broken repeatedly, and you will never regret so wise an action.” Thus +did Miss Church-Member urge upon him a course which, in her inimitable +missionary spirit, she made really attractive to him. Although he +appreciated her genuine earnestness, yet he could not be induced to +heed her words. + +“You have covered the whole field of my intention,” he courteously +replied. “I sincerely wish to mend my ways, but there are certain +things I must first overcome. How much better I could do this if one +like you, in whom I have supreme confidence, would but journey at my +side. Will you not do the work of a good missionary and, like Christ, +adapt yourself to my level, that I may, by your uplifting influence, +be drawn into a nobler life, and even have your companionship as I go +up to the Highway of your King?” + +Miss Church-Member, being of a sympathetic nature and of strong +missionary proclivities, refused to heed her many counselors who feared +for her safety, and actually stepped still farther from her wonted +path and journeyed at the side of Mr. World with the desire to compass +his conversion. But her conscience, at first, troubled her and her +feet moved with a suspicious tread. + +In this nervous, half confiding and half shrinking mood, she leaned +lightly upon his arm, ever turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her +well-meaning friends who still hoped to dissuade her from this +ill-advised course. + +Mr. World was keenly delighted at her concession and loyalty to him. +He seemed to be willing to go to any sacrifice that might add to her +comfort or increase her happiness. His many companions could readily +see that Miss Church-Member felt “out of place.” But she justified her +own course by what she was aiming to do. + +He saw that her dress of righteousness was in wide contrast with the +filthy rags that covered his own soul, and so he preferred to look +upon the garments that adorned his outer person, and the gaudy scenes +on either side of the way. + +I beheld this wide path along a great length, and I shuddered as I saw +the masses thereon who were engaged in the frivolities of life as found +in the swiftly passing pleasures of sense and sight. The thoughtless +throngs were seemingly unconscious that underneath the whole length +and breadth of the path there were strata of fire, and they were +apparently blind to the sulphurous flames which, here and there, issued +from openings into which many an unsuspecting traveler fell. + +Sad to relate, of all the moving multitudes there were but few, indeed, +who took warning and fled toward the King’s Highway. Many, like Miss +Church-Member, were walking on the forbidden path for no other reason +than some weak apology. + +“What mean these lurid openings?” nervously asked Miss Church-Member, +for their flames excited her terror. Mr. World replied, with a look +of surprise: “Have you never heard that these are to give light to +pilgrims, such as we? Without them the way would prove very dark and +dreary.” + +“What a contrast,” she exclaimed, “between these lights and those that +illumine the King’s Highway! They shine from above, with increasing +splendor, while these cast forth, from below, their uncertain lights. +It seems to me that the farther we go the darker becomes the way, and +its lights the more inconstant,--so fitful is their gruesome glare.” + +“Ah! I see what ails you,” responded Mr. World. “Your eyes are at +fault. We will presently meet the expert who will correct your vision +ere your eyes are totally ruined.” + +The attention of Miss Church-Member was suddenly attracted by seeing +a man who was just sinking out of sight into the fire of destruction. +As soon as he disappeared the flames burst forth in fury through the +newly-made opening. Instantly a servant of Satan covered the breach +so that observers could no longer hear the wails of the poor man, nor +smell the fumes from the burning strata. + +Then did I look and, behold, I saw such places in countless variety, +each attended by a servant of the Black Prince. Each opening made by +an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so that others, in passing +along, would the more readily be ensnared in one of these fatal +fissures. + +Miss Church-Member was more than alarmed at these sad endings of human +life which now came to her attention more vividly than when she traveled +on the King’s Highway. + +She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman sinking in utter despair, +and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched +ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member could give assistance. + +“Help! help! I sink I know not whither,” was her wailing cry, as she +was passing out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward +her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames +that issued from the fresh opening. + +“Oh, horror!” shrieked Miss Church-Member as she turned toward Mr. +World. “That ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of +wickedness and vice.” + +[Illustration: Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an +unfortunate victim.] + +Without a moment’s delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and covered +it from sight, completing his work so quickly and with such skill that +neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer +perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and +with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a sign of warning so +that other short-sighted, mortals who came that way might read and +heed. + +“It would be only a waste of time and energy. I have seen hundreds of +such places where travelers have gone down, even under the sign of the +Cross.” + +“Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I should stand here continually +and speak words of personal warning to any one who might seem determined +to walk in such a terrible path as this.” Her finger pointed to the +spot where she had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more. + +“Look yonder,” he hurriedly spoke, as he touched her arm. “Do you see +that woman with her steps in the same direction? Now try your skill,” +he added with more sneer than sympathy in his voice. + +She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but quickly went to the woman +and asked her to pause a moment. + +“Are you willing to be saved from destruction?” earnestly asked Miss +Church-Member. + +“I am safe enough,” was the indifferent reply. + +“You are now walking rapidly toward an awful death,” were her further +words of warning. + +“What right have you to judge me,” she curtly replied, “since you also +are on this Broad Highway? Have I not heard already the words from +those who also wear the pilgrim’s robe, but who journey on the King’s +Highway? Their words brought conviction to my heart and tears to my +eyes, but your words only stir up my indignation.” + +“Why speak so unkindly to a friend? My only intention is to do you +good. I just saw one who came to a horrible end by continuing a little +farther in the same course that you are now pursuing.” + +Then did the wicked woman fly into a rage. “You need no more concern +yourself about me. I have two eyes--as many as you have. Look to your +own future, not mine; at your own steps, and not at another’s!” + +“Come,” impatiently spoke Mr. World, as he drew her by the arm, “it +is just as I expected; let us get away from this sickly atmosphere.” +But Miss Church-Member lingered only to see the heedless woman step +to the last extreme and sink hopelessly, while her piteous cries for +help came too late for any to rescue her. + +[Illustration: “Let us follow this shining path.” hopefully urged Miss +Church-Member. But it is too rough and steep for Mr. World.] + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE BY-PATH. + +1. In their journey Mr. World and Miss Church-Member come to the By-Path +leading to the King’s Highway; on this Miss Church-Member urges Mr. +World to travel. He defers so decisive a step and defends his attitude +by the use of sophistry. + +2. Miss Church-Member, still hoping to win Mr. World to a better path, +forsakes the King’s Highway and continues in his company. + +3. A tilt with Blackana who defends Miss Church-Member for traveling +on the Broad Highway. + + +The highway of the world was so broad that one could walk thereon as +loosely as he wished without fear of stepping from it. Along the way +there were so many things to attract the attention that the farther +Miss Church-Member journeyed with Mr. World, the less frequently she +looked toward the King’s Highway. However, her face brightened and her +hopes waxed strong as they suddenly came to a place where two ways met. + +With quick insight Miss Church-Member saw that the By-Path was a blessed +one and that it led directly to the King’s Highway. + +“Let us follow this shining path,” she hopefully suggested. “I know +it leads to the way of light and glory.” + +“Not such a path, my friend,” hastily replied Mr. World. “Do you not +see the terrible hill to which it leads, and those who are even now +struggling to climb its arduous heights?” + +“I clearly see it all,” she calmly admitted, “but they who struggle +most are endeavoring to carry many idols with them. If one will forsake +his idols, he can, with ease and pleasure, mount to the shining summit +which is but the edge of the King’s glorious Highway. Come, Mr. World, +hesitate no more. Let procrastination end, and go with me even to the +hill, and I will help you to the summit--while Another will help you +more.” + +“Very true, very true,” he said, though somewhat irritated, “but we +have not yet come to the place where I may wisely follow your advice. +This path turning away to the right leads to a place that may seem +bright from this point, but nevertheless I know it to be a narrow, +rugged way, whereon a few of your friends are trudging, eking out a +miserable existence. Urge me not to go thither. If you leave me, I can +neither accompany you nor give you my assistance. Surely you have +learned, ere this, that your needs are of such a nature that you must +inevitably suffer embarrassment without my little help.” + +Miss Church-Member, with eyes but partly open to her own folly, was +grievously perplexed and not a little disappointed. She fell on her +knees and wept. Looking up pleadingly into his eyes, she faltered: + +“Twice have I yielded to you since we entered into companionship. You +well remember the solemn promise you made, but at each time you deferred +its fulfillment, and now I must again hear your vain excuses. I have +suffered much for your sake, and have now the enmity of many a former +friend, and even my pilgrim robe is becoming stained with the filth +of this way.” + +“Come, come, my friend, be a woman and not a sickly suppliant. The +portion of the King’s Highway which we would reach from this point is +too rough for my feet to travel. We will shortly come to a more +convenient place; then I can think more seriously of leaving this way.” + +“Ah!” sighed Miss Church-Member, “you say that in your folly. I can +testify, from knowledge, that the way is most delightful and leads to +mansions incorruptible in the Celestial City.” “Let us cease debating,” +interrupted Mr. World, with ill-concealed impatience. “If you have +sacrificed so much through my fellowship and imagine that you can find +better company, you may leave, but you cannot expect me to accompany +you on so thorny and rough a path as this which you have so foolishly +proposed.” + +Strengthened by the remnants of Christian virtue yet within her, she +sprang to her feet and was about to execute her noble purpose of leaving +him. But a number of Mr. World’s friends quickly rallied and +complimented Miss Church-Member on the good she had already done. “Mr. +World is a better man since he has known you,” said one. “If you will +continue walking with him on his own level, no one can estimate the +amount of good you will yet do for him,” hopefully spoke another. + +These unexpected testimonies aroused anew her missionary spirit and +changed her thoughts to these yielding sentences: + +“No sacrifice is too great, if victory but comes at last. If there is +hope that Mr. World will cease deceiving me and walk in the path of +truth, I will consent to be his companion still a little farther.” + +“There is every hope of that,” smilingly returned Mr. World as he +suavely bowed to her and to the little group of companions who had +given him such timely help. + +As I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member moving on, in closer +fellowship than ever, I waxed warm with indignation, and addressed +Blackana who was still lying at my side as motionless as the strata +of the rock-ribbed earth: + +“Will you explain to me this folly of Miss Church-Member, who has not +only disgraced her cause before the fiendish Mr. World, but who also +continues with him in such unseemly intimacy?” + +“Miss Church-Member is not walking in folly. She is engaged in a noble +work, endeavoring to elevate Mr. World to a higher Christian life,” +was the answer from the lips of Blackana in a low, heavy voice. + +“Ah,” said I, with a feeling of suspicion, “she is shining from the +wrong lighthouse. The rays of truth will never reach him as long as +she is in that position. + +“Perhaps they might in a miraculous way,” suggested Blackana. + +“No good miracle is ever done in the steps of the Devil or in his +dominions,” I answered with boldness. + +Then did Blackana enlarge himself, and as he replied he looked down +upon me significantly. “O puny mortal, instruct me not in the miracles +of my master. More great things are done under the canopies of Hell +than mortals ever know.” + +At first I was filled with alarm, but under the voice of One invisible +I rose as with superhuman strength, and I looked at him unflinchingly. +“O horrible creature! I fear you not in any of your passions. You would +even destroy me if you could, but you are forever restrained by the +Power that holds authority over all!” + +There was a sudden rustling, unlike anything I had ever heard. The +uncanny creature dashed toward me in his awful fury. But I moved not, +neither was I touched. Then I stretched forth my hand and commanded +him, in the name of One who is supreme, to cease his foolish ragings, +else would he be instantly flung through the wastes of Hell. + +Blackana, knowing his limit, as all foul fiends do, dared to venture +no further in his rage, but calmed himself and, with unexpected +civility, he addressed me. He told me, in close detail, how Mr. World, +by his binding promises to his companion, had played the part of folly +rather than Miss Church-Member who did nothing more than enter upon +a more convenient and a Broader Way to heaven, and that, too, in good +company. + +“And what think you,--will Mr. World ever fulfill his binding promises?” + +“Do not doubt it, sir. Mr. World is an honorable gentleman. His promises +are always fulfilled. + +“A lie! A lie! Can you not speak the truth?” + +Again he was about to rise into terrible proportions when a great hand +moved the door on its hinges. Blackana, interpreting that movement +better than I, continued in dread restraint. I looked again upon the +Broad Highway, and saw how Mr. World had so completely won the +confidence of Miss Church-Member that she now frequently expressed her +sense of obligation to him, and declared that he was not so mean a +fellow as some alleged, and as she had been inclined to believe. + +“Pray, tell me who seeks to injure my good reputation?” he courteously +asked. + +“It has long been current talk on the King’s Highway that you are +deceitful and treacherous, and that you aim to lead people to ruin. +You well know that I hoped, by mutual association, to win you to a +better path. I find, even after some painful errors on my part, that +you are not so much in need of reformation as I imagined. You are a +very considerate and clever fellow, doubtless under the sway of a moral +evolution, and whether I stay with you, or you go with me, it is now, +to my mind, quite evident that you will soon reach a perfect condition.” + +The wily Mr. World chuckled. “You are newly endowed with the gift of +a wisdom whose inward glory has lent its brightness to your eye, and +has given savor to your very words. If you continue in your present +state of liberality and broad-mindedness, you will not only share all +that I possess, but will wear a crown set with gems of truth.” + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE. + +1. The college described. + +2. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member have their eyes examined, and Miss +Church-Member is supplied with lenses which warp her spiritual vision. + +3. The allegory shows how Satan supplies every conceivable kind of +lenses to suit the people of the world and the church. + +4. Blackana, with deceptive words, attempts to defend Satan’s course. + + +This institution of Satan has been in operation since the creation of +man, having been remodeled as often as advancement in style or skill +demanded. + +Each one of the fourteen massive buildings was a gem of architectural +beauty, and was devoted to a special line of study or practice. The +entire group worked harmoniously toward the same end. + +In the course of their journey Mr. World and Miss Church-Member drew +nigh to this great college, but the shrewd and wicked Mr. World remained +silent, waiting for the first words of his companion. Miss +Church-Member, however, as she looked upon the stupendous edifices, +was so filled with wonder and admiration at the long stretches of +masonry, and the perfect symmetry of parts, that she offered no comment +until they were quite near the first building. + +“For what purpose is this group of great structures used?” were her +words that broke the brief silence. + +“All for the sake of the eyes,” he carelessly answered, as he called +her attention to the King’s Highway and the throngs of people that +were admiring and entering the college from those parts. + +“It is indeed wonderful,” she commented, “that so small a thing as the +eye should demand the service of such great edifices.” + +“The buildings are not too large nor too well equipped. Your surprise +would not be so great were you to witness the large number from the +two great highways that come here daily for treatment. You can see +them now moving by thousands to and from the buildings. It might be +wise for us to enter for consultation. My eyes, at least, may need +some expert attention.” + +She, being anxious to see the interior of at least one of the buildings, +offered no objection to his shrewd suggestion. + +The building was so easy of access that there was not one step to +climb. An electric elevator served to carry them to the sixty-fourth +floor which formed a part of the huge dome into which the upper portion +of the great structure converged. This style of architecture not only +added to the beauty of the appearance, but also proved to be perfectly +adapted to the uses of the college. + +The confidence of Miss Church-Member was fully won by the appearance +of the interior and the courteous attention she received from the +managers. + +The consulting physician examined the eyes of Mr. World, then +congratulated him upon the clear vision he enjoyed, and informed him +that his eyes required no immediate treatment. + +Turning to one side, Mr. World whispered to his companion: “While we +are here you had better improve this opportunity and also get the +benefit of an expert opinion.” + +“I have not come prepared financially,” she blushingly and faintly +replied. “I did not even dream of seeking the service of a specialist.” + +“That obstacle is easily overcome, for the examination is free, and +if you should need further attention and would wish to receive it, I +would deem it only a great pleasure to bear all the expenses.” + +After a brief, thoughtful silence she consented to the preliminary +examination. “Will you examine the eyes of my friend?” requested Mr. +World as he stepped toward the chief oculist. + +The expert accordingly tested her sight. First he held up, at a +distance, the “Delusion of the New Jerusalem,” but she was totally +blind to it. Then he submitted the “Deceptions of the Holy Bible” of +which she could again see nothing. + +“Look through these windows to the Broad Highway, far out into the +distance over rolling stretches of country. Can you see the gates of +Heaven, at the end of the way?” + +Miss Church-Member looked carefully, but declared that she could not +see anything that appeared like Heaven or the gates thereof. + +“Can you see that place called ‘Perfect Peace’ along the Broad Highway,” +continued the oculist as he pointed to a far-off region. + +“I can see nothing that looks like it,” she honestly confessed, quite +surprised to discover the existence of these apparent defects of her +vision. + +“A very sad and extreme case,” murmured the examiner as he requested +her to open her Bible. + +“Can you see, in that book, that all people shall be saved, and none +perish?” + +“I am surely blind to that and always have been,” she readily admitted +with a little more boldness. + +“Perhaps you can see the justice of God in punishing the sinner?” he +continued with a touch of sarcasm in his voice. + +“Plainly visible.” + +“So I expected.” + +He then proceeded to a more minute examination, after which he wrote +a brief diagnosis and commended her to a specialist in the next +building. + +She hesitated somewhat, but Mr. World, handing her, confidentially, +a handsome sum of yellow coin from his bag of gold, brought words of +deep thankfulness from her lips, and gave decision to her steps in the +direction he desired. + +From the great dome they were taken in a closed car over the high +suspension bridge to the adjoining building which was of still greater +magnitude. + +The room into which they entered, at such a dizzy height, surpassed, +in its unique arrangement, anything of the kind that they had thus far +seen. In long and high glass cases lay all the modern appliances used +by the most skillful hands. The furnishings blended harmoniously with +the general environments. All this won the utter confidence of the new +and unsuspecting visitor. “With pleasure,” politely began Mr. World, +“I present my friend, Miss Church-Member, who comes hither with +defective eyes and a duly subscribed diagnosis from the chief of the +oculists.” + +The specialist whom he thus addressed made an additional examination, +plying his craft with all the ingenuity he had learned from his master. +At the conclusion he delivered himself in this wise: + +“I find, Miss Church-Member, that your eyes are very much out of order. +A complex case, indeed. I have discovered ametropia in the particular +form of irregular astigmatism. The pupil, covered by the unabsorbed +remains of the pupillary membrane, is occluded by a deposition of +inflammatory substance, occasioned by inflammation of the ciliary body. + +“I have also noticed a severe type of hemianopsia, which, I presume, +had its origin in congeniture. Minor defects are also apparent, but +it is unnecessary for me to give further details,” + +Miss Church-Member could not refrain from weeping bitterly at this sad +announcement. “Is it possible to effect a cure?” she sobbed. + +“Ah! you need not thus lament,” said the specialist in a tone of +sympathy. “Millions have been altogether cured whose eyes were more +diseased than are yours. Forget your tears and be at perfect peace. +Calmly confide in our skill.” + +She consented to their method, and was first subjected to a course of +preliminary treatment. Many an hour she lay while her eyes were covered +with cloths saturated with strange liquids. And when her eyes were +uncovered she was compelled to sit in darkness, for the physician told +her that her eyes had already suffered much on account of light. At +times the pain was well nigh intolerable, but she endured it all +heroically, hoping to gain thereby the boon of a complete cure. + +After this preparatory work one who was skilled in the best methods +of the age performed the operation, and Miss Church-Member was comforted +by the assurance that her eyes would be fitted with special lenses, +and soon she could again behold the natural light of day. + +Mr. World was busily engaged during the treatment of Miss +Church-Member, but he came repeatedly to her side and spoke words of +cheer and urged her strict obedience to all directions. + +Finally her new lenses were put to service, and Mr. World proffered +his compliments profusely until the first impulses of vanity moved +within her. _To be admired, on account of her appearance, seemed never +so attractive as now!_ + +What a new world opened to her view! She looked down upon the Broad +Highway with a degree of pleasure hitherto unsuspected, and also upon +the King’s Highway, but only to see that the path was indeed a rough +one and beset with trials and difficulties which, to her mind, now +seemed unnecessary to a Christian life. + +In the same manner I looked into all the apartments of each building, +and was astonished at the presence of so large a number from the King’s +Highway, and a still greater throng from the way of the world. + +“O Blackana!” I cried, “how long will this continue? Is there no end +to deception? With such a changed view of things, how can Miss +Church-Member crave for the King’s Highway or urge Mr. World thither?” + +“Miss Church-Member will be happier where she is,” answered my uncanny +companion as he grinned horribly. “By the aid of her glasses she can +both see and enjoy the wonderful scenes along the way.” I knew that +Blackana was covering the truth, but hesitated to insinuate as much. +“Can you explain,” I questioned in a half hopeful mood, “how those +specialists can do their deceptive work so brazenly? Poor Miss +Church-Member, deluded and defrauded, now stumbles rapidly onward with +the fiendish Mr. World. Tell me, O agent of the Devil, do those +creatures find delight in such horrible deeds?” + +“It is not a matter of pleasure or delight with them, but rather one +of loyalty to their king, whom you call ‘Devil.’ To serve him poorly +means a more bitter hell, but to serve him well brings honor from his +hand.” + +“But such honor!” I exclaimed, and then said: “I observe that Miss +Church-Member wears colored lenses--tell me the meaning of this; and +you, Blackana, hereafter deal no more in falsehood with me!” I demanded. + +Blackana shifted his position, and with marked reluctance proceeded +to answer: + +“The Devil, my master, uses in his work all imaginable kinds of glasses, +invented in the Wizard City. Every conceivable shade of color is made, +each for its particular use. Through his agents Satan selects the lens +for the patient’s eye, and if it is worn as selected and directed, he +has won a decisive victory.” + +“Foul and fiendish plots of Hell,” I involuntarily muttered; but +Blackana listened in silence. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. + +1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member now take an easier method of +traveling, for they ride on a strange vehicle down the gravity road. + +2. Miss Church-Member reads her Bible by the aid of her new glasses. + +3. She is assisted in understanding it by a minion of Satan who comes +robed as an angel of light. + +4. Her glasses enable her to distinguish between the inspired and the +uninspired parts of the Bible; for this ability she is highly +complimented. + + +The Broad Highway, after leaving the Optical College, was especially +hard to travel. Here Mr. World secured a fashionable vehicle propelled +by some secret force. Into this carriage he assisted Miss Church-Member, +and each was delighted with the smooth descent down the gravity road. + +“This is delightful traveling,” she said, as she reclined upon the +luxurious cushions of the conveyance. Aided by her new glasses she +enjoyed the scenery along the way more than ever. “I am glad you +appreciate it,” he smilingly returned. “According to my notion, riding +is indeed preferable to walking. From these elevated carriages one can +witness so much more of the world, and can also with more distinctness +see the King’s Highway with its trudging pilgrims seemingly unconscious +of this better mode of travel.” + +Miss Church-Member took a mere casual glance at the Old Path and her +former associates, and seemed to feel thankful that she had risen from +bigotry to a more charitable view of things. + +Her Bible, although closed altogether too long, had never been +surrendered. But she had received strict orders not to read it until +her eyes were fully adjusted to the new lenses. + +Now, however, she opened it and was reading it under the new light, +lifting her eyes at close intervals so as to miss nothing of beauty +or interest along this way of the world. + +Mr. World observed her careless manner,--how she turned from chapter +to chapter in brief succession and fixed but little attention on any +particular portion. + +“I would urge you,” he kindly advised, “that if you feel aught of +headache or heartache, through excessive reading, to close the book +at once.” + +[Illustration: Miss Church-member was reading the Bible to her companion +when there appeared to them an interpreter who was like unto an angel +of light.] + +She made no reply, but to his surprise was now deeply engaged in the +perusal of the seventh chapter of Matthew. + +“I have heard that some parts of that book are very interesting,” he +said in his good natured way. “Will you not read aloud to me?” + +With a return of the old passion for his conversion she gladly complied +and read the whole chapter while they continued gliding smoothly along. + +An interesting discussion ensued, during the course of which there +joined them one who was like unto an angel of light. + +After hearing his smooth sentences of general Bible-knowledge, Miss +Church-Member exclaimed: “Who art thou, and how didst thou gain so +great a knowledge of this Book?” + +“I am but a harmless creature of the air, going whither I will. I have +studied that Book through all the changes of time and understand every +part of it. I would, even now, make any sentence as clear as light to +thee.” + +“And thinkest thou that this part is true?” hopefully asked Miss +Church-Member as she raised the open Bible and pointed to the chapter +she had just read. + +“Every sentence is true, but in reading it there is grave danger of +misapprehension. Didst thou have difficulty with any particular part +of the chapter?” + +“With verses thirteen and fourteen,” she replied. + +The angelic interpreter then read them in a fine resonant voice. + +“‘Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is +the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in +hereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth +unto life, and few there be that find it.’” + +“If these words are really true,” quickly commented Miss Church-Member, +“we must be traveling in the wrong way. Does it not appear so?” she +queried, as she looked with increasing interest at the angelic being. + +“Naturally it does,” he shrewdly answered, “especially if you look +merely at the surface of the text; but the pearls of truth lie deeper.” + +“I well know that the King’s Highway is called the ‘Narrow Way’ and +this, whereon we journey, the ‘Broad Way.’ Surely this part of Scripture +is against us,” insisted Miss Church-Member, as her countenance grew +more troubled. + +“Thou needst not stumble at such easy Scripture; behold, the meaning +is quite clear! They who travel on the so-called King’s Highway are +continually exaggerating the _merits_ of the way, thereby making it +appear greater and broader than it really is. They go so far as to +claim that the way is broad enough to accommodate all the people of +the world, were they minded to travel thereon. Therefore those who +thus make the way broad by their own conceits will meet with +destruction. This is the meaning of verse thirteen.” + +“It is certain, according to verse fourteen, that we have a strait +gate, and none, on this road, imagine or claim that the way is broader +than it is; so we are credited with having it called ‘narrow,’ for it +is as narrow as we claim it to be.” + +“Notwithstanding your explanation and the relief these glasses have +given me, my conscience is still troubled, and methinks I hear a voice +from this Bible chiding me. This is the chief barrier to my real +happiness,” she boldly confessed. + +“Thou shouldst not dwell in fear,” spoke the shining adviser. “Do not +allow the errors of any false teaching to mar the peace and happiness +of this way. Bid farewell to all thy inward doubting, and taste the +imperishable sweetness of the world, turning a deaf ear to the voice +that chides thee unkindly.” + +“But the voice comes from my Bible,” she tremblingly declared. + +“Truly said, Miss Church-Member; it comes far enough _from_ the Bible. +Why not listen to the voice that is the Bible. Thou art in harmony with +every part of Scripture. Let not false voices drive thee on to deeper +grief.” + +She then looked at the shining form with more curiosity than ever +before. + +“Who can this be?” she asked Mr. World in a passing whisper. “You have +seen how he urges me to perfect peace, and so unselfishly.” + +“’Tis but a happy friend that comes in the hour of need. Should we not +give heed to his kindly voice? If the studying of that Bible gives you +pain, adding to the weight that already wearies your heart, why not +close the book and, continuing on this way of ease, look more carefully +on outward things again?” + +“Think you, Mr. World, that I would lay down my Bible? This is the +book that mother loved. It has always been my Book of books. It contains +the code of laws that controls the whole spiritual world, and it is +the only lamp that leads to light and to the gates of Heaven. You need +it as much as I. Why ask me to lay it down?” + +“_Nay, nay,_” spoke the angel of light, “_urge her not to discard her +Bible, but rather to get a true understanding of it._ Perhaps,” he +continued, turning again to Miss Church-Member, “thou hast met with +other mysterious verses in this chapter. If so, I will gladly serve +thee, for I love to give light to an honest heart.” + +“I see nothing more now that gives me trouble. These glasses, which +I got through the kindness of Mr. World, have helped me to understand +your interpretation so that the rest of the chapter is quite clear to +me.” + +“And how does the whole Bible appear since thy sight is so improved +by those fortunate lenses?” + +“It certainly appears vastly different,” she confessed. “It is so much +more liberal in its teachings than I ever before imagined.” + +“_Hast thou become so far advanced that thou canst, with thy more +comprehensive view, distinguish between the inspired and the uninspired +parts?_” asked the shining one with an air of dignity. + +“Not clearly so, although I have recently doubted the genuineness of +some parts which still hold their place in the book.” + +“Thou art coming to the true light,” he flatteringly replied. “Blessed +is the event that ever changed thine eyes to see so great a truth. Oh, +that all the world might thus drink from the fountain of knowledge!” + +“When will the time ever come that the Bible will be rid of its errors?” +impatiently broke in Mr. World. + +“In that happy day when the mists of superstition shall vanish before +the true light of personal liberty and free thinking,” came the answer +from the bright-robed angel who was none else than a minion of the +Devil in disguise. + +“How could such a glorious work best be accomplished?” asked Mr. World +whose interest now was more intensely aroused. + +“Only by Christians who ought to appoint a committee from their own +number,--persons like our friend Miss Church-Member. This committee +could decide, by a majority vote, what parts of the Bible to expunge. +Then the church and the world would have a Bible reasonably free from +errors. Our present Bible has so many objectionable parts which, of +course, could not have been inspired, and any person who has the courage +to correct it will be doing the world an incalculable service.” + +“Amen and amen!” enthusiastically spoke Mr. World. “The Bible is +certainly a great book, but it would be vastly improved if once rid +of its interpolations and errors of translation. Any preacher who would +use in his pulpit such an abridged Bible would have my profoundest +respect, and I hereby pledge half my fortune to the first minister who +will do himself the honor of taking such a step.” + +“That will have its desired effect,” smilingly commented Miss +Church-Member, “for there are some gentlemen of the cloth who would +quickly sacrifice any conviction for such a sum of money.” + +“And here,” added the angel of light, “I hold in my hand a crown of +fame set with the gems of honor. I hereby engage to place a crown like +this on the head of each minister who will, in preaching and teaching, +abridge the Bible and ridicule its weaknesses. Of course he must not +cast reflection upon the real Word of God. He must only denounce and +destroy the errors that have crept into it.” + +With these words the bright messenger disappeared, and Miss +Church-Member endeavored again to know more about his identity, but +Mr. World did not altogether satisfy her curiosity. + +Then, as they sped onward in their well-devised vehicle down the gravity +road to Hell, Miss Church-Member continued reading her Bible quietly. + +“How changed the teachings of this book appear,” she soliloquized. “I +can now see how foolish I once was in taking so narrow a view of its +truths.” + +I took a passing glance at the King’s Highway, and saw a virtuous and +holy woman on her knees in prayer, with a Bible opened before her. + +She read from the Book, doubting not its words, and was pleading +earnestly with God for a better understanding of them, until flash +after flash of heavenly light filled her soul, making her face shine +with more than human glory. + +To her the Devil, robed as an angel of light, made no appearance so +long as I looked. + +Then I asked Blackana, and he told me that Satan feared that which was +sharper than a two-edged sword more than a large number of professing +Christians not filled with the word of God. + +“And what think you of Miss Church-Member?” I continued. + +“She is a fine character,” spoke Blackana as a hideous grin spread +over his face. + +Then I was moved with indignation, and I spoke with fire in my voice: +“Give me no more deceptive words of Hell! Tell the naked truth. What +is the estimate that Satan places on one who acts like Miss +Church-Member?” + +Blackana moved not a feature at my changed attitude, but spoke calmly +within the bounds of truth: “Satan considers such a one as a valuable +ally to his cause, for she is now working against Jesus Christ on her +imaginary road to Heaven. Nothing is more helpful to Satan than when +members of the church believe that parts of the Bible are untrue. It +is indeed gratifying to us,” continued Blackana with a fiendish smile, +“to see the twentieth century of the so-called Christian era opening +with the church wrangling over her Bible more desperately than ever, +and some of the learned leaders, and those of lesser light, laying the +lash on him who believes that the regularly revised version of Scripture +is of sufficient authority and approved of God.” + +Thus Blackana, in dread reluctant tones, and with his tongue still +unfriendly to Christ’s cause, was continuing, when a voice from above +gave this startling and silencing testimony. + +“_Such Scripture is an impregnable rock; and they, who by faith stand +thereon, cannot be poisoned by the fiery darts which are hurled even +by the latest invented guns from the Wizard City. All Hell secretly +acknowledges the strength of this foundation, even though part of the +church on earth refuses to do as much._” + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. + +1. Miss Church-Member with her new glasses looks upon her attire and, +not being satisfied with her pilgrim’s robe, exchanges it for up-to-date +apparel. + +2. The similar action of Mr. Deacon and Mr. Elder described. + + +Miss Church-Member, having closed her Bible, was engaged in a close +scrutiny of her attire. By the aid of her glasses she realized very +keenly that her garments were out of harmony with her environments. + +“Will you answer a frank question?” she modestly asked Mr. World. “Do +you think my pilgrim’s robe becomes me as it should?” + +“A very delicate question. I should never have ventured a criticism +without your invitation to do so. Sincerely, your whole attire is +somewhat antiquated. It is just as faulty as the Bible. So I would +advise you to wear apparel more suited to your natural charms.” + +“But where can such be found?” she blushingly asked, offering no comment +upon Mr. World’s aspersion upon the Holy Scriptures. + +[Illustration: A Scene in the Devil’s Pawn Shop. “Her beautiful pilgrim +robe was drawn through the dust and relegated to the rear.”] + +“At numberless places along the way. In the distance I see an exchange +store, duly authorized to do business along this Highway. If you so +desire, we will proceed thither.” + +She assented gratefully, and soon the vehicle stopped. The two alighted +and stepped into the place known along the King’s Highway as the Devil’s +Pawn Shop. + +This establishment was easily accessible from either Highway, and had +been in operation for thousands of years, carrying on an extensive +business. + +In such a place our parents pawned a glorious inheritance for a taste +of forbidden fruit, and Esau exchanged a legitimate birth-right for +a mere mess of pottage. + +In another similar place Judas sold his Lord and Master for thirty +dirty pieces of silver; and Ananias and Sapphira pawned their natural +and spiritual lives for a little worldly profit which was held but for +a few hours, and that in guilt and pain. + +Satan has a Pawn Shop, or an exchange store, for every phase of desire +that can enter into an unsatisfied heart, or a soul unduly ambitious. +This one, into which Mr. World escorted Miss Church-Member, is intended +for those who become dissatisfied with the dress of righteousness, or +for any who wish a change in any part of their apparel. It proved +intensely interesting to Miss Church-Member, with her new-found +ambitions, to walk through the aisles of this great department store, +each department being used for a separate kind of apparel. + +The entire Pawn Shop was full of old curiosities which had never been +redeemed. These, and more recent specimens, told the story of many a +faithless pilgrim. In the footwear department I saw many a “preparation +of the gospel of peace” which had been pawned for shoes of worldliness, +and elsewhere I saw the garments of truth which had been girt about +the loins of the saints, but which had been exchanged for robes of +vanity. + +There were also many antiquated pilgrims’ robes which had been given +for more fashionable attire. + +Miss Church-Member became more and more ashamed of her own robe as she +saw how many already had effected the exchange which she was now +contemplating. + +One of the shrewd attendants, observing the impatience of Miss +Church-Member and the significant look of Mr. World, approached her +and offered to render such assistance as she might desire. + +“I am feeling wretchedly out of place and out of style in my present +condition. Can I not be dressed in a way more consistent with my +station?” + +“We can readily and easily supply all your fancies,” answered the +attendant with a graceful bow and a smile which gave re-assurance to +Miss Church-Member. + +The sad transformation was effected in a manner well pleasing to the +Prince of Darkness. Her beautiful pilgrim’s robe was drawn through the +dust and relegated to the rear. + +My own heart saddened as I beheld the changed appearance of Miss +Church-Member, who had just taken one more step in her downward course, +and who was still vainly imagining that she was on the road to Heaven. + +I saw, with disgust, her fantastically feathered hat of conceit, her +broad sleeves of self-righteousness, her ruby bracelets and necklace +of vanity, her flowing garments of personal liberty, and her shoes of +fashionable infidelity. + +Then they made a strong effort to induce her to pawn her Bible, but +to no purpose, for she had clung to it so long that it had become a +precious souvenir with which she declared she would never part. Thus +I saw how some worship the Bible who do not worship God. + +Finally they emerged from the Pawn Shop, and glided along in their +mysterious carriage more rapidly and smoothly than ever. The two happy +companions, free from their former embarrassment, now enjoyed the +scenes of life along the way with increasing pleasure. The moving +masses, in their diversified employments, yielded constant +entertainment. + +Miss Church-Member was soon agreeably surprised to see Mr. Deacon and +Mr. Elder, who served in the same church to which she belonged. The +carriage overtook them in a rather isolated place and stopped at their +side, in obedience to the will of Miss Church-Member. + +“Can it possibly be that I meet two of my church officers at this +unexpected time and place? How came it about that you also have chosen +this ‘Broader and Better Way’ to Heaven?” + +The two men were slightly abashed at first and stood speechless as if +in doubt what to say, or as if they were unable to recognize her. + +“Ho! ho!” cried Mr. Deacon, “here is Miss Church-Member who sits in +one of our front pews.” + +“Her appearance is wonderfully improved however,” added Mr. Elder in +an undertone. + +“How came you to adopt this dress and be in such close fellowship with +Mr. World?” asked Mr. Deacon. + +“I am now in the midst of my missionary work, endeavoring to lead Mr. +World into church membership,” were her glib words of explanation, +though, somehow, they were unsatisfying to her ear; but she was rapidly +learning to stifle such unpleasant qualms of conscience. + +“She is doing a grand work,” said Mr. Deacon to Mr. Elder with gestures +of approbation. + +“Are you any better than you were since such an elevating influence +has been thrown about you?” asked Mr. Elder, as he turned to Mr. World. + +“Happy for me that Miss Church-Member ever undertook my case, for I +am now nearer joining the church than ever before.” + +The two church-officials offered their hands to Mr. World in warm +congratulation, and then praised Miss Church-Member for her timely +efforts which they felt sure would terminate in his conversion. + +“What more is required of me in order that I may join your church?” +inquired Mr. World in a voice of deepening earnestness. + +“Nothing more than to express your willingness,” responded the two. +Your morality is beyond suspicion, and your fulfillment of the duties +of citizenship has always been praiseworthy; therefore your religion +is quite exemplary. It lacks but your admission into the church.” + +“I would have joined before now had it not been for a radical element +potent in the councils of the church, and especially for the narrow +views entertained by your minister. If you had another pastor, one of +more liberal cast of mind, it would not only influence me to join, but +many of my wealthy and honorable friends would do so as well.” + +“It certainly is a sad state of affairs,” sighed Miss Church-Member. +“We are losing heavily by reason of such narrowness. I thought +differently at one time, but these glasses have given me a wider and +clearer range of vision.” + +“Your words indicate a sound judgment,” commented Mr. World, and the +two church officials listened eagerly. “Why should the church compel +a man to journey on a path so narrow that he can scarcely make any +progress?” + +[Illustration: Mr. Elder, unable to push through the narrow pass of +Consecration, was compelled to take the “Shorter and Broader Way to +Heaven.”] + +“A sensible view of it,” said Mr. Elder, “for I have learned by +experience that it is impossible to travel far in the way you mention. +I tried it until recently, when I gave it up in disgust. I patronized +an old established exchange store, disposed of a part of my outfit, +and got in exchange something up-to-date, as you see from my appearance. +I then endeavored to walk on the old path, but soon came to an +especially narrow place called Consecration. I could not squeeze +through. I struggled hard and long until one came to me and said: ‘Let +go what thou hast under thine arms and belted to thine heart, and thou +shalt go through with ease and rejoicing.’ That was asking too much +of me, for I paid a high price for these things and was minded to hold +to them at all cost. I then endeavored more earnestly to push ahead, +but found that I could not. As I looked around me, in despair, I saw +a path leading to the left, under a beautiful arch, whereon I read +this inscription: + +A SHORTER AND BROADER WAY TO HEAVEN. + +“This path I took and have been traveling comfortably thereon, +especially since I found this still Broader Way into which it led. If +only all church-members would know the comforts and advantages of this +way, they could no longer refuse to travel it.” + +“They are finding it out more and more every age,” said Mr. World +with a complacent smile. “The church and the world ought to be one +and, according to the teaching of the Bible, how could this be better +accomplished than by having the church come down to the level of the +world, and from that point lift the world upward. That was Christ’s +method and example. The church of to-day should not wish to be greater +than her Lord.” + +The two church-officials looked at each other in surprise. “Without +doubt that is broad-minded theology,” first spoke Mr. Deacon. + +“It is indeed refreshing in contrast with what we must hear repeatedly +from the troublesome element in the church,” added the other. + +“Will you not tell us how you also came to reach this favored place?” +inquired Miss Church-Member, as she gave her attention momentarily to +Mr. Deacon. + +“It came about in a very odd manner. I had been wearing an old-style +robe of righteousness, and gradually came to see that it was totally +out of harmony with the higher thought of the age; so much so that I +became odious to many liberal-minded people. A sharp struggle ensued +between my conscience and my judgment. In the midst of this conflict +I came to a place which offered to accept my old garments in exchange +for seasonable attire. ‘Anything for peace,’ thought I; so I entered +the establishment and selected this apparel, and these additional +advantages. It cost me nothing but the mere willingness to exchange, +and would I not have been foolish to refuse so much at so small a +price?” + +“Without a doubt,” quickly answered Miss Church-Member. The others +forcibly confirmed her answer. + +“After I had completed my bargain I continued my diligence in the work +of the church and in traveling on the good old Narrow Way. I came to +a place called God Praise, and got through with little difficulty; but +voices from unseen creatures spoke terror to my soul. In this +unhappiness I trudged along until I came to a narrow pass known as +Sacrifice. Through it I could not go. I struggled again and again. I +also heard a voice saying unto me: ‘If thou wilt wear the garments of +salvation, and cast off these things of earth, then thou mayest pass +through all thy sacrifice with ease and sweet delight.’ + +“The voice troubled me much, for I feared it spoke the truth. There +did I spend a long season in mortal dread and doubt, and thought I +would rather die than suffer thus. Suddenly, as if blind to it before, +I saw a sign apparently moving in circles about me. It settled to my +left and thus it read: + +TO HEAVEN WITHOUT SACRIFICE. + +“At once a smooth path opened to view, and I chided myself for having +been blind to it so long. I entered upon it and hastily pursued my +journey, and soon from thence passed upon this Broad Gauge Road. I +traveled hereon for a long time when, to my delight, I came across Mr. +Elder. I assure you we have had companionable seasons. We are on our +road to Heaven and expect eventually to reach that place. Many persons +of the Narrow Gauge Road have told us that we are wrong, deceived, and +would be hopelessly lost if we do not change our course, but methinks +that those people are disregarding the Bible where it saith, ‘Judge +not that ye be not judged’; and ‘Thou hypocrite, first cast out the +beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly.’” + +“Ah! Mr. Deacon,” quickly complimented Mr. World, “you must be a +champion in the use of Bible truth. How can these bigots expect to +stand when such Scripture condemns them? It will be a joyful time for +all of us when these self-righteous critics shall have pulled the beams +out of their eyes and be able to see us in our real innocence.” + +While Mr. World was speaking these words he assisted Miss Church- +Member into their strange vehicle and, when his last sentence was +ended, they bade a hearty farewell to the two acquaintances and smoothly +glided on, not tarrying to hear the words of commendation which each +church-official was speaking simultaneously. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS + +(_Underground._) + +1. An allegorical representation of Satan’s underhanded methods in law +and politics. All seen during a thrilling journey with Blackana through +this underground regions (level below level) where the laws of Hell +are hatched. + +2. A realistic climax,--ultimate triumph of right in the civil realm. + + +I now saw two mountains so high that their shadows perpetually darkened +the Broad Highway which covered the wide valley between them. + +In this Shadowy Vale many held permanent residence, until the whole +region swarmed with teeming millions of every tongue and tribe on the +face of the globe. + +At the base of the mountains, on each side of the way, there were +numerous large openings through which imps of darkness were constantly +passing. Most of them were habited as angels of light. + +“Tell me the mystery of those dismal openings,” I asked as I turned +to Blackana. “Words are inadequate to tell of the places to which they +lead. To know aright one must see,” he answered with marked +indifference. + +For a moment I silently looked upon Blackana whose evasive answer had +so greatly aroused my curiosity. + +“Beyond those ominous portals I can discern nothing,” I murmured. “How +can I be privileged to see what is there hidden?” + +“Come with me,” coldly invited Blackana, “I will guide you to the +nethermost realms now unseen by you. This I do not willingly, but I +am thus commanded.” + +Not wishing to receive my orders from the mouth of a demon, I talked +to my better Friend who bade me go and be assured that _a body-guard +of ten thousand would ever be at my side, though I saw them not._ + +On wings, swifter than the wind, Blackana and I covered the intervening +space. We stood in the dark valley at one of the openings, now appearing +ten-fold larger than before, and the mountains reared their imposing +crests as if to an endless height. + +“Follow me,” grimly spoke Blackana as he advanced through the monstrous +arcade into the deepening darkness. + +I remembered the ten thousand, and feared not as I followed. Downward +and inward we went, with no light but a horrid glare casting its +uncertain rays athwart our path. + +“Is this the passage-way to Destruction?” I cried, as I saw how spectral +all things were, for more than a thousand grimy faces had already added +their fitful glances to the glimmering scene. + +“The passage-way to Hell is not so smooth; we go to a better place,” +he answered, without so much as turning his head. + +We finally stopped at a line of massive elevators, ever in busy motion, +carrying the throngs upward or downward. + +As we paused, Blackana regarded me silently. I was then able, for the +first time, to see his face clearly. No light reveals the countenance +of a demon so well as the light of his own region. + +I stood as if paralyzed under his awful eyes. Oh! thought I, can two +orbs picture such infinite depth of remorse; such absence of tenderness; +such barrenness of sympathy, far beyond the most care-worn look of +earth? Then, pervading all these lineaments of despair were the positive +characteristics of his nature--malice, envy, and hatred. These lent +their repulsive fires to his eye, already overcharged with insidious +gleamings. I suddenly thought of my ten thousand, and my fears subsided. + +“It were better for you to remain a stranger to the greater depth and +go no farther,” were the words that finally came from Blackana’s +scarcely moving lips. + +“Fulfill your mission, Blackana! I fear not the deepest depth when I +am thus equipped.” + +“Where is your sword and where is your armor?” he tauntingly asked. + +“My steel is hid until I find a foe worthy of its mettle.” + +Blackana quivered and resumed his task. He told me that above us, deep +in the bowels of these mountains, were the more refined legislative +halls of Satan; while below us, at varying and terrible depths, lay +scattered many a brooding station where the lowest laws of Hell are +hatched. + +“Let us go downward,” I said, and scarcely had the words escaped my +lips ere Blackana had ushered me into an elevator, holding me as we +dropped down and down with increasing velocity, while a cold chill was +freezing my heart, and my body playing the part of an aspen leaf. + +Never before had I been touched by so dreadful a hand, but I thought +again of the ten thousand, and that lent warmth to my heart and calmness +to my nerves. “To what great depth are we falling?” I soon ventured +to ask, as I perceived that we were dashing downward at terrific speed. + +“We fall to no great depth; we go only a thousand furlongs to reach +the first grand level, not stopping at these lesser places of which +you get a glimpse in passing.” + +“A thousand furlongs,” I repeated, “down into the earth! Who ever heard +of such a descent before?” But I still thought of my ten thousand, +even though I could not conceive how they could follow me in such +places. + +“At what rate do we now travel?” I nervously asked, for I felt the +hand of Blackana still pressing me down lest the great elevator would +fall faster than my body. + +“According to earthly reckoning we are falling twenty furlongs a second +and our speed is still increasing with the descent,” was the startling +answer. + +I spoke no more, but found myself clutching the raised bars of the +floor. I saw the glimmering light of many a region as we darted by at +our lightning speed. + +In an incredibly short time we reached the first grand level. Blackana +led me forth from the elevator into an immense cavern whose dimensions +were apparently as limitless as the space between the earth and sky. +It was illuminated by infernal lights and all astir with moving +thousands in fabled dress and shape. + +Never before had I imagined or beheld such a scene. Pure gold was as +plentiful as the water of the earth, and was abundantly used in the +construction of vast halls whose overarching vaults were encrusted +with priceless gems that dazzled like jets of crystallized light. + +“What weird world is this?” I asked in an awed tone. + +“This is one of my master’s legislative centers, devoted to each +separate government on earth. The many legislators of this whole region +are ever busily engaged in determining upon their policy and methods +of operation, and in endeavoring to influence the law-making body of +each government to create and modify laws in harmony with the +underground legislation here enacted.” + +“Ah!” said I, “but this place is far from the surface where man dwells. +How can there be such close connection?” + +Blackana smiled as he made a wonderful revelation to me. “This strange +empire is in close touch with the whole human family, for there are +thousands of wires leading from this dark realm to each government +centre of earth. Satan thus communicates his wishes to each lawmaker, +of every land, who will lend a listening ear to his schemes.” + +Blackana then conducted me to an immense building divided into many +sections. “Here is the electric centre of this level,” he said. + +As I gazed I learned the secret of Satan’s power in law. Thousands +were here engaged in conversing with legislators on earth. + +I could understand no word of all these communications, for the section +where I stood was devoted to Asiatic countries and the islands of the +Pacific Ocean. + +“Take me, O Blackana, to the section connecting with the Western world +that I may see the very wires that run to the United States of America.” + +I soon stood in the interior of another large building, and with great +interest listened to the operators communicating with some who were +in authority at Washington, and with persons elsewhere who were +interested in the formulation of laws for the whole country. + +“Does this never cease?” I questioned. + +“It continues through the days and nights of earth forever,” came the +reply. + +I was looking at the intricate system of wires and the stupendous +proportions of the place, when suddenly I heard some one mention a +name with which I was familiar. I was attracted close to the side of +the operator that I might hear at least the one side of the +conversation. + +“That bill should never become a law,” said the operator, but I could +not hear the reply. + +“Fight hard to defeat it. You will get heaps of gold if you succeed,” +were the next words I heard at the lower ’phone. + +“Never mind them. I’ll take care of that crowd. I will try once more +to get their ear. I failed the last time, but I hope to succeed at my +next endeavor.” These words were spoken very plainly, but still I could +hear no reply. + +“Suppose the other element has chances to win. Get ready at once and +meet the situation. Go and speak to the chairman of the committee and +early influence his mind in our favor. Offer any bribe you wish, for +we have unlimited resources at our command.” + +“If only I could hear the answer,” thought I. + +Then the operator listened a long time, and I almost envied his +privilege, wishing that I might also hear the human voice from the +earth’s surface. + +Blackana conducted me to other parts of the building, and I saw the +fiendish program carried out at each point. Thousands of demons were +in league with the law-makers of the world! + +“Oh! that I could cut these wires and restrict Satan’s laws to these +underground dominions,” I said with rising boldness. + +“Silence, puny mortal! Know you not that others can hear you speak? +Would you here be crushed to death so far from the light of day?” + +Superhuman strength moved me to answer thus: “Though all these hosts +should hear me, I fear nothing. I am invincible, and should you take +me to the deepest depths, amidst foul crawling imps, not one can harm +me. Neither can you, Blackana. + +“Come on,” he sneered, “cease your senseless sentences and follow me.” + +I saw that Blackana endeavored to conceal the counter-currents of his +heart, but nevertheless his agitation did not escape my notice. + +Back to the elevators we went, and with a throng of evil spirits we +entered the central car and fell another thousand furlongs into the +depth of the earth. + +We stopped at the second grand level into which I was ushered. I looked +out over what seemed to be a new world with more light and more +animation than was manifest on the first level. + +Boisterous demonstrations were heard on every hand, all made more +hideous by the variety of evil spirits who added their din to the +general bedlam. “What furious world is this?” I shouted. + +“This is Satan’s political headquarters, and the place where his state +laws are made. We are here connected with every state or divisional +government in the world, and with every political movement that can +be influenced by these underground voices.” + +My indignation leaped over all bounds as the vileness of these +iniquitous schemes pressed upon me. I heard the bands of music from +those who had prostituted their talent to the second level. + +Blackana pushed me on through all the demonstrations, and then led me +into a great structure more secluded than the electrical stations. +Here the state laws are hatched, but, thanks to a higher sanctum, not +all the brood see daylight. + +The plotters of Hell sat in this underground legislative centre, and +I saw, to my horror, some state legislators occupying seats in this +infamous quarter. + +Then said I to Blackana: “It is no more a mystery to me how so much +of Hell is incorporated into the laws of the states in the country +where I hold residence, as well as in all other parts of the world. +How long have these things been?” + +“Since the beginning of law,” was his indifferent reply. + +“It will not be so forever,” I prophesied under a sudden spell of +inspiration. “The time must come when the power of this level will be +blasted forever. The owner of the tree will burn the worms and their +nests from every branch.” + +Then said Blackana tauntingly: “Neither flood, poison, fire, nor knife +can ever destroy this section.” Just as he spoke these words the whole +edifice shook, and I heard a noise as if a shower of great stones had +crashed into the roof and sides of the building. The legislators quaked +with fear and all looked toward the ceiling. All of this instantly +reminded me of the thousand lords who looked at the ominous handwriting +on the wall at the feast of Belshazzar. + +“Explain it to me,” I asked as I looked wonderingly at Blackana. + +“Urge it not, urge it not! Be content to dwell in ignorance!” + +“I am here to learn, and I would know what force or power can so +well-nigh destroy this wretched center. Tell me the truth. I demand +it.” + +Then did Blackana move himself in his startling attitudes, as if loath +to speak. He rolled his heavy eyes as his discordant voice yielded the +unwilling explanation. + +“These are the votes that just fell in favor of reform in a campaign +on earth. Such votes, under the panoply of prayer, strike more terror +to these kingdoms than all else combined, and the most disastrous +feature is that they go bounding from the buildings of this level ever +downward and work their ruin from kingdom to kingdom, until they have +wrought their havoc even to the lowest level. If we only knew the way +to break the power of these votes, our comrades would not then dwell +in constant dread of what might happen.” + +“May you never learn that power, and may the votes of good citizenship +ever increase in number until these legislative halls shall be broken +to rise no more, and their inmates driven from their secret machinations +to the abode prepared for the Devil and his angels.” + +Blackana sprang at me in great rage. + +“Silence, you contemptible mortal! You have not such liberty of speech +here! Why fling insults into the face of one more powerful than +yourself?” + +“_Ho, ye ten thousand!_” I shouted with all my power, and Blackana +fell backward at my very words. Sullen, but cowed, he arose to his +feet and took me to the elevators. + +“Where next?” he gruffly asked. + +“What is on the next level below?” I inquired. + +“Greater proceedings than on this one. It is devoted to the government +of counties, cities, boroughs, and villages, and their political work.” + +“Pass it by and take me to the lowest level.” + +“You do not know what you ask. The lowest level is very, very deep, +and takes us where things have no weight. It is the lowest haunt outside +of Hell, inhabited by the vilest imps. How can you live or move in +such a realm?” + +“Not by the futile force of human power, but by the strength of Him +who bids me go. I fear not, O Blackana; conduct me thither.” + +What an awful experience followed! I was taken down at an amazing +speed, held under the great hand of Blackana. We passed region after +region of infernal lights, each one existing for the purpose of carrying +out its part of Satan’s fiendish plan. + +At length we stopped in the red glare of an awful burning amidst a +company of hobgoblins out of harmony with all human shape or symmetry. + +“This must be the bed of Hell, indeed,” I said, after I had conquered +my rising fears. “Far from it, far from it!” answered Blackana. “We +are now in the lowest legislative center _where foul fiends invent the +horrible laws of personal pollution in the mortal body, and political +bribery in the civil body._” + +Blackana held me by the hand. I seemed not to walk but rather to move +along without effort, seeing the pictures of lowest life and ill-shaped +spirits, some of monster size. + +Into an immense auditorium I was wafted, a building without foundations +or floor. Here, amidst uncanny noises, hovered a vast throng of Satan’s +lowest legislators. + +The dreadful suggestions here given, and the terrible debates that +followed, beggar human description. From all parts of the great hall +the busy wires were communicating with every section of the earth’s +surface. + +Blackana, still holding me by the hand, spoke! thus in a derisive +strain: + +“O mortal, now comes my glorious revenge I have tasted your insults +until their galling bitterness grinds me still. I have craved for this +hour when I might leave you to the mercy of the lowest, and bring you +under my feet for ever.” + +Then, turning to the chairman of the great assemblage, Blackana +attracted his attention, and at once the attention of all the spectral +monsters of the place. + +“Here,” commenced he, “is a piece of mortal flesh, fresh from the +surface. I have been forced, by some strange power, to conduct this +mortal man through these nether levels until he has seen the workings +of our underground plans and schemes. He must never see the light of +day, lest the world above may know the true inwardness and source of +such laws as are called cursed, and rise in hosts against our surface +operations.” + +At this Blackana thrust me forward, and I went straightway to the +chairman who seized me by the back and held me aloft in his right hand, +while a deafening roar of strident voices was measuring my doom. + +“_Ho, ye ten thousand!_” I cried aloud, at which the horrid chairman +fell backward, and I dropped unharmed to his own chair as the whole +host were rushing at me en masse. + +The chairman sprang to his feet and waved a wand. “Silence and order!” +he commanded. + +Thousands of brandishing weapons were brought to a stand, and quietness +reigned in a moment. + +“Why say you ‘ten thousand’? What power lives in those words?” asked +the chairman with a show of boldness, but in secret quaking. “Power +unlimited, even over death, hell, and the grave. My flesh is not food +for such as these.” + +“Who can you be to talk thus boldly to your superiors?” + +“I am one who is sealed by the blood of Jesus, and have no superiors +outside the gates of Heaven.” + +“Why came you here?” he impatiently and furiously demanded. “Tell me +while yet you have opportunity to speak.” + +Then, fully confiding in my unseen Guard, I stood erect and said with +boldness of speech: “I have come to learn the secrets of this +underground legislation which is sending its blighting curse throughout +the world. Having witnessed the wide extent of these secret operations, +I will now return to the brotherhood of man and sound the alarm of a +coming reformation. O, beware ye multitudes that now rise against me! +I am not alone, nor forsaken. By faith I see armies of the living God. +I declare, at this moment, that earth will not forever receive her +laws from such a depth. The hour must come when these million wires +will be broken beyond repair, and all you fiends go groveling under +penal chains in darkness eternal.” + +[Illustration: The armies of righteousness will some day triumph over +the black hordes of civil iniquity.] + +No more could I speak, for the air was thickening all around me with +a rush of wild demons whose threatening weapons thirsted for my blood. + +I stood motionless, glorying in the power of the Unseen, for I saw, +shining far above me, a beautiful star of hope with peace and purity +in its rays. + +In the same instant I again shouted, “_Ho, ye ten thousand!_” Oh, what +a transformation took place! Regiment upon regiment of Heaven’s military +hosts, converging as from infinite depth of space, burst into sudden +view, revealed by a dazzling light which filled the whole region and +dazed the infernal hosts as with blindness, while their weapons broke +and fell beneath them in futile fragments. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE HILL OF REMORSE. + +1. While climbing a steep hill Miss Church-Member is touched by Remorse. + +2. Satan’s strategy in keeping her away from the Narrow Path. + +3. All her trouble is lost in company with Mr. World on the Mountain Top +of Apathy. + + +Returning to my former post of observation, and looking again through +the open door, I beheld Mr. World and Miss Church-Member still riding +on the gravity road. They were approaching the Shadowy Vale, and Mr. +World was desirous that his friend should close her eyes until they +had passed through the shadows. + +She reclined her head, and soon was resting so comfortably that she +fell fast asleep and opened not her eyes until they had passed beyond +the darker scenes of the miserable valley. + +Then did Mr. World engage her with artful and pleasant conversation, +so that she might not fully observe the features that constantly make +this part of the Broad Highway dark and dreary. + +Satan, unseen, hovered around them during their conversation which was +well pleasing to him. At length, in partial disguise, he made himself +visible, much to the terror of Miss Church-Member. + +“Fear not; no harm will befall you,” said Mr. World re-assuringly as +he laid his hand upon her shoulder. + +Satan smiled complaisantly, and spoke in soft tones: “Tremble not at +my presence. I have come only to render you such assistance as may be +especially helpful to you in your journey, and to disabuse your mind +of such false impressions as you have evidently entertained concerning +my character.” + +So affable was his manner and so pleasing his address that, to her +mind, he soon lost that shocking hideousness which characterized his +first appearance, and evoked from Miss Church-Member this apology born +of her guilty conscience: “You would not have seen me now on this path +had Mr. World adhered strictly to his promises.” + +“Indeed, Miss Church-Member,” replied Satan, “you need have no regret +for being here. You are to be congratulated upon the good judgment +which led you into fellowship with Mr. World. It is your happy fortune +that he has succeeded in preventing you from leaving him. You are an +exception to a host of cranks, who, without investigation, are +prejudiced by what they hear. You are broad-minded, independent, and +will be found wiser and happier than the army of fools you have left.” + +These words brought a mixture of pride and shame to her heart, and +threw her mind into a state of great confusion. + +But by this time they had come to a long and steep hill called Remorse +up which all pilgrims walked. Mr. World assisted his companion in +alighting, and promised to give her all possible help in her efforts +to climb the hill. + +Satan remained with them, and Miss Church-Member, under deepening +remorse of conscience, loitered a few steps in the rear. Her bowed +head indicated the warring of her thoughts. Then I saw that she cast +a longing glance over the rough hills toward the King’s Highway, and +looked for some path by which she might go thither. + +Her two wily companions endeavored to allay her fears by offering all +manner of cajolements, none of which either diverted or quieted her +mind. + +“O ye friends of mine!” cried Miss Church-Member, “I can find rest +only on yonder King’s Highway. Can you show me the shortest path leading +thereto? I cannot go to the summit of this hill.” + +[Illustration: On the Hill of Remorse. Miss Church-Member cast a longing +glance toward the King’s Highway, and looked for some way by which she +might go thither.] + +“It so happens,” pleasantly replied the Devil, “that there is no way +of reaching the so-called King’s Highway from this part of our route, +but, if you will have patience, we will conduct you safely to a point +a little farther on where you can conveniently leave this way with all +honor to yourself. In the meantime we will give you all the assistance +that you may need, and every convenience that science can afford.” + +Miss Church-Member wept tears of gratitude at this proffered kindness, +and began to feel that this dark intruder was a friend with a rough +exterior but a warm and congenial heart. + +“It is quite evident that you have been grossly misrepresented to me,” +she faltered as her voice trembled with emotion. “I was told that you +are the embodiment of envy, malice, and hatred, and vigorously opposed +to everything religious.” + +Satan looked at her in well-counterfeited amazement. “How wrongly I +am judged by my enemies! How can I be opposed to all religion when I +attend church and prayer-meeting regularly, and sedulously listen to +the sermons and prayers while many sleep who claim to be better than +I? You will pardon me, Miss Church-Member,” he continued, “but allow +me to bear the light burden you are carrying under your arm, and let +us hasten from this sickly atmosphere to the refreshing air beyond the +summit of the hill.” + +“You are very kind, indeed,” she said. “Please carry these books +carefully, as I prize them very highly.” + +As they pushed their way up the hill, I looked at Blackana who, with +his eyes fixed upon me, sat as cold and motionless as a statue. + +“Tell me,” I asked, “why Satan has falsified so greatly to Miss +Church-Member.” + +Blackana, with a show of uneasiness, answered interrogatively: “Wherein +has he falsified?” + +“Did he not just inform Miss Church-Member that there is no way of +reaching the King’s Highway from the place where she had been standing? +He well knew that there is a way opened by the Prince of the House of +David. Why did he not tell her?” + +Blackana again grinned horribly while my indignation waxed stronger. +Then came his pertinent reply: “My master is about his own business; +that is why he is so successful in his work. It is not his business +to point people away from his kingdom; his delight is rather in leading +them upon his own Highway.” + +“Oh! for the voice of a thousand trumpets, that I might reach the ear +of Miss Church-Member, and break unto her the words of truth and life. +See how she walks on between those two fiends, ever nearing an awful +destruction, yet vainly imagining, through the deceitfulness of her +advisers, that she is nearing the place where she can, with greater +ease, leave her present course and join her comrades on the Shining +Path. Oh, that I could send a messenger, good and swift, in her +pursuit!” + +“Rest in ease, anxious mortal; she will get all necessary advice from +her two friends,” replied Blackana with a sardonic grin. + +I could no longer look into his face, for I was filled with contempt. +I turned my eyes to see poor Miss Church-Member still struggling up +the Hill of Remorse. + +When the top was finally reached I heard Mr. World congratulating her: +“Well done, noble woman! You have fought Remorse until you have mastered +it. The pains and pangs incident to this climbing are over, and if you +should come to another hill you will ascend it with more ease. Look +about you at these cool mountain resorts called Apathy, and join me +in a needed recreation as we mingle with the merry multitudes amongst +these shady bowers.” + +She needed no second invitation, being glad to seek relief in +forgetfulness of her guilt. + +As they went to their pleasures, Satan vanished to give attention to +others who were ascending the same Hill of Remorse, some in a sullen +mood and some with wails of anguish on their lips. + +The delightful resorts of Apathy were now quieting the mind of Miss +Church-Member, for the attractions on the mountain top were so numerous +and so ingeniously arranged that, as she gave full attention to them, +she no longer suffered any pangs of remorse. + +On this plateau, so full of charms for every sense, I saw bands of +music; gardens of shady retreat where one might while away the weary +hours in gentle dalliance; and cooling fountains throwing forth their +busy sprays. + +Artists were painting the scenes of worldly ease, and poets were writing +sweet verses for the singers of the place. + +Miss Church-Member, who was a lover of the fine arts, asked Mr. World +to tarry in one of the gardens of the poets where they might hear the +songs of the season just from the pens of their authors. + +This was a novel privilege; so he readily consented and accompanied +her into a garden near by. They were greeted by sounds of instrumental +music and charming voices raised in song. + +After these harmonies died away a soloist sang a hymn that had been +composed that same day. Her voice rendered each word distinctly: + + Remorse is but the foe of all, + The rich and poor, the slave and free + Unfriendly comes its bitter call-- + Perchance it comes this day to thee. + + Then come, thou troubled seeking peace + From this unkind, intruding foe; + Let anxious cares no more increase; + Go bury all thy pangs of woe. + + Forget the things that wake thy mind + To fleeting sorrows of the day; + Oh! come and be forever blind + To all except this Broader Way. + +Then followed a fiendish woman, in guise of a light-crowned angel, who +delivered an address entitled “The True Peace of the World.” While the +applause which followed her remarks was dying away, an authoritative +old gentleman arose. After standing a moment in dignified silence, he +continued to carry out the program of the Devil by speaking on “False +Lights from the so-called ‘King’s Highway.’” + +Next a quartette beautifully rendered a love song of the world; this +also had been quite recently composed. + + Sweet world, so bright and fair, + We would thy pleasures share + While days pass on. + Thou art our truest friend, + On thee our souls depend + Till life is gone. + + In life’s perplexing days, + Thou wilt, in every phase, + Be ever near. + While thy sweet, placid charms + Dispel our dread alarms + In times of fear. + + Who else can give relief, + When bowed in heavy grief? + No one like thee. + Thou sendest rays of light, + Into our darkest night + Till shadows flee. + +The melody of this song and the sentiment of its words had a very +decisive effect on Miss Church-Member. She looked into the eyes of Mr. +World with more than poetry in her glance, for her heart was now +thrilled with the first touches of true love for him. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. + +1. In this valley the two great Highways run almost parallel. + +2. The intervening ground is all alive with Satan’s schemes to entice, +entrap and discourage Christians. + +3. The operation of Christian forces in this valley. + + +After leaving the Hill of Remorse and the pleasure grounds of Apathy, +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on the Broad Highway which +now gradually sloped toward a deep valley. + +“What is the name of the valley which we are now entering?” inquired +Miss Church-Member. + +“’Tis but the Valley of Temptation,” he carelessly answered. + +“Ah! I have heard of this valley,” she replied. “Whenever I was tempted +or tried on the King’s Highway some one would caution: ‘Be courageous, +for you must go through the Valley of Temptation.’ I am thankful, as I +come to it, that I am on a Broader Way.” + +“Many call this valley ‘Entanglement,’” further continued Mr. World, +“because of the large numbers who are here caught by the devices all +along the way.” I saw the whole valley in one view. It was very wide +and more than a thousand experiences long and, from one end to the +other, there were constant scenes of activity. The King’s Highway and +the Broad Highway ran almost parallel throughout the whole length of +the valley. + +The entire space between the two paths was occupied by the agents of +Satan, and by numerous rescue bands and missionary organizations of +the King’s Highway Church. + +I was informed that no traveler, who knows the experiences of life, +ever escaped this valley. But the King of Glory gives his children +assurance of no harm if they will heed his words and step not from the +path upon any pretence. He has also placed, in plain view, countless +signs of warning to keep his pilgrims from yielding to temptation, as +it presents itself, with or without mask; and they who pass these +testing-places in triumph are counted stable in their ways. + +I saw in the first part of the valley some of Satan’s shrewdest agents +at work. They were stationed along the Narrow Path at close intervals, +and were endeavoring, by all kinds of schemes, to attract the attention +of Christians as they journeyed through the valley. + +From one point they threw a hook baited with wealth over to the edge +of the King’s Highway way. I saw an ambitious Christian, contrary to +the signs of warning and all advice, eagerly grasp this bait. Then did +the agents of Satan pull gently. The man seeing a clue to wealth in +his hand would not let it go, and so was drawn slowly and unconsciously +over into the territory of the World. He did not see the strand that +drew him, for it was invisible, nor was he conscious of being thus +drawn, having his mind so fixed upon the object of his earnest pursuit. + +Thus do these agents ply their nefarious skill without ceasing, and +so have drawn large numbers away from their original faith. + +Another agent I saw near-by throwing out a hook baited with fame. An +ambitious youth let go all he had and seized the baited hook with +singular avidity. It inspired him with inward hope, and he became so +engaged in thinking of his golden future that he followed whither the +gentle drawing led him, until he also reached the questionable ground +of the World. There he became still further entangled until he was +utterly under the sway of the tempter. + +Close by I saw an agent of the Devil fastening a book to a line and +throwing it to the edge of the King’s Highway. In bold letters it bore +the title, “Forbidden Fruit,” and under this title there was an impure +picture. + +Many, in passing by, who saw the book would have examined it had it +not been for their modesty. + +But one man, whose curiosity was stronger than his judgment, took the +book and commenced perusing it. While thus engaged the invisible strands +of influence drew the captive from the Narrow Way until he found a +series of books and illustrations to enchain his attention, and Satan +succeeded in totally winning his heart. + +I saw another book thrown to the edge of the Pilgrim’s Path. This was +taken by a woman who opened its pages and saw its evil tendencies. +Although drawn by the invisible chord, she did not step from the path, +but threw the book as far to one side as she could, and proceeded on +her journey happily singing: + + “Yield not to temptation, + For yielding is sin. + Each vict’ry will help you + Some other to win.” + +This only enraged the wily foes, and they became more determined than +ever to continue their work of deception and ruin. + +From one point or another I saw this dreadful work progressing. Each +station used a different kind of bait, pleasing or attractive to some +passing pilgrims. Here the enemy reaps a continual harvest +notwithstanding all the preaching, advice, and influence brought to +bear upon pilgrims to induce them to eschew all attractions not plainly +found upon their own pathway. + +Some, whom Satan could not attract by a bait, he would catch with +snares, many of which I saw in operation, each guarded continually by +trusted servants of the Evil One. + +One of the subtlest of these snares consisted of a series of small, +curiously shaped buildings. They stood as near to the King’s Highway +as Satan could place them, while glaring signs informed the pilgrims +that they could here obtain knowledge upon any subject. Each building +was so constructed that, at the will of a secret operator, it could +be moved noiselessly from its resting place. + +Many an unsuspecting traveler who craved for a solution to some mystery +would step into one of these neat rooms, and meet with a most cordial +reception. + +I saw a man of more than usual intelligence, who had been faithful to +his Master, stop and read the sign over these buildings: “Bureau of +Information: All Mysteries Solved.” + +“Here,” thought he, “in this humble place I can perhaps find some +pearls of thought which more inviting waters never yielded to me.” He +stepped in, not noticing that he thereby stepped to one side of the +way. + +“Can I have a mystery solved here?” asked the visitor. + +“Without doubt, sir,” was the confident response of a dignified +professor who was in attendance. + +“Can you tell me the origin of sin?” asked the visitor. + +Just then I saw the building commence to move as the professor commenced +to explain the difficult question. + +The professor talked so interestingly to the visitor that he held his +attention until the building was moved, by the secret process, to the +brow of the mountain, and over to the great building known as the +“Devil’s Theological School.” + +“Perchance, my words,” said the speaker, “are insufficient to fully +satisfy your mind. Go now from the rear door to the College where all +such perplexing questions are made clear.” + +The visitor seizing, as he thought, a golden opportunity, gladly +consented and, to his great surprise, found a building of magnificent +proportions into which he entered. + +After listening a very short time to Satan’s teaching on the origin +of sin, he emerged from the school with a heavy bundle of opinions on +his back, and failed to find the Old Way. After wandering and stumbling +about on this summit of human learning, he finally found the Broad +Highway whereon he could carry his vain burden with ease. + +These bureaus of information have ensnared so many learned men, +including ministers and professors, that the King of Glory has here +placed special signs of warning to all travelers; these have saved +many men from the snare of “the fowler.” + +I saw three young college students about to enter one of the bureaus. +There stood an aged pilgrim near by who shouted: + +“Come! ye young men, out of the snare of the Devil, or ye will be taken +captive by him at his will!” + +The voice sounded so friendly that they hesitated long enough to discern +that the building did not touch the King’s Highway. + +Then they remembered that they had been told long before to go by the +King’s Highway, and not to turn to the right hand nor to the left, nor +even to step from the path, lest they should slip and fall to their +hurt. So they passed on about their Father’s business. + +Near the edge of the King’s Highway I saw another device to catch men +unawares. It was invented in the Wizard City and had been successfully +used by Satan for many centuries. + +It was an _artificial woman_, dressed in modest apparel, and so +constructed that the arms were uplifted and the heart plainly visible, +making the curious image just unnatural enough to attract the attention +of all pilgrims. + +Over the head of the image these words were written: “Touch this magic +heart for the charms that follow.” + +It was ridiculous to see how many of the young and old, in passing +over this way of life, stepped from the path and tried the experiment. + +One man I saw who ventured to touch the mystic heart, and ere his eyes +could look into the face of the image its arms embraced him in a +tightening grasp. + +Away the image moved with graceful ease into Elysian bowers of sensual +joy. There he remained to breathe its poisoned air and feed upon the +husks of such a clime. + +I also saw a man of riper years who looked curiously at another image +similar to the one that had just moved away. At first he was doubtful +whether to test it or not, and as he stood in consideration he raised +his eyes and saw these words plainly written over the King’s Highway:-To +ALL DESCENDANTS OF ADAM: + +Beware, O pilgrim, of this woman’s heart, Lest you should from the +Narrow Way depart; For if you touch a secret chord within, You’re borne +away to wider fields of sin. + +He read this sign a few times and also heard the voice of a good friend +who told him that he had seen thousands go to ruin by not heeding this +warning. Nevertheless he was urged by curiosity and carnality, and +being hardened by former acts of disobedience and seeing nothing but +innocent pleasure before him, he yielded to his baser desires. + +“O! rescue me, Mr. Law, I am in the clutches of this woman,” was his +beseeching cry, not long after. But I saw that no one came to his help. + +There were many such places in this valley where men, both young and +old, were enticed; many of whom could not have been caught by the +snares of vice at other places along the Broad Highway. + +I saw also, farther down the valley, that Satan used all manner of +traps and nets to catch the silly and the foolish. That which attracted +my attention the most was a series of stations built close to the +King’s Highway. At each place Satan employed a company of expert men +who were trained to use a lasso. I saw certain men and women of the +King’s Highway who became so inflated with their own vanity and +imaginations that they rose head and shoulder above their humbler +comrades, thus enabling the lasso of Pride to get hold of them. Some, +by heeding advice, escaped; others submitted to the drawing power and +landed in the kingdoms of the World where they could worship their new +god with increasing ardor. + +There was also a certain young man who doted so much on his own ways +that his head rose unusually high. He was, therefore, easily caught +by a lasso called Conceit. Good friends came to his rescue and told +him to realize at once that he was nothing, and thereby he would +suddenly become so small that he would drop completely out of his +trouble. + +But he said that he could not believe a lie, whereat the lasso tightened +still more about his neck, and he succeeded by still further struggling +to remain a very brief time on the King’s Highway; but being in pain, +he soon yielded to the inevitable and went to worship before the shrine +of his own god. + +I also saw that the women of the King’s Highway were an exceeding great +army, mighty in battling against the foe, much to the discomfiture of +Satan and his allies. + +To counteract the influence of this sex Satan has plied his ingenuity +ever since the beginning. In his Pharaoh fashion he has so manipulated +the customs of the world that woman is trampled under foot in +uncivilized lands, and in lands of light she is ostracized by sections +of the Christian church and despised in the civil realm. And yet, with +a faithful heart, she suffers this indignity and, looking up from +underneath this weight, she offers to the powers that crush her down +the holiest sacrifice that one can give. + +O spirit of the age, like flowers of Heaven, Thy fragrance will not +die, but live eternal; And woman shall, some holier, happier day, +Attain her highest glory in the world. + +Yet notwithstanding all these means wherewith Satan has made the path +of woman so hard to travel, he has discovered that he can not disgrace +her by any means so effectually as through the old temptation. + +Consequently Satan has kept the seed of the central tree of the garden +and still raises, on the broad uplands of Hell, _forbidden fruit_ +which, through engrafting processes, has come to many varieties. + +This mysterious product of the tree, so suited to the natural palate +of womankind, is provided abundantly on each side of the King’s Highway +along the whole length of the Valley of Temptation, and is offered, +ostensibly, free of charge. + +I watched, with chagrin and horror, the subtle influences of this +fiendish work, seeing young women and those of riper experience go +down alike under this intoxication of Hell. + +As I looked again at the whole Valley, what sad sights of intemperance +painfully greeted my eyes! + +The intervening ground was a veritable bed of iniquity, for it swarmed +with half-clothed inebriates who patronized the miserable and filthy +hovels of lowest resort, while inebriates, in finer array, entered the +apartments which were decorated and finished in all the beauty that +wealth could afford, and supplied with alcoholic beverages under a +fashionable bill of fare. + +I could see the same Devil controlling all, and the same gutter or the +same Hell receiving all who did not yield to the agencies of eternal +life. + +Among the many temperance organizations that operated throughout the +valley I observed a band of women who threatened to overthrow the evil. +They had, by long persistent effort, discovered the underground +connections between the distillery and the saloons, and therefore they +were endeavoring to kill the traffic at the head. This movement at +first created laughter in the ranks of the foe, but the women have +continued patiently and have built a thousand batteries from which +they hurl projectiles of death into the camp of intemperance. Since +then the agents of darkness have ceased their laughter and instead +have set to building defences behind which they hope to carry on their +business with impunity. + +But the bands of women have entered into an eternal agreement, pledged +their faith one to another, and have been calling upon Heaven for help; +therefore they declare that no flag will be lowered, and no gun will +be silent until the great wall around the city of their foes shall +fall, either at a long blast of the horn or a continuous volley from +their ramparts. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. + +1. The tower affords the most advantageous view of the world and a +most discouraging view of the King’s Highway. + +2. The triumphant flight of Mrs. Discouraged from the tower’s top to +a place on the King’s Highway called “Victory by Faith.” + +3. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member ride from the tower’s top in Satan’s +new air ship. + + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member continuing on the Broad Highway, +entered the Valley of Temptation with all its gaiety and outward +happiness. This valley is known by the pilgrims of the King’s Highway +as the Devil’s Heaven, for here the tinsel of the world, the pomp of +society, and the wealth of material grandeur are manifested in all +their glory. + +“An exceedingly pleasant valley,” said Mr. World as they drew nearer +to the scenes of activity on each side of the way. + +“Beyond my anticipation, indeed. Our journey is growing more and more +delightful,” she joyously replied. + +As they journeyed on Miss Church-Member came into agreeable fellowship +with some of her former Christian associates who, by looking over into +the territory of the World, coveted its ways and were snared by one +or another of Satan’s devices to catch the unwary. The larger portion +of these new recruits were firmly convinced that they were still +traveling on the road to Heaven, even though they had fully left the +Narrow Way. + +Miss Church-Member congratulated her comrades of earlier years on their +happy choice of a wider and more pleasant path, and they accepted her +invitation to spend a season together in the valley. + +These new associates were welcomed most cordially by Mr. World who +left nothing undone that might add to their comfort or pleasure. + +The merry company passed down the valley and paused at a magnificent +temperance saloon which occupied nearly the whole space between the +two Highways. Into this place of attractive rooms I saw many enter +from the King’s Highway, much to the displeasure of their great Master. + +In this infernal guise Satan seduces many an unsuspecting traveler to +take one more step downward toward the lowest service of his kingdom. +Mr. World courteously offered refreshments and conducted his friends +into the “Ladies Parlor” where they drank alleged unfermented wines, +and admired the sculpture and works of art which adorned the place. +They were then offered their choice of porter, sweet cider, root beer, +hot punch (special for a cold), or eggnog for a weak heart. Thus each +one was enabled to find a beverage directly suited to his need or +taste, for some had contracted a cold, while others were suffering +with cardiac troubles. + +Not far from this respectable place, and connected secretly therewith, +stood a group of buildings patronized by the lower order of criminals +and inebriates. These haunts bore a black reputation. + +Mr. World and his joyous companions, by reason of their refined natures +and good standing in the church, would not so much as look at such +despicable resorts, but continued their journey until they came to a +wider section of the valley where they saw numberless rescue bands at +work, but especially a great army of Endeavorers presenting a formidable +front. + +“Whence came this company so great that it cannot be numbered?” asked +Mr. World in a state of nervous agitation. + +One of the new companions quickly answered: “They come from the King’s +Highway and are trying to capture the kingdom of this world and bring +it into subjection to God. I know all about them and can testify that +they are a mighty and glorious band.” The regiments of this great host +were marching on, each soldier equipped with the full panoply of his +station. Many of the pilgrims on the Broad Highway trembled at the +presence of so powerful an army. It has caused the enemy much concern +how to meet and, if possible, conquer this foe. This army of Endeavorers +constantly grows and, according to the claims of the enemy, the most +successful plans to oppose it are not yet matured. Satan has promised +his forces that he would utterly rout these daring legions as soon as +some new inventions of war can be perfected. + +The merry companions, not being moved with anger, endured the gigantic +display of this host without chagrin. + +Mr. World quieted his rising fears and urged his comrades onward past +the Tobacco Station until they reached the centre of the valley where +the King’s Highway was the roughest, and the Broad Highway the +smoothest. + +Here was built the most remarkable structure of the valley. A high +tower of imposing strength occupied the whole space between the two +highways. Its foundations were broad and totally covered the King’s +Highway with a massive arch. + +This was known amongst Christians as the Devil’s Tower, or Tower of +Temptation. It was built by Satan, and was said to afford the finest +view of the world to all who would consent to take a ride upward in +its electric carriage. + +The location of the tower was perfectly adapted to the purpose intended. +Scarcely any pilgrims _en route_ for Heaven passed by without taking +a view of the sights. + +Before this mountain was built, a high mountain-cliff, on one side of +the valley, was used by the agents of darkness for the same purpose. + +Thereon David ascended and saw the prosperity of the wicked until envy +filled his soul, and his “steps had well-nigh slipped.” Had it not +been that by faith he looked to a mountain far away, and understood +the end of the prosperous worldly minded, he might have there fallen +to his death. + +Upon this mountain Satan took Christ, the Son of God, and showed him +all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and said unto +him: “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and +worship me.” + +From this tower Judas saw the wealth of the world, and there was +begotten within him an inordinate craving for earthly gain which at +last dragged him down to a miserable end. + +As time rolled on, Satan erected this magnificent tower higher than +the loftiest crag of the mountain. I saw that Mr. World and his +companions were looking at the exterior finish of the tower, after +which they stepped to the base and spent some time in watching the +many schemes that were employed to induce disheartened Christians to +take the Broad Highway after descending the tower. + +They saw that one of the most successful of these schemes was a series +of little offices occupied by fortune tellers of reputed ability. In +one of these they saw an old woman with a mysterious face. She professed +to be able, by her strange conjuring, to reveal the future of any life. + +A certain Mr. Downcast, who was a church-member and had just come from +the top of the tower, visited this fortune teller, and by her +descriptions of his happy future on the Broad Highway he was induced +to travel thereon at once. + +Mr. World and his companions decided to get the benefit of the broad +view which could be had from the top of the tower. They entered a car +at the base and were delighted by the gentle ascent toward the clouds. + +Upon reaching the top of the tower they were approached by an obliging +attendant and furnished with spy glasses of great power with which +they could see more distinctly the beauty and greatness of the world, +and the roughness and inconvenience of traveling the King’s Highway. +_To each one was also given an ingenious pocket mirror in which could +be seen, at any time, the inconsistencies of church-members._ + +I saw throngs of people circling the top of the tower, and many evil +agents busily engaged in the interest of their master. + +There had just come from the King’s Highway a group of church-members +upon whom the scenery had a doleful effect. Some were filled with +melancholy, and some were sullen, while despondency sent germs of slow +death into other minds. + +These conditions enabled Satan to destroy more easily all hope within +them of ever succeeding on a way that appeared more rugged than ever, +and also made them more desirous to taste the joys of this present +life which now lay before them in such a winning way. + +I then saw one called Mrs. Discouraged who had never before seen so +much of the world at once. She stood on the edge of the tower not far +from Mr. World and his companions, and listened to one of the polite +attendants who had given her also a spy glass. + +Mrs. Discouraged looked down upon the natural comforts of life which +were here seen to best advantage. She saw, with ease, the Broad Highway +presenting a picture of happiness as far as the glass could reach. + +Then did one of the smooth-tongued attendants speak to another group +of pilgrims who also had just come from the King’s Highway. + +“Witness the glory of the Broad Highway and see how it goes down this +valley ever into finer stretches of country. See on yonder distant +elevations that magnificent University of the World built at an enormous +cost and sacrifice for the accommodation of all travelers. Each one +of you who reaches the lower end of this valley should take the Mountain +Trolley and spend a season at those schools. They occupy some of the +grandest buildings in the world. Focus your glasses and behold the +great sight.” + +Continuing he said: “The path you see leading down there, in this other +part of the valley, is called King’s Highway, very rough indeed, as +you all can see. Thereon it is hard to travel and difficult to stand +still. It is so narrow that if a traveler should stand still, he is +constantly harassed or pushed about by those who wish to pass on. The +other highway furnishes a marked contrast, for there a person may stand +still without annoyance to himself or anyone else. The way is so wide +that he can even sit on an easy chair and yet not be in the way of +others who wish to hasten on. The one who built this Wider Way kept +in mind the convenience and comfort of travelers. + +“The so-called King’s Highway,” still continued the attendant, “is +beset with many dangers, and passes through many places similar to the +one far down the valley.” They all looked through their glasses and +saw the Meshes of Doubt on each side of the Narrow Way. + +“Those are the sorts of places,” concluded the speaker, “that one must +constantly pass through in the service of an imaginary king.” + +Mrs. Discouraged saw all these things and heard all these words. She was +so disheartened that she knew not what to do. + +“Have I served my God in vain?” she questioned inwardly. “Must all my +testimonies fall to the earth? Surely the way of the world seems to +be an easy way, and more suited to a person in trouble.” + +She suddenly fell on her knees, as she was wont to do in such +emergencies, and, behold, I saw her, on wings of prayer, fly in triumph +from the tower’s top, down the valley, over the Meshes of Doubt, and +land on the King’s Highway in a most glorious place called Victory by +Faith. She thence went on her way rejoicing. + +[Illustration: The great victory of Mrs. Discouraged who, on wings of +prayer, escaped from he Tower of Temptation to a place called Victory +by Faith.] + +Then did the attendant on the tower speak of her in ridicule. “The +poor mortal, in her insanity, has descended to a bad level and must, +of necessity, climb yonder terrible hill which, as your eyes bear +testimony, is the last part of the Narrow Way visible from this tower.” + +“She went, however, in a miraculous way. Those wings were sure and +steady, and I was pleased with the swiftness of her flight,” said Mrs. +Diligence who was also a pilgrim from the King’s Highway. + +“Without doubt,” answered the attendant, “but she went with heavy labor +of her wings. Had she told me that she wished to take a flight, I could +have given her a finer trip in one of the aerial ships lately invented +by the experts of the Wizard City. I will summon one. Look no more at +Mrs. Discouraged with wings, but fix your eyes toward the east, and +you will soon witness the floating car whereon thousands go out daily +from this tower into pleasant places.” + +As he said this he gave a signal, and soon the strangely shaped airship +came in sight, to the delight of all who saw it. + +“It must be far better,” said one of the spectators, “to travel in a +car like that, than to be working your wings in the air.” + +“A thing of beauty.” “The greatest invention of the century.” “It moves +as easily as a bird,” were some of the various sentences that were +spoken enthusiastically as the object drew nearer. + +“Shall we ride in it?” quickly asked Mr. World as he turned to the +little group at his side. + +The new companions who so recently came from the King’s Highway +timorously fell back at his abrupt suggestion, but Miss Church-Member +offered to accompany him. + +As the aerial machine was stopping at the tower Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member speedily exchanged words of farewell and prepared for +the new ride. + +They were soon numbered with a host of expectant passengers on board. +The lines were loosened and the weird airship cut the wind like a large +bird on wing, and sped away to the pleasure grounds along the Broad +Highway where most of the passengers, being blinded by sin, found such +delightsome fellowship that they refused thereafter to travel on any +other than the Wider Way. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. + +1. The two companions land far down the valley on “The Midway,” whence +they take the Mountain Trolley and visit the underground Schools of +Suicide. + +2. Satan’s primitive address on Literature. + + +The aerial car carried Mr. World and Miss Church-Member to the far end +of the Valley of Temptation where they spent a delightful season in +the pleasures of sense and sight. + +They lingered mostly on the wide intervening space between the two +paths which was known in this part of the valley as “The Midway.” Here +they saw a large number of pilgrims from the King’s Highway who were +engaging in one or another of the endless amusements which can be +enjoyed without stepping altogether on the Broad Highway. + +On this long Midway humanity swarmed by millions. Some, forgetful of +their vows, or regardless of their honor, stepped into the lower haunts +of vice, and offered sweet flowers of purity and fragrance in exchange +for dry and filthy husks from the floor of the stall. But Miss +Church-Member, in keeping with her moral character, did not surrender +her chastity, and although she had such continual fellowship with Mr. +World she yet held the respect of many other church-members; for it +was quite fashionable to belong to the church and still walk in the +ways of the world. Satan, under a hellish guise, offered to give, even +before death, handsome rewards to any church-member who succeeds in +carrying a certain amount of the world with him on his way to Heaven, +and multitudes were trying the experiment. Some, in hope of winning +larger prizes, were verily loaded down with the worrying weights of +the world. + +Looking away from this immediate vicinity of the valley, any traveler +could see, far above the surrounding scenes, the “University of the +World,” whose front buildings crested the mountain elevations for many +miles. This imposing sight had awakened the admiration of Mr. World +and his friend, and had it not been for the countless attractions of +the Midway they would have hurriedly pushed their way to the schools, +immediately after the aerial car had carried them over the proud domes +of the University and landed them in the vale. + +During one of the darker periods which now and then cover the whole +Midway with its shadows, the two companions caught the flashes of +variously-colored lights which emanated from every part of the elevated +structure, making the entire mountain appear as if a vast crown of +nature were decked with dazzling diamonds rare. + +Miss Church-Member was excited by this unusual show of brilliancy, and +nothing on the lower level could any longer hold her attention. + +“How can we best rise to that glorious summit?” she inquired with a +glow of enthusiasm. + +“Ah,” smiled Mr. World, “surely we need not think of walking up this +mountain. Have you forgotten the obliging attendant who advised us as +we stood on the beautiful tower? Did he not direct us to take the +Mountain Trolley?” + +Without delay they sought the Midway station, entered one of the +up-to-date cars, and instead of going directly to the mountain top +they were surprised to find that they were being carried into the +bowels of the mountain. + +“Whence go we dashing through the dark?” asked the terror-stricken +Miss Church-Member as she held fast to Mr. World. + +But ere her escort could answer they came into an immense cavern dimly +lighted. The car stopped at a station called Rest, and a voice announced +in distinct tones: “Come, ye troubled or distressed, and ye who are +disgraced! Here linger in this underground school and learn of the +rest that is for the weary.” + +“What is your wish?” courteously asked Mr. World. + +“I am neither in trouble nor in disgrace. Why should I tarry?” + +“Only to see the lower schools before we go to the higher,” was his +winning answer. + +They alighted and walked forth in the dismal light. They could readily +discern strangely shaped buildings of a costly type. The air was +stifling, and everything wore a melancholy dress; yet, withal, there +was a pleasing charm about the place. Some secret touch in the doleful +music, or some bright tinge to the ominous shadows, awakened a curiosity +and a hope in the visitors that prevented them from leaving the cavern +at once. + +In a half-decided mood Mr. World and Miss Church-Member meandered +through this sickly region, and had decided to leave the place when +they saw this illuminated motto over a massive arch: + +TO ALL WHO ARE DISGRACED! THE SHORTEST ROUTE TO REST! (ENTRANCE.) + +A genial attendant informed Mr. World that visitors were welcome, but +Miss Church-Member consented to enter only after some hesitancy. It +was indeed a dark school, with long narrow halls where one could only +see the darker side of life. Everything about the place evidenced the +dark designs of Satan. The teachers in this infamous place, by a series +of graded instructions, suggested to their pupils that suicide was the +surest and shortest road to rest. In the darker rooms of the rear I +saw, to my horror, a scene that neither Mr. World nor Miss Church-Member +was permitted to see. _It was the daily graduating class of this school +of suicide._ Each member of the class was instructed by what new method +he might rend the strand of life with his own hand, in the desperate +and sickening hope of finding rest “where their worm dieth not, and +the fire is not quenched.” + +I quickly turned from this revolting spectacle, and saw that Mr. World +and Miss Church-Member had returned to the station called Rest. They +boarded the first car and were soon speeding on through Dismal Tunnel. +It was a welcome moment when the car emerged from the darkness into +the light of day and took its winding course upward toward the microcosm +of schools, which, as seen from this side of the mountain, also +presented a picture of imposing magnitude. + +When the car reached the University station Mr. World and his friend +alighted, and at once entered one of the carriages in waiting. They +were hurried away toward a group of immense structures known as the +“College of the World’s Literature;” and yet with all the immensity +of its buildings, it was but a small part of the whole University which +lay far extended over the distant mountain elevations. + +As the noiseless carriage sped along I turned toward Blackana, who, +in strange muteness still tarried at my side. “I command you, O Black +Interpreter, to tell me of the origin and management of this College +of Literature.” As I spoke he turned his face in a manner that made +me tremble. His sepulchral, husky voice only added to my uneasiness. + +“It originated,” he explained, “in simpler form, immediately after +Satan commenced operations on the face of the earth. Parallel with the +progress of every age it has increased to its present proportions. +That which you see is but the central point of this great educational +enterprise. Its unseen branches extend into every part of the world. +The whole system is under the control of Satan. His most learned +disciples have charge of the special departments.” + +“And what is the purpose of this limitless scheme?” I further queried. +The whole organism of Blackana quivered with reluctance as if he would +not answer. “Refuse me not,” I continued, “you well know that I have +underneath me the everlasting arms.” + +He was restless for a moment, angrily rolling his awful eyes. Suddenly +his attitude changed and he thus calmly answered my question: “The +purpose of all these schools is to counteract and, if possible, to +destroy the influence of the teachings of Him who is called Jesus +Christ. He was once visible in the flesh and declared that his kingdom +was everlasting. Of him it was said that he would reign till he put +all things under his feet.” + +Then did Blackana add with fiery emphasis: “_Neither my master nor any +of his allies will ever be put under his feet._ Satan’s words ran wild +as he addressed the insulted hosts of Hell on this issue.” Knowing +that Blackana had a perfect memory, I commanded that he should reproduce +Satan’s address in my own dialect. + +Like a flash of lightning he flung himself to the winds around me, +thereby transforming himself into the image of Satan. It appeared as +if a thousand spirits in fitful rage were dancing in mid-air. + +Then his voice pealed forth the logic of Hell as Satan had spoken it +centuries before: “Have ye heard, my noble comrades, how that Heaven +flings insults into our teeth? Not satisfied that we grovel on these +remains of empire, we are further threatened with being cast miserably +under his feet. Whose feet I ask? The feet of our direst foe, whom to +worship, as he desireth, means serfdom worse than ours. Is there one +of you who will surrender his native dignity in such a fashion?” + +Millions of voices rendered the air hideous with their cries, so +accurately did Blackana reproduce it all. + +“I knew your sentiments,” continued he, triumph ringing in his tones. +“What can we do but stand unitedly on our rustic frontier, and push +the conquest on to farther realms. Then all Heaven will learn that we +are made of grit too fine and true to lie beneath the feet of any foe.” + +As Blackana continued, I was struck with shuddering terror at his awful +gestures; but conscious that no harm could befall me, I continued +listening to his flaming oratory. + +“We must arise and seize our opportunities. Go forth, under cover of +night, and sow the seed of our own growing; this will flourish in the +very soil that Christ would bring to highest cultivation. The germs +of our literature, rooted in human soil and growing secretly beneath +the surface, shall spread throughout the world and come to fruitage +in the light of every clime. + +“We must build schools of literature, inspire the authors of the world +with our fine creed, and thereby spread our doctrines to the myriad +readers of every land and tongue. Who then, amongst our enemies, can +kill the appetite when once ’tis roused to craving for the carnal? +Give me the quill and the coming pen and press, and I can create thought +at my bidding and turn the main streams of human endeavor into +whatsoever channels I choose; and thus our river shall run full, while +other streams are drying. + +“With such a work how can our cause grow less or we go groveling under +any foot? Impossible, my heroes! for we will live in glorious triumph +to the end of time. On to your tasks, listening multitudes, and he who +most successfully counteracts the so-called ‘Truth’ shall be a ruler +in my kingdom, and shine more brightly than the radiance of all this +region.” + +Thus was the speech suddenly ended, and I heard the unearthly +reverberations of the fiendish cheering by the mighty host, while the +form of Satan vanished; but from his waning shadows Blackana came forth +and in death-like silence again resumed his sullen attitude at my side. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. FIRST AND SECOND DIVISIONS. + +1. The schools described. + +2. The literature of the world tainted by the teachers of darkness. + +3. Satan’s rules for the winning author. + + +The College of Literature, in three grand divisions, occupied one of +the most attractive sites of all the territory covered by the University +of the World. It was owned and controlled by Satan, and was visited +by the children of the human family from every portion of the earth. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member came thither in a conveyance. They +stood before the massive structure which comprised the first division +of the College. Around them were the living fountains which, like +pearls in billows of green, played upon the expansive lawn. While they +strolled along the pebbled paths they were lost in admiration as they +continued looking upon the stupendous building which towered far into +the air and extended as far as the eye could reach. In breathless +silence they noted first its size, then its durability, and marveled +most at the splendid symmetry of the parts, each blending into a perfect +whole. + +“Heaven must have inspired so great and beautiful a design,” was the +first comment of Miss Church-Member. “Those porticos hanging in mid-air, +those domes and pillars, dreamlike, stand before me more like a hundred +fabled castles than aught real to sight or touch.” + +“Indeed the world affords rich and delightful privileges to all who +will but walk in her ways,” said Mr. World just as they arrived at one +of the large entrances, over which these words were written: + +DEPOSITORY OF THE WORLD’S LITERATURE, WELCOME TO ALL! + +As Miss Church-Member viewed the weighty pillars on each side of the +entrance, she exclaimed: “This is indeed a rare opportunity. Methinks +I could revel, with delight, forever in fields of literature. Come, +Mr. World, let us at once pass through the massive doors and learn +what we can from so great a source.” + +Although the literary tastes of Mr. World were not strongly developed, +yet he offered no objections to her request. He seemed willing to +suffer any inconvenience for her sake so long as she traveled on the +Broad Highway. As they were entering the building I saw that many from +the church and the world were also pushing their way into the interior +that they might get a glimpse of the inner halls, and visit the ones +that were best suited to their fancies. + +Miss Church-Member was surprised when she saw the unique arrangement +of the interior. There were twenty-eight magnificent halls so +constructed that they converged toward a large central office into +which I saw Mr. World and his companion enter, profoundly impressed +with the smallness of the single human mind. + +After answering the stipulated questions, they registered under the +rules and regulations and were given certificates entitling them to +all the privileges which this first division of the College accorded +to visitors. + +In the commodious office they learned that each of the twenty-eight +halls contained a distinctive line of literature, systematically +arranged in numerous sub-departments; and that competent librarians +superintended the literature of each hall and of each department. + +Miss Church-Member ascertained also that each hall was centrally +supplied with a lecture room having an immense seating capacity, and +that learned professors, each in their turn, occupied the platform and +constantly gave lectures which were intended to describe and illustrate +the class of literature represented in their faculties. + +After considerable time spent in the office, they passed through the +long and wide circular lobby, reading the beautifully emblazoned +inscriptions over each entrance door, but they could not immediately +decide into which hall they would first enter. + +At length after a pleasant loitering, Mr. World led his charming comrade +into the fourth hall, over whose entrance, in plain words, this +inscription appeared: + +ALL THAT WAS EVER WRITTEN CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST. + +They first chose to enter a sub-department where ancient scrolls, +parchments, and papyri could be seen in tiresome variety. Miss +Church-Member scanned most carefully some of the manuscripts which had +never been published. + +In other sections of the hall there were books and pamphlets of all +descriptions, each one referring to Jesus Christ in a favorable or an +unfavorable manner. + +During these visitations the attendants extended unusual courtesies +to Mr. World and his faithful friend, and also to the endless procession +of visitors and students who were constantly moving through these +departments. Finally the two companions proceeded to the lecture room +of this hall and listened to an address entitled: “The Divinity of +Christ,” by one of Satan’s ablest advocates a professor with +ecclesiastical titles. His gestures were unique and his style altogether +persuasive. + +I heard his words with great displeasure, for they taught the philosophy +of Hell, with Heaven on the face of it. + +“I must congratulate myself,” commenced he, “on having the privilege +of addressing so intelligent a class of people. I only hope that I may +be helpful to you in your quest of knowledge. + +“The central theme of this hall is ‘Jesus Christ’ and I shall now +proceed to speak of his so-called ‘Divinity.’ I cannot question that +there is a supreme hand in the works of nature, but after careful +research I am compelled to doubt the genuineness of the Divinity which +is ascribed to Christ. True enough, his childhood was blameless, and +he possessed exceptional wisdom so that many of his countrymen believed +him to be more than human. In this manner the idea of his Divinity +originated, and this fallacy grew as the man grew. + +“He was shrewd, and possessed a great amount of magnetic force which +was trained and used with remarkable skill, all of which made him pose +as a god before a credulous and unsuspecting public. The ignorance and +gross superstition of that age made a fit soil for the spread of +Christ’s doctrine and the idea that he was Divine. + +“When Jesus discerned that his claims were more readily accepted by +the poorer and more ignorant class of people, he lauded them in his +teachings, while the learned and more respectable classes were subjected +to his abuse and sarcasm. + +“By his unusual tactics overcame the prejudices of his enemies and, +for a long time, escaped punishment. But finally he was arrested and +convicted and, notwithstanding his so-called Divine power, he came to +an inglorious end by death on a cross. His friends, unable to prevent +his cursed death, quickly formed a plot to perpetuate his doctrines. +They carried out their plot by stealthily robbing Christ’s body from +the grave and secretly burying it elsewhere, and then spreading the +news that he, of his own power, came forth from the grave. To complete +the fraud they also claimed, a little later, that he had ascended into +Heaven. What was the purpose of all this? It was to prove that Christ +was Divine and thereby to make his teachings authoritative and eternal. + +“I wish to inform you that the manuscripts and parchments, in sub- +department number six of this hall, all point to the fact that Jesus +Christ was born like any other babe and that his father was Joseph. +Dishonest, indeed, is any one who would rob Joseph of this honor. +‘Honor to whom honor is due.’ While Christ was a great man, he never +had in him the elements of Divinity. Let millions in the world glory +in their imaginary theology, yet that is no reason why scholarly +research should be put to naught, or why it should be sacrificed. We +are living in the morning twilight of a better day when God shall be +worshiped and Jesus Christ ignored when all thought of Divinity will +center at the true focus and a man will no longer receive the glory +that belongs to God.” + +The vigorous applause which followed the remarks of this speaker fell +with grating horror on my ears. “Can it be possible,” thought I, “that +any one can publicly teach such doctrines of Hell, and be thus +applauded? Whither are so many of the church and the world drifting +that they should give ear to such theology as it comes from the mouth +of the Devil?” + +Miss Church-Member and her escort left the lecture room and visited +a few more of the sub-departments where they saw many objects of +literary interest and, with the aid of experts, examined some of the +old manuscripts dating back to the time of Christ. They left the hall +and were next attracted by the words over the entrance of Hall No. 9 +appearing thus: + +LITERATURE ON LIFE. + +1. Vegetable Life. 2. Animal Life. 3. Mental Life. 4. Spiritual Life. + +At the suggestion of Miss Church-Member they entered, and could readily +see that the attendants and lecturers of this hall were also of a very +high class. One of the speakers elaborated on the theory that life is +the result of spontaneous generation. + +Another, in speaking on spiritual life, made special reference to the +fact that Jesus Christ claimed to be the “Life,” and then proceeded +to refute this claim by a series of arguments which were altogether +too philosophical to be understood by the two companions. + +Finding no pleasure in this metaphysical atmosphere, Mr. World conducted +his companion to the adjoining hall devoted to the “Literature of +Fiction.” + +Here they spent a season delightfully, perusing works of fiction and +listening to addresses, all of which advocated the views of Satan. + +I heard one of the lecturers, in a discussion on “The License of Pure +Fiction” make these dangerous remarks: “The highest fiction of the +world is that in which human life is pictured in ideal colors, even +though it be done at the expense of truth. + +“There can be no harm if the reader should gain a false view of life. +The very charm of such a view will act as a stimulus to a wider +experience and to a higher culture. + +“In our real life, as we come in daily contact with the world, we see +and suffer enough. Therefore it cannot be harmful if fiction carries +us into strange worlds of morality or into any mythical realm. I give +you but the result of long and careful study, and I advise you to read +the wildest and most exciting forms of fiction, and thereby get the +healthful and exhilarating effect that comes from total mental +absorption. All this will tend to the development of your nature so +that you will, by contrast, better appreciate the substantial things +of life.” + +I saw that Mr. World and Miss Church-Member next visited the hall +devoted to the “Literature of the Passions.” After they had entered, +Miss Church-Member, at first, felt embarrassed, and her sense of modesty +would not have allowed her to remain had it not been that her conscience +was eased by these conditions: + +1. She saw that among the moving thousands that were present in the +massive hall many belonged to the higher classes of society. + +2. She was also informed that not a few of the throng held good +membership in various branches of the visible church. + +3. She readily observed that Mr. World was so much delighted that she +offered no protest, and that he seemed to take an interest in the +endless program as carried out in one department or another. + +In this poisonous hall Miss Church-Member stultified herself more than +in any other place which she had ever before visited, and thereby added +one more decisive step in her downward course. She tarried longest in +one of the sub-departments where Satan’s expert doctors of literature +delivered their special lectures on the writings of each author as far +as they related directly or indirectly to the passions. + +These avowed experts carried on their fiendish work under the cover +of a pleasing dignity. After their crafty manner they quoted or read +the fine sentences of an author, preferably those of a sensual cast, +and then placed a premium on the passionate by describing the fine +style of the author and showing how true to nature was the language +he employed. + +Thus I saw that the leaders of this department were using the choicest +and the foulest productions of the pen, gathered from the authors of +all lands, languages and ages, and Miss Church-Member, by degrees +almost imperceptible, voluntarily sacrificed her finer moral taste on +a popular and polluted altar. + +To a pure heart there was an unclean cast and a withering effect +prevalent throughout all the departments of this hall, and my heart +burned as I continued observing how the agents of Satan plied their +subtle influences so as to popularize this cosmopolitan resort. So +effectually has Satan entrenched his views that some of the strong +defenders of this hall of literature are connected with the church, +and types of this same teaching have found their way into some of the +Christian schools of the world. + +After this protracted visit Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left this +hall and continued their studies in hall after hall, until more than +one half of the twenty-eight halls were visited. Their next objective +point was the second grand division of this College devoted to “_The +Elements of Success in Authorship._” + +My heart trembled at what my eyes saw. The great army of writers who +studied in this department came from all countries of the earth. “Can +it be true,” thought I, “that so large a portion of our authors get +at least a part of their training in the schools of the Devil?” + +“O Blackana!” I sighed, “how long have these things been?” + +“Since the beginning of literature,” was his cold and brief reply. + +“Always so large a percentage of the world’s authors found at that +school?” + +“It has never been on the decrease,” he continued. “So many have visited +these halls that it has been a veritable meeting-place of almost all +authors of all lands and all ages at some stage in their careers. Some +who came tarried long; others, not satisfied, foolishly drifted to the +schools of the King’s Highway which ever carry on their work in +opposition to the University of the World.” + +Here also, in this second grand division, the subtlest kind of teaching +was prevalent. In one sub-division Mr. World and Miss Church-Member +read these general laws written in bold letters where all who desired +could read: + +RULES FOR THE WINNING AUTHOR. + +1. Give quality rather than quantity. + +2. If you will not compose your best, compose nothing. The world is +heavily overstocked with inferior compositions. + +3. Write nothing that will cause regret on your death-bed. + +4. Do not follow in the rut. Go by some path untraveled before, over +land or sea, and tell the world of your new discoveries. + +5. To be acceptable, in the highest sense, you must teach differently +than others, even though it be at the expense of what is commonly +called “truth.” Novelty is the winning feature. + +6. In any one composition strive first to arouse the curiosity of your +intended readers; then keep the curiosity suspended and finally give +it satisfaction in accordance with the aim in view. + +7. You may be influenced by religion, but not by religious nonsense. +If your writings win, you are a teacher of millions. So, in order to +reach the public ear, you may cater to the tastes and wishes of the +majority. + +8. If you see some vile conditions of humanity, send out, in your +writings, vials of vileness. “Like cures like.” If any part of the +church cries, “poison, poison!” you may justify yourself by the fact +that the so-called “poison” in your productions will only neutralize +the poison so prevalent in society, on the same principle that poison +is administered to a sickly body in order to effect a cure. + +9. You are always safest when you are true to nature, even though some +sentimental people may charge you with being vulgar. + +10. Words of profanity are not allowable if they are the mere expression +of the author, but any foul or profane expression may be quoted. An +author should not be charged with the impropriety of his characters +who are merely taken from actual life. + +The above ten commandments, if properly interpreted and obeyed, will +surely lead to literary success. + +Then Mr. World escorted his confiding friend from hall to hall of this +second grand division, and at many intervals they could be seen spending +a quiet season on the lawns which surrounded the entire structure. + +Their tastes were now more in harmony than ever, and their friendship +was fast reaching that intimacy where each one was searching for pearls +in the deep ocean of the other’s love. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE THEATRE. + +1. Mr. World and his friend tarry at Satan’s Theatres which lay in +seven grades, one below the other. + +2. A description of the “Century Session” held by the demons having +in charge the Theatre interests of Satan. + + +The College of Theatres lay between the second and third divisions of +the Schools of Literature. The numerous structures were built on so +large a scale, and after such winning designs, that the attention of +many travelers was attracted to them and thereby to the performances +given within their walls. + +Here could be found some of the graduates of the Schools of Literature +who were constantly engaged on one or another of the stages. + +All these theatrical attractions belonged to the first grade and formed +a part of a great system of Theatres which lay in seven grades, one +below the other, each serving its part to engross the human mind with +the carnal and sensual things of life. + +The performances of the first grade were practically free from the +vulgar touches found, with increasing intensity, as one goes downward +toward the seventh grade which lay beneath the Midway in the Valley +of Temptation. + +In these Satanic Theatres of the first grade respectability is +maintained purposely so as to ensnare as many professing Christians +as possible, for there are many in the ranks of the church who are +building with nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. The scheme works so +well that the Devil is trying to form a “Stage Trust,” and get all the +talent of the King’s Highway to unite. Thus Satan seems to encourage +morality in order to carry out his deeply laid schemes of moral +pollution. + +I looked into the inward workings of this terrible system. I saw +multitudes descending downward from the first grade, many of whom +ceased not until they had passed through all the seven grades. The +scenes and revelations that came to my eyes beggar all description. +My heart sickened as I beheld the millions wallowing in the mire of +fleshly lusts, apparently living for no higher purpose than to see the +latest novelties of expressing lewdness and sensuality. + +“This is brute life, indeed,” I soliloquized, “for it can be easily +seen that the hearts of these people are so seared and their ears so +dull that they have no desire for the music of celestial choirs, or +the ecstacies that rise from heart-communion with God.” + +I also saw that there were numberless underground connections between +the lower Theatres and the Schools of Suicide, and with the varied +haunts of Prostitution that infested the whole region. + +This startling fact also forced its way to my attention:--_the money +flowing from the entire seven grades fell into one treasury_, so that +they who moved in the supposed moral atmosphere of the first and second +grades were, nevertheless, patrons of the whole iniquitous business. +At once I thought of the churches that were in sympathy, or league, +with this part of the work along the Broad Highway. And I inwardly +uttered these sad sentences: + +“_It is no more a mystery why such churches have lost their holy +influence and their warmth of spiritual life, while worldliness +flourishes from the pew to the pulpit_.” + +[Illustration: The Devil’s Substitute to the Prayer-Meeting (The +Christians left their Bibles at home.)] + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member spent several seasons of leisure in +the Theatres of the first and second grades. Finally he invited her +to accompany him to a Refined Vaudeville in the third grade Theatre +district. It happened to be on the same day of the week that she had +formerly been accustomed to attend prayer meeting. This fact awakened +memories of bygone days, and brought feelings of sadness to her heart. +Mr. World, by an artful diversity of language, arrested her mind and +calmed her conscience as he playfully remarked: “This will be a good +substitute for the prayer-meeting.” + +I saw the two enter the Vaudeville with many other church-members that +mingled with the jostling crowds. These Christians left their Bibles +at home, while some took as a substitute their opera glasses. They can +see through these better than they can through their Bibles. + +While Mr. World and Miss Church-Member tarried at the Theatres, I was +permitted to see a conference of the evil spirits that had in charge +the Theatre interests of Satan. The conference met at the opening of +the year 1901 what was called “The Century Session.” + +For the time I was lost to all other surroundings, and I could hear +all and see all as if I occupied the best seat. The unusual parliament +seemed to be held underground, and yet one could enter directly from +the surface of the earth. + +The assemblage was controlled by a highly honored chief, cool and +deliberate in manner. Every kind of imp imaginable could be found in +the number that constituted the many committees. + +I witnessed every part of the diabolical proceedings, and will here +disclose a portion of these doubly sealed secrets. + +After all preliminaries were brushed away, I heard seven ominous clangs, +and silence reigned supreme. The chairman rose to speak. What a mingling +of light and darkness! How truly Satanic his every feature and every +move! How earnest his brief address, every word in the interest of +Satan’s blasting work. + +“Give heed, oh, ye co-workers, bound under oath to give a true +report! Our cause has made advances, and our work calls for the +ripest service we can give. _The theatre modernized is fast winning +the church. All honor, ye spirits who played your parts so well!_ The +century has just closed, but not our opportunity. Let coming years +be one of mightier conquest. Down with the narrow truth and morbid +righteousness, and all things else that check our onward marching!” +For a moment the chairman was silent. Then, as he raised his hand, I +heard a hideous clang which proved to be the signal for the report +of “The-Moral-Effect-of-the-Theatre” committee. Forthwith the whole +committee stood _en masse_ before the chairman. “Our work goes on with +speed,” cried the leader of the gang. “In every district we are gaining +ground.” + +“I have watched your progress with joyful pride,” answered the chairman, +as he smiled in hellish glee. “But I noted the sharp conflicts you had +with certain reformers in the churches.” + +“Some of them we cannot conquer,” despairingly admitted the leader. + +“Grieve not over forts you cannot take, but make good use of those +that have surrendered.” + +“They are firing our guns splendidly,” quickly intercepted the leader, +as he rose and read the following report: + +1. “We have labored earnestly in the ranks of the church until many +more of her members now believe that the moral effect of our Theatres +is helpful. + +2. “We have succeeded in dividing the members of many churches on this +question, and have witnessed, with pleasure, the many kinds of quarrels +that have resulted therefrom. + +3. “We have succeeded in turning the tide of many periodicals, so that +the defense of the Theatre, as a moral stimulant, is more general than +ever.” + +As the leader closed his brief report, the chairman offered his +compliments, and the host cheered with vigor. + +The committee retired. The chairman again lifted his hand and two +clangs were heard. This was the signal for the appearance of the +“Park-Theatre” committee. + +“Good tidings, or ill?” tersely asked the chairman. + +“Good tidings of the first degree,” cheerily replied the leader of the +committee as he proceeded to read his document: + +1. “We labored, with all zeal, to carry out the schemes concocted +previously. + +2. “We have succeeded in locating a series of free Theatres at every +summer park where we could possibly induce the management to admit +them. + +3. “These Theatres, even though they be of a third or fourth class, +are doing a great service for us by implanting a taste for other grades. + +4. “By this happy medium we are winning young people and church-members +by the thousand, for they can attend these Park exhibitions without +being severely criticised. + +5. “We are careful to give them enough immoral and sensual bait to +draw them further. (Wild applause.) + +6. “These innocent Park Theatres must not be abandoned, for they are +a sure training school. We hereby pledge ourselves anew to go forth +more earnestly to our tasks.” (Furious applause over the whole +assembly.) + +“Have you met with any hindrances to your work?” queried the chairman +of the meeting. + +“Many indeed. Some Parks refuse our class of Theatres, while others +are closed to every class. But our committee is determined to push +ahead.” + +“Onward, ye comrades,” urged the chairman. “Buy up the stock of every +Park, if possible, and furnish recreation for the church. Do not become +too bold at first in the introduction of lewd and foolish plays, or +you may be fought by the popular churches.” + +“Hardly possible,” replied the leader. “So many in the church are glad +to wink at these incongruities, for they are thereby given a chance +to satisfy their carnal appetites without being classed with the regular +Theatre crowd.” + +“This is one of our happiest modern hits,” chuckled the chairman, as +the committee turned away, amidst the mad-like cheering. + +Next I saw that the chairman raised his hand, and at once I heard three +sharp clangs which were the signal for the “Church-Choir” committee. +“What has the church-choir to do with the Theatre,” thought I, as I +saw the obedient host answering to their call. + +“What tidings, good or ill?” asked the chairman in a tone of confidence. + +“Progress slow, but sure,” briefly answered the leader of the committee +as he stepped a little nearer to the chairman to give his report. + +“Ours is a difficult task. Some choirs are hedged about that we cannot +so much as reach them with suggestions. Nevertheless, we have succeeded +in many sections, notably in certain large cities. We report, with +pride, that some churches have engaged genuine theatrical singers to +render special selections during the regular Sunday services. Is it +not an evidence of our success when the opera-stage singer of Saturday +night furnishes the chief solo for church-goers on Sunday morning? +This is winning certain people to the Theatre, for in many instances +they cannot wait until the next Sunday; so they visit several theatres +during the week to keep their spiritual strength renewed.” + +Then the demons cheered to the echo, and I listened with a sad, heavy +heart. + +The leader continued: + +“We are also endeavoring to get the regular church-choirs to imitate +the popular theatrical stars. Of course, we do not oppose the use of +religious words, if we cannot induce them to sing our selections. We +are aiming to create a taste for the up-to-date novelties in music, +in contrast to the old dry singing in certain churches of the King’s +Highway.” (Prolonged applause.) + +As this tall, wiry demon continued to unfold his deep-laid plans, I +well understood why Satan has selected the church-choir as an objective +point, and has delegated so large a number of imps to do work in that +special direction. I then cried within me: “Oh, that these churches +would not use their choir-corners as an advertising medium for the +Theatre! And that choirs, in their musical devotions, may be led by +the Spirit of God rather than by the imps of Hell!” + +This committee retired with special encomiums. + +The chairman rose and I heard four sonorous clangs which summoned the +“Ministerial” committee. At once its members, in their sedate and +portly attitudes, surged down the massive aisles. + +I shuddered as I saw the variety of these mean Satanic faces, portraying +a depth of vileness, mingled with shrewd and scholarly insight. With +great care I studied this pack of Hell-hounds, gathered from the ends +of the earth, now standing in sullen mood, ready to give their report. + +“What tidings, good or ill?” asked the chairman. + +“The tidings are good,” replied the famous leader. “By our efforts we +have silenced many a voice which formerly thundered against us. To-day +many more ministers are in sympathy with the modern Theatre of the +higher grades, although not a few of these must hold their views in +secret. Others speak apologetically, and still more come out in bold +defense of what they term the ‘Select Theatre.’” + +“What do you consider the most hopeful line of your work?” further +asked the chairman. + +“Our work in the theological schools,” quickly responded the leader. +“Special sections of our committee have labored with stealthy vigor +to capture the preacher before he reaches the pulpit. The last years +of the century have witnessed phenomenal gains for our cause. By winning +the theological student early to our Theatrical theories we are likely +to gain his heart and sympathy in after years. Our success along these +lines is the most hopeful sign of the times, and bespeaks the ushering +in of more sensible conditions. (Furious applause.) + +“Before retiring,” continued the leader, “let me quote the utterances +of a certain broad-minded clergyman: ‘The clean Theatre of the twentieth +century will be, and ought to be, the moral prayer-meeting for +Christians, while the spiritual prayer-meeting will be held in the +church as usual.’” + +The whole army of devils cheered like madmen. I was so aroused that +I felt that ecclesiastical lynch law should be applied to any minister +whose utterances caused such jubilee among the legions of Hell. + +I could not remain to hear the report of: + +“The Moral Play” committee, + +“The Variant Dance” committee, + +“The Sacred Concert” committee and other committees whose names I could +not learn. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. THIRD DIVISION + +1. Seven separate halls described. + +2. The far-reaching schemes of Satan to pollute the Press and the Pen. + + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, after spending several hours at the +Theatres, moved toward the vast groups of buildings comprising the +third division of the College of Literature. The structures lay in a +semi-circle facing a magnificent court, in the center of which there +was a park of surpassing loveliness. On an immense arch, over the +center of the park, these words were hung in shining letters: + +THIRD DIVISION: + +TRUE CHRISTIANITY AND LITERATURE. + +As Mr. World and his charming companion entered this great central +court, they were quite overcome by the size and beauty of the three +score halls, each one widening as its depth increased. Some towered +one thousand feet in the air while others sent their proud domes, as +it were, into the clouds. + +The two companions mingled with the multitudes, engaged in the common +pleasures of this open court, and watched with poetic delight the +sparkling fountains, while sweet strains of music from scattered +orchestras lent their charms to the soul. The shrubbery, flowers and +plants, as well as the works of sculpture and pictorial art, all +appeared as if angel fingers had been employed in their production and +arrangement. + +The season here spent by Miss Church-Member was the happiest that she +had yet experienced since she had left the King’s Highway. To think +that she was now living in the threshold of True Christianity, in its +relation to literature, was at once novel and refreshing to her mind, +for she now claimed to be a more faithful Christian than ever before. + +During their protracted stay at this division they visited the following +halls, each one devoted to a specific purpose: + +Hall No. 3. “The Bible from a Literary Standpoint.” + +Hall No. 8. “The Best Literature for a Sunday School Class.” + +Hall No. 9. “The Best Literature for Sunday school Libraries.” + +Hall No. 13. “The Best Literature for a True Christian to Read.” + +Hall No. 16. “Literature for a Christian’s ‘Grip’ when on a Vacation.” + +Hall No. 27. “The Sunday Newspaper and Other Publications.” + +Hall No. 38. “The Best Way of Conducting a Religious Newspaper.” + +Mr. World spent a day with his appreciative friend under the teaching +of Hall No. 3. The professors were exceptionally brilliant, and so won +the confidence of their many hearers that what they said seemed to +have more weight than even the Bible. They tried to demonstrate that +the literary style of the Bible was far below par. + +When they entered Hall No. 8 they were surprised to see how large a +number of Sunday school workers and teachers were already there. The +meeting that day was held largely in the form of an open parliament, +and a discussion was in progress concerning the use of the Bible in +the class during the study of the lesson. + +“Would it not be preferable,” asked an interested visitor, “to use the +Bible in the class during the study of the lesson, and use the special +helps only for preparation?” + +“Don’t think of it, don’t think of it!” abruptly answered the teacher. +“It would only be a step backward.” + +“It appears to me,” continued the visitor, “that our young people ought +to become more familiar in using and handling the Bible, and if it +were used in connection with the study of the lesson it would surely +prove to be a valuable help, even beyond what the present system +affords.” + +“And would you throw aside all the very valuable side lights to the +lesson that are being produced in such rich variety and abundance?’ +hurriedly asked a Sunday school teacher who was present on a furlough. + +“Nay, nay,” earnestly spoke the visitor, “let the press go on, but let +not its fruit be substituted for the bread of life. Fruit is good, +delicious and healthful, but we need the staff of life. _Let the real +actual Bible be handled and used in the teaching of the lesson. Then +whatever else is wise to use as an auxiliary help may be brought into +service_. That is my platform, pure and simple.” + +The leader of the meeting was agitated. He impatiently rose to his +feet before the last words had fallen from the visitor’s lips. + +“Let us use reason,” he said, with a light vein of sarcasm in his +voice. “Is it not true that the average child sees enough of the Bible +in his home and in the public schools, and that he greatly relishes +a change when he comes to the Sunday school?” + +“That’s only too true,” spoke up the worldly element who were there +in large numbers. + +“Let me assure you,” continued the speaker as he was warming to his +theme under false fires of devilish sophistry, “in the day when the +Bible was used in the Sunday school classes, spiritual ignorance +abounded more than now.” + +“Why not be satisfied with rapid advancement, instead of inviting +retrogression in knowledge, and a double decimation in Sunday school +attendance, by compelling scholars to go searching through a book as +uninteresting and unfathomable to them as the Bible?” + +“One great hindrance to Sunday school work is its pious and +sanctimonious tendency. If the schools of the twentieth century are +to be successful, we must have less of that Bible stiffness in them, +and still more of an open sociability.” + +The worldly element and some of the Sunday school teachers were now +cheering heartily. But the speaker continued: + +“Instead of going to an extreme that means death to the Sunday school +by advocating that an army of cold Bibles should go walking into the +service, I should rather advocate a change in the other direction, for +I am even opposed to the tons of cheap literature filled with cloudy +opinions that are now being scattered throughout our schools. We need +lesson helps that are interspersed with incidents of adventure, and +startling stories that have fire and life in them. Let some publisher +take the hint. + +“Then the boy or girl whose daily reading may consist of that style +of writing will find the Sunday school more congenial to his nature, +and he will go there with a bound. In that manner you are certain to +win the boy’s heart, after which you can, with tact, send the spiritual +truth deeper into his soul. From such a scholar keep the Bible as far +away as possible It is not even necessary to lay stress on the fact +that the lesson text is, taken from the Bible. + +“If the teacher can succeed in holding his respect for the Sunday +school, then, in after years, when he is more matured and is better +able to reason, you may bring the Bible itself more directly to his +attention, and you will secure better results than are prevalent to-day +in the Sunday school world.” + +The audience cheered lustily. In this cheering Mr. World and his +companion joined. The visitor, who was deeply grieved at the warm +reception of such destructive doctrines, arose to speak, but the +intolerant cried out: “Away with him! We want no more bigotry and +one-hundred-years-behind-the time speeches!” At the suggestion of the +chairman he was hurried from the room to appear before a commission +on lunacy. + +The speech had its desired effect. The great majority of the audience +were convinced that the Bible was not a “drawing card,” and that it +should not be introduced into the class study if it could possibly be +avoided. A few pledged that they would do all in their power to effect +a revolution in the present system of lesson helps. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left this hall and entered Hall No. +9. It was a rare privilege for them to walk through the largest Sunday +school library in the world, where many committees were at work +selecting books for their respective Sunday schools. + +Satan had so ingeniously managed the composition of these books, and +so artfully arranged them on the endless shelves, that one could +scarcely discern the good parts of a book from the bad, or determine +in which section of the hall the largest percentage of good books could +be found. In this way committees almost invariably picked up +considerable chaff with the wheat. + +I looked at Blackana and sighed: “Oh! Blackana, how long will these +things be? If only a conflagration would reduce the contents of that +hall to ashes!” + +“Ah! mortal,” he coldly replied, “these things will never be destroyed, +for the building is fire proof. Surely the Sunday school should get +as much of its library as possible from a source so well protected.” + +“For what fiendish reason?” I asked as I was moved with indignation. + +“Nothing fiendish about it. Satan can furnish books at less cost, and +thereby be of material financial help to the Sunday school. Furthermore, +he is able to furnish a larger variety and a more inviting class of +books, with more spicy fiction, and less of that deadness so generally +characteristic of the books coming from the hand of a narrow-minded +Christian.” + +“Silence, thou agent of the Devil! Thou art again dealing in falsehood. +When thou speakest to me, speak truthfully or hold thy tongue in +quietness.” + +He rolled his eyes at me, but spoke no more. + +In the early hours of the following day I saw the same two companions +enter Hall No. 13 devoted to “The Best Literature for a True Christian +to Read.” They moved leisurely from table to table scanning and reading +the books and booklets which, in great variety, lay before them. + +Weariness urged them to a seat in the lecture department where they +were entertained by a scholarly address on “_Choice Literature for a +Christian._” + +“It must not be forgotten.” said the speaker in one part of his address, +“that the mind can be ruined by lack of vigorous exercise. In the +physical body the stomach would become weak and sickly were it not +compelled, quite frequently, to digest strong foods or a great variety +of them. So also the mind, in order to reach its true development, +needs a wide variety of thought-food. Not alone that of a +sickly-sentimental or sanctimonious kind which in its place is all +right, but such a variety as will best stimulate the mind in a +well-rounded, liberal education. In particular, a good Christian should +peruse such literature as will inform him thoroughly concerning the +enemies of Christianity. He should not spurn, but rather study +infidelity, skepticism and every other hostile movement, so that he +may be able the better to appreciate his own position. The Bible is +not so much a book for reading, as a book of reference, and therefore +a Christian’s loyalty to Christ must not be measured by his reading +and studying the Bible, but by his success in locating the enemies of +the cross and studying their designs, looking over their encampments, +and estimating the strength of their weapons. If he becomes thus +acquainted with the foe, he is in better position to order an advance, +or to effect a treaty whereby much strife may be avoided.” + +Hall No. 16 was next visited. It offered to its patrons a happy time. +Here the work of the artist was in pleasing evidence. On beautiful +walls were pictured retreats of all kinds. The games and sports, in +endless variety, which make merry the park, field and glen, were the +subjects of some of the paintings. + +These were the titles of some of the larger wall paintings: + +“A restful day under the oak.” + +“The campers at the midday meal.” + +“An hour of idle reading.” “Around the camp-fire at night.” + +“At rest beside the bounding brook.” + +“Along the beach at bathing time.” + +“The cottage by the sea.” + +Nothing was said about the paintings on the wall; they were merely +suggestive of the refreshment that came after toil. + +The lecturer of this hall was a jolly man, an athlete of fine +proportions, whose splendid appearance attracted the attention of the +throng of listeners. + +“We are not here to discuss the good or evil which comes from various +kinds of recreation, but to tell you, from experience, what kind of +reading to take with you when you go on a vacation, or a pleasure trip. +As you are seeking rest for the body so let your religious books have +a rest. Leave them all at home, except the Bible, and prayer book,--you +might take them along to be used in case of sickness or accident. Then +put in your ‘grip’ some humorous books, such as will make you merry. +Besides these place therein some other very light reading, such as +will rest the mind from the more serious things of life. + +“As a father delighteth to see his children roam and romp in glee over +the meadows after the time of faithful toil, so the Heavenly Father +delighteth to see _his_ true children lay aside the seriousness of +prayer and Bible study, and go forth in joyful rest to the seashore, +or to the quiet glen in the fastnesses of the woods. If you follow +these directions, you will get the cream of pleasure and profit, and +return to your secular or religious work with renewed vigor.” + +I saw many ministers, of the gospel in the audience, but not all +seconded the words of the speaker. Mr. World and his confiding companion +were surprised after entering Hall No. 27 to find on exhibition a copy +of all the periodical publications of the world. This was a large hall +and had sub-divisions, each devoted to a distinct class of literature. +One department contained all non-sectarian religious publications; +another the sectarian; still a third was devoted to daily newspapers, +partisan and non-partisan; yet another contained all trade journals; +another all the scientific periodicals, and thus the plan was continued +throughout. + +This was the busiest place of all, for some of the periodicals had +their offices in this hall, while others had representatives there, +so that countless thousands thronged the sub-departments daily. Each +sub-department had its own corps of lecturers. + +Many editors, before entering into active service, take the entire +series of courses offered by this hall, and are thus taught to +prevaricate, abbreviate, and exaggerate, or do ought else to attain +the end in view. + +I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member pass by one sub-department after +another. They were not pleased with the excitement that prevailed. +They had intended however to pause at the department devoted especially +to the Sunday newspaper question, and tarried at the door long enough +merely to catch these few words from one of the speakers: + +“I am a member of the church myself, and bear an honorable name therein; +but I am unwilling to be classed with a set of bigots who would rob +us of our personal liberties and, if possible, place all kinds of +restrictive measures about our inalienable rights. I stand for liberty +first of all, and tyranny never. Why should one dictate to me what I +shall read on Sunday? I look at my Bible more than one hundred times +a year, and read a Sunday newspaper only fifty-two times. It was a +happy change that started the regular press of the country to yield +seven issues a week, and thereby send forth additional rays of +enlightenment to a people who are in sad need of all that they can get +to increase their intelligence. + +“According to my opinion there are so many practices that are worse +than reading a Sunday newspaper that Satan must surely be annoyed to +see a man engaged in such a harmless pursuit. Happy, indeed, would we +all be if the---” + +The two companions passed on and heard no more, until they left this +hall and paid a brief visit to Hall No. 38 devoted to “_The Best Way +of Conducting a Religious Newspaper_.” + +There were very few editors present, but the debate amongst them was +vigorous and, at times, very contentious, much to the interest and +enjoyment of the spectators. + +The question being discussed was: “_How Can We Best Increase the +Circulation of the Church Paper?_” + +After a few exchanges of opinions, the chairman of the meeting +advocated, with grave dignity, that all religious newspapers should +be more conformed to the tastes and the level of a hungry world. “There +is too great a contrast,” said he, “between the mental condition of +the laymen and the high, cold tone of the average religious paper. Let +the editor of a church paper do as did his Master Jesus Christ,--come +down to the level of the world, where he can reach the heart and the +ear of the common people of whom the masses are composed. No paper +should be so holy that it cannot adapt itself to the development of +the natural as well as the spiritual part of man.” + +These remarks were warmly applauded. + +Next an editor of a religious paper arose, and spoke with decision: + +“I want to be as liberal and broad-minded as God would have me be. I +came to this hall with doubtful steps. I cannot say that I have profited +thereby. My mind is at variance with the chairman of this meeting. He +says: ‘All religious papers should be more conformed to the tastes of +the hungry world.’ Let me ask, with all honesty, what is the taste of +the hungry world? Is it not a terribly perverted taste, a hungering +for the black sins of death? I contend that it is the work of a good +paper to be a beacon light, even though it shines from a lofty +light-house. It may thereby shine out farther and wider. Away with the +doctrine of devils that would pervert the truth and send with merciless +fling----” + +At this juncture the speaker was seized by an officer who came running +in at the ringing of a bell and arrested the editor on the charge of +“disturbing the peace,” which, the chairman declared, was due to a +diseased state of his mind. + +Miss Church-Member was freightened from the hall by this episode, and +was followed by her less fearful companion. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. + +1. Mr. World and his companion visit this immense college, with many +wings, all devoted to teaching every phase of the temperance question +in accordance with Satan’s views. + +2. A view of the millions who attend this college. + + +Automobiles are used by the agents of Satan to convey students and +visitors from one college to another of the great University of the +World. + +I saw Miss Church-Member and her cherished escort leave the College of +Literature in one of these up-to-date carriages. + +“Shall we tarry at the athletic field?” asked Mr. World as they came +to a famous sporting ground. + +“Let us rather hasten to the Temperance College,” she suggested. But +her manner indicated that she did not wish to urge him away from the +place of his heart’s desire. + +“Altogether at your pleasure,” he smiled, as he sank back into the +comfortable cushions of the conveyance. + +They soon reached the desired locality, saw the moving millions from +all portions of the earth, and heard the ceaseless babble of their +voices harmonizing with the work of this college which was known among +the pilgrims of the King’s Highway as _The Devil’s Temperance College._ +It covered many acres of ground, and consisted of many immense +buildings, around which clustered many smaller structures serving for +auxiliary purposes. + +When Mr. World and Miss Church-Member walked about the college grounds, +and saw more closely the magnitude and beauty of the edifices, they +were so overawed that their tongues offered no comment. + +They mingled a while with the merry multitude, and then at one corner +of the group entered the gigantic building devoted to the subject of +Temperance and the Bible. They hoped thereby to get the consensus of +opinion on one of the complex questions of the day. + +At the bureau of information the two companions were directed to the +Public Hall of Debate, which was reached by the aid of one of the +numerous electric elevators. The Great Hall had an auditorium of one +hundred feet in height and a seating capacity fully capable of +accommodating the visiting multitudes. The acoustics were so perfect +that one, at the farther end of the room, could easily hear the speaker +on the stage. When Mr. World and his friend had entered the hall they +were surprised to learn that many of the auditors were members of the +more radical churches along the King’s Highway. + +The corps of high titled professors who occupied the stage spoke at +intervals, or answered questions which were propounded by persons in +the audience. + +Over the stage I saw in illuminated letters: TEMPERANCE AND THE BIBLE. + +An aged man was speaking when the two comrades took seats near the +center of the room. + +“We are not here,” explained the venerable man, “to prove that the +Bible is either false or true. We leave that question for other schools +to decide. It is our province to show what the Bible teaches on this +important theme. Temperance is a word so misused and so abused that +it becomes people of sound judgment to go to the rock bottom of the +question as viewed in the light of Scripture.” + +Then, adjusting his green spectacles, the speaker opened the Bible and +offered to explain, or to have explained, any part of it that bore on +the subject of “Temperance from a Bible Standpoint.” + +A breathless silence followed until a moderate-drinking church-member +arose with Bible in hand. “Did Christians, during the life of Christ, +drink wine?” he asked, in a self-righteous manner. + +The speaker called upon Mr. Wine Expert who quickly stepped forward +from his chair on the stage. + +“There can be no doubt,” he affirmed, “but that they drank wine freely. +They knew enough in that day not to discard a good thing.” + +Hundreds of people sprang to their feet, but Mr. Venerable ordered +that one should speak at a time and that they all should be seated and +first listen to the questioner. + +“Was that wine the same, in kind, that Noah drank, as related in Gen. +9:21?” + +“Identical.” + +“And the same that is used to-day in the commercial world?” + +“It is the same as the good wine that is used to-day. There are many +modern adulterations.” + +The questioner took his seat. A man from London then obtained the +floor. He also held a Bible as he spoke. + +“I am a temperance worker in one of the districts of London, and would +like to know whether you conclude by your former assertion concerning +the early Christians that the Bible does not speak against wine +drinking?” + +“Not in a single place. How could it do so consistently?” answered the +Devil’s expert. + +“Will you please turn to Prov. 20:1. ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink +is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ How do you +harmonize this passage with what you have just asserted?” The man from +London sat down. + +“Quite an easy task for one who has given honest study to the question,” +said Mr. Wine Expert. “Wine is a mocker. Just as wisdom mocks at the +calamity of those who reject it in Prov. 1:26. So, wine, personified +in a similar manner, mocks at the folly of those who refuse it. +(Applause.) Strong drink is raging. Just as in Jonah 1:15, the sea was +raging in protest against Jonah because he refused to preach the truth +to the people. So in this passage, ‘strong drink is raging,’ because +so many church-members and ministers refuse to preach the real truth +to the people on the subject of strong drink. (Prolonged applause.) +If there were as much said against me falsely, as has been spoken +against strong drink, I would not only rage, but would go raging and +foaming over this stage in protest. (Tremendous applause and shouting +from the people of the world.) I tell you more, my friends, strong +drink will keep on raging as long as old Voices and ‘The New Voice’ +of cranks and idiots are heard to squeak out their childish nonsense +to an enlightened people.” (Furious applause and demonstrations.) + +“The last part of the passage is easily to be understood,” continued +the speaker. “‘Whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ How could +a person be wise who allows himself to be deceived and hoodwinked +concerning as good a thing as wine or strong drink?” + +“Nobody, we need not fear,” cried out a brewer from one side of the +room. + +“There is however a host,” continued Mr. Wine Expert, “who are woefully +deceived, and who are endeavoring to force their deceptions upon the +state.” + +“And I am one of them,” shouted a tall man from Kansas, U. S. A., as +he violently jumped to his feet, and remained standing. + +“I would suggest,” calmly interrupted the venerable leader, “that our +special photographer take a snap shot of this man. We are always glad +to keep a record of such monstrosities. He looks like a fair specimen +of a deceived man. (Laughter.) He is lean and bony, and if any one of +you never before saw such a man, take a full view of him now. Suppose +you,” he said, as he continued pointing at the Kansas man, “slowly +make a full revolution on your feet so that each one can here see all +sides of you,--if you have more than one side.” (Great applause amongst +the people of the world.) + +The man from Kansas stood still till the voice of the insulting outcry +died away. + +“I can stand abuse; I can stand irony and sarcasm; but I thank God +that where I live I need no longer endure the insults of the Rum Devil. +(Suppressed applause.) If Mr. Venerable thinks I am the only man present +who comes under his classification of ‘deceived persons,’ I will +demonstrate to him his folly, for there are many thousands here who +have not yet bowed the knee to Baal.” + +“Out of order!” “Put him out!” “Away with him!” came from the audience. + +“If there is a person here opposed to the Rum Traffic, let him rise,” +fearlessly continued the tall man. + +Up sprang a W. C. T. U. leader; then another person; then a hundred +from Maine; yea, a thousand more until over seven thousand, from all +parts of the world, stood on their feet. + +“Remain standing, I ask you! Let not one of you act the coward! There +are others here today, who came in, as I did, to visit. Stand up! Show +your colors! If you remain seated you will be classed with the enemy. +The time to honor your cause is at hand. I ask you seventy thousand +church-members present to choose this day whom you will serve.” + +Mr. Venerable, who was an experienced man in these uprisings, whispered +to an excited saloon-keeper: “Let them proceed. A house divided against +itself can not stand.” + +“I demand order,” shouted a high-license advocate who owned a brewery, +but the agitated fellow was soon calmed by these personal words from +the venerable chairman: “_Let these people go. They will soon get into +factional contention and thereby break the point of their steel more +effectually than we could do it._” + +“Remain standing, ye noble band of men and women!” shouted the Kansas +man with increasing earnestness. “You, who are too cowardly or +indifferent to rise from your seats, are throwing your influence this +day on the side of the enemy, thereby casting a reflection on the +church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and--” + +This was more than a certain minister could bear. So, before the Kansas +man had finished his last sentence, he sprang excitedly to his feet +and shook his fist defiantly: “I want it distinctly understood that +I am just as good as the man from Kansas, and just as much of a +temperance man, but I don’t believe in this way of showing my colors. +I would not be standing now had I not been insulted more by that crank +of one idea, standing there, than by Mr. Wine Expert who so contemptibly +perverted Scripture.” + +Mr. Wine Expert sprang to the edge of the stage to defend his position, +but Mr. Venerable was instantly at his side. “_Come, come, don’t spoil +that fight; suffer rather than have them combine against you,_” were +the quiet words of logic that brought him to his seat without uttering +a word. + +Then up jumped a few prominent church-members to express their +indignation at the adverse criticism of the Kansas man. + +“Those are exactly my sentiments, and I here offer my protest against +this manner of procedure,” said one as he looked approvingly at the +minister. + +“And so do I.” “I am most emphatically of the same opinion.” “I stand +here, a true temperance man, to express my indignation at that Kansas +prodigy,” were some of the expressions which came from temperance men +who were not willing to be classed with the seven thousand. + +Then upwards of one hundred women rose to their feet and indignantly +rebuked the Kansas man for his misjudgment in starting this factional +display. This provoked some radical leaders of the W. C. T. U. who +chanced to be there as detectives or visitors. They also arose in +defense of the Kansas man. + +I saw the tumult rising. Disorder was pre-dominant. Hundreds tried to +speak at once. Saloon-keepers, brewers, whiskey politicians, and the +professors on the stage were smiling in ghoulish glee. They enjoyed +it more than a prize fight, and the results were at once more disastrous +and more deplorable. + +As the conflict waxed hotter some men and women were screaming, and +some fainting, and some resorted to blows. Others scrambled to get +from the room. The elevators were put in quick service, and I saw Mr. +World and Miss Church-Member, with thousands of others, running from +the scene of the fight. + +“Let us go to another building,” suggested Miss Church-Member. + +A very short time after this I saw them enter the largest building of +all the Temperance College. It stood centrally amongst the great group, +and was devoted to “_Hygiene and Temperance._” + +[Illustration: A Scene in the Devils Temperance College The fight +between the temperence factions was greatly enjoyed by the saloon- +keepers, brewers, and whisky politicians.] + +After learning that they came as visitors, a director advised them to +pass the many medical wings on separate flats and go to the great +auditorium on one of the higher floors. Proceeding, in obedience to +the advice given, they soon beheld a room of greater size and +magnificence than the one which they had just left, and as they were +taking seats they fixed their attention on the lecturer who had already +been speaking for an hour. He was discoursing on the relation of strong +drink to the stomach. + +“It must be remembered,” affirmed he, “that the stomach was made to +serve man. The appetite is the true criterion by which he may know +what his body needs. If he feels a thirst for alcoholic drink, it is +akin to a hunger for any special class of foods. He is not to ask his +servant, the stomach, whether it is willing to do the work of +transformation. He is to give it the work to do. The stomach will do +it, unless that particular digestive function is lost. It is claimed +by some who know more about ditch-digging than about physiology, that +alcoholic beverages ruin the lining of the stomach, creating ulcers, +and other disorders. This kind of teaching reminds me of a conundrum. +‘Why is a scientific temperance man like a dead man in his coffin?’ +Who can answer it?” + +“Because each one ought to be buried,” guessed a liquor-merchant from +Paris. (Laughter.) + +“A good guess,” said the speaker, but you have not yet hit the mark.” + +“Because needer von dem is vert any ding,” said the proprietor of a +beer-saloon from Germany. (Increased laughter.) + +“You are still away from my idea,” spoke the lecturer. + +“I know it,” said a rum-lawyer. “It is because they both lie.” +(Applause.) + +“That’s exactly the truth of the matter. These so-called ‘scientific +temperance men’ are accountable for more lies imposed on a credulous +public than can be corrected for many years to come. Any sensible man +knows that moderate drinking is healthful to the stomach. If a man +drinks too much, he is liable to trouble, just like a man who eats too +much, or sleeps too much, or even talks too much about temperance. +(Applause and laughter.) I tell you, my good friends, a little of that +elixir of life is just as good for my stomach as it was for Timothy’s, +and the good man Paul would say the same thing if he were here to-day. +(Cries from the world of “that’s so!” and “hurrah for Paul!”) I am +satisfied to have a great man like Paul on my side, even if I must +know that some of his pigmy disciples are against me.” (Increased +applause.) + +This speech was especially enjoyed by Mr. World who himself was addicted +to a moderate use of alcoholic beverages. An announcement came from +the platform that in an hour the eminent Dr. Strauss of Europe would +discourse on “The Effect of Malt Liquors on the Heart,” and those who +wished to remain might spend the interim in social intercourse. + +In consequence of this announcement the major part of the audience +dispersed in varying groups, and discussed the merits of the lecture +just ended. + +Every creed was there represented by a few or more of its members, +many of whom were favorably and deeply impressed by the argument of +the Devil as it was given in the address. + +Others I saw, not a few, who laid bare this iniquitous scheme of +presenting the untruth, and declared that they would no more give ear +to any teaching that came from that source. + +This gave rise to endless quibblings and contentions between +church-members of the same faith and those of separate creeds. These +disputes continued with increasing bitterness until the hour had passed. + +All eyes were fixed upon the stage as the portly Dr. Strauss arose to +speak. His voice at first was slow and deep, and in all he was the +personification of dignity. The first part of his lecture was a very +convincing argument in favor of what is called the “_Normal Use of +Malt Liquors_.” He declared that moderate drinking could have no evil +effect on the action of the heart, except in rare cases. To prove his +general statement and to win the confidence of his hearers, he quoted +over forty printed and written extracts from eminent physicians of the +world. + +After this general survey of his argument, he entered into details and +illustrated the second division of his lecture by the use of pictorial +charts. In this manner the construction and action of the heart were +concretely shown. + +In the third division of the lecture the Prince of Darkness showed his +skill in manipulating the utterances of the speaker. By a second series +of illustrated charts the lecturer intended to show how alcoholic +beverages, in coursing through the human system, benefited the heart +rather than injured it. In trying to establish this point he used the +subtlest sophistry of Satan. + +Through the three divisions of the discourse I heard vigorous applause, +and when, in the smooth language of his final climax, he uttered the +last word and was returning to his seat, there was a deafening roar +from all parts of the vast hall. To the mind of Miss Church-Member the +argument of Dr. Strauss was unanswerable, and consequently she was +obliged to revise her radical opinions on the temperance question; and +not only she, but a host of others from the ranks of the Christian +church were influenced similarly. + +After leaving this hall the happy pair spent a long time in passing +through some of the other buildings of the group. _Miss Church-Member +was so filled with the doctrines of the Devil that she thought of going +as a missionary to the pilgrims of the Narrow Way._ + +During their visit at the Temperance College Mr. World conducted his +ever-faithful friend through some of the fashionable temperance-saloons +connected with the institution. + +Miss Church-Member would not have entered and much less indulged in +the questionable beverages, had she not been so strongly influenced +by the prolonged visit at the section of the group devoted to the study +of “_Temperate and Intemperate Drinks._” + +I was sorely vexed at the operations of this whole college and, looking +at Blackana, I said impatiently: + +“How can your comrades find delight in such an impish work--covering +truth and scattering hellish sophistry abroad?” + +“Delight?” repeated Blackana. “This world is but the Devil’s Heaven, +and those in his kingdom find chiefest delight in thorns, and not in +flowers; in spinning sophistry, and not in dead things like truth and +logic.” + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. + +1. A general view of the vast University of the World with all its +subordinate operations. All working in harmony to destroy the good +that God would do in the world. + + +The University of the World is so extensive that one could not visit +all its parts during the course of a life-time, but there is a place +called the Magic Observatory whence an observer can have a bird’s-eye +view of all the principal scholastic operations of the Broad Highway. + +The Observatory is owned and controlled by careful agents of Satan who +will allow only certain persons to get the benefit of so extensive a +view. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left the ground of the Temperance +College and proceeded to get permission to rise to the glorious heights +of the Observatory. Mr. World secured permission, but his companion, +not having had sufficient experience in the service of Satan, was +refused a pass. The difficulty was settled by a happy thought. Miss +Church-Member suggested that while he should improve the opportunity +and rise to see the sights, she would visit the College of Fashions, +for which privilege she had been yearning. + +I saw that Mr. World spent a long time in viewing the endless +proportions of the noted Observatory, and finally stood on the lofty +viewpoint with an interpreter at his side. + +He was then directed to a seat on a mechanical device that moved in +a circle; and as he sat there he looked through the powerful glasses +of the immense telescope. + +He first beheld the Schools of the Fine Arts, with their myriad students +who swarmed through a group of buildings so large that it covered the +first sweep of the telescope. + +At the next turn of the magic device Mr. World saw the Special Schools +of Mathematics whose prevalent tendency was to destroy faith. Here the +mind of each student was taught to submit everything to the tests of +proof, so that by the time one’s training was finished he would believe +only what could be scientifically demonstrated. In this way Satan +induced many a student to disregard the Bible because he could not +reduce all its teachings to the cold and rigid rules of human reasoning. + +Thus does Satan manipulate affairs so that many of the Christian schools +of the earth have imbibed a similar course:--first exalting Reason, +and doing nothing to correspondingly develop in the student the +functions of Faith. + +When the telescope again turned Mr. World saw the Schools of Metaphysics +where Satan operated in harmony with the limitless scheme of the whole +University. + +Next the College of Theology came within the range of vision. Here the +clergymen of the Broad Highway are prepared to teach the doctrines of +Hell under the guise of “Broad-Minded Theology.” I envied not Mr. +World’s position, for I could also see what his wondering eyes beheld. +As I took a transient view of this vast group of Theological Halls, +and saw how many human beings resorted hither for information, I could +the better understand why the world is kept so full of perverted truth. +There is a daily inflow of ecclesiastics into this College, even such +as become dissatisfied with the Theology as taught on the Highway of +the King. + +At the next turn of the telescope Mr. World saw the extensive Business +College whither so large a number of merchants go to learn how to +advertise, and also how to get rich quickly. One hall alone is set +apart for the purpose of teaching a merchant how to practice fraud +without injuring his good standing in the church; another hall teaches +how far a business man may venture into prevarication without lying; +while a still larger hall is devoted to the wholesale trade, and is +intended to teach the best methods of adulterating foods while yet +allowing them to be sold for genuine goods. + +Mr. World was deeply interested in the view afforded by the next turn +of the telescope, for the magnificent groups of buildings comprising +the College of Fashions now lay before his admiring vision. He knew +that his beloved friend was somewhere amongst the moving throngs that +ever kept the College astir. + +I looked in wonderment upon the far-reaching operations of this Satanic +center. The teachings of this College were so far-reaching that the +seeds of endless follies were planted in the generations yet unborn. + +In one of the larger halls of this imposing group I saw an endless and +popular variety of the gods of Fashion. They were worshiped by the +slavish legions who were willing to sacrifice their all rather than +forsake their chosen idols. + +Mr. World plainly saw the connection between this College of Fashions +and the Devil’s Pawn Shop. The next item in the weird program was the +Devil’s Optical College which Mr. World and Miss Church-Member had +visited in the earlier days of their companionship. Satan’s Medical +Schools also lay in the same line of vision, and were intimately +connected with the Devil’s Hospital which had numberless branches in +all parts of the world. + +And next the vast College of Literature flashed before the admiring +eyes of Mr. World. As seen through the telescope this section presented +a most beautiful picture. + +The surface Schools of Law next attracted the attention of the spectator +who was surprised to get so large a view of these operations. + +Mr. World still moved in the magic circle, and saw the whole program +as revealed at the angle at which the telescope was inclined. When the +first circle was completed, the telescope dropped to a new angle and +started on its second revolution, disclosing to the observer a new +world of schools, all of which were also comprehended in the University +of the World. + +The Missionary College proved to be an interesting sight, as did also +the Devil’s Temperance College. + +One of the most surprising sights that greeted Mr. World in this second +revolution was Satan’s Modern College of Narcotics which is a series +of schools built and operated with great care, intended to counteract +the special efforts ever being put forth by the devotees of the King’s +Highway to teach the relations of narcotics to the nervous system. +Formerly Satan did this branch of work in one of the wings of the +Temperance College, but on account of the great stress put on this +subject by the Surpassing Schools of the Christ, Satan has built this +modern institution, and now the church is in confusion because _so +many of its members have such an indistinct vision that they cannot +discern between the wool of the sheep and the hair of the wolf, even +when each animal is wearing its own hide._ + +The most mysterious schools revealed by this second revolution were +called the Schools of Emergency. These required the skill of the +interpreters to give Mr. World an idea of their work. + +This is also a modern idea of the Evil One, and since their erection +the schools have been patronized by an astonishingly large number of +disappointed church-members who receive instruction more readily from +the modern methods here in vogue than from the old-time system. + +Then did Mr. World behold a new line of schools in course of erection, +but the interpreter refused to give him satisfaction when he asked the +purpose of these new schools. + +When the great telescope had finished the second revolution, Mr. World +was surprised to see that it commenced on the third round as the outer +end of the telescope pointed more directly toward the base of the +Observatory. + +Startling scenes were now laid bare. The underground schools of this +Great University seemed to be greater than the surface operations. + +Mr. World first saw the Opium Schools, built in the form of large dens. +After this came the Schools of Iniquity, operated in darkness. Here +all forms of evil are taught and made to appear justifiable under +certain conditions. Many of these underground schools could not be +clearly seen by Mr. World, but ere the telescope completed its third +revolution he saw the Schools of Suicide more distinctly than during +his visit, and got a glimpse of the limitless Law Departments +Underground, and the terrible pictures of sadness and sin as seen +beneath the Devil’s Hospital. + +Mr. World raised his eyes from the telescope and looked towards the +interpreter. “What lies beyond those vast elevations?” he asked as he +pointed to a rugged mountain range farther down the Broad Highway. + +“Back of those mountains lies the beautiful Wizard City, shut in from +all the world. Ask nothing more about it.” + +“But may I not enter it?” + +“Not unless you are fortunate enough to discover one of the paths that +lead to the Summit. From thence one can see the City.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +EXPERT INVENTORS OF THE BROAD HIGHWAY. + +1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member fail to see the Ways and Means +Committee at work. + +2. They are directed to the city where expert inventors are constantly +employed in devising weapons and all kinds of devices. + +3. They see a few inventions which are just being perfected to +facilitate the services of the churches along the King’s Highway. + + +After Mr. World’s remarkable experiences on the Observatory, he gladly +called for his friend, Miss Church-Member, who accompanied him on +another branch of the Mountain Trolley. + +They alighted at a station called Progress, and proceeded on the Broad +Highway. Neither of them became wearied in listening to the experiences +of the other during their brief separation. + +Ere long they came to a large hall which was used by the Ways and Means +Committee of the Broad Highway. + +They obtained permission to visit the interior of the hall, hoping +thereby to see the famous committee in session. But, after being +escorted from room to room by a guide, they were informed, upon reaching +the main auditorium, that the committee was holding a secret session, +and that no visitors would be allowed to enter during that day. + +“How soon will visitors be admitted?’ asked Mr. World, with a shade +of disappointment in his tone. + +“Not until the matter now under consideration is settled. It may be +two hours, perhaps two days,” was the indefinite reply. + +“And where can we spend the interim with most profit and interest?” +further interrogated Mr. World. + +The guide, looking through a window, described a path leading to a +lofty summit. “When you reach that elevation,” explained he, “you will +see, in the busy vale beyond, the Wizard City. + +“Most of the experiments performed in that wondrous vale are closed +forever from the view of mortal man; but so much of the work as you +are allowed to see will interest you for many days.” + +“In my opinion such a privilege is greater than the one we are here +denied,” smilingly spoke Miss Church-Member. + +“True indeed, my friend, unless the climbing of the hill should prove +to be a more arduous task than you imagine,” cautioned Mr. World. + +“Each of you will be pleasantly surprised,” promptly affirmed the +guide, “for they only can climb to that summit who do so willingly, +and by them it is easily accomplished.” + +“Is there no shorter way thither than by that winding path?” slowly +asked Mr. World. + +“There is but one shorter route, and that is underground. No one is +permitted to go that way until he has passed the summit and has reached +the seventh degree in the secret service of our Master.” + +“Ah! so there is an underground connection between this place and the +Expert Inventors?” said Miss Church-Member in a low tone, and with a +look of suspicion. + +“Be not in the least alarmed. The Ways and Means Committee and the +Expert Inventors work in harmony, each supplementing the work of the +other. It is therefore essential that between them there be as close +connection as possible, not only for convenience of travel, but for +insuring secrecy.” + +“Then why are the two places so far apart?” queried Miss Church-Member. + +“Everything is perfectly arranged. If you could see the underground +world between the two sites you would readily observe the logical +relation of all parts. But the bell rings; I must go,” continued the +guide. “If you wish further information you may obtain it at the +office,” and with a courteous bow he withdrew. + +That same day I saw the two travelers climb with ease to the summit +from whence they beheld the most curious sight that had yet met their +gaze since their fellowship had begun. + +Down in the long and deep sloping vale before them, shut in from all +the world, lay a large city of fantastic structures. + +The weird outlines of this marvelous city extended downward into the +darkness of the earth, while the height of its buildings varied from +the common even unto the amazing. + +The form of the city, and the shape of its buildings, were the most +bizarre features of all. Only a few of the edifices bore resemblance +to any which the travelers had ever before seen. + +Toward one end of the city they saw a cluster of buildings which, taken +as a whole, resembled a gigantic tree towering to a great height and +covered with strange foliage. + +[Illustration: In the “Wizard City” Satan devises novelties, such as +“Angelette” for choir singing the “Service Regulator” for taking the +Holy Spirit’s place in worship, etc.] + +At the other end of the city the structures were divided into more +than a hundred groups, resembling somewhat variously-shaped balloons +of monstrous size. + +The sides of the city were constructed somewhat after the manner of +immense Ferris wheels, of amazing diameter. The compartments therein +actually moved up or down according to the range of vision desired by +the Inventors in their experimenting. + +The central part of the city was the most notable of all. Here, with +an average diameter of ten hundred feet, rose a circular structure +tapering irregularly until it settled to a point six thousand feet in +the air. Around this, as a center, ranged terraces, hanging gardens, +aerial boulevards, and spiral electric railways. + +After viewing this wonderful valley for many hours, the companions +took one of the perfected automobiles and covered the long gradual +descent to a depth of ten thousand feet perpendicular. + +As they neared the base, I looked at Blackana, and asked: “How long +have those Schools of Invention been in operation?” + +“Since the creation of man.” + +“What is the real purpose of their existence?” + +“To invent devices and weapons helpful to our cause in peace or war, +and more particularly to concoct new schemes for the use of the churches +along the King’s Highway and the Way of the World.” + +“Oh! that the earth might see all this foul inwardness, and discern +aright the bland deception with which those subtle plots are executed!” + +A Satanic smile covered the features of Blackana as he assured me that +the earth does know of these things, and has known of them for ages, +but is too well pleased with them to offer serious opposition. + +In disgust I turned from Blackana and saw that Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member had reached the suburbs of the Wizard City where they +read this unexpected notice over a large brazen gate: + +NONE ADMITTED EXCEPT THEY TO WHOM THE PORTER OPENETH. + +“Ah! all our toil may be in vain,” sighed Miss Church-Member. + +They stood for a brief time in a quandary, discussing how one may know +whether or not the Porter will open the gate. Finally the stalwart +Porter approached them and spoke: “With what motive and for what purpose +would ye enter?” + +Mr. World, with native tact, was ready with an answer: “I am in full +sympathy with the work done in this city and have with me my friend +who is still a member of a church standing along the King’s Highway.” + +The Porter advanced with graceful bearing and bowed to Miss +Church-Member. “Perchance,” said he, “you have come to receive some +new ideas for the benefit of the church?” + +“You have surmised it,” she blushingly replied. “The church to which +I belong is sadly behind the age in its methods of work. I am hoping +that the inventive genius of this city can give me some features new +and attractive, that I may, in my missionary work, help to introduce +them into antiquated churches.” + +“Yours is a worthy mission,” politely said the Porter, “and I herewith +hand you a card which will admit both of you into the department of +the city, number seven hundred and seventy-seven.” + +Instantly the gate flew wide open, and the happy couple passed through +joyfully. They walked by the many fairy-like buildings, closing their +eyes to all the special scenes so that they might give their first +attention to the department indicated by the Porter. + +With little difficulty they found the place desired, and handed the +card to a curator who conducted them to the general manager. + +“I infer, by this card,” said the manager, “that you are hoping to +find some new schemes to facilitate the work and service of the church.” + +“That is our aim,” answered Miss Church-Member. + +“I am glad that you are so ambitious to keep apace with the times. In +this marvelous age of mechanism all things are done by devices and +machinery, and the church that would keep step with the spirit of +progress must also be run by mechanism. The services of such a +congregation should be controlled by a rigid methodical law, so that +everything will move like clock-work. The church of to-day, in its +movement towards form and ceremony, is approaching the highest laws +of universal harmony. This hopeful tendency is most helpful to the +soul of man and most pleasing to God.” + +“Just my idea exactly,” chimed in Mr. World. “The churches along the +King’s Highway are stubbornly fighting these modern improvements. They +are very slow in catching up with the spirit of the age. Does that not +seem true, Miss Church-Member?” + +“I must confess I see it more clearly now than ever. Nature is run by +unerring, unchangeable law; why should not all spiritual operations +come under the same principle? Formality, after all, is the highest +point to be reached.” + +“Your mind easily grasps the truth, I perceive,” responded the manager. +“What can bring things into better form than to get as much machinery +as possible into church worship? In this building a thousand experts +are constantly employed in devising and perfecting mechanical +arrangements to facilitate the services of the church. Perhaps you +would be pleased to see some of the results of our work by passing +through some of the sub-departments?” + +“For my part,” replied Miss Church-Member, “I am more than passingly +interested in these things, and if Mr. World does not object to +accompany us, I will be grateful to improve this opportunity to look +upon your work.” + +After completing preliminary arrangements I saw the manager conduct +his two visitors on the easy running elevator to the floor which was +devoted especially to singing. + +“As it is your wish,” said the manager “to see the latest, we will not +tarry at these lesser rooms, but proceed immediately to the corner of +the chief experts where I will be pleased to show to you the best +novelty on the floor.” They walked down the long room, passing on each +side of the aisle one set of busy workers after another. They stopped +at one of the far corners and beheld, in advance, the latest novelty +to be used for singing in church service. + +It was an artificial woman, neatly attired and filled with a complicated +mechanism so constructed that when certain electric keys were touched +by the unseen operator, articulate sounds like unto a human voice +issued forth, while the expression of the whole face, and the +natural-like heaving of the breast, all moved in harmony with the +artificial sounds. The invention so much resembled a living creature +of beauty that Miss Church-Member at first thought it was really human. + +Mr. World was so well pleased with the novelty that he unconsciously +seated himself upon a couch and looked on in amazement. The beauty of +the female form attracted his attention as much as the voice that +pealed forth bewitchingly from the lips. + +“The greatest thing in the world!” he said after a period of ecstatic +silence. “The church that gets such a singer into its choir will have +a packed house at every service.” + +“I never so much as dreamed of such a thing before. Have any of the +churches yet tried the experiment?” wonderingly asked Miss +Church-Member. + +“The time has not yet come,” replied the manager. “Our experts have +been perfecting this fine piece of mechanism for many years, but it +is not yet quite satisfactory. We shall continue until it is well-nigh +perfect. In the meantime we are trying to prepare the way so that the +people will gladly receive such an addition to their church machinery. +It is our intention to be able to supply _angelettes_, (for that is +the name by which this invention will be known) of any size, and with +apparel suitable for any special or ordinary occasion of church worship. +The angelette is to be so perfected that it will render vocal music +without a break. That will be a happy day when people can worship God +without aging themselves hoarse or without being annoyed by the discords +so prevalent in congregational and choir singing and, moreover, have +none of the evil effects that come from choir quarrels.” + +“I can plainly see,” commented Miss Church-Member as they moved toward +another floor, “that the church is only in the morning twilight of its +progress. The wonders of today will pale into insignificance at the +coming of the greater things.” They dropped to a lower floor and stepped +from the elevator. + +“This floor is devoted to the ‘_Order of Church Service_’” explained +the manager. “It is indeed surprising to see what a variety of devices +are here suggested to get the churches to pin themselves down to a +fixed law of service in such a way that all else must bend to it or +appear ridiculous. Some churches, claiming to be led by the Spirit, +are constantly out of order. One cannot even imagine what is coming +next. That is a foolish, haphazard way of conducting a religious +service. We are doing all we can to correct these errors. I will take +you at once to the expert’s room and let you see the latest piece of +mechanism which we hope very soon to offer for public use.” + +Far out in one end of the building I saw the three enter a room where +men were busily engaged at work. + +“Will you kindly show these two visitors the workings of your new +invention called the ‘Service Regulator,’” requested the manager as +he looked at the chief inventor. + +A large curtain was raised and there it hung. No larger than a family +clock. The inventor opened a door of the Regulator, and carefully +explained its works. He called their attention especially to a roll +of blackboard canvas that passed from an upper to a lower cylinder +when the Regulator was running. + +I heard the inventor, in explaining, use these words: “The minister +arranges the program in advance and then marks the whole order of +service on the canvas roll, allowing as much time for each part of the +service as he thinks proper. The canvas is then replaced and the +Regulator hung on the wall. When the minute comes to commence services, +the Regulator is wound with a key and it starts to run. The canvas, +in passing down at a fixed rate, informs the congregation of every +change in the service, just as it had been previously planned.” + +“What think you of it?” asked the manager, after the partial +explanation. + +“I do not believe that the church of the King’s Highway to which I +belong could use it. It would tend only to confusion,” said Miss +Church-Member. + +“Only till they become accustomed to it,” explained the inventor. +“After a few weeks of use its value would be demonstrated. Then the +congregation would not part with it under any consideration. You see, +Miss Church-Member,” he continued as he offered them easy chairs, +“there would be a definite time to close the service. The Regulator +would move with the precision of a clock, and nobody would complain +about the preacher speaking too long, for he would stop at a fixed +time. It is so arranged that a little bell rings five minutes in advance +of the time to stop preaching. It is sometimes a great satisfaction +for the hearer to know when the sermon is nearly ended, and the +Regulator would be a blessed boon to some preachers who find it +difficult to stop talking after they get ‘warmed up,’ as they call it.” + +“How beautiful the thought that the bells of the Regulator would call +the congregation to prayer, and a bell bid the time to change the +devotion from prayer to song. You must not forget that this device is +intended to educate the minister, choir, and congregation to a fine +degree of accuracy in all their public devotions. See what opportunity +this device offers for the display of ingenuity and tact on the part +of a minister! He can, on the blank spaces, have a few pictures drawn. +These will be interesting to children who cannot comprehend his sermon, +or to an adult who loses the thread of the discourse. Does it not seem +like a good thing for the church?” he asked, as he turned his gaze +upon Miss Church-Member. + +“It seems more and more that way, and no doubt it will prove helpful +if it gets a fair trial. How does it suit _your_ fancy?” she inquired +of Mr. World. + +“It seems to me that all churches who know a good thing when they see +it will get it at any cost. It just meets my idea exactly. I like to +see things done decently and in order in the church. It always makes +me nervous to get into a church where enthusiasm runs away with the +meeting. It makes me feel somewhat as if I were in a trolley car that +is running down grade while the motor-man has lost control of the +brakes. It makes it uncomfortable to stay or to run.” + +“Have any of the churches introduced this novelty yet?” inquired Miss +Church-Member. + +“None as yet. We are waiting for certain developments before placing +this device on the market. The agents of our Secret Service will inform +us when the time is ripe.” + +The manager then offered to conduct them to another floor which was +devoted to the interests of the Prayer Meeting, but Miss Church-Member, +having lost her interest in such kind of services, expressed a desire +to visit some other part of the city. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE WIZARD CITY. + +1. The weird city of inventors described. + +2. Its ultimate overthrow predicted in a realistic climax. + + +I saw that Miss Church-Member was anxious to visit the vast tower in +the central part of the city. So Mr. World, in deference to her wishes, +and agreeably to his own desires, escorted her in that direction. + +Standing away at some distance, they were soon gazing upward at the +awe-inspiring spectacle. Its grandeur and proportions now appeared to +be greatly increased. + +They could see, with more distinctness, circling around the massive +wizard cone, the aerial boulevards, ever alive with private conveyances, +and the trolley cars each carrying a variety of passengers. + +“Will you accompany me on the trolley to the first series of hangings +gardens?” cheerily invited Mr. World. + +“If we are permitted, and you think it safe to ascend,” she answered +in a tremulous voice. He calmed her fears and led her to the central +passenger room at the base of the tower. Here they saw a system of +interior elevators carrying throngs of people to the numerous stations +between the base and the highest dizzy view-point. + +Leading off to the right ran the double trolley system, and to the +left the equally wide boulevard, each on the exterior of the massive +tower. + +I saw the obliging Mr. World, with more than usual courtesy, conduct +his friend to a seat on a trolley car bound for the aerial gardens. + +The ascent was smooth and afforded delightful opportunities to view, +at every desirable angle, the surrounding city and its suburbs. + +“This is the most exhilarating ride of my life!” triumphantly cried +Miss Church-Member as they circled higher and higher so gradually that +more than ten miles were traveled ere the objective point was reached +one thousand feet from the base. + +Here lay the variety gardens, suspended from the rigid side of the +tower by a feat of architectural engineering surpassing anything in +the natural world. + +Around the gardens the boulevards and the trolley lines circled +horizontally, and also passed through some of the huge corridors which, +on this level, diverge from the interior elevators toward the exterior +gardens. + +When the trolley car reached this height Miss Church-Member at once +fixed her eyes on the ponderous pillars on each side of the converging +corridors, for she knew that more than four thousand feet of the tower’s +amazing weight rested on these defiant granites. + +Mr. World and his pleasing friend meandered amongst the multitude from +one to another of the hanging gardens, drinking in all the vain glories +that this aerial world afforded. At last, wearied by the endless +succession of extraordinary sights, they stole away to a quiet retreat +on the outer edge of a garden farthest from the tower’s center. +Reclining in hammocks, they conversed of all the greatness of the +world. + +Looking upward they saw, fifteen hundred feet above them, the next +series of hanging gardens; and during the lull in the music near by, +they caught the strains falling from the upper orchestras like music +from Heaven. + +“Will you go with me still higher to taste the sweetness of a more +ethereal level?” + +Intoxicated with the charms already felt, Miss Church-Member was ready +for any height. Upward they went on the venturesome trolley, admiring +the phenomenal ride and the scenery it opened to their view in panoramic +splendor. Their course wound round and round until they came to the +horizontal circle twenty-five hundred feet above the base. + +This was a place of more refinement and beauty. The touch of the finer +artists was seen in all the arrangement and style of the terraces and +hanging gardens, but especially in the rich variety of flowers and +plants that added their wealth to the novel combinations. + +Mr. World carefully guarded his much esteemed friend during their +sight-seeing from garden to garden, for at times they encountered +throngs of people. + +I saw them eventually seek rest on rustic chairs where their +conversation deepened into the relations they sustained one to the +other, succeeded at last by a tender, thoughtful silence. + +In the midst of their reveries they noticed a little spider, swinging +on its silken thread, floating in the air between them. + +“You rude little creature! Why do you come, at such a time, between +my friend and me?” said Miss Church-Member in a half humorous mood. + +“It may be for a purpose, dear. Perhaps the little insect poses here +to remind us that we can never escape the foe that seeks to separate +us.” + +“Quite an ingenious explanation,” she said with deepening seriousness. +“But who is that lurking foe who seeks our separation?” + +“’Tis better to learn to know your enemies than to be told of them. +Hence look through your eyes askance.” + +Just at this instant Miss Church-Member raised her hand and caught the +little intruder, placing it alive into a locket which she had secretly +carried ever since she had visited the Pawn Shop. + +“What can be the meaning of that?” queried Mr. World as he saw, through +the glass of the little lid, the struggling insect. + +“So may it be to any foe that seeks to separate us,” she explained. + +“Then let me carry the locket,” he suggested. “You have captured the +foe; allow me to keep him imprisoned.” + +There was a happy exchange of glances as she pressed the little prison +into his hand. “It is yours forever,” she pledged under the sway of +her rising emotions. + +And he, accepting it with a warm heart, spoke thus in glowing words: +“I accept the endless task and also pledge to the utmost of my power +to keep any foe imprisoned that seeks to rob your life of any passing +happiness.” + +“Shall we go still higher?” he soon asked as he fixed his eyes on the +dizzy terraces two thousand feet above them. + +“In your presence I fear no height,” was her confiding response. + +The trolley cars ascended no higher, so they proceeded to the interior +elevators. But they were told that no visitors were allowed above that +point that privilege being reserved alone for the inventors. + +“Are we permitted to visit the interior apartments of this tower, even +below us?” asked Mr. World wistfully. + +“They are all doubly sealed. No one but an expert inventor, true and +tried in our master’s service, ever passes through these secret +chambers.” + +“May we know what particular branch of work is done in this tower?” + +“It is devoted alone to the invention and testing of weapons of warfare +for the armies of our master, especially for the sharp-shooters +stationed along the so-called King’s Highway.” + +Miss Church-Member trembled at this announcement and urged Mr. World +to conduct her to the base of the tower that they might visit other +parts of the city. + +As I was looking at all these things, a flash of light, coming from +one side, blinded my vision, and as I turned I saw a heavenly messenger +in a blaze of glory. + +“Hither, hither!” beckoned the sweet-faced angel. + +I was instantly at his side without effort, except an act of volition. +He transported me almost instantaneously to the apex of the great tower +in the Wizard City. + +There I stood without fear under the sweet charms of my angel guide +who floated gently about me in the air. + +“O mortal man,” calmly spoke the angel, “thou shalt now be privileged, +for a brief space of time, to gaze upon this Wizard City as angels do. +Thy memory shall be strengthened so that thou shalt not forget the +vision of these carnal things.” + +Then, in a manner surpassing all things human, scales fell from my +eyes, and I was struck with horror at the awful sight that lay before +me. + +“Look thou first into the interior of this tower,” bade the angel, as +he pointed downward. All things were open to my view, and I saw many +of the bright geniuses of the world in league with the imps of darkness, +all busily engaged in the secret service of Satan. + +I saw how Satan used the ingenuity of man to carry forward his infamous +schemes. Instead of the old rifles used in the earlier days of +Christianity I saw in this tower almost numberless kinds of fatal +weapons which send forth their poisonous and deadly discharges without +smoke or sound, so that the wounded, not knowing whence the missiles +come, might imagine that they were smitten of God. + +The angel informed me that every year this fiendish tower puts out +into the hands of its agents many new devices, either for poisoning +or wounding the disciples who travel on the King’s Highway, and who +by any kind of negligence come within reach of Satan’s forces. + +“Seest thou,” continued my guide, “with what cunning Satan hath builded +this tower? By its exterior beauty he gaineth the confidence of the +unwary, and thus winneth countless thousands to his cause. And seest +thou the depth to which it reaches, not six thousand feet below us, but +ten times six thousand feet, into the bowels of the earth?” + +Then could I see, at a glance, the whole under-ground dominions +stretching their borders far, wide, and deep. There was a small empire +of groveling imps, each bent on the work of his particular branch. + +“Look thou now into the apartments of those ponderous wheels,” directed +my glorious guide. + +Neither metal nor granite obstructed my vision. I saw delicate and +complex machinery, and half-human creatures in league with mortal man, +all bending to their tasks. + +“They all work in league with the Devil’s Optical College. The inventive +genius of Hell hath contrived, in these graded departments, all the +modern lenses that are so terribly warping the vision of an alarming +number in the church and the world. + +“And seest thou,” continued the angel, as he pointed to a far section +of the city, “those inventors plying their ingenuity in behalf of +Satan’s Medical Colleges and Hospitals? + +“And also witness, in that nearer section, the viler groups at work +inventing snares and traps for Satan’s allies to use in catching +Heaven-bound pilgrims. + +“Also behold,” he continued, turning to another part of the city, “that +special class of geniuses who work for Satan’s general emissaries as +they journey far and wide to do exploits. How terribly they influence +the weaker servants of our King!” + +Then I stood gazing, as the angel continued his interpreting, until +I had seen the foul workings of this whole city. + +I was so filled with a mixture of grief and indignation that I cried +out in painful anguish: “Why does not God send thunderbolts from his +eternal throne, and smite this city to fragments?” + +Then the sweet angel calmly answered: “Not until the worm ceaseth to +crawl, and thistles no more infest the ground. Till then the patience +of God endureth and his sunshine falleth on the temples of Virtue and +of Vice.” + +“And what comes at the end of patience?” + +“Then shall the taint of sin be purged from the earth, for every temple +and pest-hole of Satan, including this whole Wizard City, will be +consumed by an awful fire whose lurid light will glimmer long after +the metals and granites of this great Tower shall have been reduced +to ashes amidst the general ruin.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE FESTIVAL. + +1. The whole scheme of merchandising in the church is laid bare as +Satan explains the origin of the word “Festival.” + + +Looking once again through the open door, I saw that Mr. World and +Miss Church-Member, after leaving the Wizard City, had gained admission +to the auditorium where the Ways and Means Committee was in session. + +Miss Church-Member at once retired to the waiting-room in the rear, +and sat quietly perusing a book while her companion remained in the +large hall and listened to the proceedings. + +An agent of Satan occupied the chair. He was dressed in pleasing +costume, and controlled the assemblage with parliamentary dignity. + +When Mr. World took a seat the large committee was engaged in a warm +debate over a certain piece of ground occupying a space midway between +the King’s Highway and the Broad Highway. This eligible site had been +used for holding church-festivals to raise funds for the maintenance +of gospel work. A few wealthy friends of Satan wanted this location +to erect on it a club-house wherein they might revel and carouse as +they wished. + +The question arose among the members of the committee as to which of +the two uses would best subserve the purpose of their master who held +a claim on the land. + +The chairman arose, after listening to the arguments at length, and +addressed the audience with great coolness and deliberation: “Most +worthy members of this committee,” commenced he, “you have spoken many +words of truth this day. Your interest in this matter only shows your +loyalty to our cause. ‘Club-House or Festival?’ that is the question. +Surely we cannot dispense with either, but rather must we maintain +both at any cost. As for this place in question, I am decidedly in +favor of holding it for the use of the church. The Club-House will +find a location elsewhere, but this ground is so favorably situated +for church-merchandising that I urge you to hold it for such purposes. +Have we not seen how eagerly the two classes mingle here? This place, +being so accessible to all parties, makes it possible for the church +to gather larger numbers and thereby reap greater financial results-- +which is the principal object of the church in holding these delightful +affairs. Since the church is well supplied with everything it needs +except money, let us do it a favor by rendering some assistance in +that direction. Then we may reasonably expect that the church will, +in return, do us a favor by being less hostile to our methods of +operation, which, as you will admit, are highly honorable.” + +This speech had the desired effect. A resolution was quickly passed +in harmony with the opinion of the chairman. + +The curiosity of Mr. World was now satisfied, for he had seen this +famous committee in session. Therefore he repaired to the waiting- +room, and while conducting Miss Church-Member from the building their +attention was arrested by this announcement written in bold letters +near the exit: + +ANY ONE WISHING REFRESHMENTS CAN FIND THEM AT THE FESTIVAL ON THE +CHURCH GROUNDS. + +“How does that announcement suit you?” interrogated Mr. World. + +“It comes at an opportune time,” she answered, her face brightening, +“I had been hoping that we might soon have lunch.” + +They had gone but a few steps from the door when they heard cheery +voices and strains. + +Here the Church receives money for souls from the Devil, while the +Devil gets souls for money from the Church of music lending attractive +life to the festival. Urged on by the thought of a pleasant hour, they +quickened their pace unconsciously and were soon within sight of the +grounds. + +I saw the multitude gathering in the grove. The mingling of the church +and the world was so complete that one could scarcely tell from which +path many had come. + +[Illustration: The Festival. Here the Church receives money for souls +from the Devil, while the Devil gets souls for money from the Church.] + +On this intervening ground everything appealed to the appetite, and +the patrons knew that the more they ate or purchased the greater would +be the success of the festival. Therefore some ate even unto gluttony +for the benefit of the church, while the agents of Satan with skillful +aim were sending poisoned arrows into the heart of true benevolence, +and also endeavoring to arrest the minds of Christians so that they +might pursue the Broader Path after their routine at the festival was +ended. + +Thus I saw, falling into the coffers of the church, filthy lucre not +sanctified by prayer or sacrifice, and from this seed the church hoped +to reap a holy harvest. + +Mr. World and his companion spent a delightful season with the company +and, thanks to Mr. World’s plethoric purse, proved themselves pleasingly +generous in their patronage. Finally Miss Church-Member excused herself +from Mr. World and joined a company of young ladies who were engaged +in joyous pleasures. + +Mr. World, now alone, was walking leisurely about the grounds when +Satan appeared and sauntered at his side “Are you not fearful,” asked +Mr. World in the midst of a conversation, “that many of your subjects +will be led into the Narrow Path by tarrying at this place and +associating with so many Christians?” + +“Not in the least,” he replied, “for at such places as this I gain +more subjects than I lose. So I expect to encourage forever +sacred-merchandising all along my route. The churches are glad to use +this ground even though it belongs to me, for I concede to them all +the money. Naturally I prefer souls to money.” + +“How did this word ‘festival’ originate?” queried Mr. World after a +brief pause in the conversation. + +“With pleasure I will explain. Once upon a time I called together my +generals to determine upon new methods of winning converts to our +cause, and promised to confer upon the one who should suggest the best +plan, the honorable title ‘Fast Devil.’ + +“A long intermission was granted to give my aids time to use their +ingenuity in planning. All Hell was filled with students, each one +striving to win the title. + +“At a given signal my cohorts re-assembled. Thus before me lay a vast +army of anxious faces. I gave each one, who desired, an opportunity +to speak. The sun revolved on his axis seven times ere the argument +was finished. During this debate there was comparative peace on earth.” + +“Pray tell me,” further asked Mr. World, “What was the trend of their +suggestions?” + +“I could relate it all, for I have every word recorded, but I shall +not weary you.” + +“But at least give me a general idea.” + +“Willingly. One of my generals arose and said: ‘We can change some of +our tactics without loss to our cause. The sword and torture only +strengthen our enemies. We should resort more to the ‘wolf- +in-sheep’s-clothing method.’ + +“He could speak no more. A thundering sound of voices drowned his +utterances. Thousands of my loyal leaders seconded his plans. + +“At last one of the speakers, who indeed won the prize, earnestly +proposed a grand scheme, and the vast multitudes listened with rapt +attention. His speech was short but fiery, and, rising to the occasion, +he demanded that all his comrades should unite to destroy the simple +voluntary spirit of Christian benevolence so that the church might go +begging before the world and even resort to all manner of mercantile +business for its support. The speaker declared that if the church could +be induced to adopt such measures it would tend to divert her mind +from interfering with the work to which he and his auditors were all +loyally pledged. + +“This speech had a marvelous effect, and there was a deafening roar +of voices in the applause which continued for a long space of time. + +“Then followed an animated discussion in which a host of trusted leaders +engaged. Each one commented on the winning speech and offered +suggestions how to awaken a trading interest in the church. It was +conceded that first of all the church must feel the necessity of +resorting to business. Accordingly a large committee was appointed to +work systematically amongst the churches on earth, inducing their +members to depart from the customs of the early church. + +“This committee did yeoman service and shrewdly prepared the way for +the more complete work in harmony with the views of Fast Devil. Through +the ages it succeeded in gradually influencing the church to engage +in all manner of performances and trading schemes to gain support. The +work of this committee is not yet at an end, for nearly every week we +hear of some innovation which has crept into the church, or some new +form of merchandising into which it has fortunately entered. + +“It is indeed gratifying that the church is casting off her unsightly +spiritual robe and putting on the costume of merriment and trade. I +hope the day will soon come when the church will have still less of +the spiritual nonsense and more of these up-to-date methods to secure +funds for its support.” + +As Satan spoke his last words he bid a brief adieu to Mr. World and +hastened away to the side of a young man who was almost persuaded to +yield to some elevating influence. I suddenly looked at Blackana whose +presence I had well-nigh forgotten. + +“Have you been taking your ease in sleep?” I asked as an involuntary +shudder shook my frame. + +“I never sleep. Suns may wax and wane, nations rise and fall, peoples +live and die, but I am awake forever.” + +“Did you hear the conversation between Satan and Mr. World?” + +“Every word of it.” + +“Were you present when Satan held that great convocation to devise +plans for more efficient work against the church of Jesus Christ on +earth?” + +“I attended every session.” + +“And did you hear the speech of Fast Devil?” + +“I heard every word.” + +“And did Satan give to Mr. World a true account of the address?” + +“He gave only a condensed and garbled rendering of it.” + +“Then I command you, O Blackana, to give me a full reproduction of +Fast Devil’s speech as far as you are able to translate the language +of Hell into words that are intelligible to me. Can you remember each +thought?” + +“I must remember, for I have not the power to forget,” and Blackana +groaned aloud. “Oh, that I could bury in oblivion the myriad thoughts +that sting me with remorse!” He paused a moment. “Am I to give you the +whole--speech as Fast Devil delivered it originally?” + +“Thought for thought, and gesture for gesture,” I answered with +authority. + +Ere the last syllable fell from my lips Blackana was suddenly +transformed into a more terrifying creature than he was himself. I was +paralyzed at the sight of the weird monster which I learned was the +image of Fast Devil. + +There he stood, tall and erect, seven times the height of man, with +sinews like iron-rope and with a face defying human description. His +eyes were fiery with life, and determination marked every movement as +he stepped forward to speak. + +Notwithstanding my consciousness of being sustained by supernatural +power, I trembled as Blackana reproduced this noted speech of Fast +Devil: + +“Most honored chief and glorious master,” he commenced, “be thou +indulgent as I speak to thee and unto these my comrades who lie in +anxious posture over this vast expanse of Hell. I am here to state an +issue of which we have heard murmurings for many an age. To prepare +for this hour I have taxed my ingenuity to its utmost.” + +Then with striking gestures of his awful arms he passionately continued: +“Hope is no more crushed within me as I view the wide and measureless +field of our possibilities, for I see empires within our reach if we +but cease brooding over our dismal past and let this bright prospect +kindle its flames within us. What spur need we to move us on but to +look up and see the resplendent regions whence we fell, till hatred +starts afresh within our beings and our every passion moves to its +control.” + +With an outward swing of his great right arm he asked in strong +appealing tones: “How can we best succeed against the church in which +our enemy glories so unceasingly? What inroads can we make? In what +manner shall we advance?” + +He vigorously seized a book. “Here is a Bible, borrowed from a saint. +I turned its pages over and over that I might learn what pained the +heart of Christ most grievously, vexing his inmost soul with +indignation. What was it?” vociferously interrogated Fast Devil as he +flung the book to the scorching winds of Hell. “’Twas that which +hindered the cause of Christ most efficiently--_prostituting the house +of God to worldly purposes_. Have we forgotten the vehemence with which +this arch-enemy drove the money kings from His sacred abode, saying +unto them: ‘My house is a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den +of thieves,’ and how we like sneaking cowards crawled away, and thus +our glorious scheme went by default?” + +Then Blackana uttered his final appeal with all the swing of his mighty +body and the low vibrant thunder of his voice. “Back to your forts! +Oh, back! ye dormant hosts around me! Not in the strength of arms, but +with the subtlest webs that Hell can weave, and with the snares of +silent treachery. We need no stronger weapons, and for our dress we +will don sheep’s clothing of the finest wool. Thus who amongst the +church can tell that we are not seeking her highest good? _Then as we +strike at the heart of voluntary offering in the church, so shall we +kill the spirit that gives it birth. The carcass of this dead spirit +unburied we shall drag through the church for ages, and the germs of +disease arising therefrom will bring more death into the ranks of our +foes than all our weapons of warfare ever did.”_ + +Blackana instantly resumed his former shape, and “while I was musing +the fire burned.” I then looked out toward the festival ground and saw +that Satan had returned to Mr. World and was explaining to him how +helpful these festivals were to Christians. + +“Aside from the moral and religious influence,” he remarked, “how could +the church defray her expenses if she did not engage in some innocent +forms of merchandising, or use some novel scheme to decoy money from +her admirers. Surely there can be no better way,” continued the Devil +with an unholy grin. “If the church would maintain her honor before +the world, she must not do differently. I _am satisfied if wily thee +old way of voluntary giving is more and more discarded by the church.”_ + +“But you began your former recital,” reminded Mr. World, “to inform +me how the word ‘Festival’ originated. You have not yet succeeded in +making it clear to me.” + +“It originated from the phrase of honor which was given the prize- +winner, Fast Devil, but we changed the wording somewhat so that it +might not seem obnoxious to the church.” + +Then, by a peculiar method of concrete marking, Satan continued: “The +following is the process of development from the phrase to the word: +‘Fast Devil;’ ‘_Fest Evil_;’ ‘FESTIVAL.’” + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. + +1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member visit the great college and are +strongly influenced in favor of Satan’s teachings concerning missionary +work. + + +The fellowship of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member grew increasingly +delightful as they journeyed forth from the Festival. In their company +were a few church-members who had also enjoyed the physical pleasures +of the Festival and who preferred to reach Heaven by the most convenient +path. + +The merry band of companions soon reached a certain Missionary Station +which was controlled by pilgrims from the King’s Highway. The travelers +were all very much amused at seeing tracts and other pieces of +literature scattered over the Highway in front of the station. + +“How much one can get for nothing!” sneeringly remarked Mr. Bigot, as +he pointed to the literature strewn across the way. + +“Surely there can be no harm in looking at such pieces of paper,” said +Mrs. Lucre-Love as she lifted a booklet from the path and commenced +a quiet perusal of it. “And what is it all about?” queried another who +saw the eyes of Mrs. Lucre-Love fixed intently on the pamphlet. + +“Oh, it is nothing new! Only the old monotonous story of the heathen, +followed by the usual appeal for funds. Evidently it is some sharper’s +scheme to rob the people of their money.” + +Mr. World was near enough to hear her answer and with evident disgust +he asked: “Where can one get reliable information on this subject, +anyhow?” + +“At one of the Missionary Colleges, of course,” answered two or three +in unison. “Yes, and I know from past experience that you will soon +be at one. This station and this literature is all the evidence we +need,” added Mrs. Lucre-Love. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member thence walked alone and soon beheld +the great Missionary College whose higher domes kissed the lower clouds +of heaven. + +“Surely some great missionary enthusiast must have erected these +edifices,” said Miss Church-Member as they were turning to enter the +section devoted to Home Missionary Work. + +The entrance ways were so crowded with students and visitors that Mr. +World escorted his companion with difficulty to the plaza toward which +the twenty-one halls of this section converged. + +The view of this part of the College from the plaza was at once +beautiful and inspiring. + +Hall No. 4 was the first place they decided to enter. Over the door +these words were hung: + +HOME MISSION WORK FINANCIALLY CONSIDERED. + +Having reached the interior, Miss Church-Member, in particular, was +surprised to see the many busy thousands in the large rooms of the +hall, and to note with what carefulness every item of expense was kept +of all the Home Mission Work of the world. + +Then they sought the main lecture-room whose large seating capacity +was already well taken with a motley crowd of students and visitors. + +The lecturer was a woman of shrewd appearance. Her face was void of +sympathy and her voice somewhat masculine. Her address was over one-half +finished when the two companions entered, They listened carefully to +her words which were in part as follows: + +“We are not to worship money, yet we are to guard against squandering +it. The person who wastes one dollar sets a bad example to others and +brings injury to himself. Woman is criticized for wastefulness in +dress. I stand here to defend her, not because she is altogether +innocent, but because her accusers are equally guilty in the same and +in other directions. The money wasted in Home Missionary Work would +feed the starving of all the world. Where does this money come from? +The greater part of it comes from the purses of those who are burdened +with all manner of financial obligations. What right have such people +to rob others of their dues in order to support Home Mission Work? O, +that the time may soon come when consistency will be manifested, and +so much money no longer wasted in this sentimental manner!” + +The speaker proceeded, but the interest of the two listeners was +flagging; so they quietly left the room. + +They next entered Hall No. 17, devoted to “_The Results of Home +Missionary Work_.” But after remaining a very short time Miss +Church-Member declared that she was interested more directly in +Foreign Missionary Work. + +In deference to her wishes he at once accompanied her to the second +section of the Missionary College, which was much larger than the +first. Miss Church-Member led the way into one of the large halls where +Satan, through his agents, gave special instruction concerning “_The +Condition of the Heathen._” They listened to four speakers from whose +brief addresses they received food for thought. + +The first speaker expounded the theory that “_Ignorance is Bliss_,” +and declared that the heathen were happy and comfortable in their +present condition. + +The second lecturer argued, at greater length, that the heathen were +free from all responsibility as long as they were left alone, and that +if God held them accountable, then their vague worship answered for +a good conscience, and therefore they would reach Heaven by a simpler +path. + +The third speaker declared that the heathen were now as God had made +them, and therefore just as they should be. To establish this theory +he used garbled arguments of predestination. + +The fourth assured the audience that the heathen, in due order, would +rise to loftier conceptions by the same natural processes as the +civilized peoples of to-day have risen from their rude primitive +conditions. + +After examining some heathen relics the two companions spent some time +near-by in a hall of the same section devoted to “_The Effects of the +Gospel on the Heathen._” + +Its teachers were very emphatic in their utterances. They affirmed +that the Gospel did not benefit the heathen, except that it brought +to them civilization with all its attendant responsibilities and vices. + +One lecturer to whom they listened was very fiery. In a scathing manner +the speaker pronounced censure on the Christian church for her +ill-advised policy in Foreign Missionary Work. + +Mr. World and his close friend left the second section of the College +without pausing to visit the recitation rooms where Satan’s Missionary +Experts were constantly teaching graded classes. In a few moments they +entered the largest edifice of the Missionary College which was erected +for the special purpose of teaching “_The Comparative Need of Home and +Foreign Missionary Work._” + +Upon entering, Miss Church-Member was surprised at the interior +arrangements of the rooms and the exceptional beauty of their finish. + +After a much needed rest in one of the sub-departments, they went to +one of the higher floors, hoping to hear another lecture on some +missionary theme. + +Mr. World smiled as they entered the room and saw that a woman occupied +the platform. In a jovial manner he remarked that “women must be the +best missionary orators.” + +The speaker was keen-eyed and shrewd, and well knew how to use sophistry +in pathos and wit. She expounded to the audience the doctrine of Satan +under whose service she was pledged to loyalty. + +“We are all missionaries,” she commenced, “and cannot escape the +responsibility which is imposed upon us. Our duty is imperative. We +stand at the open door of opportunity and enter so slowly into the +fields of work all around us. When one sees rank bigotry and +narrow-mindedness on every hand, he feels like blushing that he ever +sent money to convert the heathen in far-away lands. The heathen at +our own doors are more blood-thirsty than the cannibals of distant +climes. I appeal to you all, noble women especially, to rid your minds +of the fallacy of foreign work and do the foreign work at home, even +inside your own doors. (Applause, principally among the men, in which +Mr. World heartily joined.) I must confess that, at one time, I was +almost overcome by this craze of evangelizing the world. My delusion +went so far that I could see visions of China, Africa, or the remote +islands of the sea, and even imagine that I heard voices calling me +thither. One night I dreamed a dream, the kindest of them all. I saw +a woman standing on the shore of a river, her children drowning at her +side. But she, unmindful of her own blood, was hastening to launch a +boat into the stream that she might rescue a sinking dog on the farther +shore. “Ungrateful wretch,” I cried aloud on my bed so that I was +awakened by my own voice. I was so moved by the dream that I could +sleep no more that night, but sought for some one to make known unto +me the interpretation thereof. I soon learned, to my personal shame, +that I was that woman. I then and there vowed that I would no more be +guilty of so great a crime. (Great applause, with cries of “noble +decision!” “common sense!”) From that hour I assure you that I have +been trying to evangelize the world--not the one across the river, +(applause) but the one on this side. (Applause.) + +“I have been working at my own home and find a task almost too great +for me to do. If I should ever see the day when I get through with my +own family, including my husband, (great applause among the women) I +can then commence busying myself with my neighbors’ affairs and tell +them also how to become perfect. (Laughter and applause.) + +“God never made a greater world than when he instituted the home. The +woman who becomes inspired with international evangelization would do +well if she would learn how to season victuals and cook them aright +(shouting and applause among the men) and to give proper care to her +home and her children. This is home missionary work.” (Continued +applause.) The speaker was about to be seated, but the applause was +rising, so she stepped forward again. “If this kind of missionary work +be adopted, then the church will no longer be drained by repeated +collections for missionary work, and that money will flow into better +channels and prove an impetus to trade.” She stepped quickly from the +stage while the final burst of applause rang loud and prolonged. + +“That was the greatest and most sensible missionary speech to which +I have ever listened in my life,” chuckled Mr. World as he was moving +toward the door with his companion. + +I learned from Blackana that this Missionary College of the Devil has +wrought great mischief in the missionary operations of the church, ad +that Satan glories in the fact that he has succeeded in sending these +nefarious doctrines to the hearts of so many church-members and thereby +kept a large part of the world in spiritual darkness. + +Then I took a passing glance at the King’s Highway and saw a shining +pilgrim communing with God and casting his eyes over the hills of Time, +looking for the coming of his Redeemer. From his lips this prayer +arose, like sweet incense to Heaven: “O God, hasten the day when thy +church will unite and go forth into all the world to preach the Gospel, +instead of so large a part of it giving ear to the teaching of Satan’s +missionary schools, thereby delaying the coming of thy dear Son!” + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE RIVAL CHURCHES. + +1. The two companions visit a church on the By-Path and are disgusted. + +2. Then they are delighted with the services of the Church of the World +whose minister they visit. + + +I saw the two happy companions leaving the Missionary College and +proceeding on the Broad Highway. They were engaged in censuring the +church for what they conceived to be its waste of time, talent, and +mean in trying to convert the heathen. + +This harmony of opinions was most pleasing to Mr. World. It was in +sweet contrast to what he had previously experienced in his earlier +acquaintance with Miss Church-Member. Her likeness to him and her love +for him were becoming more noticeable as their fellowship continued, +for she observed _through her faithful lenses_ that his moral purity +and refinement were above par. + +While they were yet criticising the church, Mr. World espied, not far +ahead of them, another path leading to the right. “Behold the narrow +path yonder,” he exclaimed in a somewhat surprised manner. “If it were +not for a happy change in you, I would now be subjected to a score of +sickly sentiments as to leaving this way and going with you to a harder +one. Have I conjectured rightly?” he asked in a cheerful vein. + +“It is all too true,” she confessed. “If people could but see their +folly before placing it on exhibition, what a blessing it would be to +all around them!” + +On the By-Path stood a small church within easy reach of the Broad +Highway. As they came nearer to the place of worship they heard music +which attracted them to the very door of the church. + +“Let us enter,” she suggested. + +“I shall enjoy your pleasure,” he courteously replied. “Only see to +it carefully that your glasses are properly adjusted, lest some strange +glimmerings of light should bring pain or ruin to your eyes.” + +I saw Miss Church-Member re-adjusting her lenses while they were +entering the church and taking seats in the rear of the room. + +The minister led the congregation in a fervent prayer which seemed to +be altogether too Puritanical in the estimation of Mr. World and his +friend. The preacher began his sermon. As he proceeded his countenance +became more radiant. His clear eyes sparkled aright, and as he preached +Christ and Him crucified even his raiment seemed bright and shining. + +It proved to be a memorable meeting. A few who evidently intended to +ridicule were pricked in their hearts and, much to the disgust of some, +cried out: “What must I do to be saved?” + +“Fools who came to scoff remained to pray.” + +“This is affectation in the extreme,” whispered Mr. World scornfully. + +“Quite enough of it, indeed,” she returned. + +The whole affair seemed to her so unreal that her mind could scarcely +believe that she was ever connected seriously with such a method of +worship. + +Still worse than all, through her warped vision and the aid of her +eye-glasses well adjusted, she was led to discern a wicked motive in +the mind of the minister. His utterances also appeared miserably narrow. + +At the request of Miss Church-Member they left the room, congratulating +themselves that they were not compelled to remain longer. + +“All this reminds me of how simple and foolish I once was,” she said +plaintively as they descended the front steps. “Is it possible that +I was ever seriously connected with such a kind of worship? Yet +ignorance is the mother of endless follies. Can we find no better place +of worship than this?” + +“Better by far! I can easily lead you to a church where great varieties +of truthful and yet comfortable doctrines are preached, pleasing to +the ear, and fascinating to the senses. No blunt fellow stands in its +pulpit, but rather a cultured and highly refined gentleman of modern +type who delights to keep apace with the customs of the age. If you +desire, I will gladly accompany you thither. It would be sad indeed +were you to be turned away from religion altogether just because your +own church is so unsuited to your advanced ideas.” + +The face of Miss Church-Member brightened, and she quickly expressed +her desire to accompany him to such a church. Therefore Mr. World +improved the first opportunity and conducted her to a large and +beautiful edifice. + +“Here,” he said, “is the kind of church to which I am inclined. I give +very liberally to the support of the Gospel as here preached. I like +the broad-mindedness and liberal spirit which is manifested within the +domain of this denomination.” + +“In what else does this church differ from the one to which I belong?” +she asked. “In this denomination your conscience is not always pricked +and you can do many innocent things without being called a sinner. You +may also consult your personal feelings relative to church duties. One +is not bound down by a galling yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny. Best +of all, this is an up-to-date church. You can learn something about +science, philosophy, and civil government. In your church one must +listen to the thread-bare doctrines of the Bible, much to his personal +discomfort. Your minister exercises a censorship over the consciences +of his members from which I prefer to be excused. In fine, I can say +that nothing is developed there but a long face and a sanctimonious +soberness.” + +They entered the church, and were conducted to a front pew. + +The opening services were enrapturing to Miss Church-Member, and seemed +unlike anything she had ever heard. The operatic rendition of the +music, the ritualistic cast of the prayer and the soothing effect of +the rhetorical essay which took the place of a sermon, all exercised +a fascinating influence. + +As the minister neared the close of his essay, he said: “Christ intended +that man should enjoy liberty in this life, and that he should educate +himself in the best schools of art, science, and literature. Therefore +one has a right to seek, in this infinitely great world of ours, for +such things as will best educate his natural and spiritual being. If +the theatre can supply part of this demand, let him go, as a student, +and drink into his soul through the senses of sight and hearing. If +the dance can elevate him somewhat in demeanor and classical grace, +let him go there as a student. If some milder types of indulgence can +bring him into a more thorough knowledge of the weaknesses of human +nature, let him indulge, but only as a student with sincerest motives. +In general, I would say, that your conscience is a reasonably safe +guide and you cannot go far wrong by obeying its dictates. Be a student +all the days of your life; familiarize yourself with both the virtues +and the vices of human kind that you may be better qualified to defend +the right and resist the wrong.” + +At the conclusion of the services I heard the minister announce that +the church would hold a “razzle-dazzle” party on Friday evening, at +which he hoped there would be a good attendance, as the church treasury +was in sad need of replenishment. He also announced that all the +prayer-meetings would be discontinued for two weeks, so as to permit +a thorough practice for the coming Cantata. After the dismissal of the +congregation the two continued on their journey, which was ever opening +to them new avenues of delight. + +Miss Church-Member expressed supreme satisfaction regarding the +scholarly sermon to which she had listened, and confessed that she had +never heard a preacher in her own church take such advanced positions +concerning the nature of human liberty. + +Mr. World felt elated because his companion had found such exquisite +delight in the worship of the same church to which he adhered. He also +remembered, with pleasure, that they had safely passed the little +church on the By-Way, which represented the same doctrines as the +church to which his now confiding friend belonged. + +“Would it not be more in keeping with your advanced Christianity if +you were to withdraw your membership from your present connection and +join a church more fitting to your degree?” were his suave words of +invitation. + +“That would be a natural question to consider after I know the rules +and regulations of the church to which I intend to go.” + +“That only indicates your wisdom,” said Mr. World insinuatingly. “Since +you desire more congenial Christian fellowship, why not give your +attention to the church toward which I lean?” + +“An agreeable suggestion,” she said. “Where can I get the desired +information?” + +He answered the question by taking her to the home of the minister, +and there introducing the subject. + +She was very favorably impressed by the courteous reception accorded +her by so great and dignified a person. + +“You come seeking knowledge of the church. I assure you, my young +friend, that I will gladly answer any questions. May I take the +privilege of asking you whether you have ever belonged to any church?” + +She flushed with shame. “I will be true and tell you all. I had a great +experience some years ago, when I was seeking Christ. In answer to my +earnest petitions, I saw the most welcome beams of light that ever +touched my poor soul. I knew I was converted to Christ and continued +in his service ever since, although somewhat differently since I came +into fellowship with Mr. World. I joined the church in which I was +converted and still hold my membership there.” + +“How did you get so well acquainted with the happy Mr. World?” + +Miss Church-Member answered half in quaint humor and half in pathos: +“I, at one time, thought he was a very wicked fellow, and in a prayerful +mood I endeavored to rescue him. I knew he would not come by his own +effort to my way of thinking, so I entered into an alliance with him +for the purpose of quietly leading him unto the King’s Highway. I soon +saw the bigotry of my former self, and through the kindness of Mr. +World I have already been aided in my vision and improved in dress, +and, better than all, I have enjoyed the privilege of worshiping my +God in a more fitting temple, where true freedom is preached and +practiced.” + +“Then it is your purpose to continue being a Christian, although you +have left the King’s Highway?” asked the delighted clergyman. + +“As long as I live I will hold to my religion,” she said emphatically. + +“Then you are sound indeed both in purpose and doctrine. Did you wish +to be visibly connected with our church?” + +“I wish to know first its rules and conditions of entrance.” + +The minister opened his Guide Book and, duly adjusting his spectacles, +read in a pleasing manner: “Anyone wishing to unite with this church +must comply with the following rules and regulations: + +“RULE I.--He must reach a reasonable degree of respectability, or +endeavor to do so. + +“RULE II.--He must not wear clothing so plain as to attract undue +attention. + +“RULE III.--He must not tolerate or countenance the common nuisances +so prevalent in the churches of the King’s Highway. + +“RULE IV.--He must ever manifest a liberal spirit so as to keep in +touch with the progress of the world. + +“RULE V.--He may engage in any practice that will give enlightenment +on either the dark or the bright side of life. Members of this church +ought to have a well-rounded education. + +“RULE VI.--He must never take advantage in buying or selling, except +in such cases like Jacob’s, where he can bring good to himself or +profit to the church. + +“RULE VII.--He must never give way to his temper, except in such cases +where his personal liberty or his church is attacked. + +“RULE VIII.--He is to cultivate grace and etiquette through whatever +channel possible. + +“RULE IX.--He is to be faithful in attending the services of his own +church, except in cases of sickness or disinclination. + +“RULE X.--It must be his constant aim to reach Heaven by traveling +diligently on a way wide enough to hold the attention and respect of +an enlightened age. + +“These are our general rules. We have several thousand regulations +covering every phase or avenue of life.” + +“What I have just now heard are certainly not as iron-clad as the rules +of my church. Nothing is said of conversion, or spirituality, or of +the Holy Spirit, or of the other Persons of the Trinity,” commented +Miss Church-Member. + +“No, not of anything that is antiquated or, in other words, ‘out of +date.’ The main church on earth must deal with practical things.” + +“What do you call ‘conversion’ in your church, or do you not believe +in it?” + +“Beyond any doubt we believe in conversion. Just as soon as a person +confesses his faith in our general rules he is converted, and is at +once a good Christian. The Bible says that if one will only believe +he is safe: or ‘saved already’ as the true Greek rendering has it.” + +“Then you hold to the Bible strictly?” + +“We are the only church that does really and truly hold to the Bible. +We believe and teach it as it is preserved for the ages in the original +Hebrew and Greek.” + +“But I notice that many of your rules seem to be at variance with +certain parts of the Bible,” she boldly declared. + +“True enough, but those certain parts of the Bible do not belong to +the genuine Scriptures. Whatever you find in the Bible contrary to our +rules and regulations you can safely conclude is an interpolation and +does not form a part of the inspired Word. Let me assure you, Miss +Church-Member, that our discipline was written with great care by +eminent scholars of the Hebrew and Greek; therefore how could there +have been any error in it?” + +Miss Church-Member was slightly confused, and evidenced by her manner +that she was ready to depart. + +“May I ask before you go,” continued the minister, “whether you are +willing to join our church?” + +“I have been thinking,” she replied, “that I could do more good in my +own church, not by fighting it, but by using _my_ influence quietly +in trying to get some of its members to be more like I am. I have +always had a missionary spirit. In that way I might satisfy my earlier +ambitions and lead some one out of the mist into a better light.” + +“A very bright idea,” testified Mr. World, advancing with Miss +Church-Member toward the door. + +“And may you succeed in your plans,” added the minister as they were +stepping from the room. “There are millions who belong to my church +in spirit, but who hold visible connection with some radical church +of the King’s Highway. They are doing great service in eradicating +old-time methods and planting the banners of a new liberty such as we +three enjoy.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +FROM THE VALLEY OF CONVICTION TO THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. + +1. Depression of Miss Church-Member + +2. The Merry Village. + +3. The Famous Cross Roads. + +4. The Devil’s Auction. + + +As Mr. World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on their journey they +were frightened by a man who, with his hands uplifted and agony pictured +on his face, came running toward them, shouting: “Let good sense control +you and go no farther! Enchantment, spirits, witches, and unnamed +hobgoblins dwell in every part of this hideous valley!” + +“Oh, terror! What can this mean?” nervously asked Mr. World, as the +stranger stood panting for breath. + +“All a mystery! Even the air is filled with poison and weird music. +I am thankful that I have escaped with my life.” + +“Come, come, Mr. Sin-Sick, tell us more about it. We may thereby profit +greatly,” said Mr. World with more composure. + +[Illustration: As Mr. World and his companion were entering the valley +of Conviction a terrified man came running towards them. He ran away +from the preaching of the gospel.] + +“I had just been traveling farther down the valley of Thoughtfulness +and Conviction when I heard multitudes shouting praises to One whom +they called their Redeemer, each waving aloft a banner bearing the +imprint of a cross. On the cross I saw these words: ‘For God so loved +the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth +in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ When I came +nearer to the confusion I was suddenly seized with a peculiar conviction +which brought grief to my soul; and, had I not made this timely retreat, +I might have been brought under the power of those strange creatures. +Oh, take heed and go with me some other way.” + +Mr. World readily consented, but Miss Church-Member was inclined to +continue, confessing that she had once been a singer in such a valley, +and surely no harm could befall them there. Mr. World thought it was +the part of wisdom not to oppose her at this time, although he feared +that she might be induced to leave him. He consented to go, pretending +that it made no difference to him which way he traveled; but, as they +walked on, the wary fellow was very careful not to step from the Broad +Path. + +When they came in sight of the valley Miss Church-Member lifted her +glasses to test the strength of her eyes. Memory brought stinging grief +to her heart. She commenced sighing for the old paths and also wept +that she had for so long a time abetted her former enemies. + +Her companion became alarmed at the new turn. “Be not so fool-hardy,” +he warned. “Your eyes are being needlessly ruined. Quickly replace +those glasses lest you become totally blind.” + +She obeyed promptly and thus the intensity of conviction passed. Had +her spiritual ears been open, she might have heard an angel sadly +singing: + + “Oh, hear the song of love that fills the air! + Oh, heed the voice that pleads in touching prayer! + Both fall upon your conscience now in vain, + Through vile deceit your nobler self is slain.” + +In this vale she heard the word of God preached powerfully, and the +calling of the Holy Spirit in unmistakable sweetness, but how could +it affect one who wore such treacherous glasses and who considered her +condition so favorable? + +She passed through the valley with her faithful friend without being +lured from the Broad Highway. + +On the verge of the valley I saw a curiously shaped building and read +these words over it: + +TONS OF LAUGHTER: CHEAP ADMISSION. + +A man with a strong voice stood along the path and cried out: “Whoa! +Whoa! Ye travelers of this way! Come hither and drive away your cruel +cares. Here is the greatest exhibition in the world. Smile and walk +lightly, laugh and grow fat!” + +Mr. World and his associate, however, did not enter this place, but +passed on through the entire Merry Village. On each side of the way +they saw an endless variety of gaudy advertisements, each one setting +forth some leading feature of some frivolous, indecent, or gay +performance. + +Miss Church-Member was not tempted as was her companion to spend time +at such places. So he, in order to hold her company, sacrificed his +desires and passed on without complaint. + +I now turned and spoke to Blackana who still mutely sat at his appointed +post. “Tell me the meaning of the Merry Village being located so near +the Valley of Conviction.” + +Without the faintest murmur he replied: “Many of the millions who pass +through the valley are strangely affected with a sad countenance and +a heavy heart, which indeed drive them into a frenzy so that they go +toward the King’s Highway. Satan intends by the attractions of the +Merry Village to divert the thought of all such travelers and hold +them in the bounds of the Broad Highway. You will soon come to the +path on which more people go to the narrow, rugged way than on all +other paths combined. Were it not for this happy village, and the +places beyond, many more would drop out of our ranks.” + +I doubted not the words of Blackana, and as I looked out again upon +the Broad Highway, I saw that the two companions had just left the +Merry Village and had come to the well beaten road leading to the +right. + +Here stood a preacher who, in tearful earnestness, urged all travelers +to go the right way. I saw many heeding his words and go running on +the new way after throwing away many cumbrous things. + +At this place I saw some parting with their friends. One, in particular, +I noticed who was pleading with another not to go, and ever clinging +to him in bodily strength. Many who desired to leave the Broad Highway +were similarly prevented. + +In the fork of the road stood a number of large churches in each of +which services were held every hour of the day. These were the Devil’s +churches, and were supplied by a courteous and shrewd class of +ministers. On the left side of the way was a large garden and a series +of groves, each filled with a merry throng of pleasure-seekers. Bands +of music made the air resonant, and every device known to the world +of sport could be found in full fling in these varied resorts where +intoxicating drink was the main beverage, and dancing and gambling +were the chief delights. + +The Broad Highway was especially wide at this junction. It led onward +between the Devil’s churches and the pleasure grounds. + +The greatest confusion prevailed on this wide area. Many missionaries +from the King’s Highway were busily engaged in speaking to the throngs +that had come through the Valley of Conviction. + +There were also many friends of the Devil, in vulgar attire, persuading +the multitudes to rest in the joyful grove, while other agents of +Satan, in more saintly manner, urged attendance upon the church +services. + +Thus I observed the heedless throng from the Valley of Conviction being +attracted by the music and passing through the pleasure grounds, while +an alarmingly large number attended the churches in the fork of the +roads. A few stoics, without pausing, passed on along the Broad Highway. + +Only a few, comparatively, could be persuaded to turn their steps +toward the King’s Highway. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member stood for a long time watching the +ever-changing panorama of the surging crowds. He was desirous of +visiting the groves, but Miss Church-Member was too piously inclined. +So they were halting between these two desires when a saintly looking +person approached them. + +“To what place are you journeying?” the beautiful stranger asked. + +“We are journeying to a place called Heaven,” promptly answered Miss +Church-Member. + +“Congratulations, indeed,” spoke the stranger as he smiled. “You belong +to the better class of travelers. Some, I fear, who go this way will +miss Heaven. They are too much attracted by the frivolities of life +and never have a desire to go to church.” + +“But we love the church,” spoke up Mr. World. “However we have had +little time and no opportunity to enter one for some time.” + +“You are welcome to the services in one of yonder buildings,” said the +stranger as he pointed toward the group of the Devil’s churches. “There +you can listen with pleasure and profit to the latest style of +preaching, and the special music will prove entertaining. You should, +without fail, attend church, or you will never increase in spiritual +knowledge.” + +Without further hesitation the two pushed their way through the crowd +and entered one of the churches where they were greeted warmly and +ushered to a prominent seat. + +The minister had already begun to speak and was growing eloquent as +he warmed to his theme. They listened with absorbing interest to every +word that fell from his lips. + +“Into this church,” the minister said, “come the wearied of heart, +troubled perchance with inward fears resulting from the weird +occurrences along the pathway through the Valley of Conviction. We bid +you cast aside your thoughts of trouble and be at peace. There is a +calmness you should covet untouched by such conviction. + +“They who sing and preach in that valley are low subjects of ignorance +and folly, and happy for you if you succeed in totally forgetting all +you saw or heard while passing through. Why should you worry about +your condition? Are you not good enough? You have come hither from +respectable parents, perhaps received Christian baptism, and can easily +distinguish between right and wrong. Why should cruel daggers now +pierce your heart? What you have done or expect to do is surely pleasing +to your God. If you belong to the church, you are doubly safe. Let +time change, or worlds fall, the church will stand forever. If you +continue faithful here, you will have a glorious end; only be not +influenced by the contemptible advocates of the Narrow Way, who show +their vanity by their professions of superior sanctity. Be satisfied +with the good, old, staid principles of this church, and be not swept +away by every wind of doctrine that is blasting the earth with its +sulphurous breath. Rejoice in your pilgrimage and let conviction no +longer sadden your life.” + +After continuing at some length in this strain, the minister announced +that a quartette would render an appropriate selection just received +from the mountain-tops of Apathy. + +[Illustration: The Devil’s Auction Here many church members, and others, +pay their all for a few baubles of worldly pleasure.] The congregation +seemed to be greatly pleased as these words were sung with a show of +sentiment: + + “Come, ye that struggle + With thoughts of conviction; + Continue no longer + Such burdens to bear. + Throw off forever + This needless affliction; + And taste of the pleasures + That wisdom would share. + “There’s rest for the soul + In blissful forgetting; + ’Tis bought by the prudent + At moderate cost. + Then cast to the winds + Thy worry and fretting, + And live in the sunshine + Where shadows are lost.” + +At the conclusion of the services Mr. World conducted his friend from +the church, and as they were moving again toward the surging crowds +they heard the voice of an auctioneer. + +“Let us tarry a moment,” he urged as he turned his footsteps to that +part of the Broad Highway known as the Devil’s Auction. + +A large company of men, women, and children were giving earnest heed +to the auction which had been in progress all day. + +The auctioneer held in his hand a gaudy bauble of worldly pleasure. +He cried in the full strength of his voice that such beautiful specimens +of pleasure were very rare. At once the bidding for it grew lively. +It was soon thrown out to a reckless mortal who seized it with unusual +avidity. + +Then a door was opened in the rear, and lo, I beheld a series of rooms +filled with baubles of every conceivable kind, enough to satisfy all +who came for such lightsome things. One of extraordinary beauty was +next offered. “What do I hear for it?” lustily shouted the auctioneer. + +The whole host bent forward eagerly to get a nearer view of the new +attraction. + +“I’ll give one hour of time!” said an aged man. + +“An hour of time is bid, an hour of time! Who’ll give more?” + +“I’ll give one day!” joyously bid a thoughtless youth. He received it, +and walked off in high glee. + +“Here is another! A novelty just out!” boldly cried the auctioneer. + +How anxiously all stepped forward, each one wishing to scrutinize the +latest kind of pleasure offered. + +The highest bidder was a restless youth who offered his all for the +coveted prize. + +Miss Church-Member was but little interested in these proceedings and +urged her companion to the next auction-stand where certain rights and +privileges were sold. + +On the stand stood a glib-tongued fellow who announced that he would +first offer for sale the _Right to Sell Intoxicating Drink_. “How much +do I hear?” shouted the auctioneer as the cosmopolitan crowd looked on. + +“Hundred dollars per annum!” cried the people of one state. + +“One hundred, one hundred, going at one hundred!” + +“Two hundred dollars!” bid the representatives of another state. + +“Three hundred dollars!” was another offer that immediately came in. + +“That is far below the value!” shouted the auctioneer. “Remember, all +this money we get for licensing the saloon will go for charity or to +help educate and civilise the people!” + +Thousands upon thousands cheered to the echo, while the wicked +auctioneer and his allies were highly pleased at the spectacle. + +“Three hundred, three hundred! Altogether too low a sum for so great +a privilege!” + +“Five hundred dollars!” cried the authorities of another state. + +“Going at five hundred, five hundred, five hundred!” rapidly and +hilariously yelled the auctioneer, and the crowd cheered lustily. + +“Still going at five hundred, five hundred! Who’ll give six hundred? +First, second, and last warning, and sold at five hundred dollars to +the state represented by yonder group of delegates!” + +Thus the program continued, and the right to sell liquor under +respectability was sold at varying prices. Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member left long before the auction was ended. They paused not +at the other centers where Satan’s agents were selling their worthless +and death-dealing merchandize to the children of men. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. + +1. Miss Church-Member, suddenly attacked with heart trouble, is hurried +away to the Hospital. + +2. She receives the attention of Satan’s fiendish surgical operators. + +3. A visit through the various wings of the Hospital and sub-offices. +The horrifying work described. + + +The travelers of the Broad Highway pushed onward by millions, seemingly +unconscious of their end. Miss Church-Member had become so well +accustomed to the ways of the world that she could now adapt herself +with more ease to all the exigencies of the journey. + +In the midst of her favorable circumstances she was nursing the germs +of an insidious disease which rendered her heart weaker and weaker. +At times short, but sharp pains were felt; and more than once her hand +flew to her breast in evidence of the inward struggle. + +Her disease reached a climax after she had gone not far beyond the +Valley of Conviction. She was walking along in a happy mood, when she +suddenly felt a pang in her heart and mentioned the circumstance to +Mr. World who was still her faithful companion. + +“What can it be that has been giving you this trouble for so long a +time?” he asked. + +“I know not,” she faintly replied as she stood still and pressed both +hands to her heart. + +Thoroughly alarmed, Mr. World called for help while he supported her +with his arm. + +“It seems strange,” gasped Miss Church-Member in a brief interval of +relief, “that, with all the pure air along this way and the variety +of things to engage my attention, I should be seized, at shortening +intervals, with these cruel and unbearable heart-pangs. Oh, that I +might be free from this intruder’s grasp! What shall I do? Where shall +I go? I feel again the edge of the invisible blade!” + +At this she threw her arms upward and, shrieking in agony, was about +to fall as she was caught by Mr. World. + +“Let us hurry her off to the nearest hospital,” promptly suggested one +of the bystanders who had responded to the call for help. An ambulance +carried the fainting Miss Church-Member to one of Satan’s hospitals +near by. + +[Illustration: An ambulance carried the fainting Miss Church-Member to +one of Satan’s hospitals near by.] + +The chief physician ordered the apparently lifeless form to be taken +at once to an examination room, granting Mr. World the privilege of +remaining by the side of his suffering friend. A quick investigation +disclosed the fact that Miss Church-Member had been overcome by a +partial paralysis of the heart, induced by intense mental anxiety +dating from the time when she had passed through the Valley of +Conviction. + +“Not a serious case,” said the suave doctor in reply to a question +from the anxious Mr. World. “An operation will take away, almost +entirely, the cause of this trouble.” + +“Will you not explain to me the trouble, and the nature of the +operation?” nervously asked Mr. World. + +“Certain nerves which ramify through the human heart have been affected +emotionally by the nonsensical teachings of the King’s Highway. These +teachings are commonly known us ‘Narrow-Gauge Ideas.’ If these nerves +are rendered insensible, there is scarcely any trouble of that kind +again. We can, by an intricate operation, paralyze the mother-nerve +leading to the heart, and thereafter you may expect to find the heart +of this woman almost dead to the foolish influences that needlessly +send conviction and remorse into so many lives.” + +While the physician was rapidly speaking these words, the surgeon had +arrived, and they forthwith proceeded to the operating room. + +Mr. World watched the attendants as they carried Miss Church-Member +away. He saw her no more that day, but heard that the operation was +successful, and that the patient was resting quietly. + +One of the managers of the institution, knowing that Mr. World was +companionless, offered to escort him through the various departments +of the Hospital. To this he gave his hearty consent. + +They first went to the tower which proved to be a magnificent point +of view. Here he could see far and wide, for the building itself was +situated on elevated ground, and the tower rose far into the air. + +On one side of the Hospital stretched away the Broad Highway more +pleasing at this point of the route than at many others, and far away +it seemed to lead into pleasant woodland realms. + +On the other side of the building passed the King’s Highway, which, +at this point, was exceedingly rough and uninviting to the view. + +Thus I saw how the shrewdness of Hell was exercised in locating +hospitals at such places. + +“Ignorance is the mother of all that folly,” said Mr. World with a +feeling of self-satisfaction, “I see a long line of separate buildings +just below us--there along the King’s Highway. What purpose do they +serve?” + +“Those are medical offices under the supervision of this hospital- +staff. Any one traveling on the Narrow Path, and falling sick there, +may enter for help and restoration. If the case be difficult, or +requiring an operation, or even special nursing, the patient is brought +to the hospital.” + +“Are you successful in most of your operations, especially with those +patients who come from such a rugged path?” + +“Fortunately we succeed in effecting a cure in almost every case. We +can only deal with those who voluntarily come to our medical staff. +Many, in sad need of our help, pass by all our special offices without +ever seeking advice.” + +“Are your patients foolish enough, after having been treated, to go +back to that jolting road, and thus again invite their ills?” + +“Most of our patients go hence on the more delightful way which you +see, and on which you have come hither.” + +“What diseases most commonly affect those who come to your physicians +and hospitals for help?” + +“Let me answer your question by taking you down to those offices. You +may there observe for yourself.” + +I saw Mr. World and his escort enter a physician’s office which stood +as near the King’s Highway as Satan could build it. + +The doctor was examining a church deacon who, by reason of his disease, +found it hard to travel on a way so narrow and rugged. He was given +a vial of medicine with specific directions. + +After the patient had left, the doctor smiled derisively and pocketed +his fee with ghoulish delight. + +“What ailed that man asked?” Mr. World. “Can you tell me the cause of +his malady?” “He has been eating and eating sermons, exhortations, and +pious literature, and has done scarcely any work for his so-called +Master. Eating much and working little generally results in gout or +rheumatic diseases. There are large numbers in the church coming here +for treatment who are similarly affected. I suppose such Christians +enjoy eating better than they enjoy working.” + +“Do you prepare them for better service on the King’s Highway?” + +“Never! My business is to give them such medicine as will make all +kinds of spiritual food repulsive to them. Then, rather than starve, +they go to the fat lands on the Broad Highway for which my medicine +prepares them. There they eat of the fruit forbidden by their former +Master, for it is sweet-tasting withal. Some go on in the forbidden +kingdoms until death, and hold an honorable place in their first church. +Others are dealt with more summarily on account of the radical views +entertained by certain bigots who wage warfare against a man who finds +delight in gardens other than his own.” + +The electric bell summoned the doctor to the door. He opened it, and +there stood a pilgrim from the King’s Highway. + +She entered and, fully exhausted, sank into a chair. + +“What is the difficulty?” asked the physician in a cool manner. + +“Something terrible indeed, or else my comrades accuse me unjustly.” + +“With what do they charge you, Miss Goodly-Minded?” he questioned, as +he felt her pulse. + +“I am accused of being out of order just because I do not run all the +time to prayer-meeting and to other services of the church. They say +I am not fit to travel this way, and therefore I have found it very +difficult to get over some of the obstacles. Weariness and fatigue +have almost dragged me to the earth. My persecution will prove to be +my death unless you can give me some medicine to relieve me.” + +“Let me see your tongue,” the physician requested. This done, he +continued: “Ah! I can easily see, by your coated tongue, that you have +already eaten more good things than you could digest. If there is any +error, it is because you have already gone to church too much. I have +medicine to cure you.” + +At that he walked into another room and opened a secret door. I saw +him pour a liquid from a large bottle labeled, “Satan’s Malaria Cure.” +It contained a mixture of unbelief, ridicule, and self-righteousness. +He filled a small vial with sugar pellets and saturated them with the +mixture from the large bottle. + +“Take four globules every hour,” he directed, as he gave her the +medicine, “and I would further advise that you travel for your health.” + +“What climate would be most helpful to me?” she asked, for she was a +lady of considerable means and could go where she wished. + +“A colder climate where you will be free from the noonday sun, and +breathe in a new atmosphere. This medicine will do the rest.” + +She passed out of the door just as a feeble man was entering. He was +an old pilgrim and evidently suffering much. + +The doctor seized him by the hand with a strange vigor not even +understood by Mr. World. + +“So you are under the power of ‘La Grippe,’” saluted the doctor. + +“Under the power of something, I am sure, for everything is wrong with +me, and everything seems wrong to me,” was the slow answer. + +The doctor soon diagnosed his case, and gave him powders with +directions. + +“It did not take you very long to attend to him,” said Mr. World, after +the aged man left the office. + +“I deal with so many of that class that I keep the medicine ready. La +Grippe is a splendid thing for my trade. It is affecting more pilgrims +just now than any other disease. Some churches are more than decimated +by the ravages of this plague.” + +The manager then conducted Mr. World into another office where the +doctor was just giving medical attention to a young lady who was +suffering with spiritual quinsy. It was so severe that she could not +testify for Christ, and she wilfully passed by the “Great Physician” +who could have healed her blessedly. She also passed by all the angels +of mercy who throng the King’s Highway. She turned a deaf ear to all +the singers who sang, “Then why will ye die?” Finally she was heavily +pressed by her disease and, seeing a physician’s office which she could +enter without climbing a step, she went in and chose rather to be +treated by a doctor of the Devil, as if dead to all the offers of mercy +which she had rejected. + +She accepted his treatment without question, and even felt at ease in +conscience, thinking that the easy, bland method of this physician was +in every way preferable to the searching methods adopted by the Healer +Divine. + +She regained her voice, but it lost that sweet accent of heaven which +once had characterized it. It was now difficult and embarrassing for +her to pronounce the name of Jesus. + +All this proved painful and intolerable, so she took a by-path to the +left called “Unchastity” where she found a whole vocabulary of speech +more suited to her utterance. + +She spent the rest of her days in the habitations of immorality along +the Broad Highway, unmindful of the tears and kindly solicitude of her +entreating friends. + +Into the third medical wing the two went only to see the fiendish +program carried on there as in the other offices. The first patient +they saw was a young man who, through the misguidance of a weakling, +was persuaded to enter the office. + +This physician, with a smile on his face, but vile purpose in his +heart, administered wilfully the very medicine that gave a transient +gratification to the patient’s craving for narcotics, and which would +finally cause the appetite to break out anew into an inward burning +and gnawing, swinging a master’s sash over him. + +The physician told him that his taste was inherited, and it would +consequently require much patience ere he could be cured. He gave him +the devilish medicine, and urged him to continue using it until the +bottle was drained to its dregs. + +At first it gave the promised relief, but the young man, now more +deeply contaminated by this concoction of Hell, raged in wilder passion +than ever, and verily ran to his utmost on the By-Path of intemperance +until the flower of his youth and manhood was blasted to the blackest, +and his sense of honor lost in the hovels of vice and corruption which, +in great variety, stood along the Broad Highway. + +The book-keepers of Hell placed an additional mark to the credit of +this doctor, while the church looked on the young man’s fall somewhat +indifferently, having been hardened by the frequency of similar +occurrences. + +At the request of Mr. World the manager conducted him back to the +hospital building and proceeded to show the various departments to him. + +There was some commotion in one of the operating rooms just as Mr. +World entered. It proved to be the preliminary work necessary for +dressing a severe scalp wound. + +It happened that a certain woman, named Mrs. Criticiser, who belonged +to an active church, attempted to injure a good and holy man by hurling +stones at him. + +She noticed that the little stones did him no harm, so she seized one +of larger size and hurled it at him with great force. He, being a pure +man, and standing on a rock, was not even touched by the missile. But +it struck the great rock on which he was standing, rebounded with +unexpected force, and struck the head of Mrs. Criticiser with stunning +effect. + +It was seen that the stone had made an ugly gash on her head, more +severe and painful than she intended to inflict on the good Mr. Class +Leader. Her friends, being acquainted with the Devil’s Hospital, +naturally carried her there for necessary attention. + +Mr. World saw Mrs. Criticiser brought into the room in a semi-conscious +condition and watched the whole operation. + +The surgeon declared that a scar would be carried on her head all +through life. Indeed there is no balm in Hell to cure the wounded head +or heart so as not to leave a scar. Had she gone to the “Great +Physician,” and asked Him aright to apply the “Balm of Gilead,” her +head would have been healed aright. + +The manager then escorted Mr. World into one of the wards which was +crowded to overflowing. + +They tarried at the bedside of a man whose left arm and right leg were +bandaged. There lay the poor fellow awaiting the slow processes of +healing for his fractured bones. + +It was on this wise that this man, a certain Mr. Treacherous, came to +this sorry plight. + +He was an ambitious member of the church, and aimed to be elected to +an office therein. His admirers were too few, so the majority vote was +given for another, named Mr. Wisdom. + +This so aroused the jealousy of Mr. Treacherous that he was moved to +seek amends for what he considered a stinging and crushing defeat. + +“This will I do,” said he, “I will dig a deep ditch across Mr. Wisdom’s +path of success, and will shrewdly cover it from view, and as he chances +along that way, in the course of his service, he will surely fall into +this ditch to his hurt. Then will I glory in his downfall, so that the +stings of this, my defeat, will not prick me so sharply.” + +So Mr. Treacherous, in the blackness of the night, digged the ditch +and covered it ingeniously. Then he waited day after day to hear of +Mr. Wisdom’s injury or death, that he might have cause for rejoicing. + +Now Mr. Treacherous, since his defeat, was so heavily weighed down +with envy and a desire for revenge that he could not sleep soundly, +and was wont to walk about the house in a somnambulistic manner. + +One night, under the influence of one of these strange spells, he went +from the house and walked over the path that led to the ditch. + +To his great dismay and double disgrace he waked not until his body +struck the bottom of the ditch. He was bruised and some of his bones +were broken. Thus he lay there in agony and cried all night long for +help. + +Ere the morning broke he wished a thousand times that he had not dug +the ditch so deep, or rather, had not dug it at all. + +A band of searchers found him and, lifting him from his disgrace, they +hurried him to this hospital, for he was not minded to humble himself +still more by going to another place where Mr. Wisdom and his kind +found relief in time of trouble. + +It is likely that Mr. Treacherous will never be able to walk again as +perfectly as he did before, for it is the reputation of surgeons and +physicians of this hospital, in dealing with cases of such extreme +folly, that they so manipulate an operation as to render the patient +incapable of complete recovery. + +Mr. World and his congenial escort moved on from patient to patient, +passing many hundreds who had met with accidents on the Broad Highway. + +Many had been wounded by the “sword of the Spirit” and were now hoping +to be cured by the processes here in vogue. + +In passing on through another ward their attention was called to a +woman who lay on a couch and seemed to be suffering more than she was +able to bear. + +Mr. World inquired concerning her, and was told that she was one Miss +Busy-Body, a member in good standing of a radical church. She came to +her grief in this strange manner: she had a special aptitude for +sweeping before other people’s doors, and could always find dirt, even +if she could not find anything better. + +She had been told repeatedly to sweep before her own door, but she did +not heed this wise counsel, for she often said that there was no dirt +visible about her own home. + +One day she went forth as usually, broom in hand, and swept the dirt +from other doors than her own, much to the annoyance and provocation +of her neighbors, for she always raised the dust incontinently. + +Now by her continual neglect at home the filth had accumulated to such +an extent that when she returned home and attempted to enter the door, +her foot slipped on the greasy step, and she fell, breaking her collar +bone, two of her ribs, and otherwise injuring herself. + +The manager told Mr. World that many such cases came to them for help +every day--some from the King’s Highway and still more from the Broad +Highway. + +They soon came to the bedside of one named Mr. Jealousy who occupied +a private room. He was somewhat convalescent when Mr. World saw him. + +Mr. Jealousy at one time was an active member of the church, but he +undertook to stab Mr. Stability in the back. But Mr. Stability had a +good back-bone so strong that no knife that Mr. Jealousy could handle +was able to penetrate it. + +One time in desperation Mr. Jealousy flung himself violently upon his +imaginary foe. But his blade broke, and he himself fell upon it, cutting +a terrible gash in his side. He was taken to this hospital for help. + +Thus did Mr. Jealousy bring upon himself the disfavor of his church +and he was forthwith expelled, for he refused to give the required +promise of reformation. + +Mr. World and the manager now came to a large door. + +“In this room,” said the manager, “we keep all our cancer patients. +We have a large number of them and, since they require special +treatment, we keep them separate to facilitate the work of the +physicians and nurses.” + +I saw them enter the room, and heard the words of surprise that fell +from the lips of Mr. World as he saw the magnitude of this department. + +“These are they,” explained the chief of the division, “who came here +through ‘profane and vain babblings.’” + +Mr. World then passed through the leprosy ward where he saw quite a +few who were once cleansed by the Divine Healer, but who, failing to +give thanks for their recovery, suffered fatal relapse and were now +in the last stages of this dread disease. + +This place was so loathsome to him that he was hastened into the General +Department where he saw all manner of patients, each in his particular +dilemma. + +A great number of this section were suffering from disordered livers, +and of these not a few came from the church. + +One such, who was a wealthy man, had so far protruded his +disagreeableness upon the community that the church officials +voluntarily gave him medicine for his liver. This was of no avail. He +still grew more irritable and complained about the preacher, the sexton, +the choir, and even his own wife. The weather never suited him, and +when he gave any testimony about religion it was always a partial +outline of the supposed or real sorrows and troubles of the Christian +pilgrimage. + +While suffering from one of his morbid spells, he listened to the voice +of the tempter who persuaded him to seek help at the hands of the +physicians under the control of this Hospital. These doctors dosed him +until they persuaded him to submit to an operation, and the wicked +surgeon knew how to render him still more liable to trouble after his +imaginary restoration toward which he was looking when Mr. World saw +him. + +When he leaves this Hospital he can never be cured from the fiercer +subsequent attacks unless he be born again, and such an event Satan +knows is very unlikely to occur. + +Mr. World, in passing, spoke to quite a few who were suffering from +spiritual dyspepsia, consumption, and a great number of other ailments +which had developed into chronic form, or had made necessary the +surgeon’s cruel knife, and then, turning to his obliging friend, asked +if he could not now see Miss Church-Member. + +He was taken into a special department arranged for those who were +convalescent. + +When she saw her faithful and loving friend, Miss Church-Member smiled +for the first time since the operation. + +The pleasant interview soon ended at the behest of the nurse, and Mr. +World was asked if he wished to enter the secret departments +underground. This question aroused his curiosity and led to a lengthy +conversation after which he expressed a desire to visit the secret +chambers. + +He was conducted into a dark office and asked to sign a pledge that +lay on a desk. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE. + +1. While Miss Church-Member is convalescent, Mr. World alone visits +the underground apartments where secret sins are taught. + +2. The last horrible stages of vice represented. + + +I saw Mr. World standing in a shadowy room and reading the conditions +of entering “Satan’s Secret Service.” He was soon surprised by hearing +a voice from a gloomy corner: “You cannot gain entrance to these secret +abodes unless you sign that pledge.” + +“The meaning of the pledge is not clear to me. Who will explain it?” +asked Mr. World somewhat tremulously. + +“You can read between those lines all you wish. Those sentences must +be their own interpreters, and you must choose to sign or withdraw +from this room, just as you prefer,” came the firm answer from the +dark corner. + +Before Mr. World could decide what particular course to take, a hand +gently touched his shoulder. He turned to see who stood in the rear. + +“O, Mr. World, thou needst not fear to sign the pledge and enter the +secret service of our great and glorious master,” were the words that +greeted him in a friendly tone. + +“Who art thou, and how camest thou here?” asked Mr. World in suspense. + +“I came here from ‘going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up +and down in it.’” Then, without uttering another word, the strange +visitor lifted the pledge from the desk and read it audibly: + + “Into these darker chambers let me go, + I promise to conceal its scenes of woe, + And solemnly declare, as here I stand, + That I will aid this secret working band.” + +“What can there be about that pledge not suited to your wish? It means +that you are to have your eyes opened to behold new things, and also +to learn the secret laws of life, healthful to your marrow and your +bones.” + +Mr. World hesitated no longer. He signed the document forthwith, and +a pass-word was whispered into his ear. + +Suddenly a door opened at one end of the room, through which Mr. World +walked into a large cavern which was illuminated only by faint +glimmerings of light. + +He could discern faintly that many creatures were there whose uncanny +noises, freighted with oaths and blasphemies, sent their sulphurous +fumes around. Although Mr. World was accustomed to foul scenes and +profanity, yet he was sickened at this deeper touch of Hell. + +“Where am I and how came I here?” he cried out excitedly. A woman came +quickly in response to his outcry. + +“You are in a place of liberty and personal license,” she answered. +“Here you are free from the annoyances of narrow-minded pilgrims from +the King’s Highway, and you may spend a season in pure delight in these +secret abodes which you will find more and more suited to the cravings +of your natural heart and mind.” + +Now Mr. World was a somewhat judicious man, and although he would not +sanction what he called church fanaticism, yet he had some self-respect, +and had never allowed himself to reach the slum-level of society. + +“Here I cannot and will not stay. Are there no other apartments to +which I can go?” he asked, as the woman offered him a glass of wine, +and in a sensual way entreated him to remain. + +Mr. World was a lover of wine, but was suspicious of the place, and +so he moved to go and found great difficulty in getting to another +door, which, at last, he reached only by determination, and, giving +a pass-word, he went into the first regular department of Satan’s +Secret Service. + +This place, which was secretly connected with the Wizard City, was one +of Satan’s centers from which originated schemes and devices to commit +and practice embryonic murder. + +I saw in this dark cavern the sons and daughters of earth, high and +low, noble and ignoble, and my heart bled within at what I further +witnessed. + +Mr. World passed through from one section to another, studying carefully +the secret processes in vogue, while illustrations, drawn by the artists +of the Devil, instead of sending the blush of shame to his cheek, only +fed his inner curiosity and verily aroused his baser passions. + +Having finished, he gave the pass-word and was admitted to a +sub-department called Foeticide. + +This section, and the one he had just left, were located directly under +the physicians’ offices along the King’s Highway. It could be seen +that there was direct connection between these offices and the horrible +subterraneous apartments through which Mr. World was now passing. + +So many unnatural and horrible things were practiced in this sub- +department that Mr. World was shocked beyond measure, for he had never +dreamed of the extent of the malpractice to which his eyes here bore +testimony. + +All these things, while at first revolting, were only hardening his +own heart to such an extent that, before he had passed through the +last wing of the department, and heard the apologetic words of those +who were in charge, he concluded that these agencies conduced to much +good. + +“Oh!” thought I, “how the light of Hell casts a strange coloring over +the things of earth, thereby creating false theories of mortal life.” + +By means of the pass-word Mr. World was enabled to visit the next +department where he witnessed sights more revolting than in any place +previously entered. Here groveled the youth under the power of so-called +stimulating medicaments. + +Mr. World, with all his wickedness, was chilled with horror at these +underground spectacles. + +Noticing his evident disgust, one came to him and offered soothing +explanations to which he listened very attentively. + +“This is a blessed place,” spoke the newcomer. “We, who are skilled +in crime, give the youthful an expert training in the ways of pollution +and kindred types of immorality. It is far better to teach the young +to sin aright and with least damage to themselves, than to place them +under all restraint and see them fall more wretchedly than these.” + +With all the moral turpitude of Mr. World he was scarcely ready, at +first hearing, to accept this grinding sophistry of Hell. + +“Are you quite sure, my friend, doubted Mr. World, that you are speaking +words of soberness to me? Do you feel proud of the results of the work +here accomplished?” + +“Proud indeed, for our master has given us encomiums for the splendid +work accomplished. You see, Mr. World, it is a settled fact that young +people will sin, notwithstanding all the influence exerted to the +contrary. Such as we can persuade we take under our direction, and +try, as soon as possible, to harden them in personal crime. Our +physicians have special medicines to inflame their propensities, so +that they may, by continual burning, consume themselves and spare the +youth from otherwise being tormented day and night in these flames of +passion. Are you so dull, Mr. World, that you cannot grasp such +self-evident truth?” + +“It seems now somewhat clearer to my mind, but still my eyes behold +such horrid scenes around me.” + +“I cannot question that,” continued the smooth-tongued agent of +darkness, “yet what you see are but the lower stages. If you could +look beyond these dark corridors and see the types of womanhood which +grow out of this under-soil, you would no longer breathe in doubt or +look with shuddering frame on scenes around you. All good things come +forth through putrefaction. Then why should you despise the +putrefaction? Be content, Mr. World, and as you walk along the path +of life, remember this great College underground, and recommend its +salient features to the rising generation. You have signed the pledge +and promised to aid this secret working band. So do it with a vim, +keeping in view the blossoms and the fruit of after-growth.” + +Mr. World was completely won by this false and devilish reasoning, and +looked on the whole program of shame quite philosophically. + +He took full cognizance of the far-reaching effects of this section +and, after an interview with one of the head physicians, he proceeded +to visit the next section. + +But what he saw there will not be told. No pen can describe and no +tongue relate the loathsome filth of this last stage of immorality. +An awful stench filled the air arising from medicines of last resort +and from the putrefying flesh that clothed the living skeletons. + +It was by mistake that Mr. World got into this place. The door opened +to admit a few “Unfortunates,” as they were called by the attendants, +and Mr. World, standing near by, entered without permission. + +He was no sooner inside the door than he was frantically seized by a +sunken-eyed creature. + +“O man of health, deliver me from this inner eating and from the grave +that opens to me its mouldy mouth!” was the heart-rending cry that +grated on the ears of Mr. World. + +Another, hearing this pleading cry, came rushing toward the same spot +and sobbed piteously: + +“Oh! Mr. World, have pity on me! I had help when I had means and +vitality. Oh! give me some relief now.” + +Mr. World was so terror-stricken that he could not speak, but struggled +with all his might to escape from the place. + +He gained double strength, but of no use. These two men imagined that +they had a claim on him by reason of his name, and therefore held on +with tightening grasp. For a moment Mr. World ceased his struggling +and looked at his two pitiable beseechers. + +“I can give you nothing. Why torment me thus?” he tremblingly gasped +with abated breath. + +“In our better days we gave all we had to the world and now we need +help. Surely you can give it.” They became furious and ranted the more +at the thought of their past folly. + +“Why come to me? Go to Mr. Flesh, or ask the Devil for help,” pleaded +Mr. World. + +“We have served the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. All have failed +us miserably. To whom else can we go but to anyone within our reach? +Oh! forsake us not in this awful plight!” + +Poor Mr. World, unable longer to bear the sickening and threatening +attack, sank to the filth-covered floor and groaned aloud. + +At once a fierce and powerful being came to the rescue and, flinging +the two unfortunates aside, lifted Mr. World to his feet and looked +down upon him with his awful eyes. + +Mr. Intemperance lay crouching near the side of Mr. Lust, each smarting +under the pain of his fall. + +“How came you to this place?” sternly asked the monster. + +“By walking in at the door,” answered the terrified Mr. World. + +“Without permission?” he further asked. + +“There was no one there to ask, and I, being out sight-seeing, thought +I might also enter in here.” + +The monster seized Mr. World by the arms and looked at him in a still +more frightful manner. + +“You are not yet ready to come into this region, and if you will +solemnly pledge me that you will never reveal what you have seen here, +I will conduct you safely to the door; if not, you must remain here +without a ray of hope until death gives relief.” + +Mr. World humbled himself and gave double assurance of secrecy. Then +the grim creature conducted him a little to one side and bade him look +down into a deep and dark yawning chasm. + +“Down there,” commenced the Old Monster, “runs the Black River deep +and wide. The stream, coming from its distant source, drains the filthy +realm of human society, and not far hence it enters into the boundless +ocean of eternal death. The wild sounds which you hear are the unseen +dashings of its never-ceasing waves, and the moans of those who have +fallen victims to its merciless currents.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE LAST WARNING. + +1. Miss Church-Member is now induced to frequent the haunts of vice +in the “Wicked Valley.” + +2. The blessed work of Warning as given by rescue bands from the King’s +Highway. + +3. The heedless throngs passing by. + +4. The experiences at this place of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member. + + +There was a joyful meeting in the reception room of the Hospital when +Mr. World, returning from his underground experiences, met his beloved +friend Miss Church-Member who had recovered sufficiently to resume the +journey. + +In joyful spirits they sauntered forth on the wide and pleasant path, +away from the Hospital and toward their imaginary Heaven. + +Miss Church-Member’s face was more cheerful and her footsteps more +buoyant than at any time since she left the Valley of Conviction. + +Mr. World, observing her favorable condition, complimented her with +these words: “Blessed be the memory of that Hospital, for I can see +that your face is no more covered with the cloud of care that once +robbed you of so many joys. The unkind intruder has drifted away, and +now the light radiates from your every feature. It is also plainly +evident that you are no more tormented by a troubled conscience.” + +“I am glad that my sufferings have not been in vain,” she modestly +declared. “May the new light which you so readily notice in my face +add to the pleasantness of our journey and the profit of our lives.” +Their conversation grew more and more pleasant as they passed through +a long stretch of woodland. They could see beyond, them, and in the +rear, the legions that were traveling the same path and in the same +direction. + +Emerging from the woodland they saw that their path came again in close +proximity to the King’s Highway. + +The intervening space between the two paths, called the Wicked Valley, +was all astir with every form of evil as practiced in the world of +sin. In this vale nearly every traveler on the Broad Highway tarries +awhile, and many are lured away from the Highway of the King here to +mingle with the servants of Mammon. + +Mr. World and his friend paused opposite a cluster of magnificent +buildings with frontage toward the Heavenly Way. Some were used by +vulgar theatricals; some devoted to the sensual dance; some were +occupied by the Devil’s maid-servants in prostitution, and many others +were used as haunts of intemperance and personal pollution. + +All along the road to perdition at thousands of places stand such +clusters of buildings, each under the command of one of Satan’s most +efficient leaders. + +“Here,” said Mr. World, “let us take a long rest. If you have your +glasses properly adjusted you can see new beauty behind magnificent +walls.” + +She looked at first doubtfully. “Ah! I never frequented such places +before. I would not as much as look at them.” + +“I doubt not your word, Miss Church-Member, but remember you are growing +older and wiser. You are no more a narrow-minded creature influenced +by prejudice and sophistry.” + +She was now in a condition to imagine that much of her earlier +instruction was erroneous. She had not forgotten the teaching of the +sermon in Mr. World’s church. Subsequently she reasoned that the only +way to learn the taste of forbidden fruit was to eat of it. + +“I will enter these buildings as a student,” she soliloquized. “I will +be cautious. Surely I have sufficiently clear judgment to discern +between good and evil.” + +The crafty Mr. World, having won her confidence, escorted her all +through the Wicked Valley. By a continual palliation she yielded one +point after another until her virtue was sacrificed on a cursed altar. + +Satan assisted her in solving many perplexing problems when she reeled +in the realm of doubt. + +At the conclusion of their protracted visit I heard the wicked Mr. +World say to his beloved friend: “Your eyes are completely cured. You +may now with safety lay aside the glasses. I hope you will never have +occasion to use them again.” + +Of the multitudes that tarried here from the Narrow Way very few went +out at the front door. Having stultified themselves, they passed from +the rooms at the rear, and thenceforth traveled on the other path more +suited to their changed natures. + +The two congenial companions, proceeding on their way, soon overtook +a company of church-members. + +In the social intercourse which ensued each one resented the criticisms +of those who refused to leave the Old Path. + +“Verily,” said one, “I now enjoy more liberty. I believe the road to +Heaven should be as broad-gauged as possible.” + +“Certainly it should,” said another. “Those who want to climb hills +and continually suffer inconveniences may do so. As for me, I want to +reach Heaven on the easiest road. I believe this course leads to +Paradise just as directly as the other.” + +These utterances were highly complimented by Mr. World, and he said +that he was to be congratulated on meeting and associating with such +congenial people. “On the way on which we are now traveling one can +reach his reward as certainly and as speedily as on any other route. +In addition, one can here enjoy natural and graceful pleasures which +of course are not tolerated under the eyes of selfish and narrow-minded +bigots.” + +I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, now more intimate than ever, +pass on alone, ever walking more hastily. Satan had told them, during +their stay in the Wicked Valley, that the faster they journeyed the +sooner and the more certainly would they reach their reward. + +Not far from the Wicked Valley there is a section called the Place of +Warning. It has been maintained for thousands of years by virtuous +workers from the King’s Highway. It is the last warning-station that +travelers pass before reaching the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and +here with tearful earnestness do the Shining Pilgrims of the cross +speak their words of last caution, sing their sweet hymns of warning, +and put forth every other loving endeavor in the hope of snatching +some from the thoughtless throngs that go rushing by toward the Dark +Valley. + +I listened and heard a voice from the Place of Warning speak to a +motley crowd that were passing. + +“Whither go ye, whither go ye?” + +“We go to a better place called Heaven,” answered one of the company. + +“Then come hither and go on the Path of Life. The way on which ye are +now traveling leadeth unto everlasting death.” + +“Aha! Aha! Aha!” cried they all. “We are well informed about the way +and need no foreign voice to give direction.” + +Then came the solemn hymn of warning in words so tender and clear that +each one could hear every sentence: + + “There’s a sad day coming, + A sad day coming. + There’s a sad coming by and by; + When the sinner shall hear his doom: + ‘Depart, I know you not.’ + Are you ready for that day to come?” + +CHORUS: + +“Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready for the judgment day?” + +The words had not yet died on the air when a young man ran hastily +from the company toward the Way of Life. His companions then gave vent +to their ridicule, some even going after him and endeavoring to pull +him back, but without avail. + +Some sang an idle song to drown the hymn of warning that still rang +in their ears. Others engaged in boisterous conversation, and still +others mocked with foul profanity. They passed on, and as far as I +could see them they were pushing on to the Valley of Death. + +I saw another man who was heavily burdened with pieces of timber on +which was written: “Faults of Church-Members.” He also came to the +Place of Warning. + +“Throw off the cumbersome weight you are carrying on your back, and +travel on the way where your burden will be light,” came a friendly +voice from the Rescue Station. + +“I am not so foolish as to throw away my only hope,” he answered with +unthankfulness in his tone. + +“‘Your only hope,’” repeated the voice of warning, “how can you explain +such foolish words?” + +“With passing ease. I will soon come to the River of Death and with +these boards I can make myself a raft whereon I can pass over safely.” + +Then spoke the voice of warning clearer than before: + +“O, foolish man! Knowest thou not that the River of Death, toward which +thou art rapidly moving, cannot be crossed in a bark so frail? I have +seen millions who tried in vain to ride its angry currents, but they +sank beneath its dark waters. Come, O mortal man, if thou hast nothing +better on which to depend, listen to the voice of wisdom and come, +without delay, to the Path of Glory.” + +But the man passed on. I watched him till he reached the river, and +saw him go from the shore in his self-constructed raft. + +“I sink! I sink! Save me!” he, cried in utmost agony of terror as his +little raft whirled about, leaving the poor self-deceived fellow to +the mercy of the waves. + +I saw others as they passed the Place of Warning. Thousands and tens +of thousands, some now totally deaf to every voice of warning, some +with cotton-filled ears, and others with instruments of music with +which they drowned the calls of warning. + +Many more passed by who carried little balloons of self-righteousness +with which they expected to rise above the murky River of Death. + +A young woman, who moved more cautiously, stopped at the Place of +Warning and listened attentively. + +Directly a voice spoke to her: “Not far hence, O mortal woman, there +is a wide river. It surges on forever. No one who goes this way can +escape its waters. Listen now to the voice of Wisdom. Leave this +blood-marked way of misery and woe, and come to these happier dominions +where ‘her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.’” + +“Surely I will not be lost,” she replied. “I am depending on the mercy +of God who is too kind to be unjust. I will come out all right in the +end.” + +“Take heed, my friend,” pleaded the warning voice. “You are hoping for +mercy at the dividing line between time and eternity. Better forget +not what the Scripture saith. ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust +still: and he which is filthy let him be filthy still.’ So thou canst +not wilfully neglect so great salvation and hope that God will cover +at last all thy folly. ‘Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the +day of salvation.’ ‘To-day, if ye hear his voice, harden not your +hearts’” + +“You have said nothing new to me. They are the old thread-bare passages +that I have heard from my youth up, and I am minded to accept a broader +view of these statements than you seem to take of them.” + +At this she tossed her head haughtily and continued her journey, +resolving more firmly than ever that she would not spend eternity +outside the Gates of Heaven. + +When she came to the Dark Valley and to the angry swelling currents, +her pitiful prayer broke out from the long-covered depth of her soul. +“Mercy, O mercy, to a wretch like me!” But no hand came to her rescue. + +I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member as they approached the Place +of Warning. They heard the sweet music, rendered so excellently, but +gave no attention to the sentiment expressed by the words. They listened +only to the harmony of sounds. + +“O, Miss Church-Member!” pleaded a voice, “you who were once so +earnestly engaged on the King’s Highway, will you not, before you reach +the River of Death, forsake your perilous course and walk on the path +of life eternal?” + +These words, which would have once brought conviction to her heart, +only brought vanity to her head. “‘Judge not, that ye be not judged,’ +and go speak to the lost, not to me so well equipped to meet the direst +foe. Turn your words to those on the other path, who go hobbling along +in misery, not fit to live or die.” + +“Come, come!” put in Mr. World, “your pearls before swine are only +trampled under foot. Forget not so quickly the teachings of our Lord.” + +As they passed on, in a self-righteous manner, she cheerily looked +into his face and said: “It was kind in you to come so promptly to my +rescue. I might have prattled there a whole day and yet not have shown +them half their folly.” + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. + +1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member getting farther from the light. + +2. They drift into the deepening shadows where the path could be +traveled only one way. + +3. The terrible experience of the two companions contending with the +imps of the dark valley. + +4. Their sad and tragic end as they catch a glimpse of what they might +have been. + + +After leaving the place of the Last Warning, the Broad Highway grew +darker and darker as it steadily diverged from the King’s Highway. + +The little light that Satan’s pilgrims do enjoy is borrowed from “the +path of the just that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” + +Mr. World saw the deepening shadows and endeavored to be as cheerful +as usually, hoping thereby to prevent any alarm in the mind of his +faithful friend. + +The path, though wide, was now steeply descending, and travelers often +slipped on the steeper inclines. + +I saw that the two companions descended with difficulty, cautiously +watching every footstop, lest they, like many others, should fall to +their hurt. They now gave but little attention to the things along the +way, and when they did pause for rest on the easier grades, they found +the meadows more barren and everything more dark and dank. + +Miss Church-Member had been painfully conscious of these unhappy +contrasts, and asked repeatedly the meaning of all that her eyes beheld +and her heart realized, but Mr. World, true to his nature, partly +allayed her fears with words of hope and glowing promises. + +But I heard her again ask with a quivering voice: “Where is the light +that so lately lent its blessed cheer, and whither go we stumbling +downward in the dark?” + +“We only go in the darkest hour that comes before the dawn,” he said +with a firm voice but a trembling heart. “Be hopeful, my dear, I will +not forsake you.” + +Her heart was not calmed, for she could see his distress which he had +hoped to conceal, and no one could minimize the surrounding scenes +which now seemed like omens of death. + +They stood still, and learned, upon inquiry, that they were standing +in the Shadows of Premonition. + +Mr. World could no longer endure the strain. His bold attitude gave +way to his rising fears, for he saw that his wasted life was ending +with no opportunity of redeeming its days. His whole body quivered as +they walked still farther in a desperate effort to find relief. + +Miss Church-Member was almost overcome as she continued looking upon +the ominous darkness around. She soon realized that her only refuge +whom she had seized by the arm proved miserably weak in this hour of +great need. + +“Oh! Mr. World,” she cried, in utmost agony of mind, “where have you +led me? Save me ere I perish!” + +He spoke not, but with his aspen fingers he pointed backward toward +the sloping Highway. Then with all eagerness they endeavored to retrace +their steps, but somehow they could do no more than stumble and fall, +and when they were making their most desperate effort to return they +heard a voice from someone invisible. This voice announced to them +that here the path could be traveled only one way. The same voice urged +them to push through the shadows and face their end like heroes. At +this their hope died within them, and they had no more courage to +struggle up the hill. They stood again in their wretched dilemma and +heard the sound of distant waters, doleful to their ears, and from +this they could distinguish the bitter wails of those who also found +that they could not return. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member cast their eyes heavenward and +discerned that they were standing in a very deep valley. _They saw the +dim outlines of all their past evil life. Their deeds stretched away +at interminable length, and in the aggregate they were piled, like +ledge upon ledge, until they verily shut out the mercy of a just God._ + +Here they stood in the first shadow of their self-constructed Hell. + +“Oh, what a valley!” shrieked Miss Church-Member, as her consciousness +now revealed to her more in one second than all the fanciful dreams +of a life-time evolved. + +And Mr. World was undone. He knew not which way to turn. He was +speechless as he saw so clearly the worthless product of his life’s +work almost overarching him. + +Finally Mr. World cried out excitedly: “If we cannot go back, neither +will we go forward!” + +Then a grim monster spoke in a slow, dead tone: “No one remaineth here; +away, away from this place!” + +Miss Church-Member was terrorized at the presence of so cold a creature +and frantically cried out: “I cannot and will not endure it! Can I not +go back to the Voice of Warning?” + +“Back? Never! No one who comes thus far ever goes back. During the +earthly life of one called Jesus there was but one snatched from these +lowlands, and he was the thief on the cross.” + +“If there was chance for a thief, there might be hope for me,” she +sighed as her wretched face brightened. + +“Hope for you?” repeated the cold-hearted monster. “None whatever, and +for none of your kind who come thus far. Pass on, make room for the +thousands coming this way, the sound of whose tread you already hear.” + +Looking at Mr. World she pitifully sobbed: “Why do you not help me? +You have brought me here; plead my cause.” + +“Alas, I cannot even plead my own!” He could say no more, for he took +a longing glance backward, over the hills of time, where he could truly +see, for the first time, the horrible depth of his folly. + +Then came the monstrous creature again and sternly commanded them: +“Tarry no more on this side of the river’s brink.” + +[Illustration: Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the +Black River in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.] + +They tasted the bitter fruits of opportunities lost, and felt the awful +pangs of a soul without hope as their reluctant footsteps carried them +on through the valley made dark by the shadow of their own deeds. + +I then heard the discordant and agonizing wails of poor Miss +Church-Member and her wretched companion; but the sounds fell +harmoniously on the ears of Satan who listened to them chiming with +the music of Hell, in its deathlike rhythm, as it reverberated forever +from the depth beyond them, and from the throngs passing by. + +Miss Church-Member could no longer hold fast to Mr. World. It took +both arms to contend with the real and imaginary imps who stood grinning +at her folly, and grievously tormented her from all sides. + +“O mercy! mercy! Where am I?” she shrieked. “How can you be so +heartless, Mr. World? Why not rid me of these fiends?” + +“Cry to me no more!” he groaned out in anguish. “I am also overwhelmed +with foes and fears that verily drag me down with infernal and +relentless grasp.” + +This only deepened her pathetic cry, for she saw that she was lost +forever, and realized anew that Mr. World was unable to give help, +contrary to all his promises of the past. + +Then did, they look forth, and beheld afar off the Valley of the Shadow +of Death through which the King’s Highway passed. They saw that its +foot-sore pilgrims leaned upon a rod and staff, and that they were +supported by the pierced hands of a Friend that sticketh closer than +a brother. + +Neither did the pilgrims fear any evil nor tremble at any foe, for +Christ was their all in all, and his lovely light lit the whole valley +until it was all aglow with heavenly radiance. + +This vision revealed to Mr. World and Miss Church-Member the place +where _they_ might have been, and pierced their hearts as with a +thousand daggers. + +They soon stood on the verge of the Awful River which was filled with +the filth and slimy putrefaction of the world, the fungus growth of +society, and the scum of all nationalities. From these currents came +unearthly sounds, doleful lamentations, melancholy and hopeless. + +Not far down the stream they saw the fitful light of an eternal burning +whose ghastly glare lit the water crests of the Black River. + +I saw a relentless monster, in deep silence, stretching forth his bony +arm, and with his icy fingers he pushed the two companions from the +brink of the river, thus bringing them face to face with the last enemy +whose sharp sting they felt as they were being overwhelmed by the +merciless waves. + +[Illustration: When they who journey on the King’s Highway reach the +River of Death, they are met by a convoy of angels and borne aloft to +the gates of the Celestial City.] + +Their heart-rending cries for mercy brought no relief. They had sinned +against all light, and had even spurned the last kindly warning. The +Door of Hope was shut forever. + +As they were sinking to rise no more they caught another vision of the +Shining Pilgrims of the King’s Highway, and saw that when they reached +the brink of the River of Death they were met by a convoy of angels, +on whose snowy pinions they were borne aloft to the very gates of the +Celestial City which apparently stood on white clouds. + +THE END + + + + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. WORLD AND MISS +CHURCH-MEMBER *** + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/6/4/9/6494/ + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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W. S. Harris.—A Project Gutenberg eBook + </title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} +.p0 {text-indent: 0em;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } +hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%;} + +hr.r5 {width: 5%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%;} +hr.r65 {width: 65%; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} + +.right {text-align: right; text-indent: 0em;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w50 {width: 50%;} +.x-ebookmaker .w50 {width: 75%;} +img.w75 {width: 75%;} +.x-ebookmaker .w75 {width: 100%;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.small {font-size: 0.8em;} +.big {font-size: 1.2em;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + +<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, by W. +S. Harris</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Mr. World and Miss Church-Member</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: W. S. Harris</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>September, 2004 [EBook #6494] +[Last Updated: March 14, 2022</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Anne Soulard, Joshua Hutchison, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. WORLD AND MISS +CHURCH-MEMBER ***</div> + + +<h1 class="nobreak" id="MR_WORLD_AND_MISS_CHURCH-MEMBER">MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER</h1> + +<p class="center">A TWENTIETH CENTURY ALLEGORY</p> +<p class="center"><span class="small">BY</span><br /> +<span class="big">REV. W. S. HARRIS.</span></p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p class="center">to<br /> +<span class="big">Edwin L. Bergstreser</span></p> + +<p class="center small">WHOSE TESTED FRIENDSHIP I HAVE<br /> +ENJOYED FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS AND<br /> +WHOSE KINDLY INFLUENCE HELPED<br /> +ME TO PERSEVERE IN WRITING<br /> +THIS ALLEGORY<br /> +THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY<br /> +<span class="big">DEDICATED.</span></p> + + + +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Preface">Preface.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>After long and careful study we send forth this book to do its work. +We offer no apology for adding one more volume to the endless library +of modern times, constantly increasing at the rate of over one hundred +volumes per week, the great bulk of which is consigned to the debris +of the passing years. We pray that this book may find a field of +usefulness rather than an early grave.</p> + +<p>We need not tell of the pleasures and difficulties we experienced in +preparing these twenty-five chapters for the press. Let it be known, +however, that we were seconded and assisted by several able critics +who, each one independently of the others, kindly reviewed the +manuscript. At the suggestions of these critics minor changes were +made in the several manuscript editions. These critics deserve much +credit especially for the literary finish there may be to this book.</p> + +<p>The illustrations were drawn by Paul J. Krafft, of New York. They +evince patient study and careful work, and display a creative genius +well suited to the field of allegory.</p> + +<p>The leading moral truths are developed in the memorable journey of +Miss Church-Member upon the Broad Highway in company with the polite +and yet fiendish Mr. World. In this lifelike journey the two companions +come in contact with many of Satan’s up-to-date schemes, and witness +his far-extended operations in many a wicked realm. In the descriptions +of all these things we have endeavored to be suggestive rather than +exhaustive, for we have withheld the almost infinite details and brought +to light only a mere synopsis of the panorama as seen from the lofty +summit.</p> + +<p>Will not the reader, as he takes one step after another in the progress +of the story, realize more keenly than ever the unspeakable deceptions +of Satan, so bewitchingly robed in the garments of subtle treachery? +The course of Miss Church-Member is a sad comment on the moving masses +who are so thoroughly led captive by the Devil as to imagine that they +are traveling on a more convenient way to Heaven while they are actually +on the Broad Highway to destruction. The logical ending of such a life +is pictured in the remorseful and tragical experiences of Mr. World +and Miss Church-Member in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It is our +prayer that each reader may be saved from such a terminus of life by +journeying on the King’s Highway and taking Christ as his all in all. +Then when he comes to the place made shadowy by the power of sin and +death, he will be surrounded with a light from the sure city of God, +and by a convoy of angels whose music will quell his rising fears and +by whose power he will be transported to his never-ending home.</p> + +<p class="right">THE AUTHOR.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Contents">Contents</h2> +</div> +<p class="p0"> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">1. The Meeting of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">2. The By-Path</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">3. The Devil’s Optical College</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">4. Satan Interpreting Scripture</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">5. The Devil’s Pawn Shop</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">6. Satan’s Law Departments, (Underground)</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">7. The Hill of Remorse</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">8. The Valley of Temptation</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">9. The Tower of Temptation</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">10. Dark Schemes of Satan</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">11. Schools of Literature,—First and Second Divisions</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">12. The Theatre</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">13. Schools of Literature,—Third Division</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">14. The Devil’s Temperance College</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">15. Infernal School System</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">16. Expert Inventors of the Broad Highway</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">17. The Wizard City</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">18. The Festival</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">19. The Missionary College</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">20. The Rival Churches</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">21. From the Valley of Conviction to the Devil’s Auction</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">22. The Devil’s Hospital</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">23. Satan’s Secret Service</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">24. The Last Warning</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">25. The Valley of the Shadow of Death</a><br /> +</p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Illustrations">List of Illustrations.</h2> +<p class="p0"> +<a href="#img001">1. Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century</a><br /> +<a href="#img002">2. Miss Church-Member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim</a><br /> +<a href="#img003">3. “Let us follow this shining path,” hopefully urged Miss Church-Member</a><br /> +<a href="#img004">4. Leaving the Optical College</a><br /> +<a href="#img005">5. A scene in the Devil’s Pawn Shop</a><br /> +<a href="#img006">6. The Shorter and Broader Way to Heaven</a><br /> +<a href="#img007">7. The final triumph of right over the black hordes of civil iniquity</a><br /> +<a href="#img008">8. On the Hill of Remorse</a><br /> +<a href="#img009">9. The victory of Mrs. Discouraged on the Tower of Temptation</a><br /> +<a href="#img010">10. The Devil’s substitute for the prayer-meeting</a><br /> +<a href="#img011">11. A scene in the Devil’s Temperance College</a><br /> +<a href="#img012">12. The Wizard City</a><br /> +<a href="#img013">13. The Festival</a><br /> +<a href="#img014">14. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member entering the Valley of Conviction</a><br /> +<a href="#img015">15. The Devil’s Auction</a><br /> +<a href="#img016">16. Miss Church-Member carried to the Devil’s Hospital</a><br /> +<a href="#img017">17. Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the Black River</a><br /> +<a href="#img018">18. The glorious end of the righteous</a><br /> +</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="Introduction">Introduction</h2> +</div> + +<p class="center">BY BISHOP RUDOLPH DUBS, D. D., LL. D.</p> + + +<p>In response to the earnest request of the author of this book I have +written these introductory words, after a careful, deliberate reading +of the allegory. What I have written expresses my own opinion of the +book, uninfluenced by motives of friendship for the author or any other +consideration.</p> + +<p>The book is a powerful allegory, somewhat after the style of Pilgrim’s +Progress, but in no sense is it an imitation of any existing work of +the kind. It is a masterful presentation, wrought out with excellent +judgment and consummate skill.</p> + +<p>The creatures of the author’s vivid imagination are perfectly formed +and fittingly clothed, living, moving, feeling, talking, in complete +harmony as the development of the great drama goes on to its +consummation. The author has evidently made a careful and profound +study of the manifold dangers which beset the Christian church and +threaten her spirituality, and consequently her influence and power +in saving the lost and maintaining the gospel standard of life and +godliness in the world.</p> + +<p>The encroachments of worldings upon the church are truthfully and +graphically set forth. The manifold forms of temptation and danger are +clearly exposed, and faithful, tender, earnest warnings and admonitions +are set over against them. In depicting the various efforts of Satan +and his agents to lead Christians away from God and duty, the author +shows an extensive knowledge of the devices of the evil one, as well +as a clear insight into the drift and tendency of modern forms of +wickedness.</p> + +<p>The final results of compromise with the world are set forth in vivid, +graphic pictures drawn on the dark shadows as with a pencil of fire. +The downward course of the deluded soul is followed, step by step; the +snares and delusions of sin are exposed; the mask of vice is +relentlessly torn away, and church-members can here see what fellowship +with the world really means and whither it leads.</p> + +<p>The religious tone of the book throughout is excellent. The delusive +character of sin is plainly pointed out. The devices of Satan are laid +bare with unsparing hand. The abominations of vice are not concealed. +All this is done in language well chosen and unexceptionable. The +Christian life is pictured without cant or exaggeration. The beauty +and blessedness of a devoted life are eloquently portrayed. True +religion with its present comforts and its great rewards is presented +in a most attractive form, and the contrast between the worlding and +the faithful Christian, here and hereafter, is impressively set forth.</p> + +<p>With this favorable opinion of the book, to whose edifying pages I +introduce the reader, I deem it proper for me also to recommend it +most heartily as a book worthy of a place on every family table and +in every Sunday-school library. Let young and old read its fascinating +and instructive pages. Let it be circulated by hundreds and thousands +of copies. May the blessing of God attend the book in its mission and +ministry wherever it is read.</p> + +<p class="right">RUDOLPH DUBS.</p> + +<p><i>Chicago, Ill., March, 1901</i>.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.<br />THE MEETING OF MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. The dying of a century compared to the waning of a day.</p> + +<p>2. The allegory opens with a panoramic view of human life, as seen +through the open door of the twentieth century, on the Broad Highway +and King’s Highway. Blackana is introduced.</p> + +<p>3. Mr. World meets Miss Church-Member at a place called Fellowship. +From here she journeys with him on the Broad Highway where she witnesses +several sad endings of human life.</p> + + +<p>In the closing hours of a long day I climbed a rugged path to a high +eminence whence I overlooked a beautiful valley and watched, with +increasing delight, the changing hues of earth and sky.</p> + +<p>As the shadows of twilight were deepening each moment grew more strange +and mysterious until the waning day seemed to be transformed into the +dying of the century. Then I saw, as “through a glass darkly,” the +whole panorama of human life, with its painful pictures of sadness and +sin, and its blessed scenes of peace and righteousness. I also heard +the unmistakable wails of a suffering humanity and the turmoils of +myriad contentions, all strangely mingling with the songs of glory and +the shouts of spiritual triumph.</p> + +<p>In deep silence I continued looking upon these endless confusions of +the church and the world as they still played their perplexing parts +in the fitful drama before me. All of this so preyed upon my mind that +I involuntarily cried out, in the anguish of my soul: “When will +confusion come to an end, and sweet peace cover the earth as the waters +cover the sea?”</p> + +<p>“Will you wait for the winds to answer, or shall I?” replied a voice +so passing strange that I was startled.</p> + +<p>I turned to see in whose presence I was and, to my horror, I beheld +a dark creature unlike any mortal being. He was without definite form +and not cumbered with any garments. His indescribable face was set +with two bright eyes, softened in expression until a slight halo +revealed to me a countenance half beautiful and half terrible. “Who +are you, and what is your mission?” I finally ventured to ask after +speech had found my lips, for I was altogether ignorant of his nature +or purpose.</p> + +<p>“I am Blackana, from the lower world of spirits, and am commanded here +to stay until released.”</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img001"> + <img src="images/001.jpg" class="w50" alt="Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century.<br /></p> + + +<p>“Until released? What power binds you here, and how long will you +abide?” I asked in dread suspense. “I must remain, as your companion +and interpreter, until the vision is past.”</p> + +<p>I trembled under these announcements, but I was assured that underneath +me were “the everlasting arms” and, moreover, I heard a still, small +voice whispering within me: “Stand still, O mortal man! Neither Blackana +nor any of his horde shall do thee harm. He hovers before thee at my +bidding, and will leave thee only at my command. Ask him what thou +wilt, and he must answer thee, even to the limit of his knowledge.”</p> + +<p>At this juncture, and without a moment’s warning, my vision was enlarged +and an unusual light flashed upon me. Quickly I cast my wondering eyes +all about me and saw that I was standing at the very threshold of a +great door. It was of such imposing dimensions and so magnificently +constructed that only the architects of Heaven could have designed it.</p> + +<p>Instinctively I turned to Blackana, whom I could now face without fear: +“Where are we, and what is the meaning of this great door?” And as I +spoke unseen hands swung it open upon its hinges.</p> + +<p>“We are standing at the open door of the twentieth century. You may +look out into the coming years as far as you wish,” replied Blackana +in a cold, indifferent manner.</p> + +<p>Thrilled by such an unusual sight, and the thought which his +interpretation and words suggested, I marveled at his sullenness, for +Blackana did not so much as lift his head to see the spectacle.</p> + +<p>“O, Blackana!” I cried, “why are you so dead to such surroundings?”</p> + +<p>“These are mere playthings,” was his gruff reply. “To me the doors of +the centuries, which open and shut on the cycles of time, are as +trifles, neither lessening my misery nor adding to my pleasure.”</p> + +<p>During a brief, thoughtful silence I continued looking at him, as a +shudder swept my whole being. I then turned from this creature so +shrouded in mystery and, stepping forward to look through the open +door, I was suddenly overawed at the still greater scenes which spread +in wondrous panorama before my entranced vision.</p> + +<p>Under the new light I beheld a marvelous sight, for I could distinctly +see the myriad millions of humanity moving on the paths of life toward +a common goal.</p> + +<p>In the bright halo of the scene I saw the beautiful King’s Highway, +on which were marching the hosts of the church militant, led +triumphantly by the Spirit of God to the very gates of the Celestial +City, which, though distant, I could yet see under the dazzling light +radiating from the central throne of glory as from untold suns.</p> + +<p>In the darker shadows of this same panorama I saw the Broad Highway +with its thronging multitudes. Some, with deliberate step, scrutinizing +the objects along the way; others, in mad haste, rushing on toward an +awful destruction whose wreck and ruin loomed up dimly in the glare +of an eternal burning.</p> + +<p>Among the happy pilgrims of the King’s Highway was one named Miss +Church-Member, who had left the Broad Way of death, and entered, through +Christ, into that marvelous light wherein she was now walking. Her +tread was in sweet harmony with the footsteps of her Master, and her +beautiful face was all aglow with the passion of pure love.</p> + +<p>A pilgrim’s robe added beauty to her form; a Bible, carried under her +arm, gave some evidence of her spiritual character; and a religious +emblem, worn over her heart, told that she was a member of some +Christian organization.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member, in traveling her chosen path, tarried at a place +called Fellowship which occupied a pleasing site close by the King’s +Highway. Here one could readily speak and associate with the travelers +who moved in gay companies along the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>At this visiting place she met a certain Mr. World—a good, jolly +fellow, of corpulent build, who was attired in the fashion of the day, +and bore himself with more than usual jauntiness in the presence of +Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>After a pleasing conversation, in which Mr. World plied his Satanic +shrewdness and sophistry, he was emboldened to give this brief +invitation: “Will you journey a short distance with me on this Broader +Way that I may prepare myself, with more facility, to accompany you +where you wish, even on a path as narrow as the one you seem to love?”</p> + +<p>“Ah, Mr. World,” she said, with a tolerant smile, “do you not know +that you are walking on the way of danger and death? Why would you +have me share your folly? It were a thousand times better for you to +join me at once on a path that leads to everlasting happiness. Here +you can drink the water of life in abundance, and feed upon angels’ +food. O, come, Mr. World,” she added as she spoke more earnestly, +“linger no longer, carry out the resolution which you have already +broken repeatedly, and you will never regret so wise an action.” Thus +did Miss Church-Member urge upon him a course which, in her inimitable +missionary spirit, she made really attractive to him. Although he +appreciated her genuine earnestness, yet he could not be induced to +heed her words.</p> + +<p>“You have covered the whole field of my intention,” he courteously +replied. “I sincerely wish to mend my ways, but there are certain +things I must first overcome. How much better I could do this if one +like you, in whom I have supreme confidence, would but journey at my +side. Will you not do the work of a good missionary and, like Christ, +adapt yourself to my level, that I may, by your uplifting influence, +be drawn into a nobler life, and even have your companionship as I go +up to the Highway of your King?”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member, being of a sympathetic nature and of strong +missionary proclivities, refused to heed her many counselors who feared +for her safety, and actually stepped still farther from her wonted +path and journeyed at the side of Mr. World with the desire to compass +his conversion. But her conscience, at first, troubled her and her +feet moved with a suspicious tread.</p> + +<p>In this nervous, half confiding and half shrinking mood, she leaned +lightly upon his arm, ever turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her +well-meaning friends who still hoped to dissuade her from this +ill-advised course.</p> + +<p>Mr. World was keenly delighted at her concession and loyalty to him. +He seemed to be willing to go to any sacrifice that might add to her +comfort or increase her happiness. His many companions could readily +see that Miss Church-Member felt “out of place.” But she justified her +own course by what she was aiming to do.</p> + +<p>He saw that her dress of righteousness was in wide contrast with the +filthy rags that covered his own soul, and so he preferred to look +upon the garments that adorned his outer person, and the gaudy scenes +on either side of the way.</p> + +<p>I beheld this wide path along a great length, and I shuddered as I saw +the masses thereon who were engaged in the frivolities of life as found +in the swiftly passing pleasures of sense and sight. The thoughtless +throngs were seemingly unconscious that underneath the whole length +and breadth of the path there were strata of fire, and they were +apparently blind to the sulphurous flames which, here and there, issued +from openings into which many an unsuspecting traveler fell.</p> + +<p>Sad to relate, of all the moving multitudes there were but few, indeed, +who took warning and fled toward the King’s Highway. Many, like Miss +Church-Member, were walking on the forbidden path for no other reason +than some weak apology.</p> + +<p>“What mean these lurid openings?” nervously asked Miss Church-Member, +for their flames excited her terror. Mr. World replied, with a look +of surprise: “Have you never heard that these are to give light to +pilgrims, such as we? Without them the way would prove very dark and +dreary.”</p> + +<p>“What a contrast,” she exclaimed, “between these lights and those that +illumine the King’s Highway! They shine from above, with increasing +splendor, while these cast forth, from below, their uncertain lights. +It seems to me that the farther we go the darker becomes the way, and +its lights the more inconstant,—so fitful is their gruesome glare.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! I see what ails you,” responded Mr. World. “Your eyes are at +fault. We will presently meet the expert who will correct your vision +ere your eyes are totally ruined.”</p> + +<p>The attention of Miss Church-Member was suddenly attracted by seeing +a man who was just sinking out of sight into the fire of destruction. +As soon as he disappeared the flames burst forth in fury through the +newly-made opening. Instantly a servant of Satan covered the breach +so that observers could no longer hear the wails of the poor man, nor +smell the fumes from the burning strata.</p> + +<p>Then did I look and, behold, I saw such places in countless variety, +each attended by a servant of the Black Prince. Each opening made by +an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so that others, in passing +along, would the more readily be ensnared in one of these fatal +fissures.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was more than alarmed at these sad endings of human +life which now came to her attention more vividly than when she traveled +on the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman sinking in utter despair, +and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched +ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member could give assistance.</p> + +<p>“Help! help! I sink I know not whither,” was her wailing cry, as she +was passing out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward +her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames +that issued from the fresh opening.</p> + +<p>“Oh, horror!” shrieked Miss Church-Member as she turned toward Mr. +World. “That ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of +wickedness and vice.”</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img002"> + <img src="images/002.jpg" class="w75" alt="Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an +unfortunate victim." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an +unfortunate victim.<br /></p> + +<p>Without a moment’s delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and covered +it from sight, completing his work so quickly and with such skill that +neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer +perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and +with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a sign of warning so +that other short-sighted, mortals who came that way might read and +heed.</p> + +<p>“It would be only a waste of time and energy. I have seen hundreds of +such places where travelers have gone down, even under the sign of the +Cross.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I should stand here continually +and speak words of personal warning to any one who might seem determined +to walk in such a terrible path as this.” Her finger pointed to the +spot where she had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more.</p> + +<p>“Look yonder,” he hurriedly spoke, as he touched her arm. “Do you see +that woman with her steps in the same direction? Now try your skill,” +he added with more sneer than sympathy in his voice.</p> + +<p>She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but quickly went to the woman +and asked her to pause a moment.</p> + +<p>“Are you willing to be saved from destruction?” earnestly asked Miss +Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“I am safe enough,” was the indifferent reply.</p> + +<p>“You are now walking rapidly toward an awful death,” were her further +words of warning.</p> + +<p>“What right have you to judge me,” she curtly replied, “since you also +are on this Broad Highway? Have I not heard already the words from +those who also wear the pilgrim’s robe, but who journey on the King’s +Highway? Their words brought conviction to my heart and tears to my +eyes, but your words only stir up my indignation.”</p> + +<p>“Why speak so unkindly to a friend? My only intention is to do you +good. I just saw one who came to a horrible end by continuing a little +farther in the same course that you are now pursuing.”</p> + +<p>Then did the wicked woman fly into a rage. “You need no more concern +yourself about me. I have two eyes—as many as you have. Look to your +own future, not mine; at your own steps, and not at another’s!”</p> + +<p>“Come,” impatiently spoke Mr. World, as he drew her by the arm, “it +is just as I expected; let us get away from this sickly atmosphere.” +But Miss Church-Member lingered only to see the heedless woman step +to the last extreme and sink hopelessly, while her piteous cries for +help came too late for any to rescue her.</p> + +<p class="center p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img003"> + <img src="images/003.jpg" class="w75" alt="Let us follow this shining path. hopefully urged Miss +Church-Member. But it is too rough and steep for Mr. World." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">“Let us follow this shining path.” hopefully urged Miss +Church-Member. But it is too rough and steep for Mr. World.<br /></p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.<br />THE BY-PATH.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. In their journey Mr. World and Miss Church-Member come to the By-Path +leading to the King’s Highway; on this Miss Church-Member urges Mr. +World to travel. He defers so decisive a step and defends his attitude +by the use of sophistry.</p> + +<p>2. Miss Church-Member, still hoping to win Mr. World to a better path, +forsakes the King’s Highway and continues in his company.</p> + +<p>3. A tilt with Blackana who defends Miss Church-Member for traveling +on the Broad Highway.</p> + + +<p>The highway of the world was so broad that one could walk thereon as +loosely as he wished without fear of stepping from it. Along the way +there were so many things to attract the attention that the farther +Miss Church-Member journeyed with Mr. World, the less frequently she +looked toward the King’s Highway. However, her face brightened and her +hopes waxed strong as they suddenly came to a place where two ways met.</p> + +<p>With quick insight Miss Church-Member saw that the By-Path was a blessed +one and that it led directly to the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>“Let us follow this shining path,” she hopefully suggested. “I know +it leads to the way of light and glory.”</p> + +<p>“Not such a path, my friend,” hastily replied Mr. World. “Do you not +see the terrible hill to which it leads, and those who are even now +struggling to climb its arduous heights?”</p> + +<p>“I clearly see it all,” she calmly admitted, “but they who struggle +most are endeavoring to carry many idols with them. If one will forsake +his idols, he can, with ease and pleasure, mount to the shining summit +which is but the edge of the King’s glorious Highway. Come, Mr. World, +hesitate no more. Let procrastination end, and go with me even to the +hill, and I will help you to the summit—while Another will help you +more.”</p> + +<p>“Very true, very true,” he said, though somewhat irritated, “but we +have not yet come to the place where I may wisely follow your advice. +This path turning away to the right leads to a place that may seem +bright from this point, but nevertheless I know it to be a narrow, +rugged way, whereon a few of your friends are trudging, eking out a +miserable existence. Urge me not to go thither. If you leave me, I can +neither accompany you nor give you my assistance. Surely you have +learned, ere this, that your needs are of such a nature that you must +inevitably suffer embarrassment without my little help.”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member, with eyes but partly open to her own folly, was +grievously perplexed and not a little disappointed. She fell on her +knees and wept. Looking up pleadingly into his eyes, she faltered:</p> + +<p>“Twice have I yielded to you since we entered into companionship. You +well remember the solemn promise you made, but at each time you deferred +its fulfillment, and now I must again hear your vain excuses. I have +suffered much for your sake, and have now the enmity of many a former +friend, and even my pilgrim robe is becoming stained with the filth +of this way.”</p> + +<p>“Come, come, my friend, be a woman and not a sickly suppliant. The +portion of the King’s Highway which we would reach from this point is +too rough for my feet to travel. We will shortly come to a more +convenient place; then I can think more seriously of leaving this way.”</p> + +<p>“Ah!” sighed Miss Church-Member, “you say that in your folly. I can +testify, from knowledge, that the way is most delightful and leads to +mansions incorruptible in the Celestial City.” “Let us cease debating,” +interrupted Mr. World, with ill-concealed impatience. “If you have +sacrificed so much through my fellowship and imagine that you can find +better company, you may leave, but you cannot expect me to accompany +you on so thorny and rough a path as this which you have so foolishly +proposed.”</p> + +<p>Strengthened by the remnants of Christian virtue yet within her, she +sprang to her feet and was about to execute her noble purpose of leaving +him. But a number of Mr. World’s friends quickly rallied and +complimented Miss Church-Member on the good she had already done. “Mr. +World is a better man since he has known you,” said one. “If you will +continue walking with him on his own level, no one can estimate the +amount of good you will yet do for him,” hopefully spoke another.</p> + +<p>These unexpected testimonies aroused anew her missionary spirit and +changed her thoughts to these yielding sentences:</p> + +<p>“No sacrifice is too great, if victory but comes at last. If there is +hope that Mr. World will cease deceiving me and walk in the path of +truth, I will consent to be his companion still a little farther.”</p> + +<p>“There is every hope of that,” smilingly returned Mr. World as he +suavely bowed to her and to the little group of companions who had +given him such timely help.</p> + +<p>As I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member moving on, in closer +fellowship than ever, I waxed warm with indignation, and addressed +Blackana who was still lying at my side as motionless as the strata +of the rock-ribbed earth:</p> + +<p>“Will you explain to me this folly of Miss Church-Member, who has not +only disgraced her cause before the fiendish Mr. World, but who also +continues with him in such unseemly intimacy?”</p> + +<p>“Miss Church-Member is not walking in folly. She is engaged in a noble +work, endeavoring to elevate Mr. World to a higher Christian life,” +was the answer from the lips of Blackana in a low, heavy voice.</p> + +<p>“Ah,” said I, with a feeling of suspicion, “she is shining from the +wrong lighthouse. The rays of truth will never reach him as long as +she is in that position.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they might in a miraculous way,” suggested Blackana.</p> + +<p>“No good miracle is ever done in the steps of the Devil or in his +dominions,” I answered with boldness.</p> + +<p>Then did Blackana enlarge himself, and as he replied he looked down +upon me significantly. “O puny mortal, instruct me not in the miracles +of my master. More great things are done under the canopies of Hell +than mortals ever know.”</p> + +<p>At first I was filled with alarm, but under the voice of One invisible +I rose as with superhuman strength, and I looked at him unflinchingly. +“O horrible creature! I fear you not in any of your passions. You would +even destroy me if you could, but you are forever restrained by the +Power that holds authority over all!”</p> + +<p>There was a sudden rustling, unlike anything I had ever heard. The +uncanny creature dashed toward me in his awful fury. But I moved not, +neither was I touched. Then I stretched forth my hand and commanded +him, in the name of One who is supreme, to cease his foolish ragings, +else would he be instantly flung through the wastes of Hell.</p> + +<p>Blackana, knowing his limit, as all foul fiends do, dared to venture +no further in his rage, but calmed himself and, with unexpected +civility, he addressed me. He told me, in close detail, how Mr. World, +by his binding promises to his companion, had played the part of folly +rather than Miss Church-Member who did nothing more than enter upon +a more convenient and a Broader Way to heaven, and that, too, in good +company.</p> + +<p>“And what think you,—will Mr. World ever fulfill his binding promises?”</p> + +<p>“Do not doubt it, sir. Mr. World is an honorable gentleman. His promises +are always fulfilled.</p> + +<p>“A lie! A lie! Can you not speak the truth?”</p> + +<p>Again he was about to rise into terrible proportions when a great hand +moved the door on its hinges. Blackana, interpreting that movement +better than I, continued in dread restraint. I looked again upon the +Broad Highway, and saw how Mr. World had so completely won the +confidence of Miss Church-Member that she now frequently expressed her +sense of obligation to him, and declared that he was not so mean a +fellow as some alleged, and as she had been inclined to believe.</p> + +<p>“Pray, tell me who seeks to injure my good reputation?” he courteously +asked.</p> + +<p>“It has long been current talk on the King’s Highway that you are +deceitful and treacherous, and that you aim to lead people to ruin. +You well know that I hoped, by mutual association, to win you to a +better path. I find, even after some painful errors on my part, that +you are not so much in need of reformation as I imagined. You are a +very considerate and clever fellow, doubtless under the sway of a moral +evolution, and whether I stay with you, or you go with me, it is now, +to my mind, quite evident that you will soon reach a perfect condition.”</p> + +<p>The wily Mr. World chuckled. “You are newly endowed with the gift of +a wisdom whose inward glory has lent its brightness to your eye, and +has given savor to your very words. If you continue in your present +state of liberality and broad-mindedness, you will not only share all +that I possess, but will wear a crown set with gems of truth.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.<br />THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE.</h2> +</div> + +<p>1. The college described.</p> + +<p>2. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member have their eyes examined, and Miss +Church-Member is supplied with lenses which warp her spiritual vision.</p> + +<p>3. The allegory shows how Satan supplies every conceivable kind of +lenses to suit the people of the world and the church.</p> + +<p>4. Blackana, with deceptive words, attempts to defend Satan’s course.</p> + + +<p>This institution of Satan has been in operation since the creation of +man, having been remodeled as often as advancement in style or skill +demanded.</p> + +<p>Each one of the fourteen massive buildings was a gem of architectural +beauty, and was devoted to a special line of study or practice. The +entire group worked harmoniously toward the same end.</p> + +<p>In the course of their journey Mr. World and Miss Church-Member drew +nigh to this great college, but the shrewd and wicked Mr. World remained +silent, waiting for the first words of his companion. Miss +Church-Member, however, as she looked upon the stupendous edifices, +was so filled with wonder and admiration at the long stretches of +masonry, and the perfect symmetry of parts, that she offered no comment +until they were quite near the first building.</p> + +<p>“For what purpose is this group of great structures used?” were her +words that broke the brief silence.</p> + +<p>“All for the sake of the eyes,” he carelessly answered, as he called +her attention to the King’s Highway and the throngs of people that +were admiring and entering the college from those parts.</p> + +<p>“It is indeed wonderful,” she commented, “that so small a thing as the +eye should demand the service of such great edifices.”</p> + +<p>“The buildings are not too large nor too well equipped. Your surprise +would not be so great were you to witness the large number from the +two great highways that come here daily for treatment. You can see +them now moving by thousands to and from the buildings. It might be +wise for us to enter for consultation. My eyes, at least, may need +some expert attention.”</p> + +<p>She, being anxious to see the interior of at least one of the buildings, +offered no objection to his shrewd suggestion.</p> + +<p>The building was so easy of access that there was not one step to +climb. An electric elevator served to carry them to the sixty-fourth +floor which formed a part of the huge dome into which the upper portion +of the great structure converged. This style of architecture not only +added to the beauty of the appearance, but also proved to be perfectly +adapted to the uses of the college.</p> + +<p>The confidence of Miss Church-Member was fully won by the appearance +of the interior and the courteous attention she received from the +managers.</p> + +<p>The consulting physician examined the eyes of Mr. World, then +congratulated him upon the clear vision he enjoyed, and informed him +that his eyes required no immediate treatment.</p> + +<p>Turning to one side, Mr. World whispered to his companion: “While we +are here you had better improve this opportunity and also get the +benefit of an expert opinion.”</p> + +<p>“I have not come prepared financially,” she blushingly and faintly +replied. “I did not even dream of seeking the service of a specialist.”</p> + +<p>“That obstacle is easily overcome, for the examination is free, and +if you should need further attention and would wish to receive it, I +would deem it only a great pleasure to bear all the expenses.”</p> + +<p>After a brief, thoughtful silence she consented to the preliminary +examination. “Will you examine the eyes of my friend?” requested Mr. +World as he stepped toward the chief oculist.</p> + +<p>The expert accordingly tested her sight. First he held up, at a +distance, the “Delusion of the New Jerusalem,” but she was totally +blind to it. Then he submitted the “Deceptions of the Holy Bible” of +which she could again see nothing.</p> + +<p>“Look through these windows to the Broad Highway, far out into the +distance over rolling stretches of country. Can you see the gates of +Heaven, at the end of the way?”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member looked carefully, but declared that she could not +see anything that appeared like Heaven or the gates thereof.</p> + +<p>“Can you see that place called ‘Perfect Peace’ along the Broad Highway,” +continued the oculist as he pointed to a far-off region.</p> + +<p>“I can see nothing that looks like it,” she honestly confessed, quite +surprised to discover the existence of these apparent defects of her +vision.</p> + +<p>“A very sad and extreme case,” murmured the examiner as he requested +her to open her Bible.</p> + +<p>“Can you see, in that book, that all people shall be saved, and none +perish?”</p> + +<p>“I am surely blind to that and always have been,” she readily admitted +with a little more boldness.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you can see the justice of God in punishing the sinner?” he +continued with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.</p> + +<p>“Plainly visible.”</p> + +<p>“So I expected.”</p> + +<p>He then proceeded to a more minute examination, after which he wrote +a brief diagnosis and commended her to a specialist in the next +building.</p> + +<p>She hesitated somewhat, but Mr. World, handing her, confidentially, +a handsome sum of yellow coin from his bag of gold, brought words of +deep thankfulness from her lips, and gave decision to her steps in the +direction he desired.</p> + +<p>From the great dome they were taken in a closed car over the high +suspension bridge to the adjoining building which was of still greater +magnitude.</p> + +<p>The room into which they entered, at such a dizzy height, surpassed, +in its unique arrangement, anything of the kind that they had thus far +seen. In long and high glass cases lay all the modern appliances used +by the most skillful hands. The furnishings blended harmoniously with +the general environments. All this won the utter confidence of the new +and unsuspecting visitor. “With pleasure,” politely began Mr. World, +“I present my friend, Miss Church-Member, who comes hither with +defective eyes and a duly subscribed diagnosis from the chief of the +oculists.”</p> + +<p>The specialist whom he thus addressed made an additional examination, +plying his craft with all the ingenuity he had learned from his master. +At the conclusion he delivered himself in this wise:</p> + +<p>“I find, Miss Church-Member, that your eyes are very much out of order. +A complex case, indeed. I have discovered ametropia in the particular +form of irregular astigmatism. The pupil, covered by the unabsorbed +remains of the pupillary membrane, is occluded by a deposition of +inflammatory substance, occasioned by inflammation of the ciliary body.</p> + +<p>“I have also noticed a severe type of hemianopsia, which, I presume, +had its origin in congeniture. Minor defects are also apparent, but +it is unnecessary for me to give further details,”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member could not refrain from weeping bitterly at this sad +announcement. “Is it possible to effect a cure?” she sobbed.</p> + +<p>“Ah! you need not thus lament,” said the specialist in a tone of +sympathy. “Millions have been altogether cured whose eyes were more +diseased than are yours. Forget your tears and be at perfect peace. +Calmly confide in our skill.”</p> + +<p>She consented to their method, and was first subjected to a course of +preliminary treatment. Many an hour she lay while her eyes were covered +with cloths saturated with strange liquids. And when her eyes were +uncovered she was compelled to sit in darkness, for the physician told +her that her eyes had already suffered much on account of light. At +times the pain was well nigh intolerable, but she endured it all +heroically, hoping to gain thereby the boon of a complete cure.</p> + +<p>After this preparatory work one who was skilled in the best methods +of the age performed the operation, and Miss Church-Member was comforted +by the assurance that her eyes would be fitted with special lenses, +and soon she could again behold the natural light of day.</p> + +<p>Mr. World was busily engaged during the treatment of Miss +Church-Member, but he came repeatedly to her side and spoke words of +cheer and urged her strict obedience to all directions.</p> + +<p>Finally her new lenses were put to service, and Mr. World proffered +his compliments profusely until the first impulses of vanity moved +within her. _To be admired, on account of her appearance, seemed never +so attractive as now!_</p> + +<p>What a new world opened to her view! She looked down upon the Broad +Highway with a degree of pleasure hitherto unsuspected, and also upon +the King’s Highway, but only to see that the path was indeed a rough +one and beset with trials and difficulties which, to her mind, now +seemed unnecessary to a Christian life.</p> + +<p>In the same manner I looked into all the apartments of each building, +and was astonished at the presence of so large a number from the King’s +Highway, and a still greater throng from the way of the world.</p> + +<p>“O Blackana!” I cried, “how long will this continue? Is there no end +to deception? With such a changed view of things, how can Miss +Church-Member crave for the King’s Highway or urge Mr. World thither?”</p> + +<p>“Miss Church-Member will be happier where she is,” answered my uncanny +companion as he grinned horribly. “By the aid of her glasses she can +both see and enjoy the wonderful scenes along the way.” I knew that +Blackana was covering the truth, but hesitated to insinuate as much. +“Can you explain,” I questioned in a half hopeful mood, “how those +specialists can do their deceptive work so brazenly? Poor Miss +Church-Member, deluded and defrauded, now stumbles rapidly onward with +the fiendish Mr. World. Tell me, O agent of the Devil, do those +creatures find delight in such horrible deeds?”</p> + +<p>“It is not a matter of pleasure or delight with them, but rather one +of loyalty to their king, whom you call ‘Devil.’ To serve him poorly +means a more bitter hell, but to serve him well brings honor from his +hand.”</p> + +<p>“But such honor!” I exclaimed, and then said: “I observe that Miss +Church-Member wears colored lenses—tell me the meaning of this; and +you, Blackana, hereafter deal no more in falsehood with me!” I demanded.</p> + +<p>Blackana shifted his position, and with marked reluctance proceeded +to answer:</p> + +<p>“The Devil, my master, uses in his work all imaginable kinds of glasses, +invented in the Wizard City. Every conceivable shade of color is made, +each for its particular use. Through his agents Satan selects the lens +for the patient’s eye, and if it is worn as selected and directed, he +has won a decisive victory.”</p> + +<p>“Foul and fiendish plots of Hell,” I involuntarily muttered; but +Blackana listened in silence.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.<br />SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member now take an easier method of +traveling, for they ride on a strange vehicle down the gravity road.</p> + +<p>2. Miss Church-Member reads her Bible by the aid of her new glasses.</p> + +<p>3. She is assisted in understanding it by a minion of Satan who comes +robed as an angel of light.</p> + +<p>4. Her glasses enable her to distinguish between the inspired and the +uninspired parts of the Bible; for this ability she is highly +complimented.</p> + + +<p>The Broad Highway, after leaving the Optical College, was especially +hard to travel. Here Mr. World secured a fashionable vehicle propelled +by some secret force. Into this carriage he assisted Miss Church-Member, +and each was delighted with the smooth descent down the gravity road.</p> + +<p>“This is delightful traveling,” she said, as she reclined upon the +luxurious cushions of the conveyance. Aided by her new glasses she +enjoyed the scenery along the way more than ever. “I am glad you +appreciate it,” he smilingly returned. “According to my notion, riding +is indeed preferable to walking. From these elevated carriages one can +witness so much more of the world, and can also with more distinctness +see the King’s Highway with its trudging pilgrims seemingly unconscious +of this better mode of travel.”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member took a mere casual glance at the Old Path and her +former associates, and seemed to feel thankful that she had risen from +bigotry to a more charitable view of things.</p> + +<p>Her Bible, although closed altogether too long, had never been +surrendered. But she had received strict orders not to read it until +her eyes were fully adjusted to the new lenses.</p> + +<p>Now, however, she opened it and was reading it under the new light, +lifting her eyes at close intervals so as to miss nothing of beauty +or interest along this way of the world.</p> + +<p>Mr. World observed her careless manner,—how she turned from chapter +to chapter in brief succession and fixed but little attention on any +particular portion.</p> + +<p>“I would urge you,” he kindly advised, “that if you feel aught of +headache or heartache, through excessive reading, to close the book +at once.”</p> +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img004"> + <img src="images/004.jpg" class="w75" alt="Miss Church-member was reading the Bible to her companion +when there appeared to them an interpreter who was like unto an angel +of light." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">Miss Church-member was reading the Bible to her companion +when there appeared to them an interpreter who was like unto an angel +of light.<br /></p> + +<p>She made no reply, but to his surprise was now deeply engaged in the +perusal of the seventh chapter of Matthew.</p> + +<p>“I have heard that some parts of that book are very interesting,” he +said in his good natured way. “Will you not read aloud to me?”</p> + +<p>With a return of the old passion for his conversion she gladly complied +and read the whole chapter while they continued gliding smoothly along.</p> + +<p>An interesting discussion ensued, during the course of which there +joined them one who was like unto an angel of light.</p> + +<p>After hearing his smooth sentences of general Bible-knowledge, Miss +Church-Member exclaimed: “Who art thou, and how didst thou gain so +great a knowledge of this Book?”</p> + +<p>“I am but a harmless creature of the air, going whither I will. I have +studied that Book through all the changes of time and understand every +part of it. I would, even now, make any sentence as clear as light to +thee.”</p> + +<p>“And thinkest thou that this part is true?” hopefully asked Miss +Church-Member as she raised the open Bible and pointed to the chapter +she had just read.</p> + +<p>“Every sentence is true, but in reading it there is grave danger of +misapprehension. Didst thou have difficulty with any particular part +of the chapter?”</p> + +<p>“With verses thirteen and fourteen,” she replied.</p> + +<p>The angelic interpreter then read them in a fine resonant voice.</p> + +<p>“‘Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is +the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in +hereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth +unto life, and few there be that find it.’”</p> + +<p>“If these words are really true,” quickly commented Miss Church-Member, +“we must be traveling in the wrong way. Does it not appear so?” she +queried, as she looked with increasing interest at the angelic being.</p> + +<p>“Naturally it does,” he shrewdly answered, “especially if you look +merely at the surface of the text; but the pearls of truth lie deeper.”</p> + +<p>“I well know that the King’s Highway is called the ‘Narrow Way’ and +this, whereon we journey, the ‘Broad Way.’ Surely this part of Scripture +is against us,” insisted Miss Church-Member, as her countenance grew +more troubled.</p> + +<p>“Thou needst not stumble at such easy Scripture; behold, the meaning +is quite clear! They who travel on the so-called King’s Highway are +continually exaggerating the _merits_ of the way, thereby making it +appear greater and broader than it really is. They go so far as to +claim that the way is broad enough to accommodate all the people of +the world, were they minded to travel thereon. Therefore those who +thus make the way broad by their own conceits will meet with +destruction. This is the meaning of verse thirteen.”</p> + +<p>“It is certain, according to verse fourteen, that we have a strait +gate, and none, on this road, imagine or claim that the way is broader +than it is; so we are credited with having it called ‘narrow,’ for it +is as narrow as we claim it to be.”</p> + +<p>“Notwithstanding your explanation and the relief these glasses have +given me, my conscience is still troubled, and methinks I hear a voice +from this Bible chiding me. This is the chief barrier to my real +happiness,” she boldly confessed.</p> + +<p>“Thou shouldst not dwell in fear,” spoke the shining adviser. “Do not +allow the errors of any false teaching to mar the peace and happiness +of this way. Bid farewell to all thy inward doubting, and taste the +imperishable sweetness of the world, turning a deaf ear to the voice +that chides thee unkindly.”</p> + +<p>“But the voice comes from my Bible,” she tremblingly declared.</p> + +<p>“Truly said, Miss Church-Member; it comes far enough _from_ the Bible. +Why not listen to the voice that is the Bible. Thou art in harmony with +every part of Scripture. Let not false voices drive thee on to deeper +grief.”</p> + +<p>She then looked at the shining form with more curiosity than ever +before.</p> + +<p>“Who can this be?” she asked Mr. World in a passing whisper. “You have +seen how he urges me to perfect peace, and so unselfishly.”</p> + +<p>“’Tis but a happy friend that comes in the hour of need. Should we not +give heed to his kindly voice? If the studying of that Bible gives you +pain, adding to the weight that already wearies your heart, why not +close the book and, continuing on this way of ease, look more carefully +on outward things again?”</p> + +<p>“Think you, Mr. World, that I would lay down my Bible? This is the +book that mother loved. It has always been my Book of books. It contains +the code of laws that controls the whole spiritual world, and it is +the only lamp that leads to light and to the gates of Heaven. You need +it as much as I. Why ask me to lay it down?”</p> + +<p>“_Nay, nay,_” spoke the angel of light, “_urge her not to discard her +Bible, but rather to get a true understanding of it._ Perhaps,” he +continued, turning again to Miss Church-Member, “thou hast met with +other mysterious verses in this chapter. If so, I will gladly serve +thee, for I love to give light to an honest heart.”</p> + +<p>“I see nothing more now that gives me trouble. These glasses, which +I got through the kindness of Mr. World, have helped me to understand +your interpretation so that the rest of the chapter is quite clear to +me.”</p> + +<p>“And how does the whole Bible appear since thy sight is so improved +by those fortunate lenses?”</p> + +<p>“It certainly appears vastly different,” she confessed. “It is so much +more liberal in its teachings than I ever before imagined.”</p> + +<p>“_Hast thou become so far advanced that thou canst, with thy more +comprehensive view, distinguish between the inspired and the uninspired +parts?_” asked the shining one with an air of dignity.</p> + +<p>“Not clearly so, although I have recently doubted the genuineness of +some parts which still hold their place in the book.”</p> + +<p>“Thou art coming to the true light,” he flatteringly replied. “Blessed +is the event that ever changed thine eyes to see so great a truth. Oh, +that all the world might thus drink from the fountain of knowledge!”</p> + +<p>“When will the time ever come that the Bible will be rid of its errors?” +impatiently broke in Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“In that happy day when the mists of superstition shall vanish before +the true light of personal liberty and free thinking,” came the answer +from the bright-robed angel who was none else than a minion of the +Devil in disguise.</p> + +<p>“How could such a glorious work best be accomplished?” asked Mr. World +whose interest now was more intensely aroused.</p> + +<p>“Only by Christians who ought to appoint a committee from their own +number,—persons like our friend Miss Church-Member. This committee +could decide, by a majority vote, what parts of the Bible to expunge. +Then the church and the world would have a Bible reasonably free from +errors. Our present Bible has so many objectionable parts which, of +course, could not have been inspired, and any person who has the courage +to correct it will be doing the world an incalculable service.”</p> + +<p>“Amen and amen!” enthusiastically spoke Mr. World. “The Bible is +certainly a great book, but it would be vastly improved if once rid +of its interpolations and errors of translation. Any preacher who would +use in his pulpit such an abridged Bible would have my profoundest +respect, and I hereby pledge half my fortune to the first minister who +will do himself the honor of taking such a step.”</p> + +<p>“That will have its desired effect,” smilingly commented Miss +Church-Member, “for there are some gentlemen of the cloth who would +quickly sacrifice any conviction for such a sum of money.”</p> + +<p>“And here,” added the angel of light, “I hold in my hand a crown of +fame set with the gems of honor. I hereby engage to place a crown like +this on the head of each minister who will, in preaching and teaching, +abridge the Bible and ridicule its weaknesses. Of course he must not +cast reflection upon the real Word of God. He must only denounce and +destroy the errors that have crept into it.”</p> + +<p>With these words the bright messenger disappeared, and Miss +Church-Member endeavored again to know more about his identity, but +Mr. World did not altogether satisfy her curiosity.</p> + +<p>Then, as they sped onward in their well-devised vehicle down the gravity +road to Hell, Miss Church-Member continued reading her Bible quietly.</p> + +<p>“How changed the teachings of this book appear,” she soliloquized. “I +can now see how foolish I once was in taking so narrow a view of its +truths.”</p> + +<p>I took a passing glance at the King’s Highway, and saw a virtuous and +holy woman on her knees in prayer, with a Bible opened before her.</p> + +<p>She read from the Book, doubting not its words, and was pleading +earnestly with God for a better understanding of them, until flash +after flash of heavenly light filled her soul, making her face shine +with more than human glory.</p> + +<p>To her the Devil, robed as an angel of light, made no appearance so +long as I looked.</p> + +<p>Then I asked Blackana, and he told me that Satan feared that which was +sharper than a two-edged sword more than a large number of professing +Christians not filled with the word of God.</p> + +<p>“And what think you of Miss Church-Member?” I continued.</p> + +<p>“She is a fine character,” spoke Blackana as a hideous grin spread +over his face.</p> + +<p>Then I was moved with indignation, and I spoke with fire in my voice: +“Give me no more deceptive words of Hell! Tell the naked truth. What +is the estimate that Satan places on one who acts like Miss +Church-Member?”</p> + +<p>Blackana moved not a feature at my changed attitude, but spoke calmly +within the bounds of truth: “Satan considers such a one as a valuable +ally to his cause, for she is now working against Jesus Christ on her +imaginary road to Heaven. Nothing is more helpful to Satan than when +members of the church believe that parts of the Bible are untrue. It +is indeed gratifying to us,” continued Blackana with a fiendish smile, +“to see the twentieth century of the so-called Christian era opening +with the church wrangling over her Bible more desperately than ever, +and some of the learned leaders, and those of lesser light, laying the +lash on him who believes that the regularly revised version of Scripture +is of sufficient authority and approved of God.”</p> + +<p>Thus Blackana, in dread reluctant tones, and with his tongue still +unfriendly to Christ’s cause, was continuing, when a voice from above +gave this startling and silencing testimony.</p> + +<p>“_Such Scripture is an impregnable rock; and they, who by faith stand +thereon, cannot be poisoned by the fiery darts which are hurled even +by the latest invented guns from the Wizard City. All Hell secretly +acknowledges the strength of this foundation, even though part of the +church on earth refuses to do as much._”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.<br />THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. Miss Church-Member with her new glasses looks upon her attire and, +not being satisfied with her pilgrim’s robe, exchanges it for up-to-date +apparel.</p> + +<p>2. The similar action of Mr. Deacon and Mr. Elder described.</p> + + +<p>Miss Church-Member, having closed her Bible, was engaged in a close +scrutiny of her attire. By the aid of her glasses she realized very +keenly that her garments were out of harmony with her environments.</p> + +<p>“Will you answer a frank question?” she modestly asked Mr. World. “Do +you think my pilgrim’s robe becomes me as it should?”</p> + +<p>“A very delicate question. I should never have ventured a criticism +without your invitation to do so. Sincerely, your whole attire is +somewhat antiquated. It is just as faulty as the Bible. So I would +advise you to wear apparel more suited to your natural charms.”</p> + +<p>“But where can such be found?” she blushingly asked, offering no comment +upon Mr. World’s aspersion upon the Holy Scriptures.</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img005"> + <img src="images/005.jpg" class="w75" alt="A Scene in the Devil’s Pawn Shop. Her beautiful pilgrim +robe was drawn through the dust and relegated to the rear." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">A Scene in the Devil’s Pawn Shop. “Her beautiful pilgrim +robe was drawn through the dust and relegated to the rear.”<br /></p> + + +<p>“At numberless places along the way. In the distance I see an exchange +store, duly authorized to do business along this Highway. If you so +desire, we will proceed thither.”</p> + +<p>She assented gratefully, and soon the vehicle stopped. The two alighted +and stepped into the place known along the King’s Highway as the Devil’s +Pawn Shop.</p> + +<p>This establishment was easily accessible from either Highway, and had +been in operation for thousands of years, carrying on an extensive +business.</p> + +<p>In such a place our parents pawned a glorious inheritance for a taste +of forbidden fruit, and Esau exchanged a legitimate birth-right for +a mere mess of pottage.</p> + +<p>In another similar place Judas sold his Lord and Master for thirty +dirty pieces of silver; and Ananias and Sapphira pawned their natural +and spiritual lives for a little worldly profit which was held but for +a few hours, and that in guilt and pain.</p> + +<p>Satan has a Pawn Shop, or an exchange store, for every phase of desire +that can enter into an unsatisfied heart, or a soul unduly ambitious. +This one, into which Mr. World escorted Miss Church-Member, is intended +for those who become dissatisfied with the dress of righteousness, or +for any who wish a change in any part of their apparel. It proved +intensely interesting to Miss Church-Member, with her new-found +ambitions, to walk through the aisles of this great department store, +each department being used for a separate kind of apparel.</p> + +<p>The entire Pawn Shop was full of old curiosities which had never been +redeemed. These, and more recent specimens, told the story of many a +faithless pilgrim. In the footwear department I saw many a “preparation +of the gospel of peace” which had been pawned for shoes of worldliness, +and elsewhere I saw the garments of truth which had been girt about +the loins of the saints, but which had been exchanged for robes of +vanity.</p> + +<p>There were also many antiquated pilgrims’ robes which had been given +for more fashionable attire.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member became more and more ashamed of her own robe as she +saw how many already had effected the exchange which she was now +contemplating.</p> + +<p>One of the shrewd attendants, observing the impatience of Miss +Church-Member and the significant look of Mr. World, approached her +and offered to render such assistance as she might desire.</p> + +<p>“I am feeling wretchedly out of place and out of style in my present +condition. Can I not be dressed in a way more consistent with my +station?”</p> + +<p>“We can readily and easily supply all your fancies,” answered the +attendant with a graceful bow and a smile which gave re-assurance to +Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>The sad transformation was effected in a manner well pleasing to the +Prince of Darkness. Her beautiful pilgrim’s robe was drawn through the +dust and relegated to the rear.</p> + +<p>My own heart saddened as I beheld the changed appearance of Miss +Church-Member, who had just taken one more step in her downward course, +and who was still vainly imagining that she was on the road to Heaven.</p> + +<p>I saw, with disgust, her fantastically feathered hat of conceit, her +broad sleeves of self-righteousness, her ruby bracelets and necklace +of vanity, her flowing garments of personal liberty, and her shoes of +fashionable infidelity.</p> + +<p>Then they made a strong effort to induce her to pawn her Bible, but +to no purpose, for she had clung to it so long that it had become a +precious souvenir with which she declared she would never part. Thus +I saw how some worship the Bible who do not worship God.</p> + +<p>Finally they emerged from the Pawn Shop, and glided along in their +mysterious carriage more rapidly and smoothly than ever. The two happy +companions, free from their former embarrassment, now enjoyed the +scenes of life along the way with increasing pleasure. The moving +masses, in their diversified employments, yielded constant +entertainment.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was soon agreeably surprised to see Mr. Deacon and +Mr. Elder, who served in the same church to which she belonged. The +carriage overtook them in a rather isolated place and stopped at their +side, in obedience to the will of Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“Can it possibly be that I meet two of my church officers at this +unexpected time and place? How came it about that you also have chosen +this ‘Broader and Better Way’ to Heaven?”</p> + +<p>The two men were slightly abashed at first and stood speechless as if +in doubt what to say, or as if they were unable to recognize her.</p> + +<p>“Ho! ho!” cried Mr. Deacon, “here is Miss Church-Member who sits in +one of our front pews.”</p> + +<p>“Her appearance is wonderfully improved however,” added Mr. Elder in +an undertone.</p> + +<p>“How came you to adopt this dress and be in such close fellowship with +Mr. World?” asked Mr. Deacon.</p> + +<p>“I am now in the midst of my missionary work, endeavoring to lead Mr. +World into church membership,” were her glib words of explanation, +though, somehow, they were unsatisfying to her ear; but she was rapidly +learning to stifle such unpleasant qualms of conscience.</p> + +<p>“She is doing a grand work,” said Mr. Deacon to Mr. Elder with gestures +of approbation.</p> + +<p>“Are you any better than you were since such an elevating influence +has been thrown about you?” asked Mr. Elder, as he turned to Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“Happy for me that Miss Church-Member ever undertook my case, for I +am now nearer joining the church than ever before.”</p> + +<p>The two church-officials offered their hands to Mr. World in warm +congratulation, and then praised Miss Church-Member for her timely +efforts which they felt sure would terminate in his conversion.</p> + +<p>“What more is required of me in order that I may join your church?” +inquired Mr. World in a voice of deepening earnestness.</p> + +<p>“Nothing more than to express your willingness,” responded the two. +Your morality is beyond suspicion, and your fulfillment of the duties +of citizenship has always been praiseworthy; therefore your religion +is quite exemplary. It lacks but your admission into the church.”</p> + +<p>“I would have joined before now had it not been for a radical element +potent in the councils of the church, and especially for the narrow +views entertained by your minister. If you had another pastor, one of +more liberal cast of mind, it would not only influence me to join, but +many of my wealthy and honorable friends would do so as well.”</p> + +<p>“It certainly is a sad state of affairs,” sighed Miss Church-Member. +“We are losing heavily by reason of such narrowness. I thought +differently at one time, but these glasses have given me a wider and +clearer range of vision.”</p> + +<p>“Your words indicate a sound judgment,” commented Mr. World, and the +two church officials listened eagerly. “Why should the church compel +a man to journey on a path so narrow that he can scarcely make any +progress?”</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img006"> + <img src="images/006.jpg" class="w50" alt="Mr. Elder, unable to push through the narrow pass of +Consecration, was compelled to take the “Shorter and Broader Way to +Heaven.”" /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">Mr. Elder, unable to push through the narrow pass of +Consecration, was compelled to take the “Shorter and Broader Way to +Heaven.”<br /></p> + +<p>“A sensible view of it,” said Mr. Elder, “for I have learned by +experience that it is impossible to travel far in the way you mention. +I tried it until recently, when I gave it up in disgust. I patronized +an old established exchange store, disposed of a part of my outfit, +and got in exchange something up-to-date, as you see from my appearance. +I then endeavored to walk on the old path, but soon came to an +especially narrow place called Consecration. I could not squeeze +through. I struggled hard and long until one came to me and said: ‘Let +go what thou hast under thine arms and belted to thine heart, and thou +shalt go through with ease and rejoicing.’ That was asking too much +of me, for I paid a high price for these things and was minded to hold +to them at all cost. I then endeavored more earnestly to push ahead, +but found that I could not. As I looked around me, in despair, I saw +a path leading to the left, under a beautiful arch, whereon I read +this inscription:</p> + +<p class="center">A SHORTER AND BROADER WAY TO HEAVEN.</p> + +<p>“This path I took and have been traveling comfortably thereon, +especially since I found this still Broader Way into which it led. If +only all church-members would know the comforts and advantages of this +way, they could no longer refuse to travel it.”</p> + +<p>“They are finding it out more and more every age,” said Mr. World +with a complacent smile. “The church and the world ought to be one +and, according to the teaching of the Bible, how could this be better +accomplished than by having the church come down to the level of the +world, and from that point lift the world upward. That was Christ’s +method and example. The church of to-day should not wish to be greater +than her Lord.”</p> + +<p>The two church-officials looked at each other in surprise. “Without +doubt that is broad-minded theology,” first spoke Mr. Deacon.</p> + +<p>“It is indeed refreshing in contrast with what we must hear repeatedly +from the troublesome element in the church,” added the other.</p> + +<p>“Will you not tell us how you also came to reach this favored place?” +inquired Miss Church-Member, as she gave her attention momentarily to +Mr. Deacon.</p> + +<p>“It came about in a very odd manner. I had been wearing an old-style +robe of righteousness, and gradually came to see that it was totally +out of harmony with the higher thought of the age; so much so that I +became odious to many liberal-minded people. A sharp struggle ensued +between my conscience and my judgment. In the midst of this conflict +I came to a place which offered to accept my old garments in exchange +for seasonable attire. ‘Anything for peace,’ thought I; so I entered +the establishment and selected this apparel, and these additional +advantages. It cost me nothing but the mere willingness to exchange, +and would I not have been foolish to refuse so much at so small a +price?”</p> + +<p>“Without a doubt,” quickly answered Miss Church-Member. The others +forcibly confirmed her answer.</p> + +<p>“After I had completed my bargain I continued my diligence in the work +of the church and in traveling on the good old Narrow Way. I came to +a place called God Praise, and got through with little difficulty; but +voices from unseen creatures spoke terror to my soul. In this +unhappiness I trudged along until I came to a narrow pass known as +Sacrifice. Through it I could not go. I struggled again and again. I +also heard a voice saying unto me: ‘If thou wilt wear the garments of +salvation, and cast off these things of earth, then thou mayest pass +through all thy sacrifice with ease and sweet delight.’</p> + +<p>“The voice troubled me much, for I feared it spoke the truth. There +did I spend a long season in mortal dread and doubt, and thought I +would rather die than suffer thus. Suddenly, as if blind to it before, +I saw a sign apparently moving in circles about me. It settled to my +left and thus it read:</p> + +<p class="center">TO HEAVEN WITHOUT SACRIFICE.</p> + +<p>“At once a smooth path opened to view, and I chided myself for having +been blind to it so long. I entered upon it and hastily pursued my +journey, and soon from thence passed upon this Broad Gauge Road. I +traveled hereon for a long time when, to my delight, I came across Mr. +Elder. I assure you we have had companionable seasons. We are on our +road to Heaven and expect eventually to reach that place. Many persons +of the Narrow Gauge Road have told us that we are wrong, deceived, and +would be hopelessly lost if we do not change our course, but methinks +that those people are disregarding the Bible where it saith, ‘Judge +not that ye be not judged’; and ‘Thou hypocrite, first cast out the +beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly.’”</p> + +<p>“Ah! Mr. Deacon,” quickly complimented Mr. World, “you must be a +champion in the use of Bible truth. How can these bigots expect to +stand when such Scripture condemns them? It will be a joyful time for +all of us when these self-righteous critics shall have pulled the beams +out of their eyes and be able to see us in our real innocence.”</p> + +<p>While Mr. World was speaking these words he assisted Miss Church- +Member into their strange vehicle and, when his last sentence was +ended, they bade a hearty farewell to the two acquaintances and smoothly +glided on, not tarrying to hear the words of commendation which each +church-official was speaking simultaneously.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.<br />SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS</h2> +</div> + + +<p>(_Underground._)</p> + +<p>1. An allegorical representation of Satan’s underhanded methods in law +and politics. All seen during a thrilling journey with Blackana through +this underground regions (level below level) where the laws of Hell +are hatched.</p> + +<p>2. A realistic climax,—ultimate triumph of right in the civil realm.</p> + + +<p>I now saw two mountains so high that their shadows perpetually darkened +the Broad Highway which covered the wide valley between them.</p> + +<p>In this Shadowy Vale many held permanent residence, until the whole +region swarmed with teeming millions of every tongue and tribe on the +face of the globe.</p> + +<p>At the base of the mountains, on each side of the way, there were +numerous large openings through which imps of darkness were constantly +passing. Most of them were habited as angels of light.</p> + +<p>“Tell me the mystery of those dismal openings,” I asked as I turned +to Blackana. “Words are inadequate to tell of the places to which they +lead. To know aright one must see,” he answered with marked +indifference.</p> + +<p>For a moment I silently looked upon Blackana whose evasive answer had +so greatly aroused my curiosity.</p> + +<p>“Beyond those ominous portals I can discern nothing,” I murmured. “How +can I be privileged to see what is there hidden?”</p> + +<p>“Come with me,” coldly invited Blackana, “I will guide you to the +nethermost realms now unseen by you. This I do not willingly, but I +am thus commanded.”</p> + +<p>Not wishing to receive my orders from the mouth of a demon, I talked +to my better Friend who bade me go and be assured that _a body-guard +of ten thousand would ever be at my side, though I saw them not._</p> + +<p>On wings, swifter than the wind, Blackana and I covered the intervening +space. We stood in the dark valley at one of the openings, now appearing +ten-fold larger than before, and the mountains reared their imposing +crests as if to an endless height.</p> + +<p>“Follow me,” grimly spoke Blackana as he advanced through the monstrous +arcade into the deepening darkness.</p> + +<p>I remembered the ten thousand, and feared not as I followed. Downward +and inward we went, with no light but a horrid glare casting its +uncertain rays athwart our path.</p> + +<p>“Is this the passage-way to Destruction?” I cried, as I saw how spectral +all things were, for more than a thousand grimy faces had already added +their fitful glances to the glimmering scene.</p> + +<p>“The passage-way to Hell is not so smooth; we go to a better place,” +he answered, without so much as turning his head.</p> + +<p>We finally stopped at a line of massive elevators, ever in busy motion, +carrying the throngs upward or downward.</p> + +<p>As we paused, Blackana regarded me silently. I was then able, for the +first time, to see his face clearly. No light reveals the countenance +of a demon so well as the light of his own region.</p> + +<p>I stood as if paralyzed under his awful eyes. Oh! thought I, can two +orbs picture such infinite depth of remorse; such absence of tenderness; +such barrenness of sympathy, far beyond the most care-worn look of +earth? Then, pervading all these lineaments of despair were the positive +characteristics of his nature—malice, envy, and hatred. These lent +their repulsive fires to his eye, already overcharged with insidious +gleamings. I suddenly thought of my ten thousand, and my fears subsided.</p> + +<p>“It were better for you to remain a stranger to the greater depth and +go no farther,” were the words that finally came from Blackana’s +scarcely moving lips.</p> + +<p>“Fulfill your mission, Blackana! I fear not the deepest depth when I +am thus equipped.”</p> + +<p>“Where is your sword and where is your armor?” he tauntingly asked.</p> + +<p>“My steel is hid until I find a foe worthy of its mettle.”</p> + +<p>Blackana quivered and resumed his task. He told me that above us, deep +in the bowels of these mountains, were the more refined legislative +halls of Satan; while below us, at varying and terrible depths, lay +scattered many a brooding station where the lowest laws of Hell are +hatched.</p> + +<p>“Let us go downward,” I said, and scarcely had the words escaped my +lips ere Blackana had ushered me into an elevator, holding me as we +dropped down and down with increasing velocity, while a cold chill was +freezing my heart, and my body playing the part of an aspen leaf.</p> + +<p>Never before had I been touched by so dreadful a hand, but I thought +again of the ten thousand, and that lent warmth to my heart and calmness +to my nerves. “To what great depth are we falling?” I soon ventured +to ask, as I perceived that we were dashing downward at terrific speed.</p> + +<p>“We fall to no great depth; we go only a thousand furlongs to reach +the first grand level, not stopping at these lesser places of which +you get a glimpse in passing.”</p> + +<p>“A thousand furlongs,” I repeated, “down into the earth! Who ever heard +of such a descent before?” But I still thought of my ten thousand, +even though I could not conceive how they could follow me in such +places.</p> + +<p>“At what rate do we now travel?” I nervously asked, for I felt the +hand of Blackana still pressing me down lest the great elevator would +fall faster than my body.</p> + +<p>“According to earthly reckoning we are falling twenty furlongs a second +and our speed is still increasing with the descent,” was the startling +answer.</p> + +<p>I spoke no more, but found myself clutching the raised bars of the +floor. I saw the glimmering light of many a region as we darted by at +our lightning speed.</p> + +<p>In an incredibly short time we reached the first grand level. Blackana +led me forth from the elevator into an immense cavern whose dimensions +were apparently as limitless as the space between the earth and sky. +It was illuminated by infernal lights and all astir with moving +thousands in fabled dress and shape.</p> + +<p>Never before had I imagined or beheld such a scene. Pure gold was as +plentiful as the water of the earth, and was abundantly used in the +construction of vast halls whose overarching vaults were encrusted +with priceless gems that dazzled like jets of crystallized light.</p> + +<p>“What weird world is this?” I asked in an awed tone.</p> + +<p>“This is one of my master’s legislative centers, devoted to each +separate government on earth. The many legislators of this whole region +are ever busily engaged in determining upon their policy and methods +of operation, and in endeavoring to influence the law-making body of +each government to create and modify laws in harmony with the +underground legislation here enacted.”</p> + +<p>“Ah!” said I, “but this place is far from the surface where man dwells. +How can there be such close connection?”</p> + +<p>Blackana smiled as he made a wonderful revelation to me. “This strange +empire is in close touch with the whole human family, for there are +thousands of wires leading from this dark realm to each government +centre of earth. Satan thus communicates his wishes to each lawmaker, +of every land, who will lend a listening ear to his schemes.”</p> + +<p>Blackana then conducted me to an immense building divided into many +sections. “Here is the electric centre of this level,” he said.</p> + +<p>As I gazed I learned the secret of Satan’s power in law. Thousands +were here engaged in conversing with legislators on earth.</p> + +<p>I could understand no word of all these communications, for the section +where I stood was devoted to Asiatic countries and the islands of the +Pacific Ocean.</p> + +<p>“Take me, O Blackana, to the section connecting with the Western world +that I may see the very wires that run to the United States of America.”</p> + +<p>I soon stood in the interior of another large building, and with great +interest listened to the operators communicating with some who were +in authority at Washington, and with persons elsewhere who were +interested in the formulation of laws for the whole country.</p> + +<p>“Does this never cease?” I questioned.</p> + +<p>“It continues through the days and nights of earth forever,” came the +reply.</p> + +<p>I was looking at the intricate system of wires and the stupendous +proportions of the place, when suddenly I heard some one mention a +name with which I was familiar. I was attracted close to the side of +the operator that I might hear at least the one side of the +conversation.</p> + +<p>“That bill should never become a law,” said the operator, but I could +not hear the reply.</p> + +<p>“Fight hard to defeat it. You will get heaps of gold if you succeed,” +were the next words I heard at the lower ’phone.</p> + +<p>“Never mind them. I’ll take care of that crowd. I will try once more +to get their ear. I failed the last time, but I hope to succeed at my +next endeavor.” These words were spoken very plainly, but still I could +hear no reply.</p> + +<p>“Suppose the other element has chances to win. Get ready at once and +meet the situation. Go and speak to the chairman of the committee and +early influence his mind in our favor. Offer any bribe you wish, for +we have unlimited resources at our command.”</p> + +<p>“If only I could hear the answer,” thought I.</p> + +<p>Then the operator listened a long time, and I almost envied his +privilege, wishing that I might also hear the human voice from the +earth’s surface.</p> + +<p>Blackana conducted me to other parts of the building, and I saw the +fiendish program carried out at each point. Thousands of demons were +in league with the law-makers of the world!</p> + +<p>“Oh! that I could cut these wires and restrict Satan’s laws to these +underground dominions,” I said with rising boldness.</p> + +<p>“Silence, puny mortal! Know you not that others can hear you speak? +Would you here be crushed to death so far from the light of day?”</p> + +<p>Superhuman strength moved me to answer thus: “Though all these hosts +should hear me, I fear nothing. I am invincible, and should you take +me to the deepest depths, amidst foul crawling imps, not one can harm +me. Neither can you, Blackana.</p> + +<p>“Come on,” he sneered, “cease your senseless sentences and follow me.”</p> + +<p>I saw that Blackana endeavored to conceal the counter-currents of his +heart, but nevertheless his agitation did not escape my notice.</p> + +<p>Back to the elevators we went, and with a throng of evil spirits we +entered the central car and fell another thousand furlongs into the +depth of the earth.</p> + +<p>We stopped at the second grand level into which I was ushered. I looked +out over what seemed to be a new world with more light and more +animation than was manifest on the first level.</p> + +<p>Boisterous demonstrations were heard on every hand, all made more +hideous by the variety of evil spirits who added their din to the +general bedlam. “What furious world is this?” I shouted.</p> + +<p>“This is Satan’s political headquarters, and the place where his state +laws are made. We are here connected with every state or divisional +government in the world, and with every political movement that can +be influenced by these underground voices.”</p> + +<p>My indignation leaped over all bounds as the vileness of these +iniquitous schemes pressed upon me. I heard the bands of music from +those who had prostituted their talent to the second level.</p> + +<p>Blackana pushed me on through all the demonstrations, and then led me +into a great structure more secluded than the electrical stations. +Here the state laws are hatched, but, thanks to a higher sanctum, not +all the brood see daylight.</p> + +<p>The plotters of Hell sat in this underground legislative centre, and +I saw, to my horror, some state legislators occupying seats in this +infamous quarter.</p> + +<p>Then said I to Blackana: “It is no more a mystery to me how so much +of Hell is incorporated into the laws of the states in the country +where I hold residence, as well as in all other parts of the world. +How long have these things been?”</p> + +<p>“Since the beginning of law,” was his indifferent reply.</p> + +<p>“It will not be so forever,” I prophesied under a sudden spell of +inspiration. “The time must come when the power of this level will be +blasted forever. The owner of the tree will burn the worms and their +nests from every branch.”</p> + +<p>Then said Blackana tauntingly: “Neither flood, poison, fire, nor knife +can ever destroy this section.” Just as he spoke these words the whole +edifice shook, and I heard a noise as if a shower of great stones had +crashed into the roof and sides of the building. The legislators quaked +with fear and all looked toward the ceiling. All of this instantly +reminded me of the thousand lords who looked at the ominous handwriting +on the wall at the feast of Belshazzar.</p> + +<p>“Explain it to me,” I asked as I looked wonderingly at Blackana.</p> + +<p>“Urge it not, urge it not! Be content to dwell in ignorance!”</p> + +<p>“I am here to learn, and I would know what force or power can so +well-nigh destroy this wretched center. Tell me the truth. I demand +it.”</p> + +<p>Then did Blackana move himself in his startling attitudes, as if loath +to speak. He rolled his heavy eyes as his discordant voice yielded the +unwilling explanation.</p> + +<p>“These are the votes that just fell in favor of reform in a campaign +on earth. Such votes, under the panoply of prayer, strike more terror +to these kingdoms than all else combined, and the most disastrous +feature is that they go bounding from the buildings of this level ever +downward and work their ruin from kingdom to kingdom, until they have +wrought their havoc even to the lowest level. If we only knew the way +to break the power of these votes, our comrades would not then dwell +in constant dread of what might happen.”</p> + +<p>“May you never learn that power, and may the votes of good citizenship +ever increase in number until these legislative halls shall be broken +to rise no more, and their inmates driven from their secret machinations +to the abode prepared for the Devil and his angels.”</p> + +<p>Blackana sprang at me in great rage.</p> + +<p>“Silence, you contemptible mortal! You have not such liberty of speech +here! Why fling insults into the face of one more powerful than +yourself?”</p> + +<p>“_Ho, ye ten thousand!_” I shouted with all my power, and Blackana +fell backward at my very words. Sullen, but cowed, he arose to his +feet and took me to the elevators.</p> + +<p>“Where next?” he gruffly asked.</p> + +<p>“What is on the next level below?” I inquired.</p> + +<p>“Greater proceedings than on this one. It is devoted to the government +of counties, cities, boroughs, and villages, and their political work.”</p> + +<p>“Pass it by and take me to the lowest level.”</p> + +<p>“You do not know what you ask. The lowest level is very, very deep, +and takes us where things have no weight. It is the lowest haunt outside +of Hell, inhabited by the vilest imps. How can you live or move in +such a realm?”</p> + +<p>“Not by the futile force of human power, but by the strength of Him +who bids me go. I fear not, O Blackana; conduct me thither.”</p> + +<p>What an awful experience followed! I was taken down at an amazing +speed, held under the great hand of Blackana. We passed region after +region of infernal lights, each one existing for the purpose of carrying +out its part of Satan’s fiendish plan.</p> + +<p>At length we stopped in the red glare of an awful burning amidst a +company of hobgoblins out of harmony with all human shape or symmetry.</p> + +<p>“This must be the bed of Hell, indeed,” I said, after I had conquered +my rising fears. “Far from it, far from it!” answered Blackana. “We +are now in the lowest legislative center _where foul fiends invent the +horrible laws of personal pollution in the mortal body, and political +bribery in the civil body._”</p> + +<p>Blackana held me by the hand. I seemed not to walk but rather to move +along without effort, seeing the pictures of lowest life and ill-shaped +spirits, some of monster size.</p> + +<p>Into an immense auditorium I was wafted, a building without foundations +or floor. Here, amidst uncanny noises, hovered a vast throng of Satan’s +lowest legislators.</p> + +<p>The dreadful suggestions here given, and the terrible debates that +followed, beggar human description. From all parts of the great hall +the busy wires were communicating with every section of the earth’s +surface.</p> + +<p>Blackana, still holding me by the hand, spoke! thus in a derisive +strain:</p> + +<p>“O mortal, now comes my glorious revenge I have tasted your insults +until their galling bitterness grinds me still. I have craved for this +hour when I might leave you to the mercy of the lowest, and bring you +under my feet for ever.”</p> + +<p>Then, turning to the chairman of the great assemblage, Blackana +attracted his attention, and at once the attention of all the spectral +monsters of the place.</p> + +<p>“Here,” commenced he, “is a piece of mortal flesh, fresh from the +surface. I have been forced, by some strange power, to conduct this +mortal man through these nether levels until he has seen the workings +of our underground plans and schemes. He must never see the light of +day, lest the world above may know the true inwardness and source of +such laws as are called cursed, and rise in hosts against our surface +operations.”</p> + +<p>At this Blackana thrust me forward, and I went straightway to the +chairman who seized me by the back and held me aloft in his right hand, +while a deafening roar of strident voices was measuring my doom.</p> + +<p>“_Ho, ye ten thousand!_” I cried aloud, at which the horrid chairman +fell backward, and I dropped unharmed to his own chair as the whole +host were rushing at me en masse.</p> + +<p>The chairman sprang to his feet and waved a wand. “Silence and order!” +he commanded.</p> + +<p>Thousands of brandishing weapons were brought to a stand, and quietness +reigned in a moment.</p> + +<p>“Why say you ‘ten thousand’? What power lives in those words?” asked +the chairman with a show of boldness, but in secret quaking. “Power +unlimited, even over death, hell, and the grave. My flesh is not food +for such as these.”</p> + +<p>“Who can you be to talk thus boldly to your superiors?”</p> + +<p>“I am one who is sealed by the blood of Jesus, and have no superiors +outside the gates of Heaven.”</p> + +<p>“Why came you here?” he impatiently and furiously demanded. “Tell me +while yet you have opportunity to speak.”</p> + +<p>Then, fully confiding in my unseen Guard, I stood erect and said with +boldness of speech: “I have come to learn the secrets of this +underground legislation which is sending its blighting curse throughout +the world. Having witnessed the wide extent of these secret operations, +I will now return to the brotherhood of man and sound the alarm of a +coming reformation. O, beware ye multitudes that now rise against me! +I am not alone, nor forsaken. By faith I see armies of the living God. +I declare, at this moment, that earth will not forever receive her +laws from such a depth. The hour must come when these million wires +will be broken beyond repair, and all you fiends go groveling under +penal chains in darkness eternal.”</p> + + <p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img007"> + <img src="images/007.jpg" class="w75" alt="The armies of righteousness will some day triumph over +the black hordes of civil iniquity." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">The armies of righteousness will some day triumph over +the black hordes of civil iniquity.<br /></p> + +<p>No more could I speak, for the air was thickening all around me with +a rush of wild demons whose threatening weapons thirsted for my blood.</p> + +<p>I stood motionless, glorying in the power of the Unseen, for I saw, +shining far above me, a beautiful star of hope with peace and purity +in its rays.</p> + +<p>In the same instant I again shouted, “_Ho, ye ten thousand!_” Oh, what +a transformation took place! Regiment upon regiment of Heaven’s military +hosts, converging as from infinite depth of space, burst into sudden +view, revealed by a dazzling light which filled the whole region and +dazed the infernal hosts as with blindness, while their weapons broke +and fell beneath them in futile fragments.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.<br />THE HILL OF REMORSE.</h2> +</div> + +<p>1. While climbing a steep hill Miss Church-Member is touched by Remorse.</p> + +<p>2. Satan’s strategy in keeping her away from the Narrow Path.</p> + +<p>3. All her trouble is lost in company with Mr. World on the Mountain Top +of Apathy.</p> + + +<p>Returning to my former post of observation, and looking again through +the open door, I beheld Mr. World and Miss Church-Member still riding +on the gravity road. They were approaching the Shadowy Vale, and Mr. +World was desirous that his friend should close her eyes until they +had passed through the shadows.</p> + +<p>She reclined her head, and soon was resting so comfortably that she +fell fast asleep and opened not her eyes until they had passed beyond +the darker scenes of the miserable valley.</p> + +<p>Then did Mr. World engage her with artful and pleasant conversation, +so that she might not fully observe the features that constantly make +this part of the Broad Highway dark and dreary.</p> + +<p>Satan, unseen, hovered around them during their conversation which was +well pleasing to him. At length, in partial disguise, he made himself +visible, much to the terror of Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“Fear not; no harm will befall you,” said Mr. World re-assuringly as +he laid his hand upon her shoulder.</p> + +<p>Satan smiled complaisantly, and spoke in soft tones: “Tremble not at +my presence. I have come only to render you such assistance as may be +especially helpful to you in your journey, and to disabuse your mind +of such false impressions as you have evidently entertained concerning +my character.”</p> + +<p>So affable was his manner and so pleasing his address that, to her +mind, he soon lost that shocking hideousness which characterized his +first appearance, and evoked from Miss Church-Member this apology born +of her guilty conscience: “You would not have seen me now on this path +had Mr. World adhered strictly to his promises.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed, Miss Church-Member,” replied Satan, “you need have no regret +for being here. You are to be congratulated upon the good judgment +which led you into fellowship with Mr. World. It is your happy fortune +that he has succeeded in preventing you from leaving him. You are an +exception to a host of cranks, who, without investigation, are +prejudiced by what they hear. You are broad-minded, independent, and +will be found wiser and happier than the army of fools you have left.”</p> + +<p>These words brought a mixture of pride and shame to her heart, and +threw her mind into a state of great confusion.</p> + +<p>But by this time they had come to a long and steep hill called Remorse +up which all pilgrims walked. Mr. World assisted his companion in +alighting, and promised to give her all possible help in her efforts +to climb the hill.</p> + +<p>Satan remained with them, and Miss Church-Member, under deepening +remorse of conscience, loitered a few steps in the rear. Her bowed +head indicated the warring of her thoughts. Then I saw that she cast +a longing glance over the rough hills toward the King’s Highway, and +looked for some path by which she might go thither.</p> + +<p>Her two wily companions endeavored to allay her fears by offering all +manner of cajolements, none of which either diverted or quieted her +mind.</p> + +<p>“O ye friends of mine!” cried Miss Church-Member, “I can find rest +only on yonder King’s Highway. Can you show me the shortest path leading +thereto? I cannot go to the summit of this hill.”</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img008"> + <img src="images/008.jpg" class="w75" alt="On the Hill of Remorse. Miss Church-Member cast a longing +glance toward the King’s Highway, and looked for some way by which she +might go thither." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">On the Hill of Remorse. Miss Church-Member cast a longing +glance toward the King’s Highway, and looked for some way by which she +might go thither.<br /></p> + +<p>“It so happens,” pleasantly replied the Devil, “that there is no way +of reaching the so-called King’s Highway from this part of our route, +but, if you will have patience, we will conduct you safely to a point +a little farther on where you can conveniently leave this way with all +honor to yourself. In the meantime we will give you all the assistance +that you may need, and every convenience that science can afford.”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member wept tears of gratitude at this proffered kindness, +and began to feel that this dark intruder was a friend with a rough +exterior but a warm and congenial heart.</p> + +<p>“It is quite evident that you have been grossly misrepresented to me,” +she faltered as her voice trembled with emotion. “I was told that you +are the embodiment of envy, malice, and hatred, and vigorously opposed +to everything religious.”</p> + +<p>Satan looked at her in well-counterfeited amazement. “How wrongly I +am judged by my enemies! How can I be opposed to all religion when I +attend church and prayer-meeting regularly, and sedulously listen to +the sermons and prayers while many sleep who claim to be better than +I? You will pardon me, Miss Church-Member,” he continued, “but allow +me to bear the light burden you are carrying under your arm, and let +us hasten from this sickly atmosphere to the refreshing air beyond the +summit of the hill.”</p> + +<p>“You are very kind, indeed,” she said. “Please carry these books +carefully, as I prize them very highly.”</p> + +<p>As they pushed their way up the hill, I looked at Blackana who, with +his eyes fixed upon me, sat as cold and motionless as a statue.</p> + +<p>“Tell me,” I asked, “why Satan has falsified so greatly to Miss +Church-Member.”</p> + +<p>Blackana, with a show of uneasiness, answered interrogatively: “Wherein +has he falsified?”</p> + +<p>“Did he not just inform Miss Church-Member that there is no way of +reaching the King’s Highway from the place where she had been standing? +He well knew that there is a way opened by the Prince of the House of +David. Why did he not tell her?”</p> + +<p>Blackana again grinned horribly while my indignation waxed stronger. +Then came his pertinent reply: “My master is about his own business; +that is why he is so successful in his work. It is not his business +to point people away from his kingdom; his delight is rather in leading +them upon his own Highway.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! for the voice of a thousand trumpets, that I might reach the ear +of Miss Church-Member, and break unto her the words of truth and life. +See how she walks on between those two fiends, ever nearing an awful +destruction, yet vainly imagining, through the deceitfulness of her +advisers, that she is nearing the place where she can, with greater +ease, leave her present course and join her comrades on the Shining +Path. Oh, that I could send a messenger, good and swift, in her +pursuit!”</p> + +<p>“Rest in ease, anxious mortal; she will get all necessary advice from +her two friends,” replied Blackana with a sardonic grin.</p> + +<p>I could no longer look into his face, for I was filled with contempt. +I turned my eyes to see poor Miss Church-Member still struggling up +the Hill of Remorse.</p> + +<p>When the top was finally reached I heard Mr. World congratulating her: +“Well done, noble woman! You have fought Remorse until you have mastered +it. The pains and pangs incident to this climbing are over, and if you +should come to another hill you will ascend it with more ease. Look +about you at these cool mountain resorts called Apathy, and join me +in a needed recreation as we mingle with the merry multitudes amongst +these shady bowers.”</p> + +<p>She needed no second invitation, being glad to seek relief in +forgetfulness of her guilt.</p> + +<p>As they went to their pleasures, Satan vanished to give attention to +others who were ascending the same Hill of Remorse, some in a sullen +mood and some with wails of anguish on their lips.</p> + +<p>The delightful resorts of Apathy were now quieting the mind of Miss +Church-Member, for the attractions on the mountain top were so numerous +and so ingeniously arranged that, as she gave full attention to them, +she no longer suffered any pangs of remorse.</p> + +<p>On this plateau, so full of charms for every sense, I saw bands of +music; gardens of shady retreat where one might while away the weary +hours in gentle dalliance; and cooling fountains throwing forth their +busy sprays.</p> + +<p>Artists were painting the scenes of worldly ease, and poets were writing +sweet verses for the singers of the place.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member, who was a lover of the fine arts, asked Mr. World +to tarry in one of the gardens of the poets where they might hear the +songs of the season just from the pens of their authors.</p> + +<p>This was a novel privilege; so he readily consented and accompanied +her into a garden near by. They were greeted by sounds of instrumental +music and charming voices raised in song.</p> + +<p>After these harmonies died away a soloist sang a hymn that had been +composed that same day. Her voice rendered each word distinctly:</p> +<p class="p0"> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Remorse is but the foe of all,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The rich and poor, the slave and free</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Unfriendly comes its bitter call—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Perchance it comes this day to thee.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Then come, thou troubled seeking peace</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">From this unkind, intruding foe;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Let anxious cares no more increase;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Go bury all thy pangs of woe.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Forget the things that wake thy mind</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">To fleeting sorrows of the day;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Oh! come and be forever blind</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">To all except this Broader Way.</span><br /> +</p> +<p>Then followed a fiendish woman, in guise of a light-crowned angel, who +delivered an address entitled “The True Peace of the World.” While the +applause which followed her remarks was dying away, an authoritative +old gentleman arose. After standing a moment in dignified silence, he +continued to carry out the program of the Devil by speaking on “False +Lights from the so-called ‘King’s Highway.’”</p> + +<p>Next a quartette beautifully rendered a love song of the world; this +also had been quite recently composed.</p> +<p class="p0"> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Sweet world, so bright and fair,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">We would thy pleasures share</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">While days pass on.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Thou art our truest friend,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">On thee our souls depend</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Till life is gone.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">In life’s perplexing days,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Thou wilt, in every phase,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Be ever near.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">While thy sweet, placid charms</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dispel our dread alarms</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">In times of fear.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Who else can give relief,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">When bowed in heavy grief?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">No one like thee.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Thou sendest rays of light,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Into our darkest night</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Till shadows flee.</span><br /> +</p> +<p>The melody of this song and the sentiment of its words had a very +decisive effect on Miss Church-Member. She looked into the eyes of Mr. +World with more than poetry in her glance, for her heart was now +thrilled with the first touches of true love for him.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.<br />THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. In this valley the two great Highways run almost parallel.</p> + +<p>2. The intervening ground is all alive with Satan’s schemes to entice, +entrap and discourage Christians.</p> + +<p>3. The operation of Christian forces in this valley.</p> + + +<p>After leaving the Hill of Remorse and the pleasure grounds of Apathy, +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on the Broad Highway which +now gradually sloped toward a deep valley.</p> + +<p>“What is the name of the valley which we are now entering?” inquired +Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“’Tis but the Valley of Temptation,” he carelessly answered.</p> + +<p>“Ah! I have heard of this valley,” she replied. “Whenever I was tempted +or tried on the King’s Highway some one would caution: ‘Be courageous, +for you must go through the Valley of Temptation.’ I am thankful, as I +come to it, that I am on a Broader Way.”</p> + +<p>“Many call this valley ‘Entanglement,’” further continued Mr. World, +“because of the large numbers who are here caught by the devices all +along the way.” I saw the whole valley in one view. It was very wide +and more than a thousand experiences long and, from one end to the +other, there were constant scenes of activity. The King’s Highway and +the Broad Highway ran almost parallel throughout the whole length of +the valley.</p> + +<p>The entire space between the two paths was occupied by the agents of +Satan, and by numerous rescue bands and missionary organizations of +the King’s Highway Church.</p> + +<p>I was informed that no traveler, who knows the experiences of life, +ever escaped this valley. But the King of Glory gives his children +assurance of no harm if they will heed his words and step not from the +path upon any pretence. He has also placed, in plain view, countless +signs of warning to keep his pilgrims from yielding to temptation, as +it presents itself, with or without mask; and they who pass these +testing-places in triumph are counted stable in their ways.</p> + +<p>I saw in the first part of the valley some of Satan’s shrewdest agents +at work. They were stationed along the Narrow Path at close intervals, +and were endeavoring, by all kinds of schemes, to attract the attention +of Christians as they journeyed through the valley.</p> + +<p>From one point they threw a hook baited with wealth over to the edge +of the King’s Highway way. I saw an ambitious Christian, contrary to +the signs of warning and all advice, eagerly grasp this bait. Then did +the agents of Satan pull gently. The man seeing a clue to wealth in +his hand would not let it go, and so was drawn slowly and unconsciously +over into the territory of the World. He did not see the strand that +drew him, for it was invisible, nor was he conscious of being thus +drawn, having his mind so fixed upon the object of his earnest pursuit.</p> + +<p>Thus do these agents ply their nefarious skill without ceasing, and +so have drawn large numbers away from their original faith.</p> + +<p>Another agent I saw near-by throwing out a hook baited with fame. An +ambitious youth let go all he had and seized the baited hook with +singular avidity. It inspired him with inward hope, and he became so +engaged in thinking of his golden future that he followed whither the +gentle drawing led him, until he also reached the questionable ground +of the World. There he became still further entangled until he was +utterly under the sway of the tempter.</p> + +<p>Close by I saw an agent of the Devil fastening a book to a line and +throwing it to the edge of the King’s Highway. In bold letters it bore +the title, “Forbidden Fruit,” and under this title there was an impure +picture.</p> + +<p>Many, in passing by, who saw the book would have examined it had it +not been for their modesty.</p> + +<p>But one man, whose curiosity was stronger than his judgment, took the +book and commenced perusing it. While thus engaged the invisible strands +of influence drew the captive from the Narrow Way until he found a +series of books and illustrations to enchain his attention, and Satan +succeeded in totally winning his heart.</p> + +<p>I saw another book thrown to the edge of the Pilgrim’s Path. This was +taken by a woman who opened its pages and saw its evil tendencies. +Although drawn by the invisible chord, she did not step from the path, +but threw the book as far to one side as she could, and proceeded on +her journey happily singing:</p> + +<p class="p0"><span style="margin-left: 2em;">“Yield not to temptation,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">For yielding is sin.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Each vict’ry will help you</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Some other to win.”</span><br /></p> + +<p>This only enraged the wily foes, and they became more determined than +ever to continue their work of deception and ruin.</p> + +<p>From one point or another I saw this dreadful work progressing. Each +station used a different kind of bait, pleasing or attractive to some +passing pilgrims. Here the enemy reaps a continual harvest +notwithstanding all the preaching, advice, and influence brought to +bear upon pilgrims to induce them to eschew all attractions not plainly +found upon their own pathway.</p> + +<p>Some, whom Satan could not attract by a bait, he would catch with +snares, many of which I saw in operation, each guarded continually by +trusted servants of the Evil One.</p> + +<p>One of the subtlest of these snares consisted of a series of small, +curiously shaped buildings. They stood as near to the King’s Highway +as Satan could place them, while glaring signs informed the pilgrims +that they could here obtain knowledge upon any subject. Each building +was so constructed that, at the will of a secret operator, it could +be moved noiselessly from its resting place.</p> + +<p>Many an unsuspecting traveler who craved for a solution to some mystery +would step into one of these neat rooms, and meet with a most cordial +reception.</p> + +<p>I saw a man of more than usual intelligence, who had been faithful to +his Master, stop and read the sign over these buildings: “Bureau of +Information: All Mysteries Solved.”</p> + +<p>“Here,” thought he, “in this humble place I can perhaps find some +pearls of thought which more inviting waters never yielded to me.” He +stepped in, not noticing that he thereby stepped to one side of the +way.</p> + +<p>“Can I have a mystery solved here?” asked the visitor.</p> + +<p>“Without doubt, sir,” was the confident response of a dignified +professor who was in attendance.</p> + +<p>“Can you tell me the origin of sin?” asked the visitor.</p> + +<p>Just then I saw the building commence to move as the professor commenced +to explain the difficult question.</p> + +<p>The professor talked so interestingly to the visitor that he held his +attention until the building was moved, by the secret process, to the +brow of the mountain, and over to the great building known as the +“Devil’s Theological School.”</p> + +<p>“Perchance, my words,” said the speaker, “are insufficient to fully +satisfy your mind. Go now from the rear door to the College where all +such perplexing questions are made clear.”</p> + +<p>The visitor seizing, as he thought, a golden opportunity, gladly +consented and, to his great surprise, found a building of magnificent +proportions into which he entered.</p> + +<p>After listening a very short time to Satan’s teaching on the origin +of sin, he emerged from the school with a heavy bundle of opinions on +his back, and failed to find the Old Way. After wandering and stumbling +about on this summit of human learning, he finally found the Broad +Highway whereon he could carry his vain burden with ease.</p> + +<p>These bureaus of information have ensnared so many learned men, +including ministers and professors, that the King of Glory has here +placed special signs of warning to all travelers; these have saved +many men from the snare of “the fowler.”</p> + +<p>I saw three young college students about to enter one of the bureaus. +There stood an aged pilgrim near by who shouted:</p> + +<p>“Come! ye young men, out of the snare of the Devil, or ye will be taken +captive by him at his will!”</p> + +<p>The voice sounded so friendly that they hesitated long enough to discern +that the building did not touch the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>Then they remembered that they had been told long before to go by the +King’s Highway, and not to turn to the right hand nor to the left, nor +even to step from the path, lest they should slip and fall to their +hurt. So they passed on about their Father’s business.</p> + +<p>Near the edge of the King’s Highway I saw another device to catch men +unawares. It was invented in the Wizard City and had been successfully +used by Satan for many centuries.</p> + +<p>It was an _artificial woman_, dressed in modest apparel, and so +constructed that the arms were uplifted and the heart plainly visible, +making the curious image just unnatural enough to attract the attention +of all pilgrims.</p> + +<p>Over the head of the image these words were written: “Touch this magic +heart for the charms that follow.”</p> + +<p>It was ridiculous to see how many of the young and old, in passing +over this way of life, stepped from the path and tried the experiment.</p> + +<p>One man I saw who ventured to touch the mystic heart, and ere his eyes +could look into the face of the image its arms embraced him in a +tightening grasp.</p> + +<p>Away the image moved with graceful ease into Elysian bowers of sensual +joy. There he remained to breathe its poisoned air and feed upon the +husks of such a clime.</p> + +<p>I also saw a man of riper years who looked curiously at another image +similar to the one that had just moved away. At first he was doubtful +whether to test it or not, and as he stood in consideration he raised +his eyes and saw these words plainly written over the King’s Highway:-To +ALL DESCENDANTS OF ADAM:</p> + +<p>Beware, O pilgrim, of this woman’s heart, Lest you should from the +Narrow Way depart; For if you touch a secret chord within, You’re borne +away to wider fields of sin.</p> + +<p>He read this sign a few times and also heard the voice of a good friend +who told him that he had seen thousands go to ruin by not heeding this +warning. Nevertheless he was urged by curiosity and carnality, and +being hardened by former acts of disobedience and seeing nothing but +innocent pleasure before him, he yielded to his baser desires.</p> + +<p>“O! rescue me, Mr. Law, I am in the clutches of this woman,” was his +beseeching cry, not long after. But I saw that no one came to his help.</p> + +<p>There were many such places in this valley where men, both young and +old, were enticed; many of whom could not have been caught by the +snares of vice at other places along the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>I saw also, farther down the valley, that Satan used all manner of +traps and nets to catch the silly and the foolish. That which attracted +my attention the most was a series of stations built close to the +King’s Highway. At each place Satan employed a company of expert men +who were trained to use a lasso. I saw certain men and women of the +King’s Highway who became so inflated with their own vanity and +imaginations that they rose head and shoulder above their humbler +comrades, thus enabling the lasso of Pride to get hold of them. Some, +by heeding advice, escaped; others submitted to the drawing power and +landed in the kingdoms of the World where they could worship their new +god with increasing ardor.</p> + +<p>There was also a certain young man who doted so much on his own ways +that his head rose unusually high. He was, therefore, easily caught +by a lasso called Conceit. Good friends came to his rescue and told +him to realize at once that he was nothing, and thereby he would +suddenly become so small that he would drop completely out of his +trouble.</p> + +<p>But he said that he could not believe a lie, whereat the lasso tightened +still more about his neck, and he succeeded by still further struggling +to remain a very brief time on the King’s Highway; but being in pain, +he soon yielded to the inevitable and went to worship before the shrine +of his own god.</p> + +<p>I also saw that the women of the King’s Highway were an exceeding great +army, mighty in battling against the foe, much to the discomfiture of +Satan and his allies.</p> + +<p>To counteract the influence of this sex Satan has plied his ingenuity +ever since the beginning. In his Pharaoh fashion he has so manipulated +the customs of the world that woman is trampled under foot in +uncivilized lands, and in lands of light she is ostracized by sections +of the Christian church and despised in the civil realm. And yet, with +a faithful heart, she suffers this indignity and, looking up from +underneath this weight, she offers to the powers that crush her down +the holiest sacrifice that one can give.</p> + +<p>O spirit of the age, like flowers of Heaven, Thy fragrance will not +die, but live eternal; And woman shall, some holier, happier day, +Attain her highest glory in the world.</p> + +<p>Yet notwithstanding all these means wherewith Satan has made the path +of woman so hard to travel, he has discovered that he can not disgrace +her by any means so effectually as through the old temptation.</p> + +<p>Consequently Satan has kept the seed of the central tree of the garden +and still raises, on the broad uplands of Hell, _forbidden fruit_ +which, through engrafting processes, has come to many varieties.</p> + +<p>This mysterious product of the tree, so suited to the natural palate +of womankind, is provided abundantly on each side of the King’s Highway +along the whole length of the Valley of Temptation, and is offered, +ostensibly, free of charge.</p> + +<p>I watched, with chagrin and horror, the subtle influences of this +fiendish work, seeing young women and those of riper experience go +down alike under this intoxication of Hell.</p> + +<p>As I looked again at the whole Valley, what sad sights of intemperance +painfully greeted my eyes!</p> + +<p>The intervening ground was a veritable bed of iniquity, for it swarmed +with half-clothed inebriates who patronized the miserable and filthy +hovels of lowest resort, while inebriates, in finer array, entered the +apartments which were decorated and finished in all the beauty that +wealth could afford, and supplied with alcoholic beverages under a +fashionable bill of fare.</p> + +<p>I could see the same Devil controlling all, and the same gutter or the +same Hell receiving all who did not yield to the agencies of eternal +life.</p> + +<p>Among the many temperance organizations that operated throughout the +valley I observed a band of women who threatened to overthrow the evil. +They had, by long persistent effort, discovered the underground +connections between the distillery and the saloons, and therefore they +were endeavoring to kill the traffic at the head. This movement at +first created laughter in the ranks of the foe, but the women have +continued patiently and have built a thousand batteries from which +they hurl projectiles of death into the camp of intemperance. Since +then the agents of darkness have ceased their laughter and instead +have set to building defences behind which they hope to carry on their +business with impunity.</p> + +<p>But the bands of women have entered into an eternal agreement, pledged +their faith one to another, and have been calling upon Heaven for help; +therefore they declare that no flag will be lowered, and no gun will +be silent until the great wall around the city of their foes shall +fall, either at a long blast of the horn or a continuous volley from +their ramparts.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.<br />THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. The tower affords the most advantageous view of the world and a +most discouraging view of the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>2. The triumphant flight of Mrs. Discouraged from the tower’s top to +a place on the King’s Highway called “Victory by Faith.”</p> + +<p>3. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member ride from the tower’s top in Satan’s +new air ship.</p> + + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member continuing on the Broad Highway, +entered the Valley of Temptation with all its gaiety and outward +happiness. This valley is known by the pilgrims of the King’s Highway +as the Devil’s Heaven, for here the tinsel of the world, the pomp of +society, and the wealth of material grandeur are manifested in all +their glory.</p> + +<p>“An exceedingly pleasant valley,” said Mr. World as they drew nearer +to the scenes of activity on each side of the way.</p> + +<p>“Beyond my anticipation, indeed. Our journey is growing more and more +delightful,” she joyously replied.</p> + +<p>As they journeyed on Miss Church-Member came into agreeable fellowship +with some of her former Christian associates who, by looking over into +the territory of the World, coveted its ways and were snared by one +or another of Satan’s devices to catch the unwary. The larger portion +of these new recruits were firmly convinced that they were still +traveling on the road to Heaven, even though they had fully left the +Narrow Way.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member congratulated her comrades of earlier years on their +happy choice of a wider and more pleasant path, and they accepted her +invitation to spend a season together in the valley.</p> + +<p>These new associates were welcomed most cordially by Mr. World who +left nothing undone that might add to their comfort or pleasure.</p> + +<p>The merry company passed down the valley and paused at a magnificent +temperance saloon which occupied nearly the whole space between the +two Highways. Into this place of attractive rooms I saw many enter +from the King’s Highway, much to the displeasure of their great Master.</p> + +<p>In this infernal guise Satan seduces many an unsuspecting traveler to +take one more step downward toward the lowest service of his kingdom. +Mr. World courteously offered refreshments and conducted his friends +into the “Ladies Parlor” where they drank alleged unfermented wines, +and admired the sculpture and works of art which adorned the place. +They were then offered their choice of porter, sweet cider, root beer, +hot punch (special for a cold), or eggnog for a weak heart. Thus each +one was enabled to find a beverage directly suited to his need or +taste, for some had contracted a cold, while others were suffering +with cardiac troubles.</p> + +<p>Not far from this respectable place, and connected secretly therewith, +stood a group of buildings patronized by the lower order of criminals +and inebriates. These haunts bore a black reputation.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and his joyous companions, by reason of their refined natures +and good standing in the church, would not so much as look at such +despicable resorts, but continued their journey until they came to a +wider section of the valley where they saw numberless rescue bands at +work, but especially a great army of Endeavorers presenting a formidable +front.</p> + +<p>“Whence came this company so great that it cannot be numbered?” asked +Mr. World in a state of nervous agitation.</p> + +<p>One of the new companions quickly answered: “They come from the King’s +Highway and are trying to capture the kingdom of this world and bring +it into subjection to God. I know all about them and can testify that +they are a mighty and glorious band.” The regiments of this great host +were marching on, each soldier equipped with the full panoply of his +station. Many of the pilgrims on the Broad Highway trembled at the +presence of so powerful an army. It has caused the enemy much concern +how to meet and, if possible, conquer this foe. This army of Endeavorers +constantly grows and, according to the claims of the enemy, the most +successful plans to oppose it are not yet matured. Satan has promised +his forces that he would utterly rout these daring legions as soon as +some new inventions of war can be perfected.</p> + +<p>The merry companions, not being moved with anger, endured the gigantic +display of this host without chagrin.</p> + +<p>Mr. World quieted his rising fears and urged his comrades onward past +the Tobacco Station until they reached the centre of the valley where +the King’s Highway was the roughest, and the Broad Highway the +smoothest.</p> + +<p>Here was built the most remarkable structure of the valley. A high +tower of imposing strength occupied the whole space between the two +highways. Its foundations were broad and totally covered the King’s +Highway with a massive arch.</p> + +<p>This was known amongst Christians as the Devil’s Tower, or Tower of +Temptation. It was built by Satan, and was said to afford the finest +view of the world to all who would consent to take a ride upward in +its electric carriage.</p> + +<p>The location of the tower was perfectly adapted to the purpose intended. +Scarcely any pilgrims _en route_ for Heaven passed by without taking +a view of the sights.</p> + +<p>Before this mountain was built, a high mountain-cliff, on one side of +the valley, was used by the agents of darkness for the same purpose.</p> + +<p>Thereon David ascended and saw the prosperity of the wicked until envy +filled his soul, and his “steps had well-nigh slipped.” Had it not +been that by faith he looked to a mountain far away, and understood +the end of the prosperous worldly minded, he might have there fallen +to his death.</p> + +<p>Upon this mountain Satan took Christ, the Son of God, and showed him +all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and said unto +him: “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and +worship me.”</p> + +<p>From this tower Judas saw the wealth of the world, and there was +begotten within him an inordinate craving for earthly gain which at +last dragged him down to a miserable end.</p> + +<p>As time rolled on, Satan erected this magnificent tower higher than +the loftiest crag of the mountain. I saw that Mr. World and his +companions were looking at the exterior finish of the tower, after +which they stepped to the base and spent some time in watching the +many schemes that were employed to induce disheartened Christians to +take the Broad Highway after descending the tower.</p> + +<p>They saw that one of the most successful of these schemes was a series +of little offices occupied by fortune tellers of reputed ability. In +one of these they saw an old woman with a mysterious face. She professed +to be able, by her strange conjuring, to reveal the future of any life.</p> + +<p>A certain Mr. Downcast, who was a church-member and had just come from +the top of the tower, visited this fortune teller, and by her +descriptions of his happy future on the Broad Highway he was induced +to travel thereon at once.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and his companions decided to get the benefit of the broad +view which could be had from the top of the tower. They entered a car +at the base and were delighted by the gentle ascent toward the clouds.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching the top of the tower they were approached by an obliging +attendant and furnished with spy glasses of great power with which +they could see more distinctly the beauty and greatness of the world, +and the roughness and inconvenience of traveling the King’s Highway. +_To each one was also given an ingenious pocket mirror in which could +be seen, at any time, the inconsistencies of church-members._</p> + +<p>I saw throngs of people circling the top of the tower, and many evil +agents busily engaged in the interest of their master.</p> + +<p>There had just come from the King’s Highway a group of church-members +upon whom the scenery had a doleful effect. Some were filled with +melancholy, and some were sullen, while despondency sent germs of slow +death into other minds.</p> + +<p>These conditions enabled Satan to destroy more easily all hope within +them of ever succeeding on a way that appeared more rugged than ever, +and also made them more desirous to taste the joys of this present +life which now lay before them in such a winning way.</p> + +<p>I then saw one called Mrs. Discouraged who had never before seen so +much of the world at once. She stood on the edge of the tower not far +from Mr. World and his companions, and listened to one of the polite +attendants who had given her also a spy glass.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Discouraged looked down upon the natural comforts of life which +were here seen to best advantage. She saw, with ease, the Broad Highway +presenting a picture of happiness as far as the glass could reach.</p> + +<p>Then did one of the smooth-tongued attendants speak to another group +of pilgrims who also had just come from the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>“Witness the glory of the Broad Highway and see how it goes down this +valley ever into finer stretches of country. See on yonder distant +elevations that magnificent University of the World built at an enormous +cost and sacrifice for the accommodation of all travelers. Each one +of you who reaches the lower end of this valley should take the Mountain +Trolley and spend a season at those schools. They occupy some of the +grandest buildings in the world. Focus your glasses and behold the +great sight.”</p> + +<p>Continuing he said: “The path you see leading down there, in this other +part of the valley, is called King’s Highway, very rough indeed, as +you all can see. Thereon it is hard to travel and difficult to stand +still. It is so narrow that if a traveler should stand still, he is +constantly harassed or pushed about by those who wish to pass on. The +other highway furnishes a marked contrast, for there a person may stand +still without annoyance to himself or anyone else. The way is so wide +that he can even sit on an easy chair and yet not be in the way of +others who wish to hasten on. The one who built this Wider Way kept +in mind the convenience and comfort of travelers.</p> + +<p>“The so-called King’s Highway,” still continued the attendant, “is +beset with many dangers, and passes through many places similar to the +one far down the valley.” They all looked through their glasses and +saw the Meshes of Doubt on each side of the Narrow Way.</p> + +<p>“Those are the sorts of places,” concluded the speaker, “that one must +constantly pass through in the service of an imaginary king.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Discouraged saw all these things and heard all these words. She was +so disheartened that she knew not what to do.</p> + +<p>“Have I served my God in vain?” she questioned inwardly. “Must all my +testimonies fall to the earth? Surely the way of the world seems to +be an easy way, and more suited to a person in trouble.”</p> + +<p>She suddenly fell on her knees, as she was wont to do in such +emergencies, and, behold, I saw her, on wings of prayer, fly in triumph +from the tower’s top, down the valley, over the Meshes of Doubt, and +land on the King’s Highway in a most glorious place called Victory by +Faith. She thence went on her way rejoicing.</p> + + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img009"> + <img src="images/009.jpg" class="w50" alt="The great victory of Mrs. Discouraged who, on wings of +prayer, escaped from he Tower of Temptation to a place called Victory +by Faith." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">The great victory of Mrs. Discouraged who, on wings of +prayer, escaped from he Tower of Temptation to a place called Victory +by Faith.<br /></p> + +<p>Then did the attendant on the tower speak of her in ridicule. “The +poor mortal, in her insanity, has descended to a bad level and must, +of necessity, climb yonder terrible hill which, as your eyes bear +testimony, is the last part of the Narrow Way visible from this tower.”</p> + +<p>“She went, however, in a miraculous way. Those wings were sure and +steady, and I was pleased with the swiftness of her flight,” said Mrs. +Diligence who was also a pilgrim from the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>“Without doubt,” answered the attendant, “but she went with heavy labor +of her wings. Had she told me that she wished to take a flight, I could +have given her a finer trip in one of the aerial ships lately invented +by the experts of the Wizard City. I will summon one. Look no more at +Mrs. Discouraged with wings, but fix your eyes toward the east, and +you will soon witness the floating car whereon thousands go out daily +from this tower into pleasant places.”</p> + +<p>As he said this he gave a signal, and soon the strangely shaped airship +came in sight, to the delight of all who saw it.</p> + +<p>“It must be far better,” said one of the spectators, “to travel in a +car like that, than to be working your wings in the air.”</p> + +<p>“A thing of beauty.” “The greatest invention of the century.” “It moves +as easily as a bird,” were some of the various sentences that were +spoken enthusiastically as the object drew nearer.</p> + +<p>“Shall we ride in it?” quickly asked Mr. World as he turned to the +little group at his side.</p> + +<p>The new companions who so recently came from the King’s Highway +timorously fell back at his abrupt suggestion, but Miss Church-Member +offered to accompany him.</p> + +<p>As the aerial machine was stopping at the tower Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member speedily exchanged words of farewell and prepared for +the new ride.</p> + +<p>They were soon numbered with a host of expectant passengers on board. +The lines were loosened and the weird airship cut the wind like a large +bird on wing, and sped away to the pleasure grounds along the Broad +Highway where most of the passengers, being blinded by sin, found such +delightsome fellowship that they refused thereafter to travel on any +other than the Wider Way.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.<br />DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. The two companions land far down the valley on “The Midway,” whence +they take the Mountain Trolley and visit the underground Schools of +Suicide.</p> + +<p>2. Satan’s primitive address on Literature.</p> + + +<p>The aerial car carried Mr. World and Miss Church-Member to the far end +of the Valley of Temptation where they spent a delightful season in +the pleasures of sense and sight.</p> + +<p>They lingered mostly on the wide intervening space between the two +paths which was known in this part of the valley as “The Midway.” Here +they saw a large number of pilgrims from the King’s Highway who were +engaging in one or another of the endless amusements which can be +enjoyed without stepping altogether on the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>On this long Midway humanity swarmed by millions. Some, forgetful of +their vows, or regardless of their honor, stepped into the lower haunts +of vice, and offered sweet flowers of purity and fragrance in exchange +for dry and filthy husks from the floor of the stall. But Miss +Church-Member, in keeping with her moral character, did not surrender +her chastity, and although she had such continual fellowship with Mr. +World she yet held the respect of many other church-members; for it +was quite fashionable to belong to the church and still walk in the +ways of the world. Satan, under a hellish guise, offered to give, even +before death, handsome rewards to any church-member who succeeds in +carrying a certain amount of the world with him on his way to Heaven, +and multitudes were trying the experiment. Some, in hope of winning +larger prizes, were verily loaded down with the worrying weights of +the world.</p> + +<p>Looking away from this immediate vicinity of the valley, any traveler +could see, far above the surrounding scenes, the “University of the +World,” whose front buildings crested the mountain elevations for many +miles. This imposing sight had awakened the admiration of Mr. World +and his friend, and had it not been for the countless attractions of +the Midway they would have hurriedly pushed their way to the schools, +immediately after the aerial car had carried them over the proud domes +of the University and landed them in the vale.</p> + +<p>During one of the darker periods which now and then cover the whole +Midway with its shadows, the two companions caught the flashes of +variously-colored lights which emanated from every part of the elevated +structure, making the entire mountain appear as if a vast crown of +nature were decked with dazzling diamonds rare.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was excited by this unusual show of brilliancy, and +nothing on the lower level could any longer hold her attention.</p> + +<p>“How can we best rise to that glorious summit?” she inquired with a +glow of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>“Ah,” smiled Mr. World, “surely we need not think of walking up this +mountain. Have you forgotten the obliging attendant who advised us as +we stood on the beautiful tower? Did he not direct us to take the +Mountain Trolley?”</p> + +<p>Without delay they sought the Midway station, entered one of the +up-to-date cars, and instead of going directly to the mountain top +they were surprised to find that they were being carried into the +bowels of the mountain.</p> + +<p>“Whence go we dashing through the dark?” asked the terror-stricken +Miss Church-Member as she held fast to Mr. World.</p> + +<p>But ere her escort could answer they came into an immense cavern dimly +lighted. The car stopped at a station called Rest, and a voice announced +in distinct tones: “Come, ye troubled or distressed, and ye who are +disgraced! Here linger in this underground school and learn of the +rest that is for the weary.”</p> + +<p>“What is your wish?” courteously asked Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“I am neither in trouble nor in disgrace. Why should I tarry?”</p> + +<p>“Only to see the lower schools before we go to the higher,” was his +winning answer.</p> + +<p>They alighted and walked forth in the dismal light. They could readily +discern strangely shaped buildings of a costly type. The air was +stifling, and everything wore a melancholy dress; yet, withal, there +was a pleasing charm about the place. Some secret touch in the doleful +music, or some bright tinge to the ominous shadows, awakened a curiosity +and a hope in the visitors that prevented them from leaving the cavern +at once.</p> + +<p>In a half-decided mood Mr. World and Miss Church-Member meandered +through this sickly region, and had decided to leave the place when +they saw this illuminated motto over a massive arch:</p> + +<p class="center">TO ALL WHO ARE DISGRACED! THE SHORTEST ROUTE TO REST! (ENTRANCE.)</p> + +<p>A genial attendant informed Mr. World that visitors were welcome, but +Miss Church-Member consented to enter only after some hesitancy. It +was indeed a dark school, with long narrow halls where one could only +see the darker side of life. Everything about the place evidenced the +dark designs of Satan. The teachers in this infamous place, by a series +of graded instructions, suggested to their pupils that suicide was the +surest and shortest road to rest. In the darker rooms of the rear I +saw, to my horror, a scene that neither Mr. World nor Miss Church-Member +was permitted to see. _It was the daily graduating class of this school +of suicide._ Each member of the class was instructed by what new method +he might rend the strand of life with his own hand, in the desperate +and sickening hope of finding rest “where their worm dieth not, and +the fire is not quenched.”</p> + +<p>I quickly turned from this revolting spectacle, and saw that Mr. World +and Miss Church-Member had returned to the station called Rest. They +boarded the first car and were soon speeding on through Dismal Tunnel. +It was a welcome moment when the car emerged from the darkness into +the light of day and took its winding course upward toward the microcosm +of schools, which, as seen from this side of the mountain, also +presented a picture of imposing magnitude.</p> + +<p>When the car reached the University station Mr. World and his friend +alighted, and at once entered one of the carriages in waiting. They +were hurried away toward a group of immense structures known as the +“College of the World’s Literature;” and yet with all the immensity +of its buildings, it was but a small part of the whole University which +lay far extended over the distant mountain elevations.</p> + +<p>As the noiseless carriage sped along I turned toward Blackana, who, +in strange muteness still tarried at my side. “I command you, O Black +Interpreter, to tell me of the origin and management of this College +of Literature.” As I spoke he turned his face in a manner that made +me tremble. His sepulchral, husky voice only added to my uneasiness.</p> + +<p>“It originated,” he explained, “in simpler form, immediately after +Satan commenced operations on the face of the earth. Parallel with the +progress of every age it has increased to its present proportions. +That which you see is but the central point of this great educational +enterprise. Its unseen branches extend into every part of the world. +The whole system is under the control of Satan. His most learned +disciples have charge of the special departments.”</p> + +<p>“And what is the purpose of this limitless scheme?” I further queried. +The whole organism of Blackana quivered with reluctance as if he would +not answer. “Refuse me not,” I continued, “you well know that I have +underneath me the everlasting arms.”</p> + +<p>He was restless for a moment, angrily rolling his awful eyes. Suddenly +his attitude changed and he thus calmly answered my question: “The +purpose of all these schools is to counteract and, if possible, to +destroy the influence of the teachings of Him who is called Jesus +Christ. He was once visible in the flesh and declared that his kingdom +was everlasting. Of him it was said that he would reign till he put +all things under his feet.”</p> + +<p>Then did Blackana add with fiery emphasis: “_Neither my master nor any +of his allies will ever be put under his feet._ Satan’s words ran wild +as he addressed the insulted hosts of Hell on this issue.” Knowing +that Blackana had a perfect memory, I commanded that he should reproduce +Satan’s address in my own dialect.</p> + +<p>Like a flash of lightning he flung himself to the winds around me, +thereby transforming himself into the image of Satan. It appeared as +if a thousand spirits in fitful rage were dancing in mid-air.</p> + +<p>Then his voice pealed forth the logic of Hell as Satan had spoken it +centuries before: “Have ye heard, my noble comrades, how that Heaven +flings insults into our teeth? Not satisfied that we grovel on these +remains of empire, we are further threatened with being cast miserably +under his feet. Whose feet I ask? The feet of our direst foe, whom to +worship, as he desireth, means serfdom worse than ours. Is there one +of you who will surrender his native dignity in such a fashion?”</p> + +<p>Millions of voices rendered the air hideous with their cries, so +accurately did Blackana reproduce it all.</p> + +<p>“I knew your sentiments,” continued he, triumph ringing in his tones. +“What can we do but stand unitedly on our rustic frontier, and push +the conquest on to farther realms. Then all Heaven will learn that we +are made of grit too fine and true to lie beneath the feet of any foe.”</p> + +<p>As Blackana continued, I was struck with shuddering terror at his awful +gestures; but conscious that no harm could befall me, I continued +listening to his flaming oratory.</p> + +<p>“We must arise and seize our opportunities. Go forth, under cover of +night, and sow the seed of our own growing; this will flourish in the +very soil that Christ would bring to highest cultivation. The germs +of our literature, rooted in human soil and growing secretly beneath +the surface, shall spread throughout the world and come to fruitage +in the light of every clime.</p> + +<p>“We must build schools of literature, inspire the authors of the world +with our fine creed, and thereby spread our doctrines to the myriad +readers of every land and tongue. Who then, amongst our enemies, can +kill the appetite when once ’tis roused to craving for the carnal? +Give me the quill and the coming pen and press, and I can create thought +at my bidding and turn the main streams of human endeavor into +whatsoever channels I choose; and thus our river shall run full, while +other streams are drying.</p> + +<p>“With such a work how can our cause grow less or we go groveling under +any foot? Impossible, my heroes! for we will live in glorious triumph +to the end of time. On to your tasks, listening multitudes, and he who +most successfully counteracts the so-called ‘Truth’ shall be a ruler +in my kingdom, and shine more brightly than the radiance of all this +region.”</p> + +<p>Thus was the speech suddenly ended, and I heard the unearthly +reverberations of the fiendish cheering by the mighty host, while the +form of Satan vanished; but from his waning shadows Blackana came forth +and in death-like silence again resumed his sullen attitude at my side.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.<br />SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. FIRST AND SECOND DIVISIONS.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. The schools described.</p> + +<p>2. The literature of the world tainted by the teachers of darkness.</p> + +<p>3. Satan’s rules for the winning author.</p> + + +<p>The College of Literature, in three grand divisions, occupied one of +the most attractive sites of all the territory covered by the University +of the World. It was owned and controlled by Satan, and was visited +by the children of the human family from every portion of the earth.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member came thither in a conveyance. They +stood before the massive structure which comprised the first division +of the College. Around them were the living fountains which, like +pearls in billows of green, played upon the expansive lawn. While they +strolled along the pebbled paths they were lost in admiration as they +continued looking upon the stupendous building which towered far into +the air and extended as far as the eye could reach. In breathless +silence they noted first its size, then its durability, and marveled +most at the splendid symmetry of the parts, each blending into a perfect +whole.</p> + +<p>“Heaven must have inspired so great and beautiful a design,” was the +first comment of Miss Church-Member. “Those porticos hanging in mid-air, +those domes and pillars, dreamlike, stand before me more like a hundred +fabled castles than aught real to sight or touch.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed the world affords rich and delightful privileges to all who +will but walk in her ways,” said Mr. World just as they arrived at one +of the large entrances, over which these words were written:</p> + +<p class="center">DEPOSITORY OF THE WORLD’S LITERATURE, WELCOME TO ALL!</p> + +<p>As Miss Church-Member viewed the weighty pillars on each side of the +entrance, she exclaimed: “This is indeed a rare opportunity. Methinks +I could revel, with delight, forever in fields of literature. Come, +Mr. World, let us at once pass through the massive doors and learn +what we can from so great a source.”</p> + +<p>Although the literary tastes of Mr. World were not strongly developed, +yet he offered no objections to her request. He seemed willing to +suffer any inconvenience for her sake so long as she traveled on the +Broad Highway. As they were entering the building I saw that many from +the church and the world were also pushing their way into the interior +that they might get a glimpse of the inner halls, and visit the ones +that were best suited to their fancies.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was surprised when she saw the unique arrangement +of the interior. There were twenty-eight magnificent halls so +constructed that they converged toward a large central office into +which I saw Mr. World and his companion enter, profoundly impressed +with the smallness of the single human mind.</p> + +<p>After answering the stipulated questions, they registered under the +rules and regulations and were given certificates entitling them to +all the privileges which this first division of the College accorded +to visitors.</p> + +<p>In the commodious office they learned that each of the twenty-eight +halls contained a distinctive line of literature, systematically +arranged in numerous sub-departments; and that competent librarians +superintended the literature of each hall and of each department.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member ascertained also that each hall was centrally +supplied with a lecture room having an immense seating capacity, and +that learned professors, each in their turn, occupied the platform and +constantly gave lectures which were intended to describe and illustrate +the class of literature represented in their faculties.</p> + +<p>After considerable time spent in the office, they passed through the +long and wide circular lobby, reading the beautifully emblazoned +inscriptions over each entrance door, but they could not immediately +decide into which hall they would first enter.</p> + +<p>At length after a pleasant loitering, Mr. World led his charming comrade +into the fourth hall, over whose entrance, in plain words, this +inscription appeared:</p> + +<p class="center">ALL THAT WAS EVER WRITTEN CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST.</p> + +<p>They first chose to enter a sub-department where ancient scrolls, +parchments, and papyri could be seen in tiresome variety. Miss +Church-Member scanned most carefully some of the manuscripts which had +never been published.</p> + +<p>In other sections of the hall there were books and pamphlets of all +descriptions, each one referring to Jesus Christ in a favorable or an +unfavorable manner.</p> + +<p>During these visitations the attendants extended unusual courtesies +to Mr. World and his faithful friend, and also to the endless procession +of visitors and students who were constantly moving through these +departments. Finally the two companions proceeded to the lecture room +of this hall and listened to an address entitled: “The Divinity of +Christ,” by one of Satan’s ablest advocates a professor with +ecclesiastical titles. His gestures were unique and his style altogether +persuasive.</p> + +<p>I heard his words with great displeasure, for they taught the philosophy +of Hell, with Heaven on the face of it.</p> + +<p>“I must congratulate myself,” commenced he, “on having the privilege +of addressing so intelligent a class of people. I only hope that I may +be helpful to you in your quest of knowledge.</p> + +<p>“The central theme of this hall is ‘Jesus Christ’ and I shall now +proceed to speak of his so-called ‘Divinity.’ I cannot question that +there is a supreme hand in the works of nature, but after careful +research I am compelled to doubt the genuineness of the Divinity which +is ascribed to Christ. True enough, his childhood was blameless, and +he possessed exceptional wisdom so that many of his countrymen believed +him to be more than human. In this manner the idea of his Divinity +originated, and this fallacy grew as the man grew.</p> + +<p>“He was shrewd, and possessed a great amount of magnetic force which +was trained and used with remarkable skill, all of which made him pose +as a god before a credulous and unsuspecting public. The ignorance and +gross superstition of that age made a fit soil for the spread of +Christ’s doctrine and the idea that he was Divine.</p> + +<p>“When Jesus discerned that his claims were more readily accepted by +the poorer and more ignorant class of people, he lauded them in his +teachings, while the learned and more respectable classes were subjected +to his abuse and sarcasm.</p> + +<p>“By his unusual tactics overcame the prejudices of his enemies and, +for a long time, escaped punishment. But finally he was arrested and +convicted and, notwithstanding his so-called Divine power, he came to +an inglorious end by death on a cross. His friends, unable to prevent +his cursed death, quickly formed a plot to perpetuate his doctrines. +They carried out their plot by stealthily robbing Christ’s body from +the grave and secretly burying it elsewhere, and then spreading the +news that he, of his own power, came forth from the grave. To complete +the fraud they also claimed, a little later, that he had ascended into +Heaven. What was the purpose of all this? It was to prove that Christ +was Divine and thereby to make his teachings authoritative and eternal.</p> + +<p>“I wish to inform you that the manuscripts and parchments, in sub- +department number six of this hall, all point to the fact that Jesus +Christ was born like any other babe and that his father was Joseph. +Dishonest, indeed, is any one who would rob Joseph of this honor. +‘Honor to whom honor is due.’ While Christ was a great man, he never +had in him the elements of Divinity. Let millions in the world glory +in their imaginary theology, yet that is no reason why scholarly +research should be put to naught, or why it should be sacrificed. We +are living in the morning twilight of a better day when God shall be +worshiped and Jesus Christ ignored when all thought of Divinity will +center at the true focus and a man will no longer receive the glory +that belongs to God.”</p> + +<p>The vigorous applause which followed the remarks of this speaker fell +with grating horror on my ears. “Can it be possible,” thought I, “that +any one can publicly teach such doctrines of Hell, and be thus +applauded? Whither are so many of the church and the world drifting +that they should give ear to such theology as it comes from the mouth +of the Devil?”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member and her escort left the lecture room and visited +a few more of the sub-departments where they saw many objects of +literary interest and, with the aid of experts, examined some of the +old manuscripts dating back to the time of Christ. They left the hall +and were next attracted by the words over the entrance of Hall No. 9 +appearing thus:</p> + +<p class="center">LITERATURE ON LIFE.</p> + +<p class="center">1. Vegetable Life. 2. Animal Life. 3. Mental Life. 4. Spiritual Life.</p> + +<p>At the suggestion of Miss Church-Member they entered, and could readily +see that the attendants and lecturers of this hall were also of a very +high class. One of the speakers elaborated on the theory that life is +the result of spontaneous generation.</p> + +<p>Another, in speaking on spiritual life, made special reference to the +fact that Jesus Christ claimed to be the “Life,” and then proceeded +to refute this claim by a series of arguments which were altogether +too philosophical to be understood by the two companions.</p> + +<p>Finding no pleasure in this metaphysical atmosphere, Mr. World conducted +his companion to the adjoining hall devoted to the “Literature of +Fiction.”</p> + +<p>Here they spent a season delightfully, perusing works of fiction and +listening to addresses, all of which advocated the views of Satan.</p> + +<p>I heard one of the lecturers, in a discussion on “The License of Pure +Fiction” make these dangerous remarks: “The highest fiction of the +world is that in which human life is pictured in ideal colors, even +though it be done at the expense of truth.</p> + +<p>“There can be no harm if the reader should gain a false view of life. +The very charm of such a view will act as a stimulus to a wider +experience and to a higher culture.</p> + +<p>“In our real life, as we come in daily contact with the world, we see +and suffer enough. Therefore it cannot be harmful if fiction carries +us into strange worlds of morality or into any mythical realm. I give +you but the result of long and careful study, and I advise you to read +the wildest and most exciting forms of fiction, and thereby get the +healthful and exhilarating effect that comes from total mental +absorption. All this will tend to the development of your nature so +that you will, by contrast, better appreciate the substantial things +of life.”</p> + +<p>I saw that Mr. World and Miss Church-Member next visited the hall +devoted to the “Literature of the Passions.” After they had entered, +Miss Church-Member, at first, felt embarrassed, and her sense of modesty +would not have allowed her to remain had it not been that her conscience +was eased by these conditions:</p> + +<p>1. She saw that among the moving thousands that were present in the +massive hall many belonged to the higher classes of society.</p> + +<p>2. She was also informed that not a few of the throng held good +membership in various branches of the visible church.</p> + +<p>3. She readily observed that Mr. World was so much delighted that she +offered no protest, and that he seemed to take an interest in the +endless program as carried out in one department or another.</p> + +<p>In this poisonous hall Miss Church-Member stultified herself more than +in any other place which she had ever before visited, and thereby added +one more decisive step in her downward course. She tarried longest in +one of the sub-departments where Satan’s expert doctors of literature +delivered their special lectures on the writings of each author as far +as they related directly or indirectly to the passions.</p> + +<p>These avowed experts carried on their fiendish work under the cover +of a pleasing dignity. After their crafty manner they quoted or read +the fine sentences of an author, preferably those of a sensual cast, +and then placed a premium on the passionate by describing the fine +style of the author and showing how true to nature was the language +he employed.</p> + +<p>Thus I saw that the leaders of this department were using the choicest +and the foulest productions of the pen, gathered from the authors of +all lands, languages and ages, and Miss Church-Member, by degrees +almost imperceptible, voluntarily sacrificed her finer moral taste on +a popular and polluted altar.</p> + +<p>To a pure heart there was an unclean cast and a withering effect +prevalent throughout all the departments of this hall, and my heart +burned as I continued observing how the agents of Satan plied their +subtle influences so as to popularize this cosmopolitan resort. So +effectually has Satan entrenched his views that some of the strong +defenders of this hall of literature are connected with the church, +and types of this same teaching have found their way into some of the +Christian schools of the world.</p> + +<p>After this protracted visit Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left this +hall and continued their studies in hall after hall, until more than +one half of the twenty-eight halls were visited. Their next objective +point was the second grand division of this College devoted to “_The +Elements of Success in Authorship._”</p> + +<p>My heart trembled at what my eyes saw. The great army of writers who +studied in this department came from all countries of the earth. “Can +it be true,” thought I, “that so large a portion of our authors get +at least a part of their training in the schools of the Devil?”</p> + +<p>“O Blackana!” I sighed, “how long have these things been?”</p> + +<p>“Since the beginning of literature,” was his cold and brief reply.</p> + +<p>“Always so large a percentage of the world’s authors found at that +school?”</p> + +<p>“It has never been on the decrease,” he continued. “So many have visited +these halls that it has been a veritable meeting-place of almost all +authors of all lands and all ages at some stage in their careers. Some +who came tarried long; others, not satisfied, foolishly drifted to the +schools of the King’s Highway which ever carry on their work in +opposition to the University of the World.”</p> + +<p>Here also, in this second grand division, the subtlest kind of teaching +was prevalent. In one sub-division Mr. World and Miss Church-Member +read these general laws written in bold letters where all who desired +could read:</p> + +<p class="center">RULES FOR THE WINNING AUTHOR.</p> + +<p>1. Give quality rather than quantity.</p> + +<p>2. If you will not compose your best, compose nothing. The world is +heavily overstocked with inferior compositions.</p> + +<p>3. Write nothing that will cause regret on your death-bed.</p> + +<p>4. Do not follow in the rut. Go by some path untraveled before, over +land or sea, and tell the world of your new discoveries.</p> + +<p>5. To be acceptable, in the highest sense, you must teach differently +than others, even though it be at the expense of what is commonly +called “truth.” Novelty is the winning feature.</p> + +<p>6. In any one composition strive first to arouse the curiosity of your +intended readers; then keep the curiosity suspended and finally give +it satisfaction in accordance with the aim in view.</p> + +<p>7. You may be influenced by religion, but not by religious nonsense. +If your writings win, you are a teacher of millions. So, in order to +reach the public ear, you may cater to the tastes and wishes of the +majority.</p> + +<p>8. If you see some vile conditions of humanity, send out, in your +writings, vials of vileness. “Like cures like.” If any part of the +church cries, “poison, poison!” you may justify yourself by the fact +that the so-called “poison” in your productions will only neutralize +the poison so prevalent in society, on the same principle that poison +is administered to a sickly body in order to effect a cure.</p> + +<p>9. You are always safest when you are true to nature, even though some +sentimental people may charge you with being vulgar.</p> + +<p>10. Words of profanity are not allowable if they are the mere expression +of the author, but any foul or profane expression may be quoted. An +author should not be charged with the impropriety of his characters +who are merely taken from actual life.</p> + +<p>The above ten commandments, if properly interpreted and obeyed, will +surely lead to literary success.</p> + +<p>Then Mr. World escorted his confiding friend from hall to hall of this +second grand division, and at many intervals they could be seen spending +a quiet season on the lawns which surrounded the entire structure.</p> + +<p>Their tastes were now more in harmony than ever, and their friendship +was fast reaching that intimacy where each one was searching for pearls +in the deep ocean of the other’s love.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.<br />THE THEATRE.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. Mr. World and his friend tarry at Satan’s Theatres which lay in +seven grades, one below the other.</p> + +<p>2. A description of the “Century Session” held by the demons having +in charge the Theatre interests of Satan.</p> + + +<p>The College of Theatres lay between the second and third divisions of +the Schools of Literature. The numerous structures were built on so +large a scale, and after such winning designs, that the attention of +many travelers was attracted to them and thereby to the performances +given within their walls.</p> + +<p>Here could be found some of the graduates of the Schools of Literature +who were constantly engaged on one or another of the stages.</p> + +<p>All these theatrical attractions belonged to the first grade and formed +a part of a great system of Theatres which lay in seven grades, one +below the other, each serving its part to engross the human mind with +the carnal and sensual things of life.</p> + +<p>The performances of the first grade were practically free from the +vulgar touches found, with increasing intensity, as one goes downward +toward the seventh grade which lay beneath the Midway in the Valley +of Temptation.</p> + +<p>In these Satanic Theatres of the first grade respectability is +maintained purposely so as to ensnare as many professing Christians +as possible, for there are many in the ranks of the church who are +building with nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. The scheme works so +well that the Devil is trying to form a “Stage Trust,” and get all the +talent of the King’s Highway to unite. Thus Satan seems to encourage +morality in order to carry out his deeply laid schemes of moral +pollution.</p> + +<p>I looked into the inward workings of this terrible system. I saw +multitudes descending downward from the first grade, many of whom +ceased not until they had passed through all the seven grades. The +scenes and revelations that came to my eyes beggar all description. +My heart sickened as I beheld the millions wallowing in the mire of +fleshly lusts, apparently living for no higher purpose than to see the +latest novelties of expressing lewdness and sensuality.</p> + +<p>“This is brute life, indeed,” I soliloquized, “for it can be easily +seen that the hearts of these people are so seared and their ears so +dull that they have no desire for the music of celestial choirs, or +the ecstacies that rise from heart-communion with God.”</p> + +<p>I also saw that there were numberless underground connections between +the lower Theatres and the Schools of Suicide, and with the varied +haunts of Prostitution that infested the whole region.</p> + +<p>This startling fact also forced its way to my attention:—_the money +flowing from the entire seven grades fell into one treasury_, so that +they who moved in the supposed moral atmosphere of the first and second +grades were, nevertheless, patrons of the whole iniquitous business. +At once I thought of the churches that were in sympathy, or league, +with this part of the work along the Broad Highway. And I inwardly +uttered these sad sentences:</p> + +<p>“_It is no more a mystery why such churches have lost their holy +influence and their warmth of spiritual life, while worldliness +flourishes from the pew to the pulpit_.”</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img010"> + <img src="images/010.jpg" class="w75" alt="The Devil’s Substitute to the Prayer-Meeting (The +Christians left their Bibles at home.)" /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">The Devil’s Substitute to the Prayer-Meeting (The +Christians left their Bibles at home.)<br /></p> + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member spent several seasons of leisure in +the Theatres of the first and second grades. Finally he invited her +to accompany him to a Refined Vaudeville in the third grade Theatre +district. It happened to be on the same day of the week that she had +formerly been accustomed to attend prayer meeting. This fact awakened +memories of bygone days, and brought feelings of sadness to her heart. +Mr. World, by an artful diversity of language, arrested her mind and +calmed her conscience as he playfully remarked: “This will be a good +substitute for the prayer-meeting.”</p> + +<p>I saw the two enter the Vaudeville with many other church-members that +mingled with the jostling crowds. These Christians left their Bibles +at home, while some took as a substitute their opera glasses. They can +see through these better than they can through their Bibles.</p> + +<p>While Mr. World and Miss Church-Member tarried at the Theatres, I was +permitted to see a conference of the evil spirits that had in charge +the Theatre interests of Satan. The conference met at the opening of +the year 1901 what was called “The Century Session.”</p> + +<p>For the time I was lost to all other surroundings, and I could hear +all and see all as if I occupied the best seat. The unusual parliament +seemed to be held underground, and yet one could enter directly from +the surface of the earth.</p> + +<p>The assemblage was controlled by a highly honored chief, cool and +deliberate in manner. Every kind of imp imaginable could be found in +the number that constituted the many committees.</p> + +<p>I witnessed every part of the diabolical proceedings, and will here +disclose a portion of these doubly sealed secrets.</p> + +<p>After all preliminaries were brushed away, I heard seven ominous clangs, +and silence reigned supreme. The chairman rose to speak. What a mingling +of light and darkness! How truly Satanic his every feature and every +move! How earnest his brief address, every word in the interest of +Satan’s blasting work.</p> + +<p>“Give heed, oh, ye co-workers, bound under oath to give a true +report! Our cause has made advances, and our work calls for the +ripest service we can give. _The theatre modernized is fast winning +the church. All honor, ye spirits who played your parts so well!_ The +century has just closed, but not our opportunity. Let coming years +be one of mightier conquest. Down with the narrow truth and morbid +righteousness, and all things else that check our onward marching!” +For a moment the chairman was silent. Then, as he raised his hand, I +heard a hideous clang which proved to be the signal for the report +of “The-Moral-Effect-of-the-Theatre” committee. Forthwith the whole +committee stood _en masse_ before the chairman. “Our work goes on with +speed,” cried the leader of the gang. “In every district we are gaining +ground.”</p> + +<p>“I have watched your progress with joyful pride,” answered the chairman, +as he smiled in hellish glee. “But I noted the sharp conflicts you had +with certain reformers in the churches.”</p> + +<p>“Some of them we cannot conquer,” despairingly admitted the leader.</p> + +<p>“Grieve not over forts you cannot take, but make good use of those +that have surrendered.”</p> + +<p>“They are firing our guns splendidly,” quickly intercepted the leader, +as he rose and read the following report:</p> + +<p>1. “We have labored earnestly in the ranks of the church until many +more of her members now believe that the moral effect of our Theatres +is helpful.</p> + +<p>2. “We have succeeded in dividing the members of many churches on this +question, and have witnessed, with pleasure, the many kinds of quarrels +that have resulted therefrom.</p> + +<p>3. “We have succeeded in turning the tide of many periodicals, so that +the defense of the Theatre, as a moral stimulant, is more general than +ever.”</p> + +<p>As the leader closed his brief report, the chairman offered his +compliments, and the host cheered with vigor.</p> + +<p>The committee retired. The chairman again lifted his hand and two +clangs were heard. This was the signal for the appearance of the +“Park-Theatre” committee.</p> + +<p>“Good tidings, or ill?” tersely asked the chairman.</p> + +<p>“Good tidings of the first degree,” cheerily replied the leader of the +committee as he proceeded to read his document:</p> + +<p>1. “We labored, with all zeal, to carry out the schemes concocted +previously.</p> + +<p>2. “We have succeeded in locating a series of free Theatres at every +summer park where we could possibly induce the management to admit +them.</p> + +<p>3. “These Theatres, even though they be of a third or fourth class, +are doing a great service for us by implanting a taste for other grades.</p> + +<p>4. “By this happy medium we are winning young people and church-members +by the thousand, for they can attend these Park exhibitions without +being severely criticised.</p> + +<p>5. “We are careful to give them enough immoral and sensual bait to +draw them further. (Wild applause.)</p> + +<p>6. “These innocent Park Theatres must not be abandoned, for they are +a sure training school. We hereby pledge ourselves anew to go forth +more earnestly to our tasks.” (Furious applause over the whole +assembly.)</p> + +<p>“Have you met with any hindrances to your work?” queried the chairman +of the meeting.</p> + +<p>“Many indeed. Some Parks refuse our class of Theatres, while others +are closed to every class. But our committee is determined to push +ahead.”</p> + +<p>“Onward, ye comrades,” urged the chairman. “Buy up the stock of every +Park, if possible, and furnish recreation for the church. Do not become +too bold at first in the introduction of lewd and foolish plays, or +you may be fought by the popular churches.”</p> + +<p>“Hardly possible,” replied the leader. “So many in the church are glad +to wink at these incongruities, for they are thereby given a chance +to satisfy their carnal appetites without being classed with the regular +Theatre crowd.”</p> + +<p>“This is one of our happiest modern hits,” chuckled the chairman, as +the committee turned away, amidst the mad-like cheering.</p> + +<p>Next I saw that the chairman raised his hand, and at once I heard three +sharp clangs which were the signal for the “Church-Choir” committee. +“What has the church-choir to do with the Theatre,” thought I, as I +saw the obedient host answering to their call.</p> + +<p>“What tidings, good or ill?” asked the chairman in a tone of confidence.</p> + +<p>“Progress slow, but sure,” briefly answered the leader of the committee +as he stepped a little nearer to the chairman to give his report.</p> + +<p>“Ours is a difficult task. Some choirs are hedged about that we cannot +so much as reach them with suggestions. Nevertheless, we have succeeded +in many sections, notably in certain large cities. We report, with +pride, that some churches have engaged genuine theatrical singers to +render special selections during the regular Sunday services. Is it +not an evidence of our success when the opera-stage singer of Saturday +night furnishes the chief solo for church-goers on Sunday morning? +This is winning certain people to the Theatre, for in many instances +they cannot wait until the next Sunday; so they visit several theatres +during the week to keep their spiritual strength renewed.”</p> + +<p>Then the demons cheered to the echo, and I listened with a sad, heavy +heart.</p> + +<p>The leader continued:</p> + +<p>“We are also endeavoring to get the regular church-choirs to imitate +the popular theatrical stars. Of course, we do not oppose the use of +religious words, if we cannot induce them to sing our selections. We +are aiming to create a taste for the up-to-date novelties in music, +in contrast to the old dry singing in certain churches of the King’s +Highway.” (Prolonged applause.)</p> + +<p>As this tall, wiry demon continued to unfold his deep-laid plans, I +well understood why Satan has selected the church-choir as an objective +point, and has delegated so large a number of imps to do work in that +special direction. I then cried within me: “Oh, that these churches +would not use their choir-corners as an advertising medium for the +Theatre! And that choirs, in their musical devotions, may be led by +the Spirit of God rather than by the imps of Hell!”</p> + +<p>This committee retired with special encomiums.</p> + +<p>The chairman rose and I heard four sonorous clangs which summoned the +“Ministerial” committee. At once its members, in their sedate and +portly attitudes, surged down the massive aisles.</p> + +<p>I shuddered as I saw the variety of these mean Satanic faces, portraying +a depth of vileness, mingled with shrewd and scholarly insight. With +great care I studied this pack of Hell-hounds, gathered from the ends +of the earth, now standing in sullen mood, ready to give their report.</p> + +<p>“What tidings, good or ill?” asked the chairman.</p> + +<p>“The tidings are good,” replied the famous leader. “By our efforts we +have silenced many a voice which formerly thundered against us. To-day +many more ministers are in sympathy with the modern Theatre of the +higher grades, although not a few of these must hold their views in +secret. Others speak apologetically, and still more come out in bold +defense of what they term the ‘Select Theatre.’”</p> + +<p>“What do you consider the most hopeful line of your work?” further +asked the chairman.</p> + +<p>“Our work in the theological schools,” quickly responded the leader. +“Special sections of our committee have labored with stealthy vigor +to capture the preacher before he reaches the pulpit. The last years +of the century have witnessed phenomenal gains for our cause. By winning +the theological student early to our Theatrical theories we are likely +to gain his heart and sympathy in after years. Our success along these +lines is the most hopeful sign of the times, and bespeaks the ushering +in of more sensible conditions. (Furious applause.)</p> + +<p>“Before retiring,” continued the leader, “let me quote the utterances +of a certain broad-minded clergyman: ‘The clean Theatre of the twentieth +century will be, and ought to be, the moral prayer-meeting for +Christians, while the spiritual prayer-meeting will be held in the +church as usual.’”</p> + +<p>The whole army of devils cheered like madmen. I was so aroused that +I felt that ecclesiastical lynch law should be applied to any minister +whose utterances caused such jubilee among the legions of Hell.</p> + +<p>I could not remain to hear the report of:</p> + +<p>“The Moral Play” committee,</p> + +<p>“The Variant Dance” committee,</p> + +<p>“The Sacred Concert” committee and other committees whose names I could +not learn.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.<br />SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. THIRD DIVISION</h2> +</div> + +<p>1. Seven separate halls described.</p> + +<p>2. The far-reaching schemes of Satan to pollute the Press and the Pen.</p> + + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, after spending several hours at the +Theatres, moved toward the vast groups of buildings comprising the +third division of the College of Literature. The structures lay in a +semi-circle facing a magnificent court, in the center of which there +was a park of surpassing loveliness. On an immense arch, over the +center of the park, these words were hung in shining letters:</p> + +<p class="center">THIRD DIVISION:</p> + +<p class="center">TRUE CHRISTIANITY AND LITERATURE.</p> + +<p>As Mr. World and his charming companion entered this great central +court, they were quite overcome by the size and beauty of the three +score halls, each one widening as its depth increased. Some towered +one thousand feet in the air while others sent their proud domes, as +it were, into the clouds.</p> + +<p>The two companions mingled with the multitudes, engaged in the common +pleasures of this open court, and watched with poetic delight the +sparkling fountains, while sweet strains of music from scattered +orchestras lent their charms to the soul. The shrubbery, flowers and +plants, as well as the works of sculpture and pictorial art, all +appeared as if angel fingers had been employed in their production and +arrangement.</p> + +<p>The season here spent by Miss Church-Member was the happiest that she +had yet experienced since she had left the King’s Highway. To think +that she was now living in the threshold of True Christianity, in its +relation to literature, was at once novel and refreshing to her mind, +for she now claimed to be a more faithful Christian than ever before.</p> + +<p>During their protracted stay at this division they visited the following +halls, each one devoted to a specific purpose:</p> + +<p>Hall No. 3. “The Bible from a Literary Standpoint.”</p> + +<p>Hall No. 8. “The Best Literature for a Sunday School Class.”</p> + +<p>Hall No. 9. “The Best Literature for Sunday school Libraries.”</p> + +<p>Hall No. 13. “The Best Literature for a True Christian to Read.”</p> + +<p>Hall No. 16. “Literature for a Christian’s ‘Grip’ when on a Vacation.”</p> + +<p>Hall No. 27. “The Sunday Newspaper and Other Publications.”</p> + +<p>Hall No. 38. “The Best Way of Conducting a Religious Newspaper.”</p> + +<p>Mr. World spent a day with his appreciative friend under the teaching +of Hall No. 3. The professors were exceptionally brilliant, and so won +the confidence of their many hearers that what they said seemed to +have more weight than even the Bible. They tried to demonstrate that +the literary style of the Bible was far below par.</p> + +<p>When they entered Hall No. 8 they were surprised to see how large a +number of Sunday school workers and teachers were already there. The +meeting that day was held largely in the form of an open parliament, +and a discussion was in progress concerning the use of the Bible in +the class during the study of the lesson.</p> + +<p>“Would it not be preferable,” asked an interested visitor, “to use the +Bible in the class during the study of the lesson, and use the special +helps only for preparation?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t think of it, don’t think of it!” abruptly answered the teacher. +“It would only be a step backward.”</p> + +<p>“It appears to me,” continued the visitor, “that our young people ought +to become more familiar in using and handling the Bible, and if it +were used in connection with the study of the lesson it would surely +prove to be a valuable help, even beyond what the present system +affords.”</p> + +<p>“And would you throw aside all the very valuable side lights to the +lesson that are being produced in such rich variety and abundance?’ +hurriedly asked a Sunday school teacher who was present on a furlough.</p> + +<p>“Nay, nay,” earnestly spoke the visitor, “let the press go on, but let +not its fruit be substituted for the bread of life. Fruit is good, +delicious and healthful, but we need the staff of life. _Let the real +actual Bible be handled and used in the teaching of the lesson. Then +whatever else is wise to use as an auxiliary help may be brought into +service_. That is my platform, pure and simple.”</p> + +<p>The leader of the meeting was agitated. He impatiently rose to his +feet before the last words had fallen from the visitor’s lips.</p> + +<p>“Let us use reason,” he said, with a light vein of sarcasm in his +voice. “Is it not true that the average child sees enough of the Bible +in his home and in the public schools, and that he greatly relishes +a change when he comes to the Sunday school?”</p> + +<p>“That’s only too true,” spoke up the worldly element who were there +in large numbers.</p> + +<p>“Let me assure you,” continued the speaker as he was warming to his +theme under false fires of devilish sophistry, “in the day when the +Bible was used in the Sunday school classes, spiritual ignorance +abounded more than now.”</p> + +<p>“Why not be satisfied with rapid advancement, instead of inviting +retrogression in knowledge, and a double decimation in Sunday school +attendance, by compelling scholars to go searching through a book as +uninteresting and unfathomable to them as the Bible?”</p> + +<p>“One great hindrance to Sunday school work is its pious and +sanctimonious tendency. If the schools of the twentieth century are +to be successful, we must have less of that Bible stiffness in them, +and still more of an open sociability.”</p> + +<p>The worldly element and some of the Sunday school teachers were now +cheering heartily. But the speaker continued:</p> + +<p>“Instead of going to an extreme that means death to the Sunday school +by advocating that an army of cold Bibles should go walking into the +service, I should rather advocate a change in the other direction, for +I am even opposed to the tons of cheap literature filled with cloudy +opinions that are now being scattered throughout our schools. We need +lesson helps that are interspersed with incidents of adventure, and +startling stories that have fire and life in them. Let some publisher +take the hint.</p> + +<p>“Then the boy or girl whose daily reading may consist of that style +of writing will find the Sunday school more congenial to his nature, +and he will go there with a bound. In that manner you are certain to +win the boy’s heart, after which you can, with tact, send the spiritual +truth deeper into his soul. From such a scholar keep the Bible as far +away as possible It is not even necessary to lay stress on the fact +that the lesson text is, taken from the Bible.</p> + +<p>“If the teacher can succeed in holding his respect for the Sunday +school, then, in after years, when he is more matured and is better +able to reason, you may bring the Bible itself more directly to his +attention, and you will secure better results than are prevalent to-day +in the Sunday school world.”</p> + +<p>The audience cheered lustily. In this cheering Mr. World and his +companion joined. The visitor, who was deeply grieved at the warm +reception of such destructive doctrines, arose to speak, but the +intolerant cried out: “Away with him! We want no more bigotry and +one-hundred-years-behind-the time speeches!” At the suggestion of the +chairman he was hurried from the room to appear before a commission +on lunacy.</p> + +<p>The speech had its desired effect. The great majority of the audience +were convinced that the Bible was not a “drawing card,” and that it +should not be introduced into the class study if it could possibly be +avoided. A few pledged that they would do all in their power to effect +a revolution in the present system of lesson helps.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left this hall and entered Hall No. +9. It was a rare privilege for them to walk through the largest Sunday +school library in the world, where many committees were at work +selecting books for their respective Sunday schools.</p> + +<p>Satan had so ingeniously managed the composition of these books, and +so artfully arranged them on the endless shelves, that one could +scarcely discern the good parts of a book from the bad, or determine +in which section of the hall the largest percentage of good books could +be found. In this way committees almost invariably picked up +considerable chaff with the wheat.</p> + +<p>I looked at Blackana and sighed: “Oh! Blackana, how long will these +things be? If only a conflagration would reduce the contents of that +hall to ashes!”</p> + +<p>“Ah! mortal,” he coldly replied, “these things will never be destroyed, +for the building is fire proof. Surely the Sunday school should get +as much of its library as possible from a source so well protected.”</p> + +<p>“For what fiendish reason?” I asked as I was moved with indignation.</p> + +<p>“Nothing fiendish about it. Satan can furnish books at less cost, and +thereby be of material financial help to the Sunday school. Furthermore, +he is able to furnish a larger variety and a more inviting class of +books, with more spicy fiction, and less of that deadness so generally +characteristic of the books coming from the hand of a narrow-minded +Christian.”</p> + +<p>“Silence, thou agent of the Devil! Thou art again dealing in falsehood. +When thou speakest to me, speak truthfully or hold thy tongue in +quietness.”</p> + +<p>He rolled his eyes at me, but spoke no more.</p> + +<p>In the early hours of the following day I saw the same two companions +enter Hall No. 13 devoted to “The Best Literature for a True Christian +to Read.” They moved leisurely from table to table scanning and reading +the books and booklets which, in great variety, lay before them.</p> + +<p>Weariness urged them to a seat in the lecture department where they +were entertained by a scholarly address on “_Choice Literature for a +Christian._”</p> + +<p>“It must not be forgotten.” said the speaker in one part of his address, +“that the mind can be ruined by lack of vigorous exercise. In the +physical body the stomach would become weak and sickly were it not +compelled, quite frequently, to digest strong foods or a great variety +of them. So also the mind, in order to reach its true development, +needs a wide variety of thought-food. Not alone that of a +sickly-sentimental or sanctimonious kind which in its place is all +right, but such a variety as will best stimulate the mind in a +well-rounded, liberal education. In particular, a good Christian should +peruse such literature as will inform him thoroughly concerning the +enemies of Christianity. He should not spurn, but rather study +infidelity, skepticism and every other hostile movement, so that he +may be able the better to appreciate his own position. The Bible is +not so much a book for reading, as a book of reference, and therefore +a Christian’s loyalty to Christ must not be measured by his reading +and studying the Bible, but by his success in locating the enemies of +the cross and studying their designs, looking over their encampments, +and estimating the strength of their weapons. If he becomes thus +acquainted with the foe, he is in better position to order an advance, +or to effect a treaty whereby much strife may be avoided.”</p> + +<p>Hall No. 16 was next visited. It offered to its patrons a happy time. +Here the work of the artist was in pleasing evidence. On beautiful +walls were pictured retreats of all kinds. The games and sports, in +endless variety, which make merry the park, field and glen, were the +subjects of some of the paintings.</p> + +<p>These were the titles of some of the larger wall paintings:</p> + +<p>“A restful day under the oak.”</p> + +<p>“The campers at the midday meal.”</p> + +<p>“An hour of idle reading.” “Around the camp-fire at night.”</p> + +<p>“At rest beside the bounding brook.”</p> + +<p>“Along the beach at bathing time.”</p> + +<p>“The cottage by the sea.”</p> + +<p>Nothing was said about the paintings on the wall; they were merely +suggestive of the refreshment that came after toil.</p> + +<p>The lecturer of this hall was a jolly man, an athlete of fine +proportions, whose splendid appearance attracted the attention of the +throng of listeners.</p> + +<p>“We are not here to discuss the good or evil which comes from various +kinds of recreation, but to tell you, from experience, what kind of +reading to take with you when you go on a vacation, or a pleasure trip. +As you are seeking rest for the body so let your religious books have +a rest. Leave them all at home, except the Bible, and prayer book,—you +might take them along to be used in case of sickness or accident. Then +put in your ‘grip’ some humorous books, such as will make you merry. +Besides these place therein some other very light reading, such as +will rest the mind from the more serious things of life.</p> + +<p>“As a father delighteth to see his children roam and romp in glee over +the meadows after the time of faithful toil, so the Heavenly Father +delighteth to see _his_ true children lay aside the seriousness of +prayer and Bible study, and go forth in joyful rest to the seashore, +or to the quiet glen in the fastnesses of the woods. If you follow +these directions, you will get the cream of pleasure and profit, and +return to your secular or religious work with renewed vigor.”</p> + +<p>I saw many ministers, of the gospel in the audience, but not all +seconded the words of the speaker. Mr. World and his confiding companion +were surprised after entering Hall No. 27 to find on exhibition a copy +of all the periodical publications of the world. This was a large hall +and had sub-divisions, each devoted to a distinct class of literature. +One department contained all non-sectarian religious publications; +another the sectarian; still a third was devoted to daily newspapers, +partisan and non-partisan; yet another contained all trade journals; +another all the scientific periodicals, and thus the plan was continued +throughout.</p> + +<p>This was the busiest place of all, for some of the periodicals had +their offices in this hall, while others had representatives there, +so that countless thousands thronged the sub-departments daily. Each +sub-department had its own corps of lecturers.</p> + +<p>Many editors, before entering into active service, take the entire +series of courses offered by this hall, and are thus taught to +prevaricate, abbreviate, and exaggerate, or do ought else to attain +the end in view.</p> + +<p>I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member pass by one sub-department after +another. They were not pleased with the excitement that prevailed. +They had intended however to pause at the department devoted especially +to the Sunday newspaper question, and tarried at the door long enough +merely to catch these few words from one of the speakers:</p> + +<p>“I am a member of the church myself, and bear an honorable name therein; +but I am unwilling to be classed with a set of bigots who would rob +us of our personal liberties and, if possible, place all kinds of +restrictive measures about our inalienable rights. I stand for liberty +first of all, and tyranny never. Why should one dictate to me what I +shall read on Sunday? I look at my Bible more than one hundred times +a year, and read a Sunday newspaper only fifty-two times. It was a +happy change that started the regular press of the country to yield +seven issues a week, and thereby send forth additional rays of +enlightenment to a people who are in sad need of all that they can get +to increase their intelligence.</p> + +<p>“According to my opinion there are so many practices that are worse +than reading a Sunday newspaper that Satan must surely be annoyed to +see a man engaged in such a harmless pursuit. Happy, indeed, would we +all be if the—-”</p> + +<p>The two companions passed on and heard no more, until they left this +hall and paid a brief visit to Hall No. 38 devoted to “_The Best Way +of Conducting a Religious Newspaper_.”</p> + +<p>There were very few editors present, but the debate amongst them was +vigorous and, at times, very contentious, much to the interest and +enjoyment of the spectators.</p> + +<p>The question being discussed was: “_How Can We Best Increase the +Circulation of the Church Paper?_”</p> + +<p>After a few exchanges of opinions, the chairman of the meeting +advocated, with grave dignity, that all religious newspapers should +be more conformed to the tastes and the level of a hungry world. “There +is too great a contrast,” said he, “between the mental condition of +the laymen and the high, cold tone of the average religious paper. Let +the editor of a church paper do as did his Master Jesus Christ,—come +down to the level of the world, where he can reach the heart and the +ear of the common people of whom the masses are composed. No paper +should be so holy that it cannot adapt itself to the development of +the natural as well as the spiritual part of man.”</p> + +<p>These remarks were warmly applauded.</p> + +<p>Next an editor of a religious paper arose, and spoke with decision:</p> + +<p>“I want to be as liberal and broad-minded as God would have me be. I +came to this hall with doubtful steps. I cannot say that I have profited +thereby. My mind is at variance with the chairman of this meeting. He +says: ‘All religious papers should be more conformed to the tastes of +the hungry world.’ Let me ask, with all honesty, what is the taste of +the hungry world? Is it not a terribly perverted taste, a hungering +for the black sins of death? I contend that it is the work of a good +paper to be a beacon light, even though it shines from a lofty +light-house. It may thereby shine out farther and wider. Away with the +doctrine of devils that would pervert the truth and send with merciless +fling——”</p> + +<p>At this juncture the speaker was seized by an officer who came running +in at the ringing of a bell and arrested the editor on the charge of +“disturbing the peace,” which, the chairman declared, was due to a +diseased state of his mind.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was freightened from the hall by this episode, and +was followed by her less fearful companion.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.<br />THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE.</h2> +</div> + +<p>1. Mr. World and his companion visit this immense college, with many +wings, all devoted to teaching every phase of the temperance question +in accordance with Satan’s views.</p> + +<p>2. A view of the millions who attend this college.</p> + + +<p>Automobiles are used by the agents of Satan to convey students and +visitors from one college to another of the great University of the +World.</p> + +<p>I saw Miss Church-Member and her cherished escort leave the College of +Literature in one of these up-to-date carriages.</p> + +<p>“Shall we tarry at the athletic field?” asked Mr. World as they came +to a famous sporting ground.</p> + +<p>“Let us rather hasten to the Temperance College,” she suggested. But +her manner indicated that she did not wish to urge him away from the +place of his heart’s desire.</p> + +<p>“Altogether at your pleasure,” he smiled, as he sank back into the +comfortable cushions of the conveyance.</p> + +<p>They soon reached the desired locality, saw the moving millions from +all portions of the earth, and heard the ceaseless babble of their +voices harmonizing with the work of this college which was known among +the pilgrims of the King’s Highway as _The Devil’s Temperance College._ +It covered many acres of ground, and consisted of many immense +buildings, around which clustered many smaller structures serving for +auxiliary purposes.</p> + +<p>When Mr. World and Miss Church-Member walked about the college grounds, +and saw more closely the magnitude and beauty of the edifices, they +were so overawed that their tongues offered no comment.</p> + +<p>They mingled a while with the merry multitude, and then at one corner +of the group entered the gigantic building devoted to the subject of +Temperance and the Bible. They hoped thereby to get the consensus of +opinion on one of the complex questions of the day.</p> + +<p>At the bureau of information the two companions were directed to the +Public Hall of Debate, which was reached by the aid of one of the +numerous electric elevators. The Great Hall had an auditorium of one +hundred feet in height and a seating capacity fully capable of +accommodating the visiting multitudes. The acoustics were so perfect +that one, at the farther end of the room, could easily hear the speaker +on the stage. When Mr. World and his friend had entered the hall they +were surprised to learn that many of the auditors were members of the +more radical churches along the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>The corps of high titled professors who occupied the stage spoke at +intervals, or answered questions which were propounded by persons in +the audience.</p> + +<p>Over the stage I saw in illuminated letters: TEMPERANCE AND THE BIBLE.</p> + +<p>An aged man was speaking when the two comrades took seats near the +center of the room.</p> + +<p>“We are not here,” explained the venerable man, “to prove that the +Bible is either false or true. We leave that question for other schools +to decide. It is our province to show what the Bible teaches on this +important theme. Temperance is a word so misused and so abused that +it becomes people of sound judgment to go to the rock bottom of the +question as viewed in the light of Scripture.”</p> + +<p>Then, adjusting his green spectacles, the speaker opened the Bible and +offered to explain, or to have explained, any part of it that bore on +the subject of “Temperance from a Bible Standpoint.”</p> + +<p>A breathless silence followed until a moderate-drinking church-member +arose with Bible in hand. “Did Christians, during the life of Christ, +drink wine?” he asked, in a self-righteous manner.</p> + +<p>The speaker called upon Mr. Wine Expert who quickly stepped forward +from his chair on the stage.</p> + +<p>“There can be no doubt,” he affirmed, “but that they drank wine freely. +They knew enough in that day not to discard a good thing.”</p> + +<p>Hundreds of people sprang to their feet, but Mr. Venerable ordered +that one should speak at a time and that they all should be seated and +first listen to the questioner.</p> + +<p>“Was that wine the same, in kind, that Noah drank, as related in Gen. +9:21?”</p> + +<p>“Identical.”</p> + +<p>“And the same that is used to-day in the commercial world?”</p> + +<p>“It is the same as the good wine that is used to-day. There are many +modern adulterations.”</p> + +<p>The questioner took his seat. A man from London then obtained the +floor. He also held a Bible as he spoke.</p> + +<p>“I am a temperance worker in one of the districts of London, and would +like to know whether you conclude by your former assertion concerning +the early Christians that the Bible does not speak against wine +drinking?”</p> + +<p>“Not in a single place. How could it do so consistently?” answered the +Devil’s expert.</p> + +<p>“Will you please turn to Prov. 20:1. ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink +is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ How do you +harmonize this passage with what you have just asserted?” The man from +London sat down.</p> + +<p>“Quite an easy task for one who has given honest study to the question,” +said Mr. Wine Expert. “Wine is a mocker. Just as wisdom mocks at the +calamity of those who reject it in Prov. 1:26. So, wine, personified +in a similar manner, mocks at the folly of those who refuse it. +(Applause.) Strong drink is raging. Just as in Jonah 1:15, the sea was +raging in protest against Jonah because he refused to preach the truth +to the people. So in this passage, ‘strong drink is raging,’ because +so many church-members and ministers refuse to preach the real truth +to the people on the subject of strong drink. (Prolonged applause.) +If there were as much said against me falsely, as has been spoken +against strong drink, I would not only rage, but would go raging and +foaming over this stage in protest. (Tremendous applause and shouting +from the people of the world.) I tell you more, my friends, strong +drink will keep on raging as long as old Voices and ‘The New Voice’ +of cranks and idiots are heard to squeak out their childish nonsense +to an enlightened people.” (Furious applause and demonstrations.)</p> + +<p>“The last part of the passage is easily to be understood,” continued +the speaker. “‘Whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ How could +a person be wise who allows himself to be deceived and hoodwinked +concerning as good a thing as wine or strong drink?”</p> + +<p>“Nobody, we need not fear,” cried out a brewer from one side of the +room.</p> + +<p>“There is however a host,” continued Mr. Wine Expert, “who are woefully +deceived, and who are endeavoring to force their deceptions upon the +state.”</p> + +<p>“And I am one of them,” shouted a tall man from Kansas, U. S. A., as +he violently jumped to his feet, and remained standing.</p> + +<p>“I would suggest,” calmly interrupted the venerable leader, “that our +special photographer take a snap shot of this man. We are always glad +to keep a record of such monstrosities. He looks like a fair specimen +of a deceived man. (Laughter.) He is lean and bony, and if any one of +you never before saw such a man, take a full view of him now. Suppose +you,” he said, as he continued pointing at the Kansas man, “slowly +make a full revolution on your feet so that each one can here see all +sides of you,—if you have more than one side.” (Great applause amongst +the people of the world.)</p> + +<p>The man from Kansas stood still till the voice of the insulting outcry +died away.</p> + +<p>“I can stand abuse; I can stand irony and sarcasm; but I thank God +that where I live I need no longer endure the insults of the Rum Devil. +(Suppressed applause.) If Mr. Venerable thinks I am the only man present +who comes under his classification of ‘deceived persons,’ I will +demonstrate to him his folly, for there are many thousands here who +have not yet bowed the knee to Baal.”</p> + +<p>“Out of order!” “Put him out!” “Away with him!” came from the audience.</p> + +<p>“If there is a person here opposed to the Rum Traffic, let him rise,” +fearlessly continued the tall man.</p> + +<p>Up sprang a W. C. T. U. leader; then another person; then a hundred +from Maine; yea, a thousand more until over seven thousand, from all +parts of the world, stood on their feet.</p> + +<p>“Remain standing, I ask you! Let not one of you act the coward! There +are others here today, who came in, as I did, to visit. Stand up! Show +your colors! If you remain seated you will be classed with the enemy. +The time to honor your cause is at hand. I ask you seventy thousand +church-members present to choose this day whom you will serve.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Venerable, who was an experienced man in these uprisings, whispered +to an excited saloon-keeper: “Let them proceed. A house divided against +itself can not stand.”</p> + +<p>“I demand order,” shouted a high-license advocate who owned a brewery, +but the agitated fellow was soon calmed by these personal words from +the venerable chairman: “_Let these people go. They will soon get into +factional contention and thereby break the point of their steel more +effectually than we could do it._”</p> + +<p>“Remain standing, ye noble band of men and women!” shouted the Kansas +man with increasing earnestness. “You, who are too cowardly or +indifferent to rise from your seats, are throwing your influence this +day on the side of the enemy, thereby casting a reflection on the +church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and—”</p> + +<p>This was more than a certain minister could bear. So, before the Kansas +man had finished his last sentence, he sprang excitedly to his feet +and shook his fist defiantly: “I want it distinctly understood that +I am just as good as the man from Kansas, and just as much of a +temperance man, but I don’t believe in this way of showing my colors. +I would not be standing now had I not been insulted more by that crank +of one idea, standing there, than by Mr. Wine Expert who so contemptibly +perverted Scripture.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Wine Expert sprang to the edge of the stage to defend his position, +but Mr. Venerable was instantly at his side. “_Come, come, don’t spoil +that fight; suffer rather than have them combine against you,_” were +the quiet words of logic that brought him to his seat without uttering +a word.</p> + +<p>Then up jumped a few prominent church-members to express their +indignation at the adverse criticism of the Kansas man.</p> + +<p>“Those are exactly my sentiments, and I here offer my protest against +this manner of procedure,” said one as he looked approvingly at the +minister.</p> + +<p>“And so do I.” “I am most emphatically of the same opinion.” “I stand +here, a true temperance man, to express my indignation at that Kansas +prodigy,” were some of the expressions which came from temperance men +who were not willing to be classed with the seven thousand.</p> + +<p>Then upwards of one hundred women rose to their feet and indignantly +rebuked the Kansas man for his misjudgment in starting this factional +display. This provoked some radical leaders of the W. C. T. U. who +chanced to be there as detectives or visitors. They also arose in +defense of the Kansas man.</p> + +<p>I saw the tumult rising. Disorder was pre-dominant. Hundreds tried to +speak at once. Saloon-keepers, brewers, whiskey politicians, and the +professors on the stage were smiling in ghoulish glee. They enjoyed +it more than a prize fight, and the results were at once more disastrous +and more deplorable.</p> + +<p>As the conflict waxed hotter some men and women were screaming, and +some fainting, and some resorted to blows. Others scrambled to get +from the room. The elevators were put in quick service, and I saw Mr. +World and Miss Church-Member, with thousands of others, running from +the scene of the fight.</p> + +<p>“Let us go to another building,” suggested Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>A very short time after this I saw them enter the largest building of +all the Temperance College. It stood centrally amongst the great group, +and was devoted to “_Hygiene and Temperance._”</p> + + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img011"> + <img src="images/011.jpg" class="w75" alt="A Scene in the Devils Temperance College The fight +between the temperence factions was greatly enjoyed by the saloon- +keepers, brewers, and whisky politicians." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">A Scene in the Devils Temperance College The fight +between the temperence factions was greatly enjoyed by the saloon- +keepers, brewers, and whisky politicians.<br /></p> + +<p>After learning that they came as visitors, a director advised them to +pass the many medical wings on separate flats and go to the great +auditorium on one of the higher floors. Proceeding, in obedience to +the advice given, they soon beheld a room of greater size and +magnificence than the one which they had just left, and as they were +taking seats they fixed their attention on the lecturer who had already +been speaking for an hour. He was discoursing on the relation of strong +drink to the stomach.</p> + +<p>“It must be remembered,” affirmed he, “that the stomach was made to +serve man. The appetite is the true criterion by which he may know +what his body needs. If he feels a thirst for alcoholic drink, it is +akin to a hunger for any special class of foods. He is not to ask his +servant, the stomach, whether it is willing to do the work of +transformation. He is to give it the work to do. The stomach will do +it, unless that particular digestive function is lost. It is claimed +by some who know more about ditch-digging than about physiology, that +alcoholic beverages ruin the lining of the stomach, creating ulcers, +and other disorders. This kind of teaching reminds me of a conundrum. +‘Why is a scientific temperance man like a dead man in his coffin?’ +Who can answer it?”</p> + +<p>“Because each one ought to be buried,” guessed a liquor-merchant from +Paris. (Laughter.)</p> + +<p>“A good guess,” said the speaker, but you have not yet hit the mark.”</p> + +<p>“Because needer von dem is vert any ding,” said the proprietor of a +beer-saloon from Germany. (Increased laughter.)</p> + +<p>“You are still away from my idea,” spoke the lecturer.</p> + +<p>“I know it,” said a rum-lawyer. “It is because they both lie.” +(Applause.)</p> + +<p>“That’s exactly the truth of the matter. These so-called ‘scientific +temperance men’ are accountable for more lies imposed on a credulous +public than can be corrected for many years to come. Any sensible man +knows that moderate drinking is healthful to the stomach. If a man +drinks too much, he is liable to trouble, just like a man who eats too +much, or sleeps too much, or even talks too much about temperance. +(Applause and laughter.) I tell you, my good friends, a little of that +elixir of life is just as good for my stomach as it was for Timothy’s, +and the good man Paul would say the same thing if he were here to-day. +(Cries from the world of “that’s so!” and “hurrah for Paul!”) I am +satisfied to have a great man like Paul on my side, even if I must +know that some of his pigmy disciples are against me.” (Increased +applause.)</p> + +<p>This speech was especially enjoyed by Mr. World who himself was addicted +to a moderate use of alcoholic beverages. An announcement came from +the platform that in an hour the eminent Dr. Strauss of Europe would +discourse on “The Effect of Malt Liquors on the Heart,” and those who +wished to remain might spend the interim in social intercourse.</p> + +<p>In consequence of this announcement the major part of the audience +dispersed in varying groups, and discussed the merits of the lecture +just ended.</p> + +<p>Every creed was there represented by a few or more of its members, +many of whom were favorably and deeply impressed by the argument of +the Devil as it was given in the address.</p> + +<p>Others I saw, not a few, who laid bare this iniquitous scheme of +presenting the untruth, and declared that they would no more give ear +to any teaching that came from that source.</p> + +<p>This gave rise to endless quibblings and contentions between +church-members of the same faith and those of separate creeds. These +disputes continued with increasing bitterness until the hour had passed.</p> + +<p>All eyes were fixed upon the stage as the portly Dr. Strauss arose to +speak. His voice at first was slow and deep, and in all he was the +personification of dignity. The first part of his lecture was a very +convincing argument in favor of what is called the “_Normal Use of +Malt Liquors_.” He declared that moderate drinking could have no evil +effect on the action of the heart, except in rare cases. To prove his +general statement and to win the confidence of his hearers, he quoted +over forty printed and written extracts from eminent physicians of the +world.</p> + +<p>After this general survey of his argument, he entered into details and +illustrated the second division of his lecture by the use of pictorial +charts. In this manner the construction and action of the heart were +concretely shown.</p> + +<p>In the third division of the lecture the Prince of Darkness showed his +skill in manipulating the utterances of the speaker. By a second series +of illustrated charts the lecturer intended to show how alcoholic +beverages, in coursing through the human system, benefited the heart +rather than injured it. In trying to establish this point he used the +subtlest sophistry of Satan.</p> + +<p>Through the three divisions of the discourse I heard vigorous applause, +and when, in the smooth language of his final climax, he uttered the +last word and was returning to his seat, there was a deafening roar +from all parts of the vast hall. To the mind of Miss Church-Member the +argument of Dr. Strauss was unanswerable, and consequently she was +obliged to revise her radical opinions on the temperance question; and +not only she, but a host of others from the ranks of the Christian +church were influenced similarly.</p> + +<p>After leaving this hall the happy pair spent a long time in passing +through some of the other buildings of the group. _Miss Church-Member +was so filled with the doctrines of the Devil that she thought of going +as a missionary to the pilgrims of the Narrow Way._</p> + +<p>During their visit at the Temperance College Mr. World conducted his +ever-faithful friend through some of the fashionable temperance-saloons +connected with the institution.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member would not have entered and much less indulged in +the questionable beverages, had she not been so strongly influenced +by the prolonged visit at the section of the group devoted to the study +of “_Temperate and Intemperate Drinks._”</p> + +<p>I was sorely vexed at the operations of this whole college and, looking +at Blackana, I said impatiently:</p> + +<p>“How can your comrades find delight in such an impish work—covering +truth and scattering hellish sophistry abroad?”</p> + +<p>“Delight?” repeated Blackana. “This world is but the Devil’s Heaven, +and those in his kingdom find chiefest delight in thorns, and not in +flowers; in spinning sophistry, and not in dead things like truth and +logic.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.<br />INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM.</h2> +</div> +<p>1. A general view of the vast University of the World with all its +subordinate operations. All working in harmony to destroy the good +that God would do in the world.</p> + + +<p>The University of the World is so extensive that one could not visit +all its parts during the course of a life-time, but there is a place +called the Magic Observatory whence an observer can have a bird’s-eye +view of all the principal scholastic operations of the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>The Observatory is owned and controlled by careful agents of Satan who +will allow only certain persons to get the benefit of so extensive a +view.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left the ground of the Temperance +College and proceeded to get permission to rise to the glorious heights +of the Observatory. Mr. World secured permission, but his companion, +not having had sufficient experience in the service of Satan, was +refused a pass. The difficulty was settled by a happy thought. Miss +Church-Member suggested that while he should improve the opportunity +and rise to see the sights, she would visit the College of Fashions, +for which privilege she had been yearning.</p> + +<p>I saw that Mr. World spent a long time in viewing the endless +proportions of the noted Observatory, and finally stood on the lofty +viewpoint with an interpreter at his side.</p> + +<p>He was then directed to a seat on a mechanical device that moved in +a circle; and as he sat there he looked through the powerful glasses +of the immense telescope.</p> + +<p>He first beheld the Schools of the Fine Arts, with their myriad students +who swarmed through a group of buildings so large that it covered the +first sweep of the telescope.</p> + +<p>At the next turn of the magic device Mr. World saw the Special Schools +of Mathematics whose prevalent tendency was to destroy faith. Here the +mind of each student was taught to submit everything to the tests of +proof, so that by the time one’s training was finished he would believe +only what could be scientifically demonstrated. In this way Satan +induced many a student to disregard the Bible because he could not +reduce all its teachings to the cold and rigid rules of human reasoning.</p> + +<p>Thus does Satan manipulate affairs so that many of the Christian schools +of the earth have imbibed a similar course:—first exalting Reason, +and doing nothing to correspondingly develop in the student the +functions of Faith.</p> + +<p>When the telescope again turned Mr. World saw the Schools of Metaphysics +where Satan operated in harmony with the limitless scheme of the whole +University.</p> + +<p>Next the College of Theology came within the range of vision. Here the +clergymen of the Broad Highway are prepared to teach the doctrines of +Hell under the guise of “Broad-Minded Theology.” I envied not Mr. +World’s position, for I could also see what his wondering eyes beheld. +As I took a transient view of this vast group of Theological Halls, +and saw how many human beings resorted hither for information, I could +the better understand why the world is kept so full of perverted truth. +There is a daily inflow of ecclesiastics into this College, even such +as become dissatisfied with the Theology as taught on the Highway of +the King.</p> + +<p>At the next turn of the telescope Mr. World saw the extensive Business +College whither so large a number of merchants go to learn how to +advertise, and also how to get rich quickly. One hall alone is set +apart for the purpose of teaching a merchant how to practice fraud +without injuring his good standing in the church; another hall teaches +how far a business man may venture into prevarication without lying; +while a still larger hall is devoted to the wholesale trade, and is +intended to teach the best methods of adulterating foods while yet +allowing them to be sold for genuine goods.</p> + +<p>Mr. World was deeply interested in the view afforded by the next turn +of the telescope, for the magnificent groups of buildings comprising +the College of Fashions now lay before his admiring vision. He knew +that his beloved friend was somewhere amongst the moving throngs that +ever kept the College astir.</p> + +<p>I looked in wonderment upon the far-reaching operations of this Satanic +center. The teachings of this College were so far-reaching that the +seeds of endless follies were planted in the generations yet unborn.</p> + +<p>In one of the larger halls of this imposing group I saw an endless and +popular variety of the gods of Fashion. They were worshiped by the +slavish legions who were willing to sacrifice their all rather than +forsake their chosen idols.</p> + +<p>Mr. World plainly saw the connection between this College of Fashions +and the Devil’s Pawn Shop. The next item in the weird program was the +Devil’s Optical College which Mr. World and Miss Church-Member had +visited in the earlier days of their companionship. Satan’s Medical +Schools also lay in the same line of vision, and were intimately +connected with the Devil’s Hospital which had numberless branches in +all parts of the world.</p> + +<p>And next the vast College of Literature flashed before the admiring +eyes of Mr. World. As seen through the telescope this section presented +a most beautiful picture.</p> + +<p>The surface Schools of Law next attracted the attention of the spectator +who was surprised to get so large a view of these operations.</p> + +<p>Mr. World still moved in the magic circle, and saw the whole program +as revealed at the angle at which the telescope was inclined. When the +first circle was completed, the telescope dropped to a new angle and +started on its second revolution, disclosing to the observer a new +world of schools, all of which were also comprehended in the University +of the World.</p> + +<p>The Missionary College proved to be an interesting sight, as did also +the Devil’s Temperance College.</p> + +<p>One of the most surprising sights that greeted Mr. World in this second +revolution was Satan’s Modern College of Narcotics which is a series +of schools built and operated with great care, intended to counteract +the special efforts ever being put forth by the devotees of the King’s +Highway to teach the relations of narcotics to the nervous system. +Formerly Satan did this branch of work in one of the wings of the +Temperance College, but on account of the great stress put on this +subject by the Surpassing Schools of the Christ, Satan has built this +modern institution, and now the church is in confusion because _so +many of its members have such an indistinct vision that they cannot +discern between the wool of the sheep and the hair of the wolf, even +when each animal is wearing its own hide._</p> + +<p>The most mysterious schools revealed by this second revolution were +called the Schools of Emergency. These required the skill of the +interpreters to give Mr. World an idea of their work.</p> + +<p>This is also a modern idea of the Evil One, and since their erection +the schools have been patronized by an astonishingly large number of +disappointed church-members who receive instruction more readily from +the modern methods here in vogue than from the old-time system.</p> + +<p>Then did Mr. World behold a new line of schools in course of erection, +but the interpreter refused to give him satisfaction when he asked the +purpose of these new schools.</p> + +<p>When the great telescope had finished the second revolution, Mr. World +was surprised to see that it commenced on the third round as the outer +end of the telescope pointed more directly toward the base of the +Observatory.</p> + +<p>Startling scenes were now laid bare. The underground schools of this +Great University seemed to be greater than the surface operations.</p> + +<p>Mr. World first saw the Opium Schools, built in the form of large dens. +After this came the Schools of Iniquity, operated in darkness. Here +all forms of evil are taught and made to appear justifiable under +certain conditions. Many of these underground schools could not be +clearly seen by Mr. World, but ere the telescope completed its third +revolution he saw the Schools of Suicide more distinctly than during +his visit, and got a glimpse of the limitless Law Departments +Underground, and the terrible pictures of sadness and sin as seen +beneath the Devil’s Hospital.</p> + +<p>Mr. World raised his eyes from the telescope and looked towards the +interpreter. “What lies beyond those vast elevations?” he asked as he +pointed to a rugged mountain range farther down the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>“Back of those mountains lies the beautiful Wizard City, shut in from +all the world. Ask nothing more about it.”</p> + +<p>“But may I not enter it?”</p> + +<p>“Not unless you are fortunate enough to discover one of the paths that +lead to the Summit. From thence one can see the City.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.<br />EXPERT INVENTORS OF THE BROAD HIGHWAY.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member fail to see the Ways and Means +Committee at work.</p> + +<p>2. They are directed to the city where expert inventors are constantly +employed in devising weapons and all kinds of devices.</p> + +<p>3. They see a few inventions which are just being perfected to +facilitate the services of the churches along the King’s Highway.</p> + + +<p>After Mr. World’s remarkable experiences on the Observatory, he gladly +called for his friend, Miss Church-Member, who accompanied him on +another branch of the Mountain Trolley.</p> + +<p>They alighted at a station called Progress, and proceeded on the Broad +Highway. Neither of them became wearied in listening to the experiences +of the other during their brief separation.</p> + +<p>Ere long they came to a large hall which was used by the Ways and Means +Committee of the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>They obtained permission to visit the interior of the hall, hoping +thereby to see the famous committee in session. But, after being +escorted from room to room by a guide, they were informed, upon reaching +the main auditorium, that the committee was holding a secret session, +and that no visitors would be allowed to enter during that day.</p> + +<p>“How soon will visitors be admitted?’ asked Mr. World, with a shade +of disappointment in his tone.</p> + +<p>“Not until the matter now under consideration is settled. It may be +two hours, perhaps two days,” was the indefinite reply.</p> + +<p>“And where can we spend the interim with most profit and interest?” +further interrogated Mr. World.</p> + +<p>The guide, looking through a window, described a path leading to a +lofty summit. “When you reach that elevation,” explained he, “you will +see, in the busy vale beyond, the Wizard City.</p> + +<p>“Most of the experiments performed in that wondrous vale are closed +forever from the view of mortal man; but so much of the work as you +are allowed to see will interest you for many days.”</p> + +<p>“In my opinion such a privilege is greater than the one we are here +denied,” smilingly spoke Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“True indeed, my friend, unless the climbing of the hill should prove +to be a more arduous task than you imagine,” cautioned Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“Each of you will be pleasantly surprised,” promptly affirmed the +guide, “for they only can climb to that summit who do so willingly, +and by them it is easily accomplished.”</p> + +<p>“Is there no shorter way thither than by that winding path?” slowly +asked Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“There is but one shorter route, and that is underground. No one is +permitted to go that way until he has passed the summit and has reached +the seventh degree in the secret service of our Master.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! so there is an underground connection between this place and the +Expert Inventors?” said Miss Church-Member in a low tone, and with a +look of suspicion.</p> + +<p>“Be not in the least alarmed. The Ways and Means Committee and the +Expert Inventors work in harmony, each supplementing the work of the +other. It is therefore essential that between them there be as close +connection as possible, not only for convenience of travel, but for +insuring secrecy.”</p> + +<p>“Then why are the two places so far apart?” queried Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“Everything is perfectly arranged. If you could see the underground +world between the two sites you would readily observe the logical +relation of all parts. But the bell rings; I must go,” continued the +guide. “If you wish further information you may obtain it at the +office,” and with a courteous bow he withdrew.</p> + +<p>That same day I saw the two travelers climb with ease to the summit +from whence they beheld the most curious sight that had yet met their +gaze since their fellowship had begun.</p> + +<p>Down in the long and deep sloping vale before them, shut in from all +the world, lay a large city of fantastic structures.</p> + +<p>The weird outlines of this marvelous city extended downward into the +darkness of the earth, while the height of its buildings varied from +the common even unto the amazing.</p> + +<p>The form of the city, and the shape of its buildings, were the most +bizarre features of all. Only a few of the edifices bore resemblance +to any which the travelers had ever before seen.</p> + +<p>Toward one end of the city they saw a cluster of buildings which, taken +as a whole, resembled a gigantic tree towering to a great height and +covered with strange foliage.</p> + + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img012"> + <img src="images/012.jpg" class="w50" alt="In the “Wizard City” Satan devises novelties, such as +“Angelette” for choir singing the “Service Regulator” for taking the +Holy Spirit’s place in worship, etc." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">In the “Wizard City” Satan devises novelties, such as +“Angelette” for choir singing the “Service Regulator” for taking the +Holy Spirit’s place in worship, etc.<br /></p> + +<p>At the other end of the city the structures were divided into more +than a hundred groups, resembling somewhat variously-shaped balloons +of monstrous size.</p> + +<p>The sides of the city were constructed somewhat after the manner of +immense Ferris wheels, of amazing diameter. The compartments therein +actually moved up or down according to the range of vision desired by +the Inventors in their experimenting.</p> + +<p>The central part of the city was the most notable of all. Here, with +an average diameter of ten hundred feet, rose a circular structure +tapering irregularly until it settled to a point six thousand feet in +the air. Around this, as a center, ranged terraces, hanging gardens, +aerial boulevards, and spiral electric railways.</p> + +<p>After viewing this wonderful valley for many hours, the companions +took one of the perfected automobiles and covered the long gradual +descent to a depth of ten thousand feet perpendicular.</p> + +<p>As they neared the base, I looked at Blackana, and asked: “How long +have those Schools of Invention been in operation?”</p> + +<p>“Since the creation of man.”</p> + +<p>“What is the real purpose of their existence?”</p> + +<p>“To invent devices and weapons helpful to our cause in peace or war, +and more particularly to concoct new schemes for the use of the churches +along the King’s Highway and the Way of the World.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! that the earth might see all this foul inwardness, and discern +aright the bland deception with which those subtle plots are executed!”</p> + +<p>A Satanic smile covered the features of Blackana as he assured me that +the earth does know of these things, and has known of them for ages, +but is too well pleased with them to offer serious opposition.</p> + +<p>In disgust I turned from Blackana and saw that Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member had reached the suburbs of the Wizard City where they +read this unexpected notice over a large brazen gate:</p> + +<p class="center">NONE ADMITTED EXCEPT THEY TO WHOM THE PORTER OPENETH.</p> + +<p>“Ah! all our toil may be in vain,” sighed Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>They stood for a brief time in a quandary, discussing how one may know +whether or not the Porter will open the gate. Finally the stalwart +Porter approached them and spoke: “With what motive and for what purpose +would ye enter?”</p> + +<p>Mr. World, with native tact, was ready with an answer: “I am in full +sympathy with the work done in this city and have with me my friend +who is still a member of a church standing along the King’s Highway.”</p> + +<p>The Porter advanced with graceful bearing and bowed to Miss +Church-Member. “Perchance,” said he, “you have come to receive some +new ideas for the benefit of the church?”</p> + +<p>“You have surmised it,” she blushingly replied. “The church to which +I belong is sadly behind the age in its methods of work. I am hoping +that the inventive genius of this city can give me some features new +and attractive, that I may, in my missionary work, help to introduce +them into antiquated churches.”</p> + +<p>“Yours is a worthy mission,” politely said the Porter, “and I herewith +hand you a card which will admit both of you into the department of +the city, number seven hundred and seventy-seven.”</p> + +<p>Instantly the gate flew wide open, and the happy couple passed through +joyfully. They walked by the many fairy-like buildings, closing their +eyes to all the special scenes so that they might give their first +attention to the department indicated by the Porter.</p> + +<p>With little difficulty they found the place desired, and handed the +card to a curator who conducted them to the general manager.</p> + +<p>“I infer, by this card,” said the manager, “that you are hoping to +find some new schemes to facilitate the work and service of the church.”</p> + +<p>“That is our aim,” answered Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“I am glad that you are so ambitious to keep apace with the times. In +this marvelous age of mechanism all things are done by devices and +machinery, and the church that would keep step with the spirit of +progress must also be run by mechanism. The services of such a +congregation should be controlled by a rigid methodical law, so that +everything will move like clock-work. The church of to-day, in its +movement towards form and ceremony, is approaching the highest laws +of universal harmony. This hopeful tendency is most helpful to the +soul of man and most pleasing to God.”</p> + +<p>“Just my idea exactly,” chimed in Mr. World. “The churches along the +King’s Highway are stubbornly fighting these modern improvements. They +are very slow in catching up with the spirit of the age. Does that not +seem true, Miss Church-Member?”</p> + +<p>“I must confess I see it more clearly now than ever. Nature is run by +unerring, unchangeable law; why should not all spiritual operations +come under the same principle? Formality, after all, is the highest +point to be reached.”</p> + +<p>“Your mind easily grasps the truth, I perceive,” responded the manager. +“What can bring things into better form than to get as much machinery +as possible into church worship? In this building a thousand experts +are constantly employed in devising and perfecting mechanical +arrangements to facilitate the services of the church. Perhaps you +would be pleased to see some of the results of our work by passing +through some of the sub-departments?”</p> + +<p>“For my part,” replied Miss Church-Member, “I am more than passingly +interested in these things, and if Mr. World does not object to +accompany us, I will be grateful to improve this opportunity to look +upon your work.”</p> + +<p>After completing preliminary arrangements I saw the manager conduct +his two visitors on the easy running elevator to the floor which was +devoted especially to singing.</p> + +<p>“As it is your wish,” said the manager “to see the latest, we will not +tarry at these lesser rooms, but proceed immediately to the corner of +the chief experts where I will be pleased to show to you the best +novelty on the floor.” They walked down the long room, passing on each +side of the aisle one set of busy workers after another. They stopped +at one of the far corners and beheld, in advance, the latest novelty +to be used for singing in church service.</p> + +<p>It was an artificial woman, neatly attired and filled with a complicated +mechanism so constructed that when certain electric keys were touched +by the unseen operator, articulate sounds like unto a human voice +issued forth, while the expression of the whole face, and the +natural-like heaving of the breast, all moved in harmony with the +artificial sounds. The invention so much resembled a living creature +of beauty that Miss Church-Member at first thought it was really human.</p> + +<p>Mr. World was so well pleased with the novelty that he unconsciously +seated himself upon a couch and looked on in amazement. The beauty of +the female form attracted his attention as much as the voice that +pealed forth bewitchingly from the lips.</p> + +<p>“The greatest thing in the world!” he said after a period of ecstatic +silence. “The church that gets such a singer into its choir will have +a packed house at every service.”</p> + +<p>“I never so much as dreamed of such a thing before. Have any of the +churches yet tried the experiment?” wonderingly asked Miss +Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“The time has not yet come,” replied the manager. “Our experts have +been perfecting this fine piece of mechanism for many years, but it +is not yet quite satisfactory. We shall continue until it is well-nigh +perfect. In the meantime we are trying to prepare the way so that the +people will gladly receive such an addition to their church machinery. +It is our intention to be able to supply _angelettes_, (for that is +the name by which this invention will be known) of any size, and with +apparel suitable for any special or ordinary occasion of church worship. +The angelette is to be so perfected that it will render vocal music +without a break. That will be a happy day when people can worship God +without aging themselves hoarse or without being annoyed by the discords +so prevalent in congregational and choir singing and, moreover, have +none of the evil effects that come from choir quarrels.”</p> + +<p>“I can plainly see,” commented Miss Church-Member as they moved toward +another floor, “that the church is only in the morning twilight of its +progress. The wonders of today will pale into insignificance at the +coming of the greater things.” They dropped to a lower floor and stepped +from the elevator.</p> + +<p>“This floor is devoted to the ‘_Order of Church Service_’” explained +the manager. “It is indeed surprising to see what a variety of devices +are here suggested to get the churches to pin themselves down to a +fixed law of service in such a way that all else must bend to it or +appear ridiculous. Some churches, claiming to be led by the Spirit, +are constantly out of order. One cannot even imagine what is coming +next. That is a foolish, haphazard way of conducting a religious +service. We are doing all we can to correct these errors. I will take +you at once to the expert’s room and let you see the latest piece of +mechanism which we hope very soon to offer for public use.”</p> + +<p>Far out in one end of the building I saw the three enter a room where +men were busily engaged at work.</p> + +<p>“Will you kindly show these two visitors the workings of your new +invention called the ‘Service Regulator,’” requested the manager as +he looked at the chief inventor.</p> + +<p>A large curtain was raised and there it hung. No larger than a family +clock. The inventor opened a door of the Regulator, and carefully +explained its works. He called their attention especially to a roll +of blackboard canvas that passed from an upper to a lower cylinder +when the Regulator was running.</p> + +<p>I heard the inventor, in explaining, use these words: “The minister +arranges the program in advance and then marks the whole order of +service on the canvas roll, allowing as much time for each part of the +service as he thinks proper. The canvas is then replaced and the +Regulator hung on the wall. When the minute comes to commence services, +the Regulator is wound with a key and it starts to run. The canvas, +in passing down at a fixed rate, informs the congregation of every +change in the service, just as it had been previously planned.”</p> + +<p>“What think you of it?” asked the manager, after the partial +explanation.</p> + +<p>“I do not believe that the church of the King’s Highway to which I +belong could use it. It would tend only to confusion,” said Miss +Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“Only till they become accustomed to it,” explained the inventor. +“After a few weeks of use its value would be demonstrated. Then the +congregation would not part with it under any consideration. You see, +Miss Church-Member,” he continued as he offered them easy chairs, +“there would be a definite time to close the service. The Regulator +would move with the precision of a clock, and nobody would complain +about the preacher speaking too long, for he would stop at a fixed +time. It is so arranged that a little bell rings five minutes in advance +of the time to stop preaching. It is sometimes a great satisfaction +for the hearer to know when the sermon is nearly ended, and the +Regulator would be a blessed boon to some preachers who find it +difficult to stop talking after they get ‘warmed up,’ as they call it.”</p> + +<p>“How beautiful the thought that the bells of the Regulator would call +the congregation to prayer, and a bell bid the time to change the +devotion from prayer to song. You must not forget that this device is +intended to educate the minister, choir, and congregation to a fine +degree of accuracy in all their public devotions. See what opportunity +this device offers for the display of ingenuity and tact on the part +of a minister! He can, on the blank spaces, have a few pictures drawn. +These will be interesting to children who cannot comprehend his sermon, +or to an adult who loses the thread of the discourse. Does it not seem +like a good thing for the church?” he asked, as he turned his gaze +upon Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“It seems more and more that way, and no doubt it will prove helpful +if it gets a fair trial. How does it suit _your_ fancy?” she inquired +of Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“It seems to me that all churches who know a good thing when they see +it will get it at any cost. It just meets my idea exactly. I like to +see things done decently and in order in the church. It always makes +me nervous to get into a church where enthusiasm runs away with the +meeting. It makes me feel somewhat as if I were in a trolley car that +is running down grade while the motor-man has lost control of the +brakes. It makes it uncomfortable to stay or to run.”</p> + +<p>“Have any of the churches introduced this novelty yet?” inquired Miss +Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“None as yet. We are waiting for certain developments before placing +this device on the market. The agents of our Secret Service will inform +us when the time is ripe.”</p> + +<p>The manager then offered to conduct them to another floor which was +devoted to the interests of the Prayer Meeting, but Miss Church-Member, +having lost her interest in such kind of services, expressed a desire +to visit some other part of the city.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.<br />THE WIZARD CITY.</h2> +</div> + +<p>1. The weird city of inventors described.</p> + +<p>2. Its ultimate overthrow predicted in a realistic climax.</p> + + +<p>I saw that Miss Church-Member was anxious to visit the vast tower in +the central part of the city. So Mr. World, in deference to her wishes, +and agreeably to his own desires, escorted her in that direction.</p> + +<p>Standing away at some distance, they were soon gazing upward at the +awe-inspiring spectacle. Its grandeur and proportions now appeared to +be greatly increased.</p> + +<p>They could see, with more distinctness, circling around the massive +wizard cone, the aerial boulevards, ever alive with private conveyances, +and the trolley cars each carrying a variety of passengers.</p> + +<p>“Will you accompany me on the trolley to the first series of hangings +gardens?” cheerily invited Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“If we are permitted, and you think it safe to ascend,” she answered +in a tremulous voice. He calmed her fears and led her to the central +passenger room at the base of the tower. Here they saw a system of +interior elevators carrying throngs of people to the numerous stations +between the base and the highest dizzy view-point.</p> + +<p>Leading off to the right ran the double trolley system, and to the +left the equally wide boulevard, each on the exterior of the massive +tower.</p> + +<p>I saw the obliging Mr. World, with more than usual courtesy, conduct +his friend to a seat on a trolley car bound for the aerial gardens.</p> + +<p>The ascent was smooth and afforded delightful opportunities to view, +at every desirable angle, the surrounding city and its suburbs.</p> + +<p>“This is the most exhilarating ride of my life!” triumphantly cried +Miss Church-Member as they circled higher and higher so gradually that +more than ten miles were traveled ere the objective point was reached +one thousand feet from the base.</p> + +<p>Here lay the variety gardens, suspended from the rigid side of the +tower by a feat of architectural engineering surpassing anything in +the natural world.</p> + +<p>Around the gardens the boulevards and the trolley lines circled +horizontally, and also passed through some of the huge corridors which, +on this level, diverge from the interior elevators toward the exterior +gardens.</p> + +<p>When the trolley car reached this height Miss Church-Member at once +fixed her eyes on the ponderous pillars on each side of the converging +corridors, for she knew that more than four thousand feet of the tower’s +amazing weight rested on these defiant granites.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and his pleasing friend meandered amongst the multitude from +one to another of the hanging gardens, drinking in all the vain glories +that this aerial world afforded. At last, wearied by the endless +succession of extraordinary sights, they stole away to a quiet retreat +on the outer edge of a garden farthest from the tower’s center. +Reclining in hammocks, they conversed of all the greatness of the +world.</p> + +<p>Looking upward they saw, fifteen hundred feet above them, the next +series of hanging gardens; and during the lull in the music near by, +they caught the strains falling from the upper orchestras like music +from Heaven.</p> + +<p>“Will you go with me still higher to taste the sweetness of a more +ethereal level?”</p> + +<p>Intoxicated with the charms already felt, Miss Church-Member was ready +for any height. Upward they went on the venturesome trolley, admiring +the phenomenal ride and the scenery it opened to their view in panoramic +splendor. Their course wound round and round until they came to the +horizontal circle twenty-five hundred feet above the base.</p> + +<p>This was a place of more refinement and beauty. The touch of the finer +artists was seen in all the arrangement and style of the terraces and +hanging gardens, but especially in the rich variety of flowers and +plants that added their wealth to the novel combinations.</p> + +<p>Mr. World carefully guarded his much esteemed friend during their +sight-seeing from garden to garden, for at times they encountered +throngs of people.</p> + +<p>I saw them eventually seek rest on rustic chairs where their +conversation deepened into the relations they sustained one to the +other, succeeded at last by a tender, thoughtful silence.</p> + +<p>In the midst of their reveries they noticed a little spider, swinging +on its silken thread, floating in the air between them.</p> + +<p>“You rude little creature! Why do you come, at such a time, between +my friend and me?” said Miss Church-Member in a half humorous mood.</p> + +<p>“It may be for a purpose, dear. Perhaps the little insect poses here +to remind us that we can never escape the foe that seeks to separate +us.”</p> + +<p>“Quite an ingenious explanation,” she said with deepening seriousness. +“But who is that lurking foe who seeks our separation?”</p> + +<p>“’Tis better to learn to know your enemies than to be told of them. +Hence look through your eyes askance.”</p> + +<p>Just at this instant Miss Church-Member raised her hand and caught the +little intruder, placing it alive into a locket which she had secretly +carried ever since she had visited the Pawn Shop.</p> + +<p>“What can be the meaning of that?” queried Mr. World as he saw, through +the glass of the little lid, the struggling insect.</p> + +<p>“So may it be to any foe that seeks to separate us,” she explained.</p> + +<p>“Then let me carry the locket,” he suggested. “You have captured the +foe; allow me to keep him imprisoned.”</p> + +<p>There was a happy exchange of glances as she pressed the little prison +into his hand. “It is yours forever,” she pledged under the sway of +her rising emotions.</p> + +<p>And he, accepting it with a warm heart, spoke thus in glowing words: +“I accept the endless task and also pledge to the utmost of my power +to keep any foe imprisoned that seeks to rob your life of any passing +happiness.”</p> + +<p>“Shall we go still higher?” he soon asked as he fixed his eyes on the +dizzy terraces two thousand feet above them.</p> + +<p>“In your presence I fear no height,” was her confiding response.</p> + +<p>The trolley cars ascended no higher, so they proceeded to the interior +elevators. But they were told that no visitors were allowed above that +point that privilege being reserved alone for the inventors.</p> + +<p>“Are we permitted to visit the interior apartments of this tower, even +below us?” asked Mr. World wistfully.</p> + +<p>“They are all doubly sealed. No one but an expert inventor, true and +tried in our master’s service, ever passes through these secret +chambers.”</p> + +<p>“May we know what particular branch of work is done in this tower?”</p> + +<p>“It is devoted alone to the invention and testing of weapons of warfare +for the armies of our master, especially for the sharp-shooters +stationed along the so-called King’s Highway.”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member trembled at this announcement and urged Mr. World +to conduct her to the base of the tower that they might visit other +parts of the city.</p> + +<p>As I was looking at all these things, a flash of light, coming from +one side, blinded my vision, and as I turned I saw a heavenly messenger +in a blaze of glory.</p> + +<p>“Hither, hither!” beckoned the sweet-faced angel.</p> + +<p>I was instantly at his side without effort, except an act of volition. +He transported me almost instantaneously to the apex of the great tower +in the Wizard City.</p> + +<p>There I stood without fear under the sweet charms of my angel guide +who floated gently about me in the air.</p> + +<p>“O mortal man,” calmly spoke the angel, “thou shalt now be privileged, +for a brief space of time, to gaze upon this Wizard City as angels do. +Thy memory shall be strengthened so that thou shalt not forget the +vision of these carnal things.”</p> + +<p>Then, in a manner surpassing all things human, scales fell from my +eyes, and I was struck with horror at the awful sight that lay before +me.</p> + +<p>“Look thou first into the interior of this tower,” bade the angel, as +he pointed downward. All things were open to my view, and I saw many +of the bright geniuses of the world in league with the imps of darkness, +all busily engaged in the secret service of Satan.</p> + +<p>I saw how Satan used the ingenuity of man to carry forward his infamous +schemes. Instead of the old rifles used in the earlier days of +Christianity I saw in this tower almost numberless kinds of fatal +weapons which send forth their poisonous and deadly discharges without +smoke or sound, so that the wounded, not knowing whence the missiles +come, might imagine that they were smitten of God.</p> + +<p>The angel informed me that every year this fiendish tower puts out +into the hands of its agents many new devices, either for poisoning +or wounding the disciples who travel on the King’s Highway, and who +by any kind of negligence come within reach of Satan’s forces.</p> + +<p>“Seest thou,” continued my guide, “with what cunning Satan hath builded +this tower? By its exterior beauty he gaineth the confidence of the +unwary, and thus winneth countless thousands to his cause. And seest +thou the depth to which it reaches, not six thousand feet below us, but +ten times six thousand feet, into the bowels of the earth?”</p> + +<p>Then could I see, at a glance, the whole under-ground dominions +stretching their borders far, wide, and deep. There was a small empire +of groveling imps, each bent on the work of his particular branch.</p> + +<p>“Look thou now into the apartments of those ponderous wheels,” directed +my glorious guide.</p> + +<p>Neither metal nor granite obstructed my vision. I saw delicate and +complex machinery, and half-human creatures in league with mortal man, +all bending to their tasks.</p> + +<p>“They all work in league with the Devil’s Optical College. The inventive +genius of Hell hath contrived, in these graded departments, all the +modern lenses that are so terribly warping the vision of an alarming +number in the church and the world.</p> + +<p>“And seest thou,” continued the angel, as he pointed to a far section +of the city, “those inventors plying their ingenuity in behalf of +Satan’s Medical Colleges and Hospitals?</p> + +<p>“And also witness, in that nearer section, the viler groups at work +inventing snares and traps for Satan’s allies to use in catching +Heaven-bound pilgrims.</p> + +<p>“Also behold,” he continued, turning to another part of the city, “that +special class of geniuses who work for Satan’s general emissaries as +they journey far and wide to do exploits. How terribly they influence +the weaker servants of our King!”</p> + +<p>Then I stood gazing, as the angel continued his interpreting, until +I had seen the foul workings of this whole city.</p> + +<p>I was so filled with a mixture of grief and indignation that I cried +out in painful anguish: “Why does not God send thunderbolts from his +eternal throne, and smite this city to fragments?”</p> + +<p>Then the sweet angel calmly answered: “Not until the worm ceaseth to +crawl, and thistles no more infest the ground. Till then the patience +of God endureth and his sunshine falleth on the temples of Virtue and +of Vice.”</p> + +<p>“And what comes at the end of patience?”</p> + +<p>“Then shall the taint of sin be purged from the earth, for every temple +and pest-hole of Satan, including this whole Wizard City, will be +consumed by an awful fire whose lurid light will glimmer long after +the metals and granites of this great Tower shall have been reduced +to ashes amidst the general ruin.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.<br />THE FESTIVAL.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. The whole scheme of merchandising in the church is laid bare as +Satan explains the origin of the word “Festival.”</p> + + +<p>Looking once again through the open door, I saw that Mr. World and +Miss Church-Member, after leaving the Wizard City, had gained admission +to the auditorium where the Ways and Means Committee was in session.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member at once retired to the waiting-room in the rear, +and sat quietly perusing a book while her companion remained in the +large hall and listened to the proceedings.</p> + +<p>An agent of Satan occupied the chair. He was dressed in pleasing +costume, and controlled the assemblage with parliamentary dignity.</p> + +<p>When Mr. World took a seat the large committee was engaged in a warm +debate over a certain piece of ground occupying a space midway between +the King’s Highway and the Broad Highway. This eligible site had been +used for holding church-festivals to raise funds for the maintenance +of gospel work. A few wealthy friends of Satan wanted this location +to erect on it a club-house wherein they might revel and carouse as +they wished.</p> + +<p>The question arose among the members of the committee as to which of +the two uses would best subserve the purpose of their master who held +a claim on the land.</p> + +<p>The chairman arose, after listening to the arguments at length, and +addressed the audience with great coolness and deliberation: “Most +worthy members of this committee,” commenced he, “you have spoken many +words of truth this day. Your interest in this matter only shows your +loyalty to our cause. ‘Club-House or Festival?’ that is the question. +Surely we cannot dispense with either, but rather must we maintain +both at any cost. As for this place in question, I am decidedly in +favor of holding it for the use of the church. The Club-House will +find a location elsewhere, but this ground is so favorably situated +for church-merchandising that I urge you to hold it for such purposes. +Have we not seen how eagerly the two classes mingle here? This place, +being so accessible to all parties, makes it possible for the church +to gather larger numbers and thereby reap greater financial results— +which is the principal object of the church in holding these delightful +affairs. Since the church is well supplied with everything it needs +except money, let us do it a favor by rendering some assistance in +that direction. Then we may reasonably expect that the church will, +in return, do us a favor by being less hostile to our methods of +operation, which, as you will admit, are highly honorable.”</p> + +<p>This speech had the desired effect. A resolution was quickly passed +in harmony with the opinion of the chairman.</p> + +<p>The curiosity of Mr. World was now satisfied, for he had seen this +famous committee in session. Therefore he repaired to the waiting- +room, and while conducting Miss Church-Member from the building their +attention was arrested by this announcement written in bold letters +near the exit:</p> + +<p class="center">ANY ONE WISHING REFRESHMENTS CAN FIND THEM AT THE FESTIVAL ON THE +CHURCH GROUNDS.</p> + +<p>“How does that announcement suit you?” interrogated Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“It comes at an opportune time,” she answered, her face brightening, +“I had been hoping that we might soon have lunch.”</p> + +<p>They had gone but a few steps from the door when they heard cheery +voices and strains.</p> + +<p>Here the Church receives money for souls from the Devil, while the +Devil gets souls for money from the Church of music lending attractive +life to the festival. Urged on by the thought of a pleasant hour, they +quickened their pace unconsciously and were soon within sight of the +grounds.</p> + +<p>I saw the multitude gathering in the grove. The mingling of the church +and the world was so complete that one could scarcely tell from which +path many had come.</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img013"> + <img src="images/013.jpg" class="w50" alt="The Festival" /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">The Festival. <br/>Here the Church receives money for souls from the Devil, while the Devil gets souls for money from the Church.<br /></p> + +<p>On this intervening ground everything appealed to the appetite, and +the patrons knew that the more they ate or purchased the greater would +be the success of the festival. Therefore some ate even unto gluttony +for the benefit of the church, while the agents of Satan with skillful +aim were sending poisoned arrows into the heart of true benevolence, +and also endeavoring to arrest the minds of Christians so that they +might pursue the Broader Path after their routine at the festival was +ended.</p> + +<p>Thus I saw, falling into the coffers of the church, filthy lucre not +sanctified by prayer or sacrifice, and from this seed the church hoped +to reap a holy harvest.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and his companion spent a delightful season with the company +and, thanks to Mr. World’s plethoric purse, proved themselves pleasingly +generous in their patronage. Finally Miss Church-Member excused herself +from Mr. World and joined a company of young ladies who were engaged +in joyous pleasures.</p> + +<p>Mr. World, now alone, was walking leisurely about the grounds when +Satan appeared and sauntered at his side “Are you not fearful,” asked +Mr. World in the midst of a conversation, “that many of your subjects +will be led into the Narrow Path by tarrying at this place and +associating with so many Christians?”</p> + +<p>“Not in the least,” he replied, “for at such places as this I gain +more subjects than I lose. So I expect to encourage forever +sacred-merchandising all along my route. The churches are glad to use +this ground even though it belongs to me, for I concede to them all +the money. Naturally I prefer souls to money.”</p> + +<p>“How did this word ‘festival’ originate?” queried Mr. World after a +brief pause in the conversation.</p> + +<p>“With pleasure I will explain. Once upon a time I called together my +generals to determine upon new methods of winning converts to our +cause, and promised to confer upon the one who should suggest the best +plan, the honorable title ‘Fast Devil.’</p> + +<p>“A long intermission was granted to give my aids time to use their +ingenuity in planning. All Hell was filled with students, each one +striving to win the title.</p> + +<p>“At a given signal my cohorts re-assembled. Thus before me lay a vast +army of anxious faces. I gave each one, who desired, an opportunity +to speak. The sun revolved on his axis seven times ere the argument +was finished. During this debate there was comparative peace on earth.”</p> + +<p>“Pray tell me,” further asked Mr. World, “What was the trend of their +suggestions?”</p> + +<p>“I could relate it all, for I have every word recorded, but I shall +not weary you.”</p> + +<p>“But at least give me a general idea.”</p> + +<p>“Willingly. One of my generals arose and said: ‘We can change some of +our tactics without loss to our cause. The sword and torture only +strengthen our enemies. We should resort more to the ‘wolf- +in-sheep’s-clothing method.’</p> + +<p>“He could speak no more. A thundering sound of voices drowned his +utterances. Thousands of my loyal leaders seconded his plans.</p> + +<p>“At last one of the speakers, who indeed won the prize, earnestly +proposed a grand scheme, and the vast multitudes listened with rapt +attention. His speech was short but fiery, and, rising to the occasion, +he demanded that all his comrades should unite to destroy the simple +voluntary spirit of Christian benevolence so that the church might go +begging before the world and even resort to all manner of mercantile +business for its support. The speaker declared that if the church could +be induced to adopt such measures it would tend to divert her mind +from interfering with the work to which he and his auditors were all +loyally pledged.</p> + +<p>“This speech had a marvelous effect, and there was a deafening roar +of voices in the applause which continued for a long space of time.</p> + +<p>“Then followed an animated discussion in which a host of trusted leaders +engaged. Each one commented on the winning speech and offered +suggestions how to awaken a trading interest in the church. It was +conceded that first of all the church must feel the necessity of +resorting to business. Accordingly a large committee was appointed to +work systematically amongst the churches on earth, inducing their +members to depart from the customs of the early church.</p> + +<p>“This committee did yeoman service and shrewdly prepared the way for +the more complete work in harmony with the views of Fast Devil. Through +the ages it succeeded in gradually influencing the church to engage +in all manner of performances and trading schemes to gain support. The +work of this committee is not yet at an end, for nearly every week we +hear of some innovation which has crept into the church, or some new +form of merchandising into which it has fortunately entered.</p> + +<p>“It is indeed gratifying that the church is casting off her unsightly +spiritual robe and putting on the costume of merriment and trade. I +hope the day will soon come when the church will have still less of +the spiritual nonsense and more of these up-to-date methods to secure +funds for its support.”</p> + +<p>As Satan spoke his last words he bid a brief adieu to Mr. World and +hastened away to the side of a young man who was almost persuaded to +yield to some elevating influence. I suddenly looked at Blackana whose +presence I had well-nigh forgotten.</p> + +<p>“Have you been taking your ease in sleep?” I asked as an involuntary +shudder shook my frame.</p> + +<p>“I never sleep. Suns may wax and wane, nations rise and fall, peoples +live and die, but I am awake forever.”</p> + +<p>“Did you hear the conversation between Satan and Mr. World?”</p> + +<p>“Every word of it.”</p> + +<p>“Were you present when Satan held that great convocation to devise +plans for more efficient work against the church of Jesus Christ on +earth?”</p> + +<p>“I attended every session.”</p> + +<p>“And did you hear the speech of Fast Devil?”</p> + +<p>“I heard every word.”</p> + +<p>“And did Satan give to Mr. World a true account of the address?”</p> + +<p>“He gave only a condensed and garbled rendering of it.”</p> + +<p>“Then I command you, O Blackana, to give me a full reproduction of +Fast Devil’s speech as far as you are able to translate the language +of Hell into words that are intelligible to me. Can you remember each +thought?”</p> + +<p>“I must remember, for I have not the power to forget,” and Blackana +groaned aloud. “Oh, that I could bury in oblivion the myriad thoughts +that sting me with remorse!” He paused a moment. “Am I to give you the +whole—speech as Fast Devil delivered it originally?”</p> + +<p>“Thought for thought, and gesture for gesture,” I answered with +authority.</p> + +<p>Ere the last syllable fell from my lips Blackana was suddenly +transformed into a more terrifying creature than he was himself. I was +paralyzed at the sight of the weird monster which I learned was the +image of Fast Devil.</p> + +<p>There he stood, tall and erect, seven times the height of man, with +sinews like iron-rope and with a face defying human description. His +eyes were fiery with life, and determination marked every movement as +he stepped forward to speak.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding my consciousness of being sustained by supernatural +power, I trembled as Blackana reproduced this noted speech of Fast +Devil:</p> + +<p>“Most honored chief and glorious master,” he commenced, “be thou +indulgent as I speak to thee and unto these my comrades who lie in +anxious posture over this vast expanse of Hell. I am here to state an +issue of which we have heard murmurings for many an age. To prepare +for this hour I have taxed my ingenuity to its utmost.”</p> + +<p>Then with striking gestures of his awful arms he passionately continued: +“Hope is no more crushed within me as I view the wide and measureless +field of our possibilities, for I see empires within our reach if we +but cease brooding over our dismal past and let this bright prospect +kindle its flames within us. What spur need we to move us on but to +look up and see the resplendent regions whence we fell, till hatred +starts afresh within our beings and our every passion moves to its +control.”</p> + +<p>With an outward swing of his great right arm he asked in strong +appealing tones: “How can we best succeed against the church in which +our enemy glories so unceasingly? What inroads can we make? In what +manner shall we advance?”</p> + +<p>He vigorously seized a book. “Here is a Bible, borrowed from a saint. +I turned its pages over and over that I might learn what pained the +heart of Christ most grievously, vexing his inmost soul with +indignation. What was it?” vociferously interrogated Fast Devil as he +flung the book to the scorching winds of Hell. “’Twas that which +hindered the cause of Christ most efficiently—_prostituting the house +of God to worldly purposes_. Have we forgotten the vehemence with which +this arch-enemy drove the money kings from His sacred abode, saying +unto them: ‘My house is a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den +of thieves,’ and how we like sneaking cowards crawled away, and thus +our glorious scheme went by default?”</p> + +<p>Then Blackana uttered his final appeal with all the swing of his mighty +body and the low vibrant thunder of his voice. “Back to your forts! +Oh, back! ye dormant hosts around me! Not in the strength of arms, but +with the subtlest webs that Hell can weave, and with the snares of +silent treachery. We need no stronger weapons, and for our dress we +will don sheep’s clothing of the finest wool. Thus who amongst the +church can tell that we are not seeking her highest good? _Then as we +strike at the heart of voluntary offering in the church, so shall we +kill the spirit that gives it birth. The carcass of this dead spirit +unburied we shall drag through the church for ages, and the germs of +disease arising therefrom will bring more death into the ranks of our +foes than all our weapons of warfare ever did.”_</p> + +<p>Blackana instantly resumed his former shape, and “while I was musing +the fire burned.” I then looked out toward the festival ground and saw +that Satan had returned to Mr. World and was explaining to him how +helpful these festivals were to Christians.</p> + +<p>“Aside from the moral and religious influence,” he remarked, “how could +the church defray her expenses if she did not engage in some innocent +forms of merchandising, or use some novel scheme to decoy money from +her admirers. Surely there can be no better way,” continued the Devil +with an unholy grin. “If the church would maintain her honor before +the world, she must not do differently. I _am satisfied if wily thee +old way of voluntary giving is more and more discarded by the church.”_</p> + +<p>“But you began your former recital,” reminded Mr. World, “to inform +me how the word ‘Festival’ originated. You have not yet succeeded in +making it clear to me.”</p> + +<p>“It originated from the phrase of honor which was given the prize- +winner, Fast Devil, but we changed the wording somewhat so that it +might not seem obnoxious to the church.”</p> + +<p>Then, by a peculiar method of concrete marking, Satan continued: “The +following is the process of development from the phrase to the word: +‘Fast Devil;’ ‘_Fest Evil_;’ ‘FESTIVAL.’”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.<br />THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member visit the great college and are +strongly influenced in favor of Satan’s teachings concerning missionary +work.</p> + + +<p>The fellowship of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member grew increasingly +delightful as they journeyed forth from the Festival. In their company +were a few church-members who had also enjoyed the physical pleasures +of the Festival and who preferred to reach Heaven by the most convenient +path.</p> + +<p>The merry band of companions soon reached a certain Missionary Station +which was controlled by pilgrims from the King’s Highway. The travelers +were all very much amused at seeing tracts and other pieces of +literature scattered over the Highway in front of the station.</p> + +<p>“How much one can get for nothing!” sneeringly remarked Mr. Bigot, as +he pointed to the literature strewn across the way.</p> + +<p>“Surely there can be no harm in looking at such pieces of paper,” said +Mrs. Lucre-Love as she lifted a booklet from the path and commenced +a quiet perusal of it. “And what is it all about?” queried another who +saw the eyes of Mrs. Lucre-Love fixed intently on the pamphlet.</p> + +<p>“Oh, it is nothing new! Only the old monotonous story of the heathen, +followed by the usual appeal for funds. Evidently it is some sharper’s +scheme to rob the people of their money.”</p> + +<p>Mr. World was near enough to hear her answer and with evident disgust +he asked: “Where can one get reliable information on this subject, +anyhow?”</p> + +<p>“At one of the Missionary Colleges, of course,” answered two or three +in unison. “Yes, and I know from past experience that you will soon +be at one. This station and this literature is all the evidence we +need,” added Mrs. Lucre-Love.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member thence walked alone and soon beheld +the great Missionary College whose higher domes kissed the lower clouds +of heaven.</p> + +<p>“Surely some great missionary enthusiast must have erected these +edifices,” said Miss Church-Member as they were turning to enter the +section devoted to Home Missionary Work.</p> + +<p>The entrance ways were so crowded with students and visitors that Mr. +World escorted his companion with difficulty to the plaza toward which +the twenty-one halls of this section converged.</p> + +<p>The view of this part of the College from the plaza was at once +beautiful and inspiring.</p> + +<p>Hall No. 4 was the first place they decided to enter. Over the door +these words were hung:</p> + +<p class="center">HOME MISSION WORK FINANCIALLY CONSIDERED.</p> + +<p>Having reached the interior, Miss Church-Member, in particular, was +surprised to see the many busy thousands in the large rooms of the +hall, and to note with what carefulness every item of expense was kept +of all the Home Mission Work of the world.</p> + +<p>Then they sought the main lecture-room whose large seating capacity +was already well taken with a motley crowd of students and visitors.</p> + +<p>The lecturer was a woman of shrewd appearance. Her face was void of +sympathy and her voice somewhat masculine. Her address was over one-half +finished when the two companions entered, They listened carefully to +her words which were in part as follows:</p> + +<p>“We are not to worship money, yet we are to guard against squandering +it. The person who wastes one dollar sets a bad example to others and +brings injury to himself. Woman is criticized for wastefulness in +dress. I stand here to defend her, not because she is altogether +innocent, but because her accusers are equally guilty in the same and +in other directions. The money wasted in Home Missionary Work would +feed the starving of all the world. Where does this money come from? +The greater part of it comes from the purses of those who are burdened +with all manner of financial obligations. What right have such people +to rob others of their dues in order to support Home Mission Work? O, +that the time may soon come when consistency will be manifested, and +so much money no longer wasted in this sentimental manner!”</p> + +<p>The speaker proceeded, but the interest of the two listeners was +flagging; so they quietly left the room.</p> + +<p>They next entered Hall No. 17, devoted to “_The Results of Home +Missionary Work_.” But after remaining a very short time Miss +Church-Member declared that she was interested more directly in +Foreign Missionary Work.</p> + +<p>In deference to her wishes he at once accompanied her to the second +section of the Missionary College, which was much larger than the +first. Miss Church-Member led the way into one of the large halls where +Satan, through his agents, gave special instruction concerning “_The +Condition of the Heathen._” They listened to four speakers from whose +brief addresses they received food for thought.</p> + +<p>The first speaker expounded the theory that “_Ignorance is Bliss_,” +and declared that the heathen were happy and comfortable in their +present condition.</p> + +<p>The second lecturer argued, at greater length, that the heathen were +free from all responsibility as long as they were left alone, and that +if God held them accountable, then their vague worship answered for +a good conscience, and therefore they would reach Heaven by a simpler +path.</p> + +<p>The third speaker declared that the heathen were now as God had made +them, and therefore just as they should be. To establish this theory +he used garbled arguments of predestination.</p> + +<p>The fourth assured the audience that the heathen, in due order, would +rise to loftier conceptions by the same natural processes as the +civilized peoples of to-day have risen from their rude primitive +conditions.</p> + +<p>After examining some heathen relics the two companions spent some time +near-by in a hall of the same section devoted to “_The Effects of the +Gospel on the Heathen._”</p> + +<p>Its teachers were very emphatic in their utterances. They affirmed +that the Gospel did not benefit the heathen, except that it brought +to them civilization with all its attendant responsibilities and vices.</p> + +<p>One lecturer to whom they listened was very fiery. In a scathing manner +the speaker pronounced censure on the Christian church for her +ill-advised policy in Foreign Missionary Work.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and his close friend left the second section of the College +without pausing to visit the recitation rooms where Satan’s Missionary +Experts were constantly teaching graded classes. In a few moments they +entered the largest edifice of the Missionary College which was erected +for the special purpose of teaching “_The Comparative Need of Home and +Foreign Missionary Work._”</p> + +<p>Upon entering, Miss Church-Member was surprised at the interior +arrangements of the rooms and the exceptional beauty of their finish.</p> + +<p>After a much needed rest in one of the sub-departments, they went to +one of the higher floors, hoping to hear another lecture on some +missionary theme.</p> + +<p>Mr. World smiled as they entered the room and saw that a woman occupied +the platform. In a jovial manner he remarked that “women must be the +best missionary orators.”</p> + +<p>The speaker was keen-eyed and shrewd, and well knew how to use sophistry +in pathos and wit. She expounded to the audience the doctrine of Satan +under whose service she was pledged to loyalty.</p> + +<p>“We are all missionaries,” she commenced, “and cannot escape the +responsibility which is imposed upon us. Our duty is imperative. We +stand at the open door of opportunity and enter so slowly into the +fields of work all around us. When one sees rank bigotry and +narrow-mindedness on every hand, he feels like blushing that he ever +sent money to convert the heathen in far-away lands. The heathen at +our own doors are more blood-thirsty than the cannibals of distant +climes. I appeal to you all, noble women especially, to rid your minds +of the fallacy of foreign work and do the foreign work at home, even +inside your own doors. (Applause, principally among the men, in which +Mr. World heartily joined.) I must confess that, at one time, I was +almost overcome by this craze of evangelizing the world. My delusion +went so far that I could see visions of China, Africa, or the remote +islands of the sea, and even imagine that I heard voices calling me +thither. One night I dreamed a dream, the kindest of them all. I saw +a woman standing on the shore of a river, her children drowning at her +side. But she, unmindful of her own blood, was hastening to launch a +boat into the stream that she might rescue a sinking dog on the farther +shore. “Ungrateful wretch,” I cried aloud on my bed so that I was +awakened by my own voice. I was so moved by the dream that I could +sleep no more that night, but sought for some one to make known unto +me the interpretation thereof. I soon learned, to my personal shame, +that I was that woman. I then and there vowed that I would no more be +guilty of so great a crime. (Great applause, with cries of “noble +decision!” “common sense!”) From that hour I assure you that I have +been trying to evangelize the world—not the one across the river, +(applause) but the one on this side. (Applause.)</p> + +<p>“I have been working at my own home and find a task almost too great +for me to do. If I should ever see the day when I get through with my +own family, including my husband, (great applause among the women) I +can then commence busying myself with my neighbors’ affairs and tell +them also how to become perfect. (Laughter and applause.)</p> + +<p>“God never made a greater world than when he instituted the home. The +woman who becomes inspired with international evangelization would do +well if she would learn how to season victuals and cook them aright +(shouting and applause among the men) and to give proper care to her +home and her children. This is home missionary work.” (Continued +applause.) The speaker was about to be seated, but the applause was +rising, so she stepped forward again. “If this kind of missionary work +be adopted, then the church will no longer be drained by repeated +collections for missionary work, and that money will flow into better +channels and prove an impetus to trade.” She stepped quickly from the +stage while the final burst of applause rang loud and prolonged.</p> + +<p>“That was the greatest and most sensible missionary speech to which +I have ever listened in my life,” chuckled Mr. World as he was moving +toward the door with his companion.</p> + +<p>I learned from Blackana that this Missionary College of the Devil has +wrought great mischief in the missionary operations of the church, ad +that Satan glories in the fact that he has succeeded in sending these +nefarious doctrines to the hearts of so many church-members and thereby +kept a large part of the world in spiritual darkness.</p> + +<p>Then I took a passing glance at the King’s Highway and saw a shining +pilgrim communing with God and casting his eyes over the hills of Time, +looking for the coming of his Redeemer. From his lips this prayer +arose, like sweet incense to Heaven: “O God, hasten the day when thy +church will unite and go forth into all the world to preach the Gospel, +instead of so large a part of it giving ear to the teaching of Satan’s +missionary schools, thereby delaying the coming of thy dear Son!”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.<br />THE RIVAL CHURCHES.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. The two companions visit a church on the By-Path and are disgusted.</p> + +<p>2. Then they are delighted with the services of the Church of the World +whose minister they visit.</p> + + +<p>I saw the two happy companions leaving the Missionary College and +proceeding on the Broad Highway. They were engaged in censuring the +church for what they conceived to be its waste of time, talent, and +mean in trying to convert the heathen.</p> + +<p>This harmony of opinions was most pleasing to Mr. World. It was in +sweet contrast to what he had previously experienced in his earlier +acquaintance with Miss Church-Member. Her likeness to him and her love +for him were becoming more noticeable as their fellowship continued, +for she observed _through her faithful lenses_ that his moral purity +and refinement were above par.</p> + +<p>While they were yet criticising the church, Mr. World espied, not far +ahead of them, another path leading to the right. “Behold the narrow +path yonder,” he exclaimed in a somewhat surprised manner. “If it were +not for a happy change in you, I would now be subjected to a score of +sickly sentiments as to leaving this way and going with you to a harder +one. Have I conjectured rightly?” he asked in a cheerful vein.</p> + +<p>“It is all too true,” she confessed. “If people could but see their +folly before placing it on exhibition, what a blessing it would be to +all around them!”</p> + +<p>On the By-Path stood a small church within easy reach of the Broad +Highway. As they came nearer to the place of worship they heard music +which attracted them to the very door of the church.</p> + +<p>“Let us enter,” she suggested.</p> + +<p>“I shall enjoy your pleasure,” he courteously replied. “Only see to +it carefully that your glasses are properly adjusted, lest some strange +glimmerings of light should bring pain or ruin to your eyes.”</p> + +<p>I saw Miss Church-Member re-adjusting her lenses while they were +entering the church and taking seats in the rear of the room.</p> + +<p>The minister led the congregation in a fervent prayer which seemed to +be altogether too Puritanical in the estimation of Mr. World and his +friend. The preacher began his sermon. As he proceeded his countenance +became more radiant. His clear eyes sparkled aright, and as he preached +Christ and Him crucified even his raiment seemed bright and shining.</p> + +<p>It proved to be a memorable meeting. A few who evidently intended to +ridicule were pricked in their hearts and, much to the disgust of some, +cried out: “What must I do to be saved?”</p> + +<p>“Fools who came to scoff remained to pray.”</p> + +<p>“This is affectation in the extreme,” whispered Mr. World scornfully.</p> + +<p>“Quite enough of it, indeed,” she returned.</p> + +<p>The whole affair seemed to her so unreal that her mind could scarcely +believe that she was ever connected seriously with such a method of +worship.</p> + +<p>Still worse than all, through her warped vision and the aid of her +eye-glasses well adjusted, she was led to discern a wicked motive in +the mind of the minister. His utterances also appeared miserably narrow.</p> + +<p>At the request of Miss Church-Member they left the room, congratulating +themselves that they were not compelled to remain longer.</p> + +<p>“All this reminds me of how simple and foolish I once was,” she said +plaintively as they descended the front steps. “Is it possible that +I was ever seriously connected with such a kind of worship? Yet +ignorance is the mother of endless follies. Can we find no better place +of worship than this?”</p> + +<p>“Better by far! I can easily lead you to a church where great varieties +of truthful and yet comfortable doctrines are preached, pleasing to +the ear, and fascinating to the senses. No blunt fellow stands in its +pulpit, but rather a cultured and highly refined gentleman of modern +type who delights to keep apace with the customs of the age. If you +desire, I will gladly accompany you thither. It would be sad indeed +were you to be turned away from religion altogether just because your +own church is so unsuited to your advanced ideas.”</p> + +<p>The face of Miss Church-Member brightened, and she quickly expressed +her desire to accompany him to such a church. Therefore Mr. World +improved the first opportunity and conducted her to a large and +beautiful edifice.</p> + +<p>“Here,” he said, “is the kind of church to which I am inclined. I give +very liberally to the support of the Gospel as here preached. I like +the broad-mindedness and liberal spirit which is manifested within the +domain of this denomination.”</p> + +<p>“In what else does this church differ from the one to which I belong?” +she asked. “In this denomination your conscience is not always pricked +and you can do many innocent things without being called a sinner. You +may also consult your personal feelings relative to church duties. One +is not bound down by a galling yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny. Best +of all, this is an up-to-date church. You can learn something about +science, philosophy, and civil government. In your church one must +listen to the thread-bare doctrines of the Bible, much to his personal +discomfort. Your minister exercises a censorship over the consciences +of his members from which I prefer to be excused. In fine, I can say +that nothing is developed there but a long face and a sanctimonious +soberness.”</p> + +<p>They entered the church, and were conducted to a front pew.</p> + +<p>The opening services were enrapturing to Miss Church-Member, and seemed +unlike anything she had ever heard. The operatic rendition of the +music, the ritualistic cast of the prayer and the soothing effect of +the rhetorical essay which took the place of a sermon, all exercised +a fascinating influence.</p> + +<p>As the minister neared the close of his essay, he said: “Christ intended +that man should enjoy liberty in this life, and that he should educate +himself in the best schools of art, science, and literature. Therefore +one has a right to seek, in this infinitely great world of ours, for +such things as will best educate his natural and spiritual being. If +the theatre can supply part of this demand, let him go, as a student, +and drink into his soul through the senses of sight and hearing. If +the dance can elevate him somewhat in demeanor and classical grace, +let him go there as a student. If some milder types of indulgence can +bring him into a more thorough knowledge of the weaknesses of human +nature, let him indulge, but only as a student with sincerest motives. +In general, I would say, that your conscience is a reasonably safe +guide and you cannot go far wrong by obeying its dictates. Be a student +all the days of your life; familiarize yourself with both the virtues +and the vices of human kind that you may be better qualified to defend +the right and resist the wrong.”</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of the services I heard the minister announce that +the church would hold a “razzle-dazzle” party on Friday evening, at +which he hoped there would be a good attendance, as the church treasury +was in sad need of replenishment. He also announced that all the +prayer-meetings would be discontinued for two weeks, so as to permit +a thorough practice for the coming Cantata. After the dismissal of the +congregation the two continued on their journey, which was ever opening +to them new avenues of delight.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member expressed supreme satisfaction regarding the +scholarly sermon to which she had listened, and confessed that she had +never heard a preacher in her own church take such advanced positions +concerning the nature of human liberty.</p> + +<p>Mr. World felt elated because his companion had found such exquisite +delight in the worship of the same church to which he adhered. He also +remembered, with pleasure, that they had safely passed the little +church on the By-Way, which represented the same doctrines as the +church to which his now confiding friend belonged.</p> + +<p>“Would it not be more in keeping with your advanced Christianity if +you were to withdraw your membership from your present connection and +join a church more fitting to your degree?” were his suave words of +invitation.</p> + +<p>“That would be a natural question to consider after I know the rules +and regulations of the church to which I intend to go.”</p> + +<p>“That only indicates your wisdom,” said Mr. World insinuatingly. “Since +you desire more congenial Christian fellowship, why not give your +attention to the church toward which I lean?”</p> + +<p>“An agreeable suggestion,” she said. “Where can I get the desired +information?”</p> + +<p>He answered the question by taking her to the home of the minister, +and there introducing the subject.</p> + +<p>She was very favorably impressed by the courteous reception accorded +her by so great and dignified a person.</p> + +<p>“You come seeking knowledge of the church. I assure you, my young +friend, that I will gladly answer any questions. May I take the +privilege of asking you whether you have ever belonged to any church?”</p> + +<p>She flushed with shame. “I will be true and tell you all. I had a great +experience some years ago, when I was seeking Christ. In answer to my +earnest petitions, I saw the most welcome beams of light that ever +touched my poor soul. I knew I was converted to Christ and continued +in his service ever since, although somewhat differently since I came +into fellowship with Mr. World. I joined the church in which I was +converted and still hold my membership there.”</p> + +<p>“How did you get so well acquainted with the happy Mr. World?”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member answered half in quaint humor and half in pathos: +“I, at one time, thought he was a very wicked fellow, and in a prayerful +mood I endeavored to rescue him. I knew he would not come by his own +effort to my way of thinking, so I entered into an alliance with him +for the purpose of quietly leading him unto the King’s Highway. I soon +saw the bigotry of my former self, and through the kindness of Mr. +World I have already been aided in my vision and improved in dress, +and, better than all, I have enjoyed the privilege of worshiping my +God in a more fitting temple, where true freedom is preached and +practiced.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is your purpose to continue being a Christian, although you +have left the King’s Highway?” asked the delighted clergyman.</p> + +<p>“As long as I live I will hold to my religion,” she said emphatically.</p> + +<p>“Then you are sound indeed both in purpose and doctrine. Did you wish +to be visibly connected with our church?”</p> + +<p>“I wish to know first its rules and conditions of entrance.”</p> + +<p>The minister opened his Guide Book and, duly adjusting his spectacles, +read in a pleasing manner: “Anyone wishing to unite with this church +must comply with the following rules and regulations:</p> + +<p>“RULE I.—He must reach a reasonable degree of respectability, or +endeavor to do so.</p> + +<p>“RULE II.—He must not wear clothing so plain as to attract undue +attention.</p> + +<p>“RULE III.—He must not tolerate or countenance the common nuisances +so prevalent in the churches of the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>“RULE IV.—He must ever manifest a liberal spirit so as to keep in +touch with the progress of the world.</p> + +<p>“RULE V.—He may engage in any practice that will give enlightenment +on either the dark or the bright side of life. Members of this church +ought to have a well-rounded education.</p> + +<p>“RULE VI.—He must never take advantage in buying or selling, except +in such cases like Jacob’s, where he can bring good to himself or +profit to the church.</p> + +<p>“RULE VII.—He must never give way to his temper, except in such cases +where his personal liberty or his church is attacked.</p> + +<p>“RULE VIII.—He is to cultivate grace and etiquette through whatever +channel possible.</p> + +<p>“RULE IX.—He is to be faithful in attending the services of his own +church, except in cases of sickness or disinclination.</p> + +<p>“RULE X.—It must be his constant aim to reach Heaven by traveling +diligently on a way wide enough to hold the attention and respect of +an enlightened age.</p> + +<p>“These are our general rules. We have several thousand regulations +covering every phase or avenue of life.”</p> + +<p>“What I have just now heard are certainly not as iron-clad as the rules +of my church. Nothing is said of conversion, or spirituality, or of +the Holy Spirit, or of the other Persons of the Trinity,” commented +Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“No, not of anything that is antiquated or, in other words, ‘out of +date.’ The main church on earth must deal with practical things.”</p> + +<p>“What do you call ‘conversion’ in your church, or do you not believe +in it?”</p> + +<p>“Beyond any doubt we believe in conversion. Just as soon as a person +confesses his faith in our general rules he is converted, and is at +once a good Christian. The Bible says that if one will only believe +he is safe: or ‘saved already’ as the true Greek rendering has it.”</p> + +<p>“Then you hold to the Bible strictly?”</p> + +<p>“We are the only church that does really and truly hold to the Bible. +We believe and teach it as it is preserved for the ages in the original +Hebrew and Greek.”</p> + +<p>“But I notice that many of your rules seem to be at variance with +certain parts of the Bible,” she boldly declared.</p> + +<p>“True enough, but those certain parts of the Bible do not belong to +the genuine Scriptures. Whatever you find in the Bible contrary to our +rules and regulations you can safely conclude is an interpolation and +does not form a part of the inspired Word. Let me assure you, Miss +Church-Member, that our discipline was written with great care by +eminent scholars of the Hebrew and Greek; therefore how could there +have been any error in it?”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was slightly confused, and evidenced by her manner +that she was ready to depart.</p> + +<p>“May I ask before you go,” continued the minister, “whether you are +willing to join our church?”</p> + +<p>“I have been thinking,” she replied, “that I could do more good in my +own church, not by fighting it, but by using _my_ influence quietly +in trying to get some of its members to be more like I am. I have +always had a missionary spirit. In that way I might satisfy my earlier +ambitions and lead some one out of the mist into a better light.”</p> + +<p>“A very bright idea,” testified Mr. World, advancing with Miss +Church-Member toward the door.</p> + +<p>“And may you succeed in your plans,” added the minister as they were +stepping from the room. “There are millions who belong to my church +in spirit, but who hold visible connection with some radical church +of the King’s Highway. They are doing great service in eradicating +old-time methods and planting the banners of a new liberty such as we +three enjoy.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.<br />FROM THE VALLEY OF CONVICTION TO THE DEVIL’S AUCTION.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. Depression of Miss Church-Member</p> + +<p>2. The Merry Village.</p> + +<p>3. The Famous Cross Roads.</p> + +<p>4. The Devil’s Auction.</p> + + +<p>As Mr. World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on their journey they +were frightened by a man who, with his hands uplifted and agony pictured +on his face, came running toward them, shouting: “Let good sense control +you and go no farther! Enchantment, spirits, witches, and unnamed +hobgoblins dwell in every part of this hideous valley!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, terror! What can this mean?” nervously asked Mr. World, as the +stranger stood panting for breath.</p> + +<p>“All a mystery! Even the air is filled with poison and weird music. +I am thankful that I have escaped with my life.”</p> + +<p>“Come, come, Mr. Sin-Sick, tell us more about it. We may thereby profit +greatly,” said Mr. World with more composure.</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img014"> + <img src="images/014.jpg" class="w75" alt="As Mr. World and his companion were entering the valley +of Conviction a terrified man came running towards them. He ran away +from the preaching of the gospel." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">As Mr. World and his companion were entering the valley +of Conviction a terrified man came running towards them. He ran away +from the preaching of the gospel.<br /></p> + + +<p>“I had just been traveling farther down the valley of Thoughtfulness +and Conviction when I heard multitudes shouting praises to One whom +they called their Redeemer, each waving aloft a banner bearing the +imprint of a cross. On the cross I saw these words: ‘For God so loved +the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth +in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ When I came +nearer to the confusion I was suddenly seized with a peculiar conviction +which brought grief to my soul; and, had I not made this timely retreat, +I might have been brought under the power of those strange creatures. +Oh, take heed and go with me some other way.”</p> + +<p>Mr. World readily consented, but Miss Church-Member was inclined to +continue, confessing that she had once been a singer in such a valley, +and surely no harm could befall them there. Mr. World thought it was +the part of wisdom not to oppose her at this time, although he feared +that she might be induced to leave him. He consented to go, pretending +that it made no difference to him which way he traveled; but, as they +walked on, the wary fellow was very careful not to step from the Broad +Path.</p> + +<p>When they came in sight of the valley Miss Church-Member lifted her +glasses to test the strength of her eyes. Memory brought stinging grief +to her heart. She commenced sighing for the old paths and also wept +that she had for so long a time abetted her former enemies.</p> + +<p>Her companion became alarmed at the new turn. “Be not so fool-hardy,” +he warned. “Your eyes are being needlessly ruined. Quickly replace +those glasses lest you become totally blind.”</p> + +<p>She obeyed promptly and thus the intensity of conviction passed. Had +her spiritual ears been open, she might have heard an angel sadly +singing:</p> +<p class="p0"> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Oh, hear the song of love that fills the air!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Oh, heed the voice that pleads in touching prayer!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Both fall upon your conscience now in vain,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through vile deceit your nobler self is slain.”</span><br /> +</p> +<p>In this vale she heard the word of God preached powerfully, and the +calling of the Holy Spirit in unmistakable sweetness, but how could +it affect one who wore such treacherous glasses and who considered her +condition so favorable?</p> + +<p>She passed through the valley with her faithful friend without being +lured from the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>On the verge of the valley I saw a curiously shaped building and read +these words over it:</p> + +<p class="center">TONS OF LAUGHTER: CHEAP ADMISSION.</p> + +<p>A man with a strong voice stood along the path and cried out: “Whoa! +Whoa! Ye travelers of this way! Come hither and drive away your cruel +cares. Here is the greatest exhibition in the world. Smile and walk +lightly, laugh and grow fat!”</p> + +<p>Mr. World and his associate, however, did not enter this place, but +passed on through the entire Merry Village. On each side of the way +they saw an endless variety of gaudy advertisements, each one setting +forth some leading feature of some frivolous, indecent, or gay +performance.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was not tempted as was her companion to spend time +at such places. So he, in order to hold her company, sacrificed his +desires and passed on without complaint.</p> + +<p>I now turned and spoke to Blackana who still mutely sat at his appointed +post. “Tell me the meaning of the Merry Village being located so near +the Valley of Conviction.”</p> + +<p>Without the faintest murmur he replied: “Many of the millions who pass +through the valley are strangely affected with a sad countenance and +a heavy heart, which indeed drive them into a frenzy so that they go +toward the King’s Highway. Satan intends by the attractions of the +Merry Village to divert the thought of all such travelers and hold +them in the bounds of the Broad Highway. You will soon come to the +path on which more people go to the narrow, rugged way than on all +other paths combined. Were it not for this happy village, and the +places beyond, many more would drop out of our ranks.”</p> + +<p>I doubted not the words of Blackana, and as I looked out again upon +the Broad Highway, I saw that the two companions had just left the +Merry Village and had come to the well beaten road leading to the +right.</p> + +<p>Here stood a preacher who, in tearful earnestness, urged all travelers +to go the right way. I saw many heeding his words and go running on +the new way after throwing away many cumbrous things.</p> + +<p>At this place I saw some parting with their friends. One, in particular, +I noticed who was pleading with another not to go, and ever clinging +to him in bodily strength. Many who desired to leave the Broad Highway +were similarly prevented.</p> + +<p>In the fork of the road stood a number of large churches in each of +which services were held every hour of the day. These were the Devil’s +churches, and were supplied by a courteous and shrewd class of +ministers. On the left side of the way was a large garden and a series +of groves, each filled with a merry throng of pleasure-seekers. Bands +of music made the air resonant, and every device known to the world +of sport could be found in full fling in these varied resorts where +intoxicating drink was the main beverage, and dancing and gambling +were the chief delights.</p> + +<p>The Broad Highway was especially wide at this junction. It led onward +between the Devil’s churches and the pleasure grounds.</p> + +<p>The greatest confusion prevailed on this wide area. Many missionaries +from the King’s Highway were busily engaged in speaking to the throngs +that had come through the Valley of Conviction.</p> + +<p>There were also many friends of the Devil, in vulgar attire, persuading +the multitudes to rest in the joyful grove, while other agents of +Satan, in more saintly manner, urged attendance upon the church +services.</p> + +<p>Thus I observed the heedless throng from the Valley of Conviction being +attracted by the music and passing through the pleasure grounds, while +an alarmingly large number attended the churches in the fork of the +roads. A few stoics, without pausing, passed on along the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>Only a few, comparatively, could be persuaded to turn their steps +toward the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member stood for a long time watching the +ever-changing panorama of the surging crowds. He was desirous of +visiting the groves, but Miss Church-Member was too piously inclined. +So they were halting between these two desires when a saintly looking +person approached them.</p> + +<p>“To what place are you journeying?” the beautiful stranger asked.</p> + +<p>“We are journeying to a place called Heaven,” promptly answered Miss +Church-Member.</p> + +<p>“Congratulations, indeed,” spoke the stranger as he smiled. “You belong +to the better class of travelers. Some, I fear, who go this way will +miss Heaven. They are too much attracted by the frivolities of life +and never have a desire to go to church.”</p> + +<p>“But we love the church,” spoke up Mr. World. “However we have had +little time and no opportunity to enter one for some time.”</p> + +<p>“You are welcome to the services in one of yonder buildings,” said the +stranger as he pointed toward the group of the Devil’s churches. “There +you can listen with pleasure and profit to the latest style of +preaching, and the special music will prove entertaining. You should, +without fail, attend church, or you will never increase in spiritual +knowledge.”</p> + +<p>Without further hesitation the two pushed their way through the crowd +and entered one of the churches where they were greeted warmly and +ushered to a prominent seat.</p> + +<p>The minister had already begun to speak and was growing eloquent as +he warmed to his theme. They listened with absorbing interest to every +word that fell from his lips.</p> + +<p>“Into this church,” the minister said, “come the wearied of heart, +troubled perchance with inward fears resulting from the weird +occurrences along the pathway through the Valley of Conviction. We bid +you cast aside your thoughts of trouble and be at peace. There is a +calmness you should covet untouched by such conviction.</p> + +<p>“They who sing and preach in that valley are low subjects of ignorance +and folly, and happy for you if you succeed in totally forgetting all +you saw or heard while passing through. Why should you worry about +your condition? Are you not good enough? You have come hither from +respectable parents, perhaps received Christian baptism, and can easily +distinguish between right and wrong. Why should cruel daggers now +pierce your heart? What you have done or expect to do is surely pleasing +to your God. If you belong to the church, you are doubly safe. Let +time change, or worlds fall, the church will stand forever. If you +continue faithful here, you will have a glorious end; only be not +influenced by the contemptible advocates of the Narrow Way, who show +their vanity by their professions of superior sanctity. Be satisfied +with the good, old, staid principles of this church, and be not swept +away by every wind of doctrine that is blasting the earth with its +sulphurous breath. Rejoice in your pilgrimage and let conviction no +longer sadden your life.”</p> + +<p>After continuing at some length in this strain, the minister announced +that a quartette would render an appropriate selection just received +from the mountain-tops of Apathy.</p> + + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img015"> + <img src="images/015.jpg" class="w75" alt="The Devil’s Auction Here many church members, and others, +pay their all for a few baubles of worldly pleasure." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">The Devil’s Auction Here many church members, and others, +pay their all for a few baubles of worldly pleasure.<br /></p> + +<p>The congregation +seemed to be greatly pleased as these words were sung with a show of +sentiment:</p> +<p class="p0"> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Come, ye that struggle</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With thoughts of conviction;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Continue no longer</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Such burdens to bear.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Throw off forever</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">This needless affliction;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And taste of the pleasures</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That wisdom would share.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“There’s rest for the soul</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In blissful forgetting;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis bought by the prudent</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At moderate cost.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then cast to the winds</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy worry and fretting,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And live in the sunshine</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where shadows are lost.”</span><br /> +</p> +<p>At the conclusion of the services Mr. World conducted his friend from +the church, and as they were moving again toward the surging crowds +they heard the voice of an auctioneer.</p> + +<p>“Let us tarry a moment,” he urged as he turned his footsteps to that +part of the Broad Highway known as the Devil’s Auction.</p> + +<p>A large company of men, women, and children were giving earnest heed +to the auction which had been in progress all day.</p> + +<p>The auctioneer held in his hand a gaudy bauble of worldly pleasure. +He cried in the full strength of his voice that such beautiful specimens +of pleasure were very rare. At once the bidding for it grew lively. +It was soon thrown out to a reckless mortal who seized it with unusual +avidity.</p> + +<p>Then a door was opened in the rear, and lo, I beheld a series of rooms +filled with baubles of every conceivable kind, enough to satisfy all +who came for such lightsome things. One of extraordinary beauty was +next offered. “What do I hear for it?” lustily shouted the auctioneer.</p> + +<p>The whole host bent forward eagerly to get a nearer view of the new +attraction.</p> + +<p>“I’ll give one hour of time!” said an aged man.</p> + +<p>“An hour of time is bid, an hour of time! Who’ll give more?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll give one day!” joyously bid a thoughtless youth. He received it, +and walked off in high glee.</p> + +<p>“Here is another! A novelty just out!” boldly cried the auctioneer.</p> + +<p>How anxiously all stepped forward, each one wishing to scrutinize the +latest kind of pleasure offered.</p> + +<p>The highest bidder was a restless youth who offered his all for the +coveted prize.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was but little interested in these proceedings and +urged her companion to the next auction-stand where certain rights and +privileges were sold.</p> + +<p>On the stand stood a glib-tongued fellow who announced that he would +first offer for sale the _Right to Sell Intoxicating Drink_. “How much +do I hear?” shouted the auctioneer as the cosmopolitan crowd looked on.</p> + +<p>“Hundred dollars per annum!” cried the people of one state.</p> + +<p>“One hundred, one hundred, going at one hundred!”</p> + +<p>“Two hundred dollars!” bid the representatives of another state.</p> + +<p>“Three hundred dollars!” was another offer that immediately came in.</p> + +<p>“That is far below the value!” shouted the auctioneer. “Remember, all +this money we get for licensing the saloon will go for charity or to +help educate and civilise the people!”</p> + +<p>Thousands upon thousands cheered to the echo, while the wicked +auctioneer and his allies were highly pleased at the spectacle.</p> + +<p>“Three hundred, three hundred! Altogether too low a sum for so great +a privilege!”</p> + +<p>“Five hundred dollars!” cried the authorities of another state.</p> + +<p>“Going at five hundred, five hundred, five hundred!” rapidly and +hilariously yelled the auctioneer, and the crowd cheered lustily.</p> + +<p>“Still going at five hundred, five hundred! Who’ll give six hundred? +First, second, and last warning, and sold at five hundred dollars to +the state represented by yonder group of delegates!”</p> + +<p>Thus the program continued, and the right to sell liquor under +respectability was sold at varying prices. Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member left long before the auction was ended. They paused not +at the other centers where Satan’s agents were selling their worthless +and death-dealing merchandize to the children of men.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.<br />THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. Miss Church-Member, suddenly attacked with heart trouble, is hurried +away to the Hospital.</p> + +<p>2. She receives the attention of Satan’s fiendish surgical operators.</p> + +<p>3. A visit through the various wings of the Hospital and sub-offices. +The horrifying work described.</p> + + +<p>The travelers of the Broad Highway pushed onward by millions, seemingly +unconscious of their end. Miss Church-Member had become so well +accustomed to the ways of the world that she could now adapt herself +with more ease to all the exigencies of the journey.</p> + +<p>In the midst of her favorable circumstances she was nursing the germs +of an insidious disease which rendered her heart weaker and weaker. +At times short, but sharp pains were felt; and more than once her hand +flew to her breast in evidence of the inward struggle.</p> + +<p>Her disease reached a climax after she had gone not far beyond the +Valley of Conviction. She was walking along in a happy mood, when she +suddenly felt a pang in her heart and mentioned the circumstance to +Mr. World who was still her faithful companion.</p> + +<p>“What can it be that has been giving you this trouble for so long a +time?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“I know not,” she faintly replied as she stood still and pressed both +hands to her heart.</p> + +<p>Thoroughly alarmed, Mr. World called for help while he supported her +with his arm.</p> + +<p>“It seems strange,” gasped Miss Church-Member in a brief interval of +relief, “that, with all the pure air along this way and the variety +of things to engage my attention, I should be seized, at shortening +intervals, with these cruel and unbearable heart-pangs. Oh, that I +might be free from this intruder’s grasp! What shall I do? Where shall +I go? I feel again the edge of the invisible blade!”</p> + +<p>At this she threw her arms upward and, shrieking in agony, was about +to fall as she was caught by Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“Let us hurry her off to the nearest hospital,” promptly suggested one +of the bystanders who had responded to the call for help. An ambulance +carried the fainting Miss Church-Member to one of Satan’s hospitals +near by.</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img016"> + <img src="images/016.jpg" class="w75" alt="An ambulance carried the fainting Miss Church-Member to +one of Satan’s hospitals near by." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">An ambulance carried the fainting Miss Church-Member to +one of Satan’s hospitals near by.<br /></p> + + +<p>The chief physician ordered the apparently lifeless form to be taken +at once to an examination room, granting Mr. World the privilege of +remaining by the side of his suffering friend. A quick investigation +disclosed the fact that Miss Church-Member had been overcome by a +partial paralysis of the heart, induced by intense mental anxiety +dating from the time when she had passed through the Valley of +Conviction.</p> + +<p>“Not a serious case,” said the suave doctor in reply to a question +from the anxious Mr. World. “An operation will take away, almost +entirely, the cause of this trouble.”</p> + +<p>“Will you not explain to me the trouble, and the nature of the +operation?” nervously asked Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“Certain nerves which ramify through the human heart have been affected +emotionally by the nonsensical teachings of the King’s Highway. These +teachings are commonly known us ‘Narrow-Gauge Ideas.’ If these nerves +are rendered insensible, there is scarcely any trouble of that kind +again. We can, by an intricate operation, paralyze the mother-nerve +leading to the heart, and thereafter you may expect to find the heart +of this woman almost dead to the foolish influences that needlessly +send conviction and remorse into so many lives.”</p> + +<p>While the physician was rapidly speaking these words, the surgeon had +arrived, and they forthwith proceeded to the operating room.</p> + +<p>Mr. World watched the attendants as they carried Miss Church-Member +away. He saw her no more that day, but heard that the operation was +successful, and that the patient was resting quietly.</p> + +<p>One of the managers of the institution, knowing that Mr. World was +companionless, offered to escort him through the various departments +of the Hospital. To this he gave his hearty consent.</p> + +<p>They first went to the tower which proved to be a magnificent point +of view. Here he could see far and wide, for the building itself was +situated on elevated ground, and the tower rose far into the air.</p> + +<p>On one side of the Hospital stretched away the Broad Highway more +pleasing at this point of the route than at many others, and far away +it seemed to lead into pleasant woodland realms.</p> + +<p>On the other side of the building passed the King’s Highway, which, +at this point, was exceedingly rough and uninviting to the view.</p> + +<p>Thus I saw how the shrewdness of Hell was exercised in locating +hospitals at such places.</p> + +<p>“Ignorance is the mother of all that folly,” said Mr. World with a +feeling of self-satisfaction, “I see a long line of separate buildings +just below us—there along the King’s Highway. What purpose do they +serve?”</p> + +<p>“Those are medical offices under the supervision of this hospital- +staff. Any one traveling on the Narrow Path, and falling sick there, +may enter for help and restoration. If the case be difficult, or +requiring an operation, or even special nursing, the patient is brought +to the hospital.”</p> + +<p>“Are you successful in most of your operations, especially with those +patients who come from such a rugged path?”</p> + +<p>“Fortunately we succeed in effecting a cure in almost every case. We +can only deal with those who voluntarily come to our medical staff. +Many, in sad need of our help, pass by all our special offices without +ever seeking advice.”</p> + +<p>“Are your patients foolish enough, after having been treated, to go +back to that jolting road, and thus again invite their ills?”</p> + +<p>“Most of our patients go hence on the more delightful way which you +see, and on which you have come hither.”</p> + +<p>“What diseases most commonly affect those who come to your physicians +and hospitals for help?”</p> + +<p>“Let me answer your question by taking you down to those offices. You +may there observe for yourself.”</p> + +<p>I saw Mr. World and his escort enter a physician’s office which stood +as near the King’s Highway as Satan could build it.</p> + +<p>The doctor was examining a church deacon who, by reason of his disease, +found it hard to travel on a way so narrow and rugged. He was given +a vial of medicine with specific directions.</p> + +<p>After the patient had left, the doctor smiled derisively and pocketed +his fee with ghoulish delight.</p> + +<p>“What ailed that man asked?” Mr. World. “Can you tell me the cause of +his malady?” “He has been eating and eating sermons, exhortations, and +pious literature, and has done scarcely any work for his so-called +Master. Eating much and working little generally results in gout or +rheumatic diseases. There are large numbers in the church coming here +for treatment who are similarly affected. I suppose such Christians +enjoy eating better than they enjoy working.”</p> + +<p>“Do you prepare them for better service on the King’s Highway?”</p> + +<p>“Never! My business is to give them such medicine as will make all +kinds of spiritual food repulsive to them. Then, rather than starve, +they go to the fat lands on the Broad Highway for which my medicine +prepares them. There they eat of the fruit forbidden by their former +Master, for it is sweet-tasting withal. Some go on in the forbidden +kingdoms until death, and hold an honorable place in their first church. +Others are dealt with more summarily on account of the radical views +entertained by certain bigots who wage warfare against a man who finds +delight in gardens other than his own.”</p> + +<p>The electric bell summoned the doctor to the door. He opened it, and +there stood a pilgrim from the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>She entered and, fully exhausted, sank into a chair.</p> + +<p>“What is the difficulty?” asked the physician in a cool manner.</p> + +<p>“Something terrible indeed, or else my comrades accuse me unjustly.”</p> + +<p>“With what do they charge you, Miss Goodly-Minded?” he questioned, as +he felt her pulse.</p> + +<p>“I am accused of being out of order just because I do not run all the +time to prayer-meeting and to other services of the church. They say +I am not fit to travel this way, and therefore I have found it very +difficult to get over some of the obstacles. Weariness and fatigue +have almost dragged me to the earth. My persecution will prove to be +my death unless you can give me some medicine to relieve me.”</p> + +<p>“Let me see your tongue,” the physician requested. This done, he +continued: “Ah! I can easily see, by your coated tongue, that you have +already eaten more good things than you could digest. If there is any +error, it is because you have already gone to church too much. I have +medicine to cure you.”</p> + +<p>At that he walked into another room and opened a secret door. I saw +him pour a liquid from a large bottle labeled, “Satan’s Malaria Cure.” +It contained a mixture of unbelief, ridicule, and self-righteousness. +He filled a small vial with sugar pellets and saturated them with the +mixture from the large bottle.</p> + +<p>“Take four globules every hour,” he directed, as he gave her the +medicine, “and I would further advise that you travel for your health.”</p> + +<p>“What climate would be most helpful to me?” she asked, for she was a +lady of considerable means and could go where she wished.</p> + +<p>“A colder climate where you will be free from the noonday sun, and +breathe in a new atmosphere. This medicine will do the rest.”</p> + +<p>She passed out of the door just as a feeble man was entering. He was +an old pilgrim and evidently suffering much.</p> + +<p>The doctor seized him by the hand with a strange vigor not even +understood by Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“So you are under the power of ‘La Grippe,’” saluted the doctor.</p> + +<p>“Under the power of something, I am sure, for everything is wrong with +me, and everything seems wrong to me,” was the slow answer.</p> + +<p>The doctor soon diagnosed his case, and gave him powders with +directions.</p> + +<p>“It did not take you very long to attend to him,” said Mr. World, after +the aged man left the office.</p> + +<p>“I deal with so many of that class that I keep the medicine ready. La +Grippe is a splendid thing for my trade. It is affecting more pilgrims +just now than any other disease. Some churches are more than decimated +by the ravages of this plague.”</p> + +<p>The manager then conducted Mr. World into another office where the +doctor was just giving medical attention to a young lady who was +suffering with spiritual quinsy. It was so severe that she could not +testify for Christ, and she wilfully passed by the “Great Physician” +who could have healed her blessedly. She also passed by all the angels +of mercy who throng the King’s Highway. She turned a deaf ear to all +the singers who sang, “Then why will ye die?” Finally she was heavily +pressed by her disease and, seeing a physician’s office which she could +enter without climbing a step, she went in and chose rather to be +treated by a doctor of the Devil, as if dead to all the offers of mercy +which she had rejected.</p> + +<p>She accepted his treatment without question, and even felt at ease in +conscience, thinking that the easy, bland method of this physician was +in every way preferable to the searching methods adopted by the Healer +Divine.</p> + +<p>She regained her voice, but it lost that sweet accent of heaven which +once had characterized it. It was now difficult and embarrassing for +her to pronounce the name of Jesus.</p> + +<p>All this proved painful and intolerable, so she took a by-path to the +left called “Unchastity” where she found a whole vocabulary of speech +more suited to her utterance.</p> + +<p>She spent the rest of her days in the habitations of immorality along +the Broad Highway, unmindful of the tears and kindly solicitude of her +entreating friends.</p> + +<p>Into the third medical wing the two went only to see the fiendish +program carried on there as in the other offices. The first patient +they saw was a young man who, through the misguidance of a weakling, +was persuaded to enter the office.</p> + +<p>This physician, with a smile on his face, but vile purpose in his +heart, administered wilfully the very medicine that gave a transient +gratification to the patient’s craving for narcotics, and which would +finally cause the appetite to break out anew into an inward burning +and gnawing, swinging a master’s sash over him.</p> + +<p>The physician told him that his taste was inherited, and it would +consequently require much patience ere he could be cured. He gave him +the devilish medicine, and urged him to continue using it until the +bottle was drained to its dregs.</p> + +<p>At first it gave the promised relief, but the young man, now more +deeply contaminated by this concoction of Hell, raged in wilder passion +than ever, and verily ran to his utmost on the By-Path of intemperance +until the flower of his youth and manhood was blasted to the blackest, +and his sense of honor lost in the hovels of vice and corruption which, +in great variety, stood along the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>The book-keepers of Hell placed an additional mark to the credit of +this doctor, while the church looked on the young man’s fall somewhat +indifferently, having been hardened by the frequency of similar +occurrences.</p> + +<p>At the request of Mr. World the manager conducted him back to the +hospital building and proceeded to show the various departments to him.</p> + +<p>There was some commotion in one of the operating rooms just as Mr. +World entered. It proved to be the preliminary work necessary for +dressing a severe scalp wound.</p> + +<p>It happened that a certain woman, named Mrs. Criticiser, who belonged +to an active church, attempted to injure a good and holy man by hurling +stones at him.</p> + +<p>She noticed that the little stones did him no harm, so she seized one +of larger size and hurled it at him with great force. He, being a pure +man, and standing on a rock, was not even touched by the missile. But +it struck the great rock on which he was standing, rebounded with +unexpected force, and struck the head of Mrs. Criticiser with stunning +effect.</p> + +<p>It was seen that the stone had made an ugly gash on her head, more +severe and painful than she intended to inflict on the good Mr. Class +Leader. Her friends, being acquainted with the Devil’s Hospital, +naturally carried her there for necessary attention.</p> + +<p>Mr. World saw Mrs. Criticiser brought into the room in a semi-conscious +condition and watched the whole operation.</p> + +<p>The surgeon declared that a scar would be carried on her head all +through life. Indeed there is no balm in Hell to cure the wounded head +or heart so as not to leave a scar. Had she gone to the “Great +Physician,” and asked Him aright to apply the “Balm of Gilead,” her +head would have been healed aright.</p> + +<p>The manager then escorted Mr. World into one of the wards which was +crowded to overflowing.</p> + +<p>They tarried at the bedside of a man whose left arm and right leg were +bandaged. There lay the poor fellow awaiting the slow processes of +healing for his fractured bones.</p> + +<p>It was on this wise that this man, a certain Mr. Treacherous, came to +this sorry plight.</p> + +<p>He was an ambitious member of the church, and aimed to be elected to +an office therein. His admirers were too few, so the majority vote was +given for another, named Mr. Wisdom.</p> + +<p>This so aroused the jealousy of Mr. Treacherous that he was moved to +seek amends for what he considered a stinging and crushing defeat.</p> + +<p>“This will I do,” said he, “I will dig a deep ditch across Mr. Wisdom’s +path of success, and will shrewdly cover it from view, and as he chances +along that way, in the course of his service, he will surely fall into +this ditch to his hurt. Then will I glory in his downfall, so that the +stings of this, my defeat, will not prick me so sharply.”</p> + +<p>So Mr. Treacherous, in the blackness of the night, digged the ditch +and covered it ingeniously. Then he waited day after day to hear of +Mr. Wisdom’s injury or death, that he might have cause for rejoicing.</p> + +<p>Now Mr. Treacherous, since his defeat, was so heavily weighed down +with envy and a desire for revenge that he could not sleep soundly, +and was wont to walk about the house in a somnambulistic manner.</p> + +<p>One night, under the influence of one of these strange spells, he went +from the house and walked over the path that led to the ditch.</p> + +<p>To his great dismay and double disgrace he waked not until his body +struck the bottom of the ditch. He was bruised and some of his bones +were broken. Thus he lay there in agony and cried all night long for +help.</p> + +<p>Ere the morning broke he wished a thousand times that he had not dug +the ditch so deep, or rather, had not dug it at all.</p> + +<p>A band of searchers found him and, lifting him from his disgrace, they +hurried him to this hospital, for he was not minded to humble himself +still more by going to another place where Mr. Wisdom and his kind +found relief in time of trouble.</p> + +<p>It is likely that Mr. Treacherous will never be able to walk again as +perfectly as he did before, for it is the reputation of surgeons and +physicians of this hospital, in dealing with cases of such extreme +folly, that they so manipulate an operation as to render the patient +incapable of complete recovery.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and his congenial escort moved on from patient to patient, +passing many hundreds who had met with accidents on the Broad Highway.</p> + +<p>Many had been wounded by the “sword of the Spirit” and were now hoping +to be cured by the processes here in vogue.</p> + +<p>In passing on through another ward their attention was called to a +woman who lay on a couch and seemed to be suffering more than she was +able to bear.</p> + +<p>Mr. World inquired concerning her, and was told that she was one Miss +Busy-Body, a member in good standing of a radical church. She came to +her grief in this strange manner: she had a special aptitude for +sweeping before other people’s doors, and could always find dirt, even +if she could not find anything better.</p> + +<p>She had been told repeatedly to sweep before her own door, but she did +not heed this wise counsel, for she often said that there was no dirt +visible about her own home.</p> + +<p>One day she went forth as usually, broom in hand, and swept the dirt +from other doors than her own, much to the annoyance and provocation +of her neighbors, for she always raised the dust incontinently.</p> + +<p>Now by her continual neglect at home the filth had accumulated to such +an extent that when she returned home and attempted to enter the door, +her foot slipped on the greasy step, and she fell, breaking her collar +bone, two of her ribs, and otherwise injuring herself.</p> + +<p>The manager told Mr. World that many such cases came to them for help +every day—some from the King’s Highway and still more from the Broad +Highway.</p> + +<p>They soon came to the bedside of one named Mr. Jealousy who occupied +a private room. He was somewhat convalescent when Mr. World saw him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jealousy at one time was an active member of the church, but he +undertook to stab Mr. Stability in the back. But Mr. Stability had a +good back-bone so strong that no knife that Mr. Jealousy could handle +was able to penetrate it.</p> + +<p>One time in desperation Mr. Jealousy flung himself violently upon his +imaginary foe. But his blade broke, and he himself fell upon it, cutting +a terrible gash in his side. He was taken to this hospital for help.</p> + +<p>Thus did Mr. Jealousy bring upon himself the disfavor of his church +and he was forthwith expelled, for he refused to give the required +promise of reformation.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and the manager now came to a large door.</p> + +<p>“In this room,” said the manager, “we keep all our cancer patients. +We have a large number of them and, since they require special +treatment, we keep them separate to facilitate the work of the +physicians and nurses.”</p> + +<p>I saw them enter the room, and heard the words of surprise that fell +from the lips of Mr. World as he saw the magnitude of this department.</p> + +<p>“These are they,” explained the chief of the division, “who came here +through ‘profane and vain babblings.’”</p> + +<p>Mr. World then passed through the leprosy ward where he saw quite a +few who were once cleansed by the Divine Healer, but who, failing to +give thanks for their recovery, suffered fatal relapse and were now +in the last stages of this dread disease.</p> + +<p>This place was so loathsome to him that he was hastened into the General +Department where he saw all manner of patients, each in his particular +dilemma.</p> + +<p>A great number of this section were suffering from disordered livers, +and of these not a few came from the church.</p> + +<p>One such, who was a wealthy man, had so far protruded his +disagreeableness upon the community that the church officials +voluntarily gave him medicine for his liver. This was of no avail. He +still grew more irritable and complained about the preacher, the sexton, +the choir, and even his own wife. The weather never suited him, and +when he gave any testimony about religion it was always a partial +outline of the supposed or real sorrows and troubles of the Christian +pilgrimage.</p> + +<p>While suffering from one of his morbid spells, he listened to the voice +of the tempter who persuaded him to seek help at the hands of the +physicians under the control of this Hospital. These doctors dosed him +until they persuaded him to submit to an operation, and the wicked +surgeon knew how to render him still more liable to trouble after his +imaginary restoration toward which he was looking when Mr. World saw +him.</p> + +<p>When he leaves this Hospital he can never be cured from the fiercer +subsequent attacks unless he be born again, and such an event Satan +knows is very unlikely to occur.</p> + +<p>Mr. World, in passing, spoke to quite a few who were suffering from +spiritual dyspepsia, consumption, and a great number of other ailments +which had developed into chronic form, or had made necessary the +surgeon’s cruel knife, and then, turning to his obliging friend, asked +if he could not now see Miss Church-Member.</p> + +<p>He was taken into a special department arranged for those who were +convalescent.</p> + +<p>When she saw her faithful and loving friend, Miss Church-Member smiled +for the first time since the operation.</p> + +<p>The pleasant interview soon ended at the behest of the nurse, and Mr. +World was asked if he wished to enter the secret departments +underground. This question aroused his curiosity and led to a lengthy +conversation after which he expressed a desire to visit the secret +chambers.</p> + +<p>He was conducted into a dark office and asked to sign a pledge that +lay on a desk.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.<br />SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>1. While Miss Church-Member is convalescent, Mr. World alone visits +the underground apartments where secret sins are taught.</p> + +<p>2. The last horrible stages of vice represented.</p> + + +<p>I saw Mr. World standing in a shadowy room and reading the conditions +of entering “Satan’s Secret Service.” He was soon surprised by hearing +a voice from a gloomy corner: “You cannot gain entrance to these secret +abodes unless you sign that pledge.”</p> + +<p>“The meaning of the pledge is not clear to me. Who will explain it?” +asked Mr. World somewhat tremulously.</p> + +<p>“You can read between those lines all you wish. Those sentences must +be their own interpreters, and you must choose to sign or withdraw +from this room, just as you prefer,” came the firm answer from the +dark corner.</p> + +<p>Before Mr. World could decide what particular course to take, a hand +gently touched his shoulder. He turned to see who stood in the rear.</p> + +<p>“O, Mr. World, thou needst not fear to sign the pledge and enter the +secret service of our great and glorious master,” were the words that +greeted him in a friendly tone.</p> + +<p>“Who art thou, and how camest thou here?” asked Mr. World in suspense.</p> + +<p>“I came here from ‘going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up +and down in it.’” Then, without uttering another word, the strange +visitor lifted the pledge from the desk and read it audibly:</p> + +<p class="p0"> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">“Into these darker chambers let me go,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I promise to conceal its scenes of woe,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And solemnly declare, as here I stand,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">That I will aid this secret working band.”</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>“What can there be about that pledge not suited to your wish? It means +that you are to have your eyes opened to behold new things, and also +to learn the secret laws of life, healthful to your marrow and your +bones.”</p> + +<p>Mr. World hesitated no longer. He signed the document forthwith, and +a pass-word was whispered into his ear.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a door opened at one end of the room, through which Mr. World +walked into a large cavern which was illuminated only by faint +glimmerings of light.</p> + +<p>He could discern faintly that many creatures were there whose uncanny +noises, freighted with oaths and blasphemies, sent their sulphurous +fumes around. Although Mr. World was accustomed to foul scenes and +profanity, yet he was sickened at this deeper touch of Hell.</p> + +<p>“Where am I and how came I here?” he cried out excitedly. A woman came +quickly in response to his outcry.</p> + +<p>“You are in a place of liberty and personal license,” she answered. +“Here you are free from the annoyances of narrow-minded pilgrims from +the King’s Highway, and you may spend a season in pure delight in these +secret abodes which you will find more and more suited to the cravings +of your natural heart and mind.”</p> + +<p>Now Mr. World was a somewhat judicious man, and although he would not +sanction what he called church fanaticism, yet he had some self-respect, +and had never allowed himself to reach the slum-level of society.</p> + +<p>“Here I cannot and will not stay. Are there no other apartments to +which I can go?” he asked, as the woman offered him a glass of wine, +and in a sensual way entreated him to remain.</p> + +<p>Mr. World was a lover of wine, but was suspicious of the place, and +so he moved to go and found great difficulty in getting to another +door, which, at last, he reached only by determination, and, giving +a pass-word, he went into the first regular department of Satan’s +Secret Service.</p> + +<p>This place, which was secretly connected with the Wizard City, was one +of Satan’s centers from which originated schemes and devices to commit +and practice embryonic murder.</p> + +<p>I saw in this dark cavern the sons and daughters of earth, high and +low, noble and ignoble, and my heart bled within at what I further +witnessed.</p> + +<p>Mr. World passed through from one section to another, studying carefully +the secret processes in vogue, while illustrations, drawn by the artists +of the Devil, instead of sending the blush of shame to his cheek, only +fed his inner curiosity and verily aroused his baser passions.</p> + +<p>Having finished, he gave the pass-word and was admitted to a +sub-department called Foeticide.</p> + +<p>This section, and the one he had just left, were located directly under +the physicians’ offices along the King’s Highway. It could be seen +that there was direct connection between these offices and the horrible +subterraneous apartments through which Mr. World was now passing.</p> + +<p>So many unnatural and horrible things were practiced in this sub- +department that Mr. World was shocked beyond measure, for he had never +dreamed of the extent of the malpractice to which his eyes here bore +testimony.</p> + +<p>All these things, while at first revolting, were only hardening his +own heart to such an extent that, before he had passed through the +last wing of the department, and heard the apologetic words of those +who were in charge, he concluded that these agencies conduced to much +good.</p> + +<p>“Oh!” thought I, “how the light of Hell casts a strange coloring over +the things of earth, thereby creating false theories of mortal life.”</p> + +<p>By means of the pass-word Mr. World was enabled to visit the next +department where he witnessed sights more revolting than in any place +previously entered. Here groveled the youth under the power of so-called +stimulating medicaments.</p> + +<p>Mr. World, with all his wickedness, was chilled with horror at these +underground spectacles.</p> + +<p>Noticing his evident disgust, one came to him and offered soothing +explanations to which he listened very attentively.</p> + +<p>“This is a blessed place,” spoke the newcomer. “We, who are skilled +in crime, give the youthful an expert training in the ways of pollution +and kindred types of immorality. It is far better to teach the young +to sin aright and with least damage to themselves, than to place them +under all restraint and see them fall more wretchedly than these.”</p> + +<p>With all the moral turpitude of Mr. World he was scarcely ready, at +first hearing, to accept this grinding sophistry of Hell.</p> + +<p>“Are you quite sure, my friend, doubted Mr. World, that you are speaking +words of soberness to me? Do you feel proud of the results of the work +here accomplished?”</p> + +<p>“Proud indeed, for our master has given us encomiums for the splendid +work accomplished. You see, Mr. World, it is a settled fact that young +people will sin, notwithstanding all the influence exerted to the +contrary. Such as we can persuade we take under our direction, and +try, as soon as possible, to harden them in personal crime. Our +physicians have special medicines to inflame their propensities, so +that they may, by continual burning, consume themselves and spare the +youth from otherwise being tormented day and night in these flames of +passion. Are you so dull, Mr. World, that you cannot grasp such +self-evident truth?”</p> + +<p>“It seems now somewhat clearer to my mind, but still my eyes behold +such horrid scenes around me.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot question that,” continued the smooth-tongued agent of +darkness, “yet what you see are but the lower stages. If you could +look beyond these dark corridors and see the types of womanhood which +grow out of this under-soil, you would no longer breathe in doubt or +look with shuddering frame on scenes around you. All good things come +forth through putrefaction. Then why should you despise the +putrefaction? Be content, Mr. World, and as you walk along the path +of life, remember this great College underground, and recommend its +salient features to the rising generation. You have signed the pledge +and promised to aid this secret working band. So do it with a vim, +keeping in view the blossoms and the fruit of after-growth.”</p> + +<p>Mr. World was completely won by this false and devilish reasoning, and +looked on the whole program of shame quite philosophically.</p> + +<p>He took full cognizance of the far-reaching effects of this section +and, after an interview with one of the head physicians, he proceeded +to visit the next section.</p> + +<p>But what he saw there will not be told. No pen can describe and no +tongue relate the loathsome filth of this last stage of immorality. +An awful stench filled the air arising from medicines of last resort +and from the putrefying flesh that clothed the living skeletons.</p> + +<p>It was by mistake that Mr. World got into this place. The door opened +to admit a few “Unfortunates,” as they were called by the attendants, +and Mr. World, standing near by, entered without permission.</p> + +<p>He was no sooner inside the door than he was frantically seized by a +sunken-eyed creature.</p> + +<p>“O man of health, deliver me from this inner eating and from the grave +that opens to me its mouldy mouth!” was the heart-rending cry that +grated on the ears of Mr. World.</p> + +<p>Another, hearing this pleading cry, came rushing toward the same spot +and sobbed piteously:</p> + +<p>“Oh! Mr. World, have pity on me! I had help when I had means and +vitality. Oh! give me some relief now.”</p> + +<p>Mr. World was so terror-stricken that he could not speak, but struggled +with all his might to escape from the place.</p> + +<p>He gained double strength, but of no use. These two men imagined that +they had a claim on him by reason of his name, and therefore held on +with tightening grasp. For a moment Mr. World ceased his struggling +and looked at his two pitiable beseechers.</p> + +<p>“I can give you nothing. Why torment me thus?” he tremblingly gasped +with abated breath.</p> + +<p>“In our better days we gave all we had to the world and now we need +help. Surely you can give it.” They became furious and ranted the more +at the thought of their past folly.</p> + +<p>“Why come to me? Go to Mr. Flesh, or ask the Devil for help,” pleaded +Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“We have served the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. All have failed +us miserably. To whom else can we go but to anyone within our reach? +Oh! forsake us not in this awful plight!”</p> + +<p>Poor Mr. World, unable longer to bear the sickening and threatening +attack, sank to the filth-covered floor and groaned aloud.</p> + +<p>At once a fierce and powerful being came to the rescue and, flinging +the two unfortunates aside, lifted Mr. World to his feet and looked +down upon him with his awful eyes.</p> + +<p>Mr. Intemperance lay crouching near the side of Mr. Lust, each smarting +under the pain of his fall.</p> + +<p>“How came you to this place?” sternly asked the monster.</p> + +<p>“By walking in at the door,” answered the terrified Mr. World.</p> + +<p>“Without permission?” he further asked.</p> + +<p>“There was no one there to ask, and I, being out sight-seeing, thought +I might also enter in here.”</p> + +<p>The monster seized Mr. World by the arms and looked at him in a still +more frightful manner.</p> + +<p>“You are not yet ready to come into this region, and if you will +solemnly pledge me that you will never reveal what you have seen here, +I will conduct you safely to the door; if not, you must remain here +without a ray of hope until death gives relief.”</p> + +<p>Mr. World humbled himself and gave double assurance of secrecy. Then +the grim creature conducted him a little to one side and bade him look +down into a deep and dark yawning chasm.</p> + +<p>“Down there,” commenced the Old Monster, “runs the Black River deep +and wide. The stream, coming from its distant source, drains the filthy +realm of human society, and not far hence it enters into the boundless +ocean of eternal death. The wild sounds which you hear are the unseen +dashings of its never-ceasing waves, and the moans of those who have +fallen victims to its merciless currents.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.<br />THE LAST WARNING.</h2> +</div> + +<p>1. Miss Church-Member is now induced to frequent the haunts of vice +in the “Wicked Valley.”</p> + +<p>2. The blessed work of Warning as given by rescue bands from the King’s +Highway.</p> + +<p>3. The heedless throngs passing by.</p> + +<p>4. The experiences at this place of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member.</p> + + +<p>There was a joyful meeting in the reception room of the Hospital when +Mr. World, returning from his underground experiences, met his beloved +friend Miss Church-Member who had recovered sufficiently to resume the +journey.</p> + +<p>In joyful spirits they sauntered forth on the wide and pleasant path, +away from the Hospital and toward their imaginary Heaven.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member’s face was more cheerful and her footsteps more +buoyant than at any time since she left the Valley of Conviction.</p> + +<p>Mr. World, observing her favorable condition, complimented her with +these words: “Blessed be the memory of that Hospital, for I can see +that your face is no more covered with the cloud of care that once +robbed you of so many joys. The unkind intruder has drifted away, and +now the light radiates from your every feature. It is also plainly +evident that you are no more tormented by a troubled conscience.”</p> + +<p>“I am glad that my sufferings have not been in vain,” she modestly +declared. “May the new light which you so readily notice in my face +add to the pleasantness of our journey and the profit of our lives.” +Their conversation grew more and more pleasant as they passed through +a long stretch of woodland. They could see beyond, them, and in the +rear, the legions that were traveling the same path and in the same +direction.</p> + +<p>Emerging from the woodland they saw that their path came again in close +proximity to the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>The intervening space between the two paths, called the Wicked Valley, +was all astir with every form of evil as practiced in the world of +sin. In this vale nearly every traveler on the Broad Highway tarries +awhile, and many are lured away from the Highway of the King here to +mingle with the servants of Mammon.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and his friend paused opposite a cluster of magnificent +buildings with frontage toward the Heavenly Way. Some were used by +vulgar theatricals; some devoted to the sensual dance; some were +occupied by the Devil’s maid-servants in prostitution, and many others +were used as haunts of intemperance and personal pollution.</p> + +<p>All along the road to perdition at thousands of places stand such +clusters of buildings, each under the command of one of Satan’s most +efficient leaders.</p> + +<p>“Here,” said Mr. World, “let us take a long rest. If you have your +glasses properly adjusted you can see new beauty behind magnificent +walls.”</p> + +<p>She looked at first doubtfully. “Ah! I never frequented such places +before. I would not as much as look at them.”</p> + +<p>“I doubt not your word, Miss Church-Member, but remember you are growing +older and wiser. You are no more a narrow-minded creature influenced +by prejudice and sophistry.”</p> + +<p>She was now in a condition to imagine that much of her earlier +instruction was erroneous. She had not forgotten the teaching of the +sermon in Mr. World’s church. Subsequently she reasoned that the only +way to learn the taste of forbidden fruit was to eat of it.</p> + +<p>“I will enter these buildings as a student,” she soliloquized. “I will +be cautious. Surely I have sufficiently clear judgment to discern +between good and evil.”</p> + +<p>The crafty Mr. World, having won her confidence, escorted her all +through the Wicked Valley. By a continual palliation she yielded one +point after another until her virtue was sacrificed on a cursed altar.</p> + +<p>Satan assisted her in solving many perplexing problems when she reeled +in the realm of doubt.</p> + +<p>At the conclusion of their protracted visit I heard the wicked Mr. +World say to his beloved friend: “Your eyes are completely cured. You +may now with safety lay aside the glasses. I hope you will never have +occasion to use them again.”</p> + +<p>Of the multitudes that tarried here from the Narrow Way very few went +out at the front door. Having stultified themselves, they passed from +the rooms at the rear, and thenceforth traveled on the other path more +suited to their changed natures.</p> + +<p>The two congenial companions, proceeding on their way, soon overtook +a company of church-members.</p> + +<p>In the social intercourse which ensued each one resented the criticisms +of those who refused to leave the Old Path.</p> + +<p>“Verily,” said one, “I now enjoy more liberty. I believe the road to +Heaven should be as broad-gauged as possible.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly it should,” said another. “Those who want to climb hills +and continually suffer inconveniences may do so. As for me, I want to +reach Heaven on the easiest road. I believe this course leads to +Paradise just as directly as the other.”</p> + +<p>These utterances were highly complimented by Mr. World, and he said +that he was to be congratulated on meeting and associating with such +congenial people. “On the way on which we are now traveling one can +reach his reward as certainly and as speedily as on any other route. +In addition, one can here enjoy natural and graceful pleasures which +of course are not tolerated under the eyes of selfish and narrow-minded +bigots.”</p> + +<p>I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, now more intimate than ever, +pass on alone, ever walking more hastily. Satan had told them, during +their stay in the Wicked Valley, that the faster they journeyed the +sooner and the more certainly would they reach their reward.</p> + +<p>Not far from the Wicked Valley there is a section called the Place of +Warning. It has been maintained for thousands of years by virtuous +workers from the King’s Highway. It is the last warning-station that +travelers pass before reaching the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and +here with tearful earnestness do the Shining Pilgrims of the cross +speak their words of last caution, sing their sweet hymns of warning, +and put forth every other loving endeavor in the hope of snatching +some from the thoughtless throngs that go rushing by toward the Dark +Valley.</p> + +<p>I listened and heard a voice from the Place of Warning speak to a +motley crowd that were passing.</p> + +<p>“Whither go ye, whither go ye?”</p> + +<p>“We go to a better place called Heaven,” answered one of the company.</p> + +<p>“Then come hither and go on the Path of Life. The way on which ye are +now traveling leadeth unto everlasting death.”</p> + +<p>“Aha! Aha! Aha!” cried they all. “We are well informed about the way +and need no foreign voice to give direction.”</p> + +<p>Then came the solemn hymn of warning in words so tender and clear that +each one could hear every sentence:</p> +<p class="p0"> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“There’s a sad day coming,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A sad day coming.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There’s a sad coming by and by;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When the sinner shall hear his doom:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Depart, I know you not.’</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are you ready for that day to come?”</span><br /> +</p> +<p>CHORUS:</p> + +<p>“Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready for the judgment day?”</p> + +<p>The words had not yet died on the air when a young man ran hastily +from the company toward the Way of Life. His companions then gave vent +to their ridicule, some even going after him and endeavoring to pull +him back, but without avail.</p> + +<p>Some sang an idle song to drown the hymn of warning that still rang +in their ears. Others engaged in boisterous conversation, and still +others mocked with foul profanity. They passed on, and as far as I +could see them they were pushing on to the Valley of Death.</p> + +<p>I saw another man who was heavily burdened with pieces of timber on +which was written: “Faults of Church-Members.” He also came to the +Place of Warning.</p> + +<p>“Throw off the cumbersome weight you are carrying on your back, and +travel on the way where your burden will be light,” came a friendly +voice from the Rescue Station.</p> + +<p>“I am not so foolish as to throw away my only hope,” he answered with +unthankfulness in his tone.</p> + +<p>“‘Your only hope,’” repeated the voice of warning, “how can you explain +such foolish words?”</p> + +<p>“With passing ease. I will soon come to the River of Death and with +these boards I can make myself a raft whereon I can pass over safely.”</p> + +<p>Then spoke the voice of warning clearer than before:</p> + +<p>“O, foolish man! Knowest thou not that the River of Death, toward which +thou art rapidly moving, cannot be crossed in a bark so frail? I have +seen millions who tried in vain to ride its angry currents, but they +sank beneath its dark waters. Come, O mortal man, if thou hast nothing +better on which to depend, listen to the voice of wisdom and come, +without delay, to the Path of Glory.”</p> + +<p>But the man passed on. I watched him till he reached the river, and +saw him go from the shore in his self-constructed raft.</p> + +<p>“I sink! I sink! Save me!” he, cried in utmost agony of terror as his +little raft whirled about, leaving the poor self-deceived fellow to +the mercy of the waves.</p> + +<p>I saw others as they passed the Place of Warning. Thousands and tens +of thousands, some now totally deaf to every voice of warning, some +with cotton-filled ears, and others with instruments of music with +which they drowned the calls of warning.</p> + +<p>Many more passed by who carried little balloons of self-righteousness +with which they expected to rise above the murky River of Death.</p> + +<p>A young woman, who moved more cautiously, stopped at the Place of +Warning and listened attentively.</p> + +<p>Directly a voice spoke to her: “Not far hence, O mortal woman, there +is a wide river. It surges on forever. No one who goes this way can +escape its waters. Listen now to the voice of Wisdom. Leave this +blood-marked way of misery and woe, and come to these happier dominions +where ‘her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.’”</p> + +<p>“Surely I will not be lost,” she replied. “I am depending on the mercy +of God who is too kind to be unjust. I will come out all right in the +end.”</p> + +<p>“Take heed, my friend,” pleaded the warning voice. “You are hoping for +mercy at the dividing line between time and eternity. Better forget +not what the Scripture saith. ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust +still: and he which is filthy let him be filthy still.’ So thou canst +not wilfully neglect so great salvation and hope that God will cover +at last all thy folly. ‘Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the +day of salvation.’ ‘To-day, if ye hear his voice, harden not your +hearts’”</p> + +<p>“You have said nothing new to me. They are the old thread-bare passages +that I have heard from my youth up, and I am minded to accept a broader +view of these statements than you seem to take of them.”</p> + +<p>At this she tossed her head haughtily and continued her journey, +resolving more firmly than ever that she would not spend eternity +outside the Gates of Heaven.</p> + +<p>When she came to the Dark Valley and to the angry swelling currents, +her pitiful prayer broke out from the long-covered depth of her soul. +“Mercy, O mercy, to a wretch like me!” But no hand came to her rescue.</p> + +<p>I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member as they approached the Place +of Warning. They heard the sweet music, rendered so excellently, but +gave no attention to the sentiment expressed by the words. They listened +only to the harmony of sounds.</p> + +<p>“O, Miss Church-Member!” pleaded a voice, “you who were once so +earnestly engaged on the King’s Highway, will you not, before you reach +the River of Death, forsake your perilous course and walk on the path +of life eternal?”</p> + +<p>These words, which would have once brought conviction to her heart, +only brought vanity to her head. “‘Judge not, that ye be not judged,’ +and go speak to the lost, not to me so well equipped to meet the direst +foe. Turn your words to those on the other path, who go hobbling along +in misery, not fit to live or die.”</p> + +<p>“Come, come!” put in Mr. World, “your pearls before swine are only +trampled under foot. Forget not so quickly the teachings of our Lord.”</p> + +<p>As they passed on, in a self-righteous manner, she cheerily looked +into his face and said: “It was kind in you to come so promptly to my +rescue. I might have prattled there a whole day and yet not have shown +them half their folly.”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.<br />THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.</h2> +</div> +<p>1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member getting farther from the light.</p> + +<p>2. They drift into the deepening shadows where the path could be +traveled only one way.</p> + +<p>3. The terrible experience of the two companions contending with the +imps of the dark valley.</p> + +<p>4. Their sad and tragic end as they catch a glimpse of what they might +have been.</p> + + +<p>After leaving the place of the Last Warning, the Broad Highway grew +darker and darker as it steadily diverged from the King’s Highway.</p> + +<p>The little light that Satan’s pilgrims do enjoy is borrowed from “the +path of the just that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”</p> + +<p>Mr. World saw the deepening shadows and endeavored to be as cheerful +as usually, hoping thereby to prevent any alarm in the mind of his +faithful friend.</p> + +<p>The path, though wide, was now steeply descending, and travelers often +slipped on the steeper inclines.</p> + +<p>I saw that the two companions descended with difficulty, cautiously +watching every footstop, lest they, like many others, should fall to +their hurt. They now gave but little attention to the things along the +way, and when they did pause for rest on the easier grades, they found +the meadows more barren and everything more dark and dank.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member had been painfully conscious of these unhappy +contrasts, and asked repeatedly the meaning of all that her eyes beheld +and her heart realized, but Mr. World, true to his nature, partly +allayed her fears with words of hope and glowing promises.</p> + +<p>But I heard her again ask with a quivering voice: “Where is the light +that so lately lent its blessed cheer, and whither go we stumbling +downward in the dark?”</p> + +<p>“We only go in the darkest hour that comes before the dawn,” he said +with a firm voice but a trembling heart. “Be hopeful, my dear, I will +not forsake you.”</p> + +<p>Her heart was not calmed, for she could see his distress which he had +hoped to conceal, and no one could minimize the surrounding scenes +which now seemed like omens of death.</p> + +<p>They stood still, and learned, upon inquiry, that they were standing +in the Shadows of Premonition.</p> + +<p>Mr. World could no longer endure the strain. His bold attitude gave +way to his rising fears, for he saw that his wasted life was ending +with no opportunity of redeeming its days. His whole body quivered as +they walked still farther in a desperate effort to find relief.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was almost overcome as she continued looking upon +the ominous darkness around. She soon realized that her only refuge +whom she had seized by the arm proved miserably weak in this hour of +great need.</p> + +<p>“Oh! Mr. World,” she cried, in utmost agony of mind, “where have you +led me? Save me ere I perish!”</p> + +<p>He spoke not, but with his aspen fingers he pointed backward toward +the sloping Highway. Then with all eagerness they endeavored to retrace +their steps, but somehow they could do no more than stumble and fall, +and when they were making their most desperate effort to return they +heard a voice from someone invisible. This voice announced to them +that here the path could be traveled only one way. The same voice urged +them to push through the shadows and face their end like heroes. At +this their hope died within them, and they had no more courage to +struggle up the hill. They stood again in their wretched dilemma and +heard the sound of distant waters, doleful to their ears, and from +this they could distinguish the bitter wails of those who also found +that they could not return.</p> + +<p>Mr. World and Miss Church-Member cast their eyes heavenward and +discerned that they were standing in a very deep valley. _They saw the +dim outlines of all their past evil life. Their deeds stretched away +at interminable length, and in the aggregate they were piled, like +ledge upon ledge, until they verily shut out the mercy of a just God._</p> + +<p>Here they stood in the first shadow of their self-constructed Hell.</p> + +<p>“Oh, what a valley!” shrieked Miss Church-Member, as her consciousness +now revealed to her more in one second than all the fanciful dreams +of a life-time evolved.</p> + +<p>And Mr. World was undone. He knew not which way to turn. He was +speechless as he saw so clearly the worthless product of his life’s +work almost overarching him.</p> + +<p>Finally Mr. World cried out excitedly: “If we cannot go back, neither +will we go forward!”</p> + +<p>Then a grim monster spoke in a slow, dead tone: “No one remaineth here; +away, away from this place!”</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member was terrorized at the presence of so cold a creature +and frantically cried out: “I cannot and will not endure it! Can I not +go back to the Voice of Warning?”</p> + +<p>“Back? Never! No one who comes thus far ever goes back. During the +earthly life of one called Jesus there was but one snatched from these +lowlands, and he was the thief on the cross.”</p> + +<p>“If there was chance for a thief, there might be hope for me,” she +sighed as her wretched face brightened.</p> + +<p>“Hope for you?” repeated the cold-hearted monster. “None whatever, and +for none of your kind who come thus far. Pass on, make room for the +thousands coming this way, the sound of whose tread you already hear.”</p> + +<p>Looking at Mr. World she pitifully sobbed: “Why do you not help me? +You have brought me here; plead my cause.”</p> + +<p>“Alas, I cannot even plead my own!” He could say no more, for he took +a longing glance backward, over the hills of time, where he could truly +see, for the first time, the horrible depth of his folly.</p> + +<p>Then came the monstrous creature again and sternly commanded them: +“Tarry no more on this side of the river’s brink.”</p> +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img017"> + <img src="images/017.jpg" class="w75" alt="Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the +Black River in the Valley of the Shadow of Death." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the +Black River in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.<br /></p> + +<p>They tasted the bitter fruits of opportunities lost, and felt the awful +pangs of a soul without hope as their reluctant footsteps carried them +on through the valley made dark by the shadow of their own deeds.</p> + +<p>I then heard the discordant and agonizing wails of poor Miss +Church-Member and her wretched companion; but the sounds fell +harmoniously on the ears of Satan who listened to them chiming with +the music of Hell, in its deathlike rhythm, as it reverberated forever +from the depth beyond them, and from the throngs passing by.</p> + +<p>Miss Church-Member could no longer hold fast to Mr. World. It took +both arms to contend with the real and imaginary imps who stood grinning +at her folly, and grievously tormented her from all sides.</p> + +<p>“O mercy! mercy! Where am I?” she shrieked. “How can you be so +heartless, Mr. World? Why not rid me of these fiends?”</p> + +<p>“Cry to me no more!” he groaned out in anguish. “I am also overwhelmed +with foes and fears that verily drag me down with infernal and +relentless grasp.”</p> + +<p>This only deepened her pathetic cry, for she saw that she was lost +forever, and realized anew that Mr. World was unable to give help, +contrary to all his promises of the past.</p> + +<p>Then did, they look forth, and beheld afar off the Valley of the Shadow +of Death through which the King’s Highway passed. They saw that its +foot-sore pilgrims leaned upon a rod and staff, and that they were +supported by the pierced hands of a Friend that sticketh closer than +a brother.</p> + +<p>Neither did the pilgrims fear any evil nor tremble at any foe, for +Christ was their all in all, and his lovely light lit the whole valley +until it was all aglow with heavenly radiance.</p> + +<p>This vision revealed to Mr. World and Miss Church-Member the place +where _they_ might have been, and pierced their hearts as with a +thousand daggers.</p> + +<p>They soon stood on the verge of the Awful River which was filled with +the filth and slimy putrefaction of the world, the fungus growth of +society, and the scum of all nationalities. From these currents came +unearthly sounds, doleful lamentations, melancholy and hopeless.</p> + +<p>Not far down the stream they saw the fitful light of an eternal burning +whose ghastly glare lit the water crests of the Black River.</p> + +<p>I saw a relentless monster, in deep silence, stretching forth his bony +arm, and with his icy fingers he pushed the two companions from the +brink of the river, thus bringing them face to face with the last enemy +whose sharp sting they felt as they were being overwhelmed by the +merciless waves.</p> + +<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img018"> + <img src="images/018.jpg" class="w75" alt="When they who journey on the King’s Highway reach the +River of Death, they are met by a convoy of angels and borne aloft to +the gates of the Celestial City." /> +</span></p> +<p class="center p0 caption">When they who journey on the King’s Highway reach the +River of Death, they are met by a convoy of angels and borne aloft to +the gates of the Celestial City.<br /></p> +<p>Their heart-rending cries for mercy brought no relief. They had sinned +against all light, and had even spurned the last kindly warning. The +Door of Hope was shut forever.</p> + +<p>As they were sinking to rise no more they caught another vision of the +Shining Pilgrims of the King’s Highway, and saw that when they reached +the brink of the River of Death they were met by a convoy of angels, +on whose snowy pinions they were borne aloft to the very gates of the +Celestial City which apparently stood on white clouds.</p> + +<p class="center">THE END</p> + + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. WORLD AND MISS +CHURCH-MEMBER ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part +of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project +Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ +concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, +and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following +the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use +of the Project Gutenberg trademark. 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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb0fb33 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #6494 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6494) diff --git a/old/6494.txt b/old/6494.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..124aece --- /dev/null +++ b/old/6494.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7874 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, by W. S. Harris + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Mr. World and Miss Church-Member + +Author: W. S. Harris + +Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6494] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on December 22, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER *** + + + + +Produced by Anne Soulard, Joshua Hutchison, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER +A TWENTIETH CENTURY ALLEGORY + +BY +REV. W. S. HARRIS. + + + + +to + +Edwin L. Bergstreser + + WHOSE TESTED FRIENDSHIP I HAVE + ENJOYED FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS AND + WHOSE KINDLY INFLUENCE HELPED + ME TO PERSEVERE IN WRITING + THIS ALLEGORY + THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY + DEDICATED. + + + + +Preface. + + +After long and careful study we send forth this book to do its work. +We offer no apology for adding one more volume to the endless library +of modern times, constantly increasing at the rate of over one hundred +volumes per week, the great bulk of which is consigned to the debris +of the passing years. We pray that this book may find a field of +usefulness rather than an early grave. + +We need not tell of the pleasures and difficulties we experienced in +preparing these twenty-five chapters for the press. Let it be known, +however, that we were seconded and assisted by several able critics +who, each one independently of the others, kindly reviewed the +manuscript. At the suggestions of these critics minor changes were +made in the several manuscript editions. These critics deserve much +credit especially for the literary finish there may be to this book. + +The illustrations were drawn by Paul J. Krafft, of New York. They +evince patient study and careful work, and display a creative genius +well suited to the field of allegory. + +The leading moral truths are developed in the memorable journey of +Miss Church-Member upon the Broad Highway in company with the polite +and yet fiendish Mr. World. In this lifelike journey the two companions +come in contact with many of Satan's up-to-date schemes, and witness +his far-extended operations in many a wicked realm. In the descriptions +of all these things we have endeavored to be suggestive rather than +exhaustive, for we have withheld the almost infinite details and brought +to light only a mere synopsis of the panorama as seen from the lofty +summit. + +Will not the reader, as he takes one step after another in the progress +of the story, realize more keenly than ever the unspeakable deceptions +of Satan, so bewitchingly robed in the garments of subtle treachery? +The course of Miss Church-Member is a sad comment on the moving masses +who are so thoroughly led captive by the Devil as to imagine that they +are traveling on a more convenient way to Heaven while they are actually +on the Broad Highway to destruction. The logical ending of such a life +is pictured in the remorseful and tragical experiences of Mr. World +and Miss Church-Member in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It is our +prayer that each reader may be saved from such a terminus of life by +journeying on the King's Highway and taking Christ as his all in all. +Then when he comes to the place made shadowy by the power of sin and +death, he will be surrounded with a light from the sure city of God, +and by a convoy of angels whose music will quell his rising fears and +by whose power he will be transported to his never-ending home. + +THE AUTHOR. + + + + +Contents + + 1. The Meeting of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member + 2. The By-Path + 3. The Devil's Optical College + 4. Satan Interpreting Scripture + 5. The Devil's Pawn Shop + 6. Satan's Law Departments, (Underground) + 7. The Hill of Remorse + 8. The Valley of Temptation + 9. The Tower of Temptation + 10. Dark Schemes of Satan + 11. Schools of Literature,--First and Second Divisions + 12. The Theatre + 13. Schools of Literature,--Third Division + 14. The Devil's Temperance College + 15. Infernal School System + 16. Expert Inventors of the Broad Highway + 17. The Wizard City + 18. The Festival + 19. The Missionary College + 20. The Rival Churches + 21. From the Valley of Conviction to the Devil's Auction + 22. The Devil's Hospital + 23. Satan's Secret Service + 24. The Last Warning + 25. The Valley of the Shadow of Death + + +List of Illustrations. + + 1. Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century + 2. Miss Church-Member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim + 3. "Let us follow this shining path," hopefully urged Miss + Church-Member + 4. Leaving the Optical College + 5. A scene in the Devil's Pawn Shop + 6. The Shorter and Broader Way to Heaven + 7. The final triumph of right over the black hordes of civil iniquity + 8. On the Hill of Remorse + 9. The victory of Mrs. Discouraged on the Tower of Temptation + 10. The Devil's substitute for the prayer-meeting + 11. A scene in the Devil's Temperance College + 12. The Wizard City + 13. The Festival + 14. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member entering the Valley of Conviction + 15. The Devil's Auction + 16. Miss Church-Member carried to the Devil's Hospital + 17. Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the Black River + 18. The glorious end of the righteous + + + + +Introduction + +BY BISHOP RUDOLPH DUBS, D. D., LL. D. + + +In response to the earnest request of the author of this book I have +written these introductory words, after a careful, deliberate reading +of the allegory. What I have written expresses my own opinion of the +book, uninfluenced by motives of friendship for the author or any other +consideration. + +The book is a powerful allegory, somewhat after the style of Pilgrim's +Progress, but in no sense is it an imitation of any existing work of +the kind. It is a masterful presentation, wrought out with excellent +judgment and consummate skill. + +The creatures of the author's vivid imagination are perfectly formed +and fittingly clothed, living, moving, feeling, talking, in complete +harmony as the development of the great drama goes on to its +consummation. The author has evidently made a careful and profound +study of the manifold dangers which beset the Christian church and +threaten her spirituality, and consequently her influence and power +in saving the lost and maintaining the gospel standard of life and +godliness in the world. + +The encroachments of worldings upon the church are truthfully and +graphically set forth. The manifold forms of temptation and danger are +clearly exposed, and faithful, tender, earnest warnings and admonitions +are set over against them. In depicting the various efforts of Satan +and his agents to lead Christians away from God and duty, the author +shows an extensive knowledge of the devices of the evil one, as well +as a clear insight into the drift and tendency of modern forms of +wickedness. + +The final results of compromise with the world are set forth in vivid, +graphic pictures drawn on the dark shadows as with a pencil of fire. +The downward course of the deluded soul is followed, step by step; the +snares and delusions of sin are exposed; the mask of vice is +relentlessly torn away, and church-members can here see what fellowship +with the world really means and whither it leads. + +The religious tone of the book throughout is excellent. The delusive +character of sin is plainly pointed out. The devices of Satan are laid +bare with unsparing hand. The abominations of vice are not concealed. +All this is done in language well chosen and unexceptionable. The +Christian life is pictured without cant or exaggeration. The beauty +and blessedness of a devoted life are eloquently portrayed. True +religion with its present comforts and its great rewards is presented +in a most attractive form, and the contrast between the worlding and +the faithful Christian, here and hereafter, is impressively set forth. + +With this favorable opinion of the book, to whose edifying pages I +introduce the reader, I deem it proper for me also to recommend it +most heartily as a book worthy of a place on every family table and +in every Sunday-school library. Let young and old read its fascinating +and instructive pages. Let it be circulated by hundreds and thousands +of copies. May the blessing of God attend the book in its mission and +ministry wherever it is read. + +RUDOLPH DUBS. + +_Chicago, Ill., March, 1901_. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE MEETING OF MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER + +1. The dying of a century compared to the waning of a day. + +2. The allegory opens with a panoramic view of human life, as seen +through the open door of the twentieth century, on the Broad Highway +and King's Highway. Blackana is introduced. + +3. Mr. World meets Miss Church-Member at a place called Fellowship. +From here she journeys with him on the Broad Highway where she witnesses +several sad endings of human life. + + +In the closing hours of a long day I climbed a rugged path to a high +eminence whence I overlooked a beautiful valley and watched, with +increasing delight, the changing hues of earth and sky. + +As the shadows of twilight were deepening each moment grew more strange +and mysterious until the waning day seemed to be transformed into the +dying of the century. Then I saw, as "through a glass darkly," the +whole panorama of human life, with its painful pictures of sadness and +sin, and its blessed scenes of peace and righteousness. I also heard +the unmistakable wails of a suffering humanity and the turmoils of +myriad contentions, all strangely mingling with the songs of glory and +the shouts of spiritual triumph. + +In deep silence I continued looking upon these endless confusions of +the church and the world as they still played their perplexing parts +in the fitful drama before me. All of this so preyed upon my mind that +I involuntarily cried out, in the anguish of my soul: "When will +confusion come to an end, and sweet peace cover the earth as the waters +cover the sea?" + +"Will you wait for the winds to answer, or shall I?" replied a voice +so passing strange that I was startled. + +I turned to see in whose presence I was and, to my horror, I beheld +a dark creature unlike any mortal being. He was without definite form +and not cumbered with any garments. His indescribable face was set +with two bright eyes, softened in expression until a slight halo +revealed to me a countenance half beautiful and half terrible. "Who +are you, and what is your mission?" I finally ventured to ask after +speech had found my lips, for I was altogether ignorant of his nature +or purpose. + +"I am Blackana, from the lower world of spirits, and am commanded here +to stay until released." + +[Illustration: Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century.] + +"Until released? What power binds you here, and how long will you +abide?" I asked in dread suspense. "I must remain, as your companion +and interpreter, until the vision is past." + +I trembled under these announcements, but I was assured that underneath +me were "the everlasting arms" and, moreover, I heard a still, small +voice whispering within me: "Stand still, O mortal man! Neither Blackana +nor any of his horde shall do thee harm. He hovers before thee at my +bidding, and will leave thee only at my command. Ask him what thou +wilt, and he must answer thee, even to the limit of his knowledge." + +At this juncture, and without a moment's warning, my vision was enlarged +and an unusual light flashed upon me. Quickly I cast my wondering eyes +all about me and saw that I was standing at the very threshold of a +great door. It was of such imposing dimensions and so magnificently +constructed that only the architects of Heaven could have designed it. + +Instinctively I turned to Blackana, whom I could now face without fear: +"Where are we, and what is the meaning of this great door?" And as I +spoke unseen hands swung it open upon its hinges. + +"We are standing at the open door of the twentieth century. You may +look out into the coming years as far as you wish," replied Blackana +in a cold, indifferent manner. + +Thrilled by such an unusual sight, and the thought which his +interpretation and words suggested, I marveled at his sullenness, for +Blackana did not so much as lift his head to see the spectacle. + +"O, Blackana!" I cried, "why are you so dead to such surroundings?" + +"These are mere playthings," was his gruff reply. "To me the doors of +the centuries, which open and shut on the cycles of time, are as +trifles, neither lessening my misery nor adding to my pleasure." + +During a brief, thoughtful silence I continued looking at him, as a +shudder swept my whole being. I then turned from this creature so +shrouded in mystery and, stepping forward to look through the open +door, I was suddenly overawed at the still greater scenes which spread +in wondrous panorama before my entranced vision. + +Under the new light I beheld a marvelous sight, for I could distinctly +see the myriad millions of humanity moving on the paths of life toward +a common goal. + +In the bright halo of the scene I saw the beautiful King's Highway, +on which were marching the hosts of the church militant, led +triumphantly by the Spirit of God to the very gates of the Celestial +City, which, though distant, I could yet see under the dazzling light +radiating from the central throne of glory as from untold suns. + +In the darker shadows of this same panorama I saw the Broad Highway +with its thronging multitudes. Some, with deliberate step, scrutinizing +the objects along the way; others, in mad haste, rushing on toward an +awful destruction whose wreck and ruin loomed up dimly in the glare +of an eternal burning. + +Among the happy pilgrims of the King's Highway was one named Miss +Church-Member, who had left the Broad Way of death, and entered, through +Christ, into that marvelous light wherein she was now walking. Her +tread was in sweet harmony with the footsteps of her Master, and her +beautiful face was all aglow with the passion of pure love. + +A pilgrim's robe added beauty to her form; a Bible, carried under her +arm, gave some evidence of her spiritual character; and a religious +emblem, worn over her heart, told that she was a member of some +Christian organization. + +Miss Church-Member, in traveling her chosen path, tarried at a place +called Fellowship which occupied a pleasing site close by the King's +Highway. Here one could readily speak and associate with the travelers +who moved in gay companies along the Broad Highway. + +At this visiting place she met a certain Mr. World--a good, jolly +fellow, of corpulent build, who was attired in the fashion of the day, +and bore himself with more than usual jauntiness in the presence of +Miss Church-Member. + +After a pleasing conversation, in which Mr. World plied his Satanic +shrewdness and sophistry, he was emboldened to give this brief +invitation: "Will you journey a short distance with me on this Broader +Way that I may prepare myself, with more facility, to accompany you +where you wish, even on a path as narrow as the one you seem to love?" + +"Ah, Mr. World," she said, with a tolerant smile, "do you not know +that you are walking on the way of danger and death? Why would you +have me share your folly? It were a thousand times better for you to +join me at once on a path that leads to everlasting happiness. Here +you can drink the water of life in abundance, and feed upon angels' +food. O, come, Mr. World," she added as she spoke more earnestly, +"linger no longer, carry out the resolution which you have already +broken repeatedly, and you will never regret so wise an action." Thus +did Miss Church-Member urge upon him a course which, in her inimitable +missionary spirit, she made really attractive to him. Although he +appreciated her genuine earnestness, yet he could not be induced to +heed her words. + +"You have covered the whole field of my intention," he courteously +replied. "I sincerely wish to mend my ways, but there are certain +things I must first overcome. How much better I could do this if one +like you, in whom I have supreme confidence, would but journey at my +side. Will you not do the work of a good missionary and, like Christ, +adapt yourself to my level, that I may, by your uplifting influence, +be drawn into a nobler life, and even have your companionship as I go +up to the Highway of your King?" + +Miss Church-Member, being of a sympathetic nature and of strong +missionary proclivities, refused to heed her many counselors who feared +for her safety, and actually stepped still farther from her wonted +path and journeyed at the side of Mr. World with the desire to compass +his conversion. But her conscience, at first, troubled her and her +feet moved with a suspicious tread. + +In this nervous, half confiding and half shrinking mood, she leaned +lightly upon his arm, ever turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her +well-meaning friends who still hoped to dissuade her from this +ill-advised course. + +Mr. World was keenly delighted at her concession and loyalty to him. +He seemed to be willing to go to any sacrifice that might add to her +comfort or increase her happiness. His many companions could readily +see that Miss Church-Member felt "out of place." But she justified her +own course by what she was aiming to do. + +He saw that her dress of righteousness was in wide contrast with the +filthy rags that covered his own soul, and so he preferred to look +upon the garments that adorned his outer person, and the gaudy scenes +on either side of the way. + +I beheld this wide path along a great length, and I shuddered as I saw +the masses thereon who were engaged in the frivolities of life as found +in the swiftly passing pleasures of sense and sight. The thoughtless +throngs were seemingly unconscious that underneath the whole length +and breadth of the path there were strata of fire, and they were +apparently blind to the sulphurous flames which, here and there, issued +from openings into which many an unsuspecting traveler fell. + +Sad to relate, of all the moving multitudes there were but few, indeed, +who took warning and fled toward the King's Highway. Many, like Miss +Church-Member, were walking on the forbidden path for no other reason +than some weak apology. + +"What mean these lurid openings?" nervously asked Miss Church-Member, +for their flames excited her terror. Mr. World replied, with a look +of surprise: "Have you never heard that these are to give light to +pilgrims, such as we? Without them the way would prove very dark and +dreary." + +"What a contrast," she exclaimed, "between these lights and those that +illumine the King's Highway! They shine from above, with increasing +splendor, while these cast forth, from below, their uncertain lights. +It seems to me that the farther we go the darker becomes the way, and +its lights the more inconstant,--so fitful is their gruesome glare." + +"Ah! I see what ails you," responded Mr. World. "Your eyes are at +fault. We will presently meet the expert who will correct your vision +ere your eyes are totally ruined." + +The attention of Miss Church-Member was suddenly attracted by seeing +a man who was just sinking out of sight into the fire of destruction. +As soon as he disappeared the flames burst forth in fury through the +newly-made opening. Instantly a servant of Satan covered the breach +so that observers could no longer hear the wails of the poor man, nor +smell the fumes from the burning strata. + +Then did I look and, behold, I saw such places in countless variety, +each attended by a servant of the Black Prince. Each opening made by +an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so that others, in passing +along, would the more readily be ensnared in one of these fatal +fissures. + +Miss Church-Member was more than alarmed at these sad endings of human +life which now came to her attention more vividly than when she traveled +on the King's Highway. + +She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman sinking in utter despair, +and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched +ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member could give assistance. + +"Help! help! I sink I know not whither," was her wailing cry, as she +was passing out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward +her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames +that issued from the fresh opening. + +"Oh, horror!" shrieked Miss Church-Member as she turned toward Mr. +World. "That ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of +wickedness and vice." + +[Illustration: Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an +unfortunate victim.] + +Without a moment's delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and covered +it from sight, completing his work so quickly and with such skill that +neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer +perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and +with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a sign of warning so +that other short-sighted, mortals who came that way might read and +heed. + +"It would be only a waste of time and energy. I have seen hundreds of +such places where travelers have gone down, even under the sign of the +Cross." + +"Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I should stand here continually +and speak words of personal warning to any one who might seem determined +to walk in such a terrible path as this." Her finger pointed to the +spot where she had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more. + +"Look yonder," he hurriedly spoke, as he touched her arm. "Do you see +that woman with her steps in the same direction? Now try your skill," +he added with more sneer than sympathy in his voice. + +She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but quickly went to the woman +and asked her to pause a moment. + +"Are you willing to be saved from destruction?" earnestly asked Miss +Church-Member. + +"I am safe enough," was the indifferent reply. + +"You are now walking rapidly toward an awful death," were her further +words of warning. + +"What right have you to judge me," she curtly replied, "since you also +are on this Broad Highway? Have I not heard already the words from +those who also wear the pilgrim's robe, but who journey on the King's +Highway? Their words brought conviction to my heart and tears to my +eyes, but your words only stir up my indignation." + +"Why speak so unkindly to a friend? My only intention is to do you +good. I just saw one who came to a horrible end by continuing a little +farther in the same course that you are now pursuing." + +Then did the wicked woman fly into a rage. "You need no more concern +yourself about me. I have two eyes--as many as you have. Look to your +own future, not mine; at your own steps, and not at another's!" + +"Come," impatiently spoke Mr. World, as he drew her by the arm, "it +is just as I expected; let us get away from this sickly atmosphere." +But Miss Church-Member lingered only to see the heedless woman step +to the last extreme and sink hopelessly, while her piteous cries for +help came too late for any to rescue her. + +[Illustration: "Let us follow this shining path." hopefully urged Miss +Church-Member. But it is too rough and steep for Mr. World.] + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE BY-PATH. + +1. In their journey Mr. World and Miss Church-Member come to the By-Path +leading to the King's Highway; on this Miss Church-Member urges Mr. +World to travel. He defers so decisive a step and defends his attitude +by the use of sophistry. + +2. Miss Church-Member, still hoping to win Mr. World to a better path, +forsakes the King's Highway and continues in his company. + +3. A tilt with Blackana who defends Miss Church-Member for traveling +on the Broad Highway. + + +The highway of the world was so broad that one could walk thereon as +loosely as he wished without fear of stepping from it. Along the way +there were so many things to attract the attention that the farther +Miss Church-Member journeyed with Mr. World, the less frequently she +looked toward the King's Highway. However, her face brightened and her +hopes waxed strong as they suddenly came to a place where two ways met. + +With quick insight Miss Church-Member saw that the By-Path was a blessed +one and that it led directly to the King's Highway. + +"Let us follow this shining path," she hopefully suggested. "I know +it leads to the way of light and glory." + +"Not such a path, my friend," hastily replied Mr. World. "Do you not +see the terrible hill to which it leads, and those who are even now +struggling to climb its arduous heights?" + +"I clearly see it all," she calmly admitted, "but they who struggle +most are endeavoring to carry many idols with them. If one will forsake +his idols, he can, with ease and pleasure, mount to the shining summit +which is but the edge of the King's glorious Highway. Come, Mr. World, +hesitate no more. Let procrastination end, and go with me even to the +hill, and I will help you to the summit--while Another will help you +more." + +"Very true, very true," he said, though somewhat irritated, "but we +have not yet come to the place where I may wisely follow your advice. +This path turning away to the right leads to a place that may seem +bright from this point, but nevertheless I know it to be a narrow, +rugged way, whereon a few of your friends are trudging, eking out a +miserable existence. Urge me not to go thither. If you leave me, I can +neither accompany you nor give you my assistance. Surely you have +learned, ere this, that your needs are of such a nature that you must +inevitably suffer embarrassment without my little help." + +Miss Church-Member, with eyes but partly open to her own folly, was +grievously perplexed and not a little disappointed. She fell on her +knees and wept. Looking up pleadingly into his eyes, she faltered: + +"Twice have I yielded to you since we entered into companionship. You +well remember the solemn promise you made, but at each time you deferred +its fulfillment, and now I must again hear your vain excuses. I have +suffered much for your sake, and have now the enmity of many a former +friend, and even my pilgrim robe is becoming stained with the filth +of this way." + +"Come, come, my friend, be a woman and not a sickly suppliant. The +portion of the King's Highway which we would reach from this point is +too rough for my feet to travel. We will shortly come to a more +convenient place; then I can think more seriously of leaving this way." + +"Ah!" sighed Miss Church-Member, "you say that in your folly. I can +testify, from knowledge, that the way is most delightful and leads to +mansions incorruptible in the Celestial City." "Let us cease debating," +interrupted Mr. World, with ill-concealed impatience. "If you have +sacrificed so much through my fellowship and imagine that you can find +better company, you may leave, but you cannot expect me to accompany +you on so thorny and rough a path as this which you have so foolishly +proposed." + +Strengthened by the remnants of Christian virtue yet within her, she +sprang to her feet and was about to execute her noble purpose of leaving +him. But a number of Mr. World's friends quickly rallied and +complimented Miss Church-Member on the good she had already done. "Mr. +World is a better man since he has known you," said one. "If you will +continue walking with him on his own level, no one can estimate the +amount of good you will yet do for him," hopefully spoke another. + +These unexpected testimonies aroused anew her missionary spirit and +changed her thoughts to these yielding sentences: + +"No sacrifice is too great, if victory but comes at last. If there is +hope that Mr. World will cease deceiving me and walk in the path of +truth, I will consent to be his companion still a little farther." + +"There is every hope of that," smilingly returned Mr. World as he +suavely bowed to her and to the little group of companions who had +given him such timely help. + +As I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member moving on, in closer +fellowship than ever, I waxed warm with indignation, and addressed +Blackana who was still lying at my side as motionless as the strata +of the rock-ribbed earth: + +"Will you explain to me this folly of Miss Church-Member, who has not +only disgraced her cause before the fiendish Mr. World, but who also +continues with him in such unseemly intimacy?" + +"Miss Church-Member is not walking in folly. She is engaged in a noble +work, endeavoring to elevate Mr. World to a higher Christian life," +was the answer from the lips of Blackana in a low, heavy voice. + +"Ah," said I, with a feeling of suspicion, "she is shining from the +wrong lighthouse. The rays of truth will never reach him as long as +she is in that position. + +"Perhaps they might in a miraculous way," suggested Blackana. + +"No good miracle is ever done in the steps of the Devil or in his +dominions," I answered with boldness. + +Then did Blackana enlarge himself, and as he replied he looked down +upon me significantly. "O puny mortal, instruct me not in the miracles +of my master. More great things are done under the canopies of Hell +than mortals ever know." + +At first I was filled with alarm, but under the voice of One invisible +I rose as with superhuman strength, and I looked at him unflinchingly. +"O horrible creature! I fear you not in any of your passions. You would +even destroy me if you could, but you are forever restrained by the +Power that holds authority over all!" + +There was a sudden rustling, unlike anything I had ever heard. The +uncanny creature dashed toward me in his awful fury. But I moved not, +neither was I touched. Then I stretched forth my hand and commanded +him, in the name of One who is supreme, to cease his foolish ragings, +else would he be instantly flung through the wastes of Hell. + +Blackana, knowing his limit, as all foul fiends do, dared to venture +no further in his rage, but calmed himself and, with unexpected +civility, he addressed me. He told me, in close detail, how Mr. World, +by his binding promises to his companion, had played the part of folly +rather than Miss Church-Member who did nothing more than enter upon +a more convenient and a Broader Way to heaven, and that, too, in good +company. + +"And what think you,--will Mr. World ever fulfill his binding promises?" + +"Do not doubt it, sir. Mr. World is an honorable gentleman. His promises +are always fulfilled. + +"A lie! A lie! Can you not speak the truth?" + +Again he was about to rise into terrible proportions when a great hand +moved the door on its hinges. Blackana, interpreting that movement +better than I, continued in dread restraint. I looked again upon the +Broad Highway, and saw how Mr. World had so completely won the +confidence of Miss Church-Member that she now frequently expressed her +sense of obligation to him, and declared that he was not so mean a +fellow as some alleged, and as she had been inclined to believe. + +"Pray, tell me who seeks to injure my good reputation?" he courteously +asked. + +"It has long been current talk on the King's Highway that you are +deceitful and treacherous, and that you aim to lead people to ruin. +You well know that I hoped, by mutual association, to win you to a +better path. I find, even after some painful errors on my part, that +you are not so much in need of reformation as I imagined. You are a +very considerate and clever fellow, doubtless under the sway of a moral +evolution, and whether I stay with you, or you go with me, it is now, +to my mind, quite evident that you will soon reach a perfect condition." + +The wily Mr. World chuckled. "You are newly endowed with the gift of +a wisdom whose inward glory has lent its brightness to your eye, and +has given savor to your very words. If you continue in your present +state of liberality and broad-mindedness, you will not only share all +that I possess, but will wear a crown set with gems of truth." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE DEVIL'S OPTICAL COLLEGE. + +1. The college described. + +2. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member have their eyes examined, and Miss +Church-Member is supplied with lenses which warp her spiritual vision. + +3. The allegory shows how Satan supplies every conceivable kind of +lenses to suit the people of the world and the church. + +4. Blackana, with deceptive words, attempts to defend Satan's course. + + +This institution of Satan has been in operation since the creation of +man, having been remodeled as often as advancement in style or skill +demanded. + +Each one of the fourteen massive buildings was a gem of architectural +beauty, and was devoted to a special line of study or practice. The +entire group worked harmoniously toward the same end. + +In the course of their journey Mr. World and Miss Church-Member drew +nigh to this great college, but the shrewd and wicked Mr. World remained +silent, waiting for the first words of his companion. Miss +Church-Member, however, as she looked upon the stupendous edifices, +was so filled with wonder and admiration at the long stretches of +masonry, and the perfect symmetry of parts, that she offered no comment +until they were quite near the first building. + +"For what purpose is this group of great structures used?" were her +words that broke the brief silence. + +"All for the sake of the eyes," he carelessly answered, as he called +her attention to the King's Highway and the throngs of people that +were admiring and entering the college from those parts. + +"It is indeed wonderful," she commented, "that so small a thing as the +eye should demand the service of such great edifices." + +"The buildings are not too large nor too well equipped. Your surprise +would not be so great were you to witness the large number from the +two great highways that come here daily for treatment. You can see +them now moving by thousands to and from the buildings. It might be +wise for us to enter for consultation. My eyes, at least, may need +some expert attention." + +She, being anxious to see the interior of at least one of the buildings, +offered no objection to his shrewd suggestion. + +The building was so easy of access that there was not one step to +climb. An electric elevator served to carry them to the sixty-fourth +floor which formed a part of the huge dome into which the upper portion +of the great structure converged. This style of architecture not only +added to the beauty of the appearance, but also proved to be perfectly +adapted to the uses of the college. + +The confidence of Miss Church-Member was fully won by the appearance +of the interior and the courteous attention she received from the +managers. + +The consulting physician examined the eyes of Mr. World, then +congratulated him upon the clear vision he enjoyed, and informed him +that his eyes required no immediate treatment. + +Turning to one side, Mr. World whispered to his companion: "While we +are here you had better improve this opportunity and also get the +benefit of an expert opinion." + +"I have not come prepared financially," she blushingly and faintly +replied. "I did not even dream of seeking the service of a specialist." + +"That obstacle is easily overcome, for the examination is free, and +if you should need further attention and would wish to receive it, I +would deem it only a great pleasure to bear all the expenses." + +After a brief, thoughtful silence she consented to the preliminary +examination. "Will you examine the eyes of my friend?" requested Mr. +World as he stepped toward the chief oculist. + +The expert accordingly tested her sight. First he held up, at a +distance, the "Delusion of the New Jerusalem," but she was totally +blind to it. Then he submitted the "Deceptions of the Holy Bible" of +which she could again see nothing. + +"Look through these windows to the Broad Highway, far out into the +distance over rolling stretches of country. Can you see the gates of +Heaven, at the end of the way?" + +Miss Church-Member looked carefully, but declared that she could not +see anything that appeared like Heaven or the gates thereof. + +"Can you see that place called 'Perfect Peace' along the Broad Highway," +continued the oculist as he pointed to a far-off region. + +"I can see nothing that looks like it," she honestly confessed, quite +surprised to discover the existence of these apparent defects of her +vision. + +"A very sad and extreme case," murmured the examiner as he requested +her to open her Bible. + +"Can you see, in that book, that all people shall be saved, and none +perish?" + +"I am surely blind to that and always have been," she readily admitted +with a little more boldness. + +"Perhaps you can see the justice of God in punishing the sinner?" he +continued with a touch of sarcasm in his voice. + +"Plainly visible." + +"So I expected." + +He then proceeded to a more minute examination, after which he wrote +a brief diagnosis and commended her to a specialist in the next +building. + +She hesitated somewhat, but Mr. World, handing her, confidentially, +a handsome sum of yellow coin from his bag of gold, brought words of +deep thankfulness from her lips, and gave decision to her steps in the +direction he desired. + +From the great dome they were taken in a closed car over the high +suspension bridge to the adjoining building which was of still greater +magnitude. + +The room into which they entered, at such a dizzy height, surpassed, +in its unique arrangement, anything of the kind that they had thus far +seen. In long and high glass cases lay all the modern appliances used +by the most skillful hands. The furnishings blended harmoniously with +the general environments. All this won the utter confidence of the new +and unsuspecting visitor. "With pleasure," politely began Mr. World, +"I present my friend, Miss Church-Member, who comes hither with +defective eyes and a duly subscribed diagnosis from the chief of the +oculists." + +The specialist whom he thus addressed made an additional examination, +plying his craft with all the ingenuity he had learned from his master. +At the conclusion he delivered himself in this wise: + +"I find, Miss Church-Member, that your eyes are very much out of order. +A complex case, indeed. I have discovered ametropia in the particular +form of irregular astigmatism. The pupil, covered by the unabsorbed +remains of the pupillary membrane, is occluded by a deposition of +inflammatory substance, occasioned by inflammation of the ciliary body. + +"I have also noticed a severe type of hemianopsia, which, I presume, +had its origin in congeniture. Minor defects are also apparent, but +it is unnecessary for me to give further details," + +Miss Church-Member could not refrain from weeping bitterly at this sad +announcement. "Is it possible to effect a cure?" she sobbed. + +"Ah! you need not thus lament," said the specialist in a tone of +sympathy. "Millions have been altogether cured whose eyes were more +diseased than are yours. Forget your tears and be at perfect peace. +Calmly confide in our skill." + +She consented to their method, and was first subjected to a course of +preliminary treatment. Many an hour she lay while her eyes were covered +with cloths saturated with strange liquids. And when her eyes were +uncovered she was compelled to sit in darkness, for the physician told +her that her eyes had already suffered much on account of light. At +times the pain was well nigh intolerable, but she endured it all +heroically, hoping to gain thereby the boon of a complete cure. + +After this preparatory work one who was skilled in the best methods +of the age performed the operation, and Miss Church-Member was comforted +by the assurance that her eyes would be fitted with special lenses, +and soon she could again behold the natural light of day. + +Mr. World was busily engaged during the treatment of Miss Church- +Member, but he came repeatedly to her side and spoke words of cheer +and urged her strict obedience to all directions. + +Finally her new lenses were pub to service, and Mr. World proffered +his compliments profusely until the first impulses of vanity moved +within her. _To be admired, on account of her appearance, seemed never +so attractive as now!_ + +What a new world opened to her view! She looked down upon the Broad +Highway with a degree of pleasure hitherto unsuspected, and also upon +the King's Highway, but only to see that the path was indeed a rough +one and beset with trials and difficulties which, to her mind, now +seemed unnecessary to a Christian life. + +In the same manner I looked into all the apartments of each building, +and was astonished at the presence of so large a number from the King's +Highway, and a still greater throng from the way of the world. + +"O Blackana!" I cried, "how long will this continue? Is there no end +to deception? With such a changed view of things, how can Miss +Church-Member crave for the King's Highway or urge Mr. World thither?" + +"Miss Church-Member will be happier where she is," answered my uncanny +companion as he grinned horribly. "By the aid of her glasses she can +both see and enjoy the wonderful scenes along the way." I knew that +Blackana was covering the truth, but hesitated to insinuate as much. +"Can you explain," I questioned in a half hopeful mood, "how those +specialists can do their deceptive work so brazenly? Poor Miss +Church-Member, deluded and defrauded, now stumbles rapidly onward with +the fiendish Mr. World. Tell me, O agent of the Devil, do those +creatures find delight in such horrible deeds?" + +"It is not a matter of pleasure or delight with them, but rather one +of loyalty to their king, whom you call 'Devil.' To serve him poorly +means a more bitter hell, but to serve him well brings honor from his +hand." + +"But such honor!" I exclaimed, and then said: "I observe that Miss +Church-Member wears colored lenses--tell me the meaning of this; and +you, Blackana, hereafter deal no more in falsehood with me!" I demanded. + +Blackana shifted his position, and with marked reluctance proceeded +to answer: + +"The Devil, my master, uses in his work all imaginable kinds of glasses, +invented in the Wizard City. Every conceivable shade of color is made, +each for its particular use. Through his agents Satan selects the lens +for the patient's eye, and if it is worn as selected and directed, he +has won a decisive victory." + +"Foul and fiendish plots of Hell," I involuntarily muttered; but +Blackana listened in silence. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. + +1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member now take an easier method of +traveling, for they ride on a strange vehicle down the gravity road. + +2. Miss Church-Member reads her Bible by the aid of her new glasses. + +3. She is assisted in understanding it by a minion of Satan who comes +robed as an angel of light. + +4. Her glasses enable her to distinguish between the inspired and the +uninspired parts of the Bible; for this ability she is highly +complimented. + + +The Broad Highway, after leaving the Optical College, was especially +hard to travel. Here Mr. World secured a fashionable vehicle propelled +by some secret force. Into this carriage he assisted Miss Church-Member, +and each was delighted with the smooth descent down the gravity road. + +"This is delightful traveling," she said, as she reclined upon the +luxurious cushions of the conveyance. Aided by her new glasses she +enjoyed the scenery along the way more than ever. "I am glad you +appreciate it," he smilingly returned. "According to my notion, riding +is indeed preferable to walking. From these elevated carriages one can +witness so much more of the world, and can also with more distinctness +see the King's Highway with its trudging pilgrims seemingly unconscious +of this better mode of travel." + +Miss Church-Member took a mere casual glance at the Old Path and her +former associates, and seemed to feel thankful that she had risen from +bigotry to a more charitable view of things. + +Her Bible, although closed altogether too long, had never been +surrendered. But she had received strict orders not to read it until +her eyes were fully adjusted to the new lenses. + +Now, however, she opened it and was reading it under the new light, +lifting her eyes at close intervals so as to miss nothing of beauty +or interest along this way of the world. + +Mr. World observed her careless manner,--how she turned from chapter +to chapter in brief succession and fixed but little attention on any +particular portion. + +"I would urge you," he kindly advised, "that if you feel aught of +headache or heartache, through excessive reading, to close the book +at once." + +[Illustration: Miss Church-member was reading the Bible to her companion +when there appeared to them an interpreter who was like unto an angel +of light.] + +She made no reply, but to his surprise was now deeply engaged in the +perusal of the seventh chapter of Matthew. + +"I have heard that some parts of that book are very interesting," he +said in his good natured way. "Will you not read aloud to me?" + +With a return of the old passion for his conversion she gladly complied +and read the whole chapter while they continued gliding smoothly along. + +An interesting discussion ensued, during the course of which there +joined them one who was like unto an angel of light. + +After hearing his smooth sentences of general Bible-knowledge, Miss +Church-Member exclaimed: "Who art thou, and how didst thou gain so +great a knowledge of this Book?" + +"I am but a harmless creature of the air, going whither I will. I have +studied that Book through all the changes of time and understand every +part of it. I would, even now, make any sentence as clear as light to +thee." + +"And thinkest thou that this part is true?" hopefully asked Miss +Church-Member as she raised the open Bible and pointed to the chapter +she had just read. + +"Every sentence is true, but in reading it there is grave danger of +misapprehension. Didst thou have difficulty with any particular part +of the chapter?" + +"With verses thirteen and fourteen," she replied. + +The angelic interpreter then read them in a fine resonant voice. + +"'Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is +the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in +hereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth +unto life, and few there be that find it.'" + +"If these words are really true," quickly commented Miss Church-Member, +"we must be traveling in the wrong way. Does it not appear so?" she +queried, as she looked with increasing interest at the angelic being. + +"Naturally it does," he shrewdly answered, "especially if you look +merely at the surface of the text; but the pearls of truth lie deeper." + +"I well know that the King's Highway is called the 'Narrow Way' and +this, whereon we journey, the 'Broad Way.' Surely this part of Scripture +is against us," insisted Miss Church-Member, as her countenance grew +more troubled. + +"Thou needst not stumble at such easy Scripture; behold, the meaning +is quite clear! They who travel on the so-called King's Highway are +continually exaggerating the _merits_ of the way, thereby making it +appear greater and broader than it really is. They go so far as to +claim that the way is broad enough to accommodate all the people of +the world, were they minded to travel thereon. Therefore those who +thus make the way broad by their own conceits will meet with +destruction. This is the meaning of verse thirteen." + +"It is certain, according to verse fourteen, that we have a strait +gate, and none, on this road, imagine or claim that the way is broader +than it is; so we are credited with having it called 'narrow,' for it +is as narrow as we claim it to be." + +"Notwithstanding your explanation and the relief these glasses have +given me, my conscience is still troubled, and methinks I hear a voice +from this Bible chiding me. This is the chief barrier to my real +happiness," she boldly confessed. + +"Thou shouldst not dwell in fear," spoke the shining adviser. "Do not +allow the errors of any false teaching to mar the peace and happiness +of this way. Bid farewell to all thy inward doubting, and taste the +imperishable sweetness of the world, turning a deaf ear to the voice +that chides thee unkindly." + +"But the voice comes from my Bible," she tremblingly declared. + +"Truly said, Miss Church-Member; it comes far enough _from_ the Bible. +Why not listen to the voice that is the Bible. Thou art in harmony with +every part of Scripture. Let not false voices drive thee on to deeper +grief." + +She then looked at the shining form with more curiosity than ever +before. + +"Who can this be?" she asked Mr. World in a passing whisper. "You have +seen how he urges me to perfect peace, and so unselfishly." + +"'Tis but a happy friend that comes in the hour of need. Should we not +give heed to his kindly voice? If the studying of that Bible gives you +pain, adding to the weight that already wearies your heart, why not +close the book and, continuing on this way of ease, look more carefully +on outward things again?" + +"Think you, Mr. World, that I would lay down my Bible? This is the +book that mother loved. It has always been my Book of books. It contains +the code of laws that controls the whole spiritual world, and it is +the only lamp that leads to light and to the gates of Heaven. You need +it as much as I. Why ask me to lay it down?" + +"_Nay, nay,_" spoke the angel of light, "_urge her not to discard her +Bible, but rather to get a true understanding of it._ Perhaps," he +continued, turning again to Miss Church-Member, "thou hast met with +other mysterious verses in this chapter. If so, I will gladly serve +thee, for I love to give light to an honest heart." + +"I see nothing more now that gives me trouble. These glasses, which +I got through the kindness of Mr. World, have helped me to understand +your interpretation so that the rest of the chapter is quite clear to +me." + +"And how does the whole Bible appear since thy sight is so improved +by those fortunate lenses?" + +"It certainly appears vastly different," she confessed. "It is so much +more liberal in its teachings than I ever before imagined." + +"_Hast thou become so far advanced that thou canst, with thy more +comprehensive view, distinguish between the inspired and the uninspired +parts?_" asked the shining one with an air of dignity. + +"Not clearly so, although I have recently doubted the genuineness of +some parts which still hold their place in the book." + +"Thou art coming to the true light," he flatteringly replied. "Blessed +is the event that ever changed thine eyes to see so great a truth. Oh, +that all the world might thus drink from the fountain of knowledge!" + +"When will the time ever come that the Bible will be rid of its errors?" +impatiently broke in Mr. World. + +"In that happy day when the mists of superstition shall vanish before +the true light of personal liberty and free thinking," came the answer +from the bright-robed angel who was none else than a minion of the +Devil in disguise. + +"How could such a glorious work best be accomplished?" asked Mr. World +whose interest now was more intensely aroused. + +"Only by Christians who ought to appoint a committee from their own +number,--persons like our friend Miss Church-Member. This committee +could decide, by a majority vote, what parts of the Bible to expunge. +Then the church and the world would have a Bible reasonably free from +errors. Our present Bible has so many objectionable parts which, of +course, could not have been inspired, and any person who has the courage +to correct it will be doing the world an incalculable service." + +"Amen and amen!" enthusiastically spoke Mr. World. "The Bible is +certainly a great book, but it would be vastly improved if once rid +of its interpolations and errors of translation. Any preacher who would +use in his pulpit such an abridged Bible would have my profoundest +respect, and I hereby pledge half my fortune to the first minister who +will do himself the honor of taking such a step." + +"That will have its desired effect," smilingly commented Miss +Church-Member, "for there are some gentlemen of the cloth who would +quickly sacrifice any conviction for such a sum of money." + +"And here," added the angel of light, "I hold in my hand a crown of +fame set with the gems of honor. I hereby engage to place a crown like +this on the head of each minister who will, in preaching and teaching, +abridge the Bible and ridicule its weaknesses. Of course he must not +cast reflection upon the real Word of God. He must only denounce and +destroy the errors that have crept into it." + +With these words the bright messenger disappeared, and Miss +Church-Member endeavored again to know more about his identity, but +Mr. World did not altogether satisfy her curiosity. + +Then, as they sped onward in their well-devised vehicle down the gravity +road to Hell, Miss Church-Member continued reading her Bible quietly. + +"How changed the teachings of this book appear," she soliloquized. "I +can now see how foolish I once was in taking so narrow a view of its +truths." + +I took a passing glance at the King's Highway, and saw a virtuous and +holy woman on her knees in prayer, with a Bible opened before her. + +She read from the Book, doubting not its words, and was pleading +earnestly with God for a better understanding of them, until flash +after flash of heavenly light filled her soul, making her face shine +with more than human glory. + +To her the Devil, robed as an angel of light, made no appearance so +long as I looked. + +Then I asked Blackana, and he told me that Satan feared that which was +sharper than a two-edged sword more than a large number of professing +Christians not filled with the word of God. + +"And what think you of Miss Church-Member?" I continued. + +"She is a fine character," spoke Blackana as a hideous grin spread +over his face. + +Then I was moved with indignation, and I spoke with fire in my voice: +"Give me no more deceptive words of Hell! Tell the naked truth. What +is the estimate that Satan places on one who acts like Miss +Church-Member?" + +Blackana moved not a feature at my changed attitude, but spoke calmly +within the bounds of truth: "Satan considers such a one as a valuable +ally to his cause, for she is now working against Jesus Christ on her +imaginary road to Heaven. Nothing is more helpful to Satan than when +members of the church believe that parts of the Bible are untrue. It +is indeed gratifying to us," continued Blackana with a fiendish smile, +"to see the twentieth century of the so-called Christian era opening +with the church wrangling over her Bible more desperately than ever, +and some of the learned leaders, and those of lesser light, laying the +lash on him who believes that the regularly revised version of Scripture +is of sufficient authority and approved of God." + +Thus Blackana, in dread reluctant tones, and with his tongue still +unfriendly to Christ's cause, was continuing, when a voice from above +gave this startling and silencing testimony. + +"_Such Scripture is an impregnable rock; and they, who by faith stand +thereon, cannot be poisoned by the fiery darts which are hurled even +by the latest invented guns from the Wizard City. All Hell secretly +acknowledges the strength of this foundation, even though part of the +church on earth refuses to do as much._" + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE DEVIL'S PAWN SHOP. + +1. Miss Church-Member with her new glasses looks upon her attire and, +not being satisfied with her pilgrim's robe, exchanges it for up-to-date +apparel. + +2. The similar action of Mr. Deacon and Mr. Elder described. + + +Miss Church-Member, having closed her Bible, was engaged in a close +scrutiny of her attire. By the aid of her glasses she realized very +keenly that her garments were out of harmony with her environments. + +"Will you answer a frank question?" she modestly asked Mr. World. "Do +you think my pilgrim's robe becomes me as it should?" + +"A very delicate question. I should never have ventured a criticism +without your invitation to do so. Sincerely, your whole attire is +somewhat antiquated. It is just as faulty as the Bible. So I would +advise you to wear apparel more suited to your natural charms." + +"But where can such be found?" she blushingly asked, offering no comment +upon Mr. World's aspersion upon the Holy Scriptures. + +[Illustration: A Scene in the Devil's Pawn Shop. "Her beautiful pilgrim +robe was drawn through the dust and relegated to the rear."] + +"At numberless places along the way. In the distance I see an exchange +store, duly authorized to do business along this Highway. If you so +desire, we will proceed thither." + +She assented gratefully, and soon the vehicle stopped. The two alighted +and stepped into the place known along the King's Highway as the Devil's +Pawn Shop. + +This establishment was easily accessible from either Highway, and had +been in operation for thousands of years, carrying on an extensive +business. + +In such a place our parents pawned a glorious inheritance for a taste +of forbidden fruit, and Esau exchanged a legitimate birth-right for +a mere mess of pottage. + +In another similar place Judas sold his Lord and Master for thirty +dirty pieces of silver; and Ananias and Sapphira pawned their natural +and spiritual lives for a little worldly profit which was held but for +a few hours, and that in guilt and pain. + +Satan has a Pawn Shop, or an exchange store, for every phase of desire +that can enter into an unsatisfied heart, or a soul unduly ambitious. +This one, into which Mr. World escorted Miss Church-Member, is intended +for those who become dissatisfied with the dress of righteousness, or +for any who wish a change in any part of their apparel. It proved +intensely interesting to Miss Church-Member, with her new-found +ambitions, to walk through the aisles of this great department store, +each department being used for a separate kind of apparel. + +The entire Pawn Shop was full of old curiosities which had never been +redeemed. These, and more recent specimens, told the story of many a +faithless pilgrim. In the footwear department I saw many a "preparation +of the gospel of peace" which had been pawned for shoes of worldliness, +and elsewhere I saw the garments of truth which had been girt about +the loins of the saints, but which had been exchanged for robes of +vanity. + +There were also many antiquated pilgrims' robes which had been given +for more fashionable attire. + +Miss Church-Member became more and more ashamed of her own robe as she +saw how many already had effected the exchange which she was now +contemplating. + +One of the shrewd attendants, observing the impatience of Miss +Church-Member and the significant look of Mr. World, approached her +and offered to render such assistance as she might desire. + +"I am feeling wretchedly out of place and out of style in my present +condition. Can I not be dressed in a way more consistent with my +station?" + +"We can readily and easily supply all your fancies," answered the +attendant with a graceful bow and a smile which gave re-assurance to +Miss Church-Member. + +The sad transformation was effected in a manner well pleasing to the +Prince of Darkness. Her beautiful pilgrim's robe was drawn through the +dust and relegated to the rear. + +My own heart saddened as I beheld the changed appearance of Miss +Church-Member, who had just taken one more step in her downward course, +and who was still vainly imagining that she was on the road to Heaven. + +I saw, with disgust, her fantastically feathered hat of conceit, her +broad sleeves of self-righteousness, her ruby bracelets and necklace +of vanity, her flowing garments of personal liberty, and her shoes of +fashionable infidelity. + +Then they made a strong effort to induce her to pawn her Bible, but +to no purpose, for she had clung to it so long that it had become a +precious souvenir with which she declared she would never part. Thus +I saw how some worship the Bible who do not worship God. + +Finally they emerged from the Pawn Shop, and glided along in their +mysterious carriage more rapidly and smoothly than ever. The two happy +companions, free from their former embarrassment, now enjoyed the +scenes of life along the way with increasing pleasure. The moving +masses, in their diversified employments, yielded constant +entertainment. + +Miss Church-Member was soon agreeably surprised to see Mr. Deacon and +Mr. Elder, who served in the same church to which she belonged. The +carriage overtook them in a rather isolated place and stopped at their +side, in obedience to the will of Miss Church-Member. + +"Can it possibly be that I meet two of my church officers at this +unexpected time and place? How came it about that you also have chosen +this 'Broader and Better Way' to Heaven?" + +The two men were slightly abashed at first and stood speechless as if +in doubt what to say, or as if they were unable to recognize her. + +"Ho! ho!" cried Mr. Deacon, "here is Miss Church-Member who sits in +one of our front pews." + +"Her appearance is wonderfully improved however," added Mr. Elder in +an undertone. + +"How came you to adopt this dress and be in such close fellowship with +Mr. World?" asked Mr. Deacon. + +"I am now in the midst of my missionary work, endeavoring to lead Mr. +World into church membership," were her glib words of explanation, +though, somehow, they were unsatisfying to her ear; but she was rapidly +learning to stifle such unpleasant qualms of conscience. + +"She is doing a grand work," said Mr. Deacon to Mr. Elder with gestures +of approbation. + +"Are you any better than you were since such an elevating influence +has been thrown about you?" asked Mr. Elder, as he turned to Mr. World. + +"Happy for me that Miss Church-Member ever undertook my case, for I +am now nearer joining the church than ever before." + +The two church-officials offered their hands to Mr. World in warm +congratulation, and then praised Miss Church-Member for her timely +efforts which they felt sure would terminate in his conversion. + +"What more is required of me in order that I may join your church?" +inquired Mr. World in a voice of deepening earnestness. + +"Nothing more than to express your willingness," responded the two. +Your morality is beyond suspicion, and your fulfillment of the duties +of citizenship has always been praiseworthy; therefore your religion +is quite exemplary. It lacks but your admission into the church." + +"I would have joined before now had it not been for a radical element +potent in the councils of the church, and especially for the narrow +views entertained by your minister. If you had another pastor, one of +more liberal cast of mind, it would not only influence me to join, but +many of my wealthy and honorable friends would do so as well." + +"It certainly is a sad state of affairs," sighed Miss Church-Member. +"We are losing heavily by reason of such narrowness. I thought +differently at one time, but these glasses have given me a wider and +clearer range of vision." + +"Your words indicate a sound judgment," commented Mr. World, and the +two church officials listened eagerly. "Why should the church compel +a man to journey on a path so narrow that he can scarcely make any +progress?" + +[Illustration: Mr. Elder, unable to push through the narrow pass of +Consecration, was compelled to take the "Shorter and Broader Way to +Heaven."] + +"A sensible view of it," said Mr. Elder, "for I have learned by +experience that it is impossible to travel far in the way you mention. +I tried it until recently, when I gave it up in disgust. I patronized +an old established exchange store, disposed of a part of my outfit, +and got in exchange something up-to-date, as you see from my appearance. +I then endeavored to walk on the old path, but soon came to an +especially narrow place called Consecration. I could not squeeze +through. I struggled hard and long until one came to me and said: 'Let +go what thou hast under thine arms and belted to thine heart, and them +shalt go through with ease and rejoicing.' That was asking too much +of me, for I paid a high price for these things and was minded to hold +to them at all cost. I then endeavored more earnestly to push ahead, +but found that I could not. As I looked around me, in despair, I saw +a path leading to the left, under a beautiful arch, whereon I read +this inscription: + +A SHORTER AND BROADER WAY TO HEAVEN. + +"This path I took and have been traveling comfortably thereon, +especially since I found this still Broader Way into which it led. If +only all church-members would know the comforts and advantages of this +way, they could no longer refuse to travel it." + +"They are finding it out more and more every age," said Mr. World with +a complacent smile. "The church and the world ought to be one and, +according to the teaching of the Bible, how could this be better +accomplished than by having the church come down to the level of the +world, and from that point lift the world upward. That was Christ's +method and example. The church of to-day should not wish to be greater +than her Lord." + +The two church-officials looked at each other in surprise. "Without doubt +that is broad-minded theology," first spoke Mr. Deacon. + +"It is indeed refreshing in contrast with what we must hear repeatedly +from the troublesome element in the church," added the other. + +"Will you not tell us how you also came to reach this favored place?" +inquired Miss Church-Member, as she gave her attention momentarily to +Mr. Deacon. + +"It came about in a very odd manner. I had been wearing an old-style +robe of righteousness, and gradually came to see that it was totally +out of harmony with the higher thought of the age; so much so that I +became odious to many liberal-minded people. A sharp struggle ensued +between my conscience and my judgment. In the midst of this conflict +I came to a place which offered to accept my old garments in exchange +for seasonable attire. 'Anything for peace,' thought I; so I entered +the establishment and selected this apparel, and these additional +advantages. It cost me nothing but the mere willingness to exchange, +and would I not have been foolish to refuse so much at so small a +price?" + +"Without a doubt," quickly answered Miss Church-Member. The others +forcibly confirmed her answer. + +"After I had completed my bargain I continued my diligence in the work +of the church and in traveling on the good old Narrow Way. I came to +a place called God Praise, and got through with little difficulty; but +voices from unseen creatures spoke terror to my soul. In this +unhappiness I trudged along until I came to a narrow pass known as +Sacrifice. Through it I could not go. I struggled again and again. I +also heard a voice saying unto me: 'If thou wilt wear the garments of +salvation, and cast off these things of earth, then thou mayest pass +through all thy sacrifice with ease and sweet delight.' + +"The voice troubled me much, for I feared it spoke the truth. There +did I spend a long season in mortal dread and doubt, and thought I +would rather die than suffer thus. Suddenly, as if blind to it before, +I saw a sign apparently moving in circles about me. It settled to my +left and thus it read: + +TO HEAVEN WITHOUT SACRIFICE. + +"At once a smooth path opened to view, and I chided myself for having +been blind to it so long. I entered upon it and hastily pursued my +journey, and soon from thence passed upon this Broad Gauge Road. I +traveled hereon for a long time when, to my delight, I came across Mr. +Elder. I assure you we have had companionable seasons. We are on our +road to Heaven and expect eventually to reach that place. Many persons +of the Narrow Gauge Road have told us that we are wrong, deceived, and +would be hopelessly lost if we do not change our course, but methinks +that those people are disregarding the Bible where it saith, 'Judge +not that ye be not judged'; and 'Thou hypocrite, first cast out the +beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly.'" + +"Ah! Mr. Deacon," quickly complimented Mr. World, "you must be a +champion in the use of Bible truth. How can these bigots expect to +stand when such Scripture condemns them? It will be a joyful time for +all of us when these self-righteous critics shall have pulled the beams +out of their eyes and be able to see us in our real innocence." + +While Mr. World was speaking these words he assisted Miss Church- +Member into their strange vehicle and, when his last sentence was +ended, they bade a hearty farewell to the two acquaintances and smoothly +glided on, not tarrying to hear the words of commendation which each +church-official was speaking simultaneously. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SATAN'S LAW DEPARTMENTS + +(_Underground._) + +1. An allegorical representation of Satan's underhanded methods in law +and politics. All seen during a thrilling journey with Blackana through +this underground regions (level below level) where the laws of Hell +are hatched. + +2. A realistic climax,--ultimate triumph of right in the civil realm. + + +I now saw two mountains so high that their shadows perpetually darkened +the Broad Highway which covered the wide valley between them. + +In this Shadowy Vale many held permanent residence, until the whole +region swarmed with teeming millions of every tongue and tribe on the +face of the globe. + +At the base of the mountains, on each side of the way, there were +numerous large openings through which imps of darkness were constantly +passing. Most of them were habited as angels of light. + +"Tell me the mystery of those dismal openings," I asked as I turned +to Blackana. "Words are inadequate to tell of the places to which they +lead. To know aright one must see," he answered with marked +indifference. + +For a moment I silently looked upon Blackana whose evasive answer had +so greatly aroused my curiosity. + +"Beyond those ominous portals I can discern nothing," I murmured. "How +can I be privileged to see what is there hidden?" + +"Come with me," coldly invited Blackana, "I will guide you to the +nethermost realms now unseen by you. This I do not willingly, but I +am thus commanded." + +Not wishing to receive my orders from the mouth of a demon, I talked +to my better Friend who bade me go and be assured that _a body-guard +of ten thousand would ever be at my side, though I saw them not._ + +On wings, swifter than the wind, Blackana and I covered the intervening +space. We stood in the dark valley at one of the openings, now appearing +ten-fold larger than before, and the mountains reared their imposing +crests as if to an endless height. + +"Follow me," grimly spoke Blackana as he advanced through the monstrous +arcade into the deepening darkness. + +I remembered the ten thousand, and feared not as I followed. Downward +and inward we went, with no light but a horrid glare casting its +uncertain rays athwart our path. + +"Is this the passage-way to Destruction?" I cried, as I saw how spectral +all things were, for more than a thousand grimy faces had already added +their fitful glances to the glimmering scene. + +"The passage-way to Hell is not so smooth; we go to a better place," +he answered, without so much as turning his head. + +We finally stopped at a line of massive elevators, ever in busy motion, +carrying the throngs upward or downward. + +As we paused, Blackana regarded me silently. I was then able, for the +first time, to see his face clearly. No light reveals the countenance +of a demon so well as the light of his own region. + +I stood as if paralyzed under his awful eyes. Oh! thought I, can two +orbs picture such infinite depth of remorse; such absence of tenderness; +such barrenness of sympathy, far beyond the most care-worn look of +earth? Then, pervading all these lineaments of despair were the positive +characteristics of his nature--malice, envy, and hatred. These lent +their repulsive fires to his eye, already overcharged with insidious +gleamings. I suddenly thought of my ten thousand, and my fears subsided. + +"It were better for you to remain a stranger to the greater depth and +go no farther," were the words that finally came from Blackana's +scarcely moving lips. + +"Fulfill your mission, Blackana! I fear not the deepest depth when I +am thus equipped." + +"Where is your sword and where is your armor?" he tauntingly asked. + +"My steel is hid until I find a foe worthy of its mettle." + +Blackana quivered and resumed his task. He told me that above us, deep +in the bowels of these mountains, were the more refined legislative +halls of Satan; while below us, at varying and terrible depths, lay +scattered many a brooding station where the lowest laws of Hell are +hatched. + +"Let us go downward," I said, and scarcely had the words escaped my +lips ere Blackana had ushered me into an elevator, holding me as we +dropped down and down with increasing velocity, while a cold chill was +freezing my heart, and my body playing the part of an aspen leaf. + +Never before had I been touched by so dreadful a hand, but I thought +again of the ten thousand, and that lent warmth to my heart and calmness +to my nerves. "To what great depth are we falling?" I soon ventured +to ask, as I perceived that we were dashing downward at terrific speed. + +"We fall to no great depth; we go only a thousand furlongs to reach +the first grand level, not stopping at these lesser places of which +you get a glimpse in passing." + +"A thousand furlongs," I repeated, "down into the earth! Who ever heard +of such a descent before?" But I still thought of my ten thousand, +even though I could not conceive how they could follow me in such +places. + +"At what rate do we now travel?" I nervously asked, for I felt the +hand of Blackana still pressing me down lest the great elevator would +fall faster than my body. + +"According to earthly reckoning we are falling twenty furlongs a second +and our speed is still increasing with the descent," was the startling +answer. + +I spoke no more, but found myself clutching the raised bars of the +floor. I saw the glimmering light of many a region as we darted by at +our lightning speed. + +In an incredibly short time we reached the first grand level. Blackana +led me forth from the elevator into an immense cavern whose dimensions +were apparently as limitless as the space between the earth and sky. +It was illuminated by infernal lights and all astir with moving +thousands in fabled dress and shape. + +Never before had I imagined or beheld such a scene. Pure gold was as +plentiful as the water of the earth, and was abundantly used in the +construction of vast halls whose overarching vaults were encrusted +with priceless gems that dazzled like jets of crystallized light. + +"What weird world is this?" I asked in an awed tone. + +"This is one of my master's legislative centers, devoted to each +separate government on earth. The many legislators of this whole region +are ever busily engaged in determining upon their policy and methods +of operation, and in endeavoring to influence the law-making body of +each government to create and modify laws in harmony with the +underground legislation here enacted." + +"Ah!" said I, "but this place is far from the surface where man dwells. +How can there be such close connection?" + +Blackana smiled as he made a wonderful revelation to me. "This strange +empire is in close touch with the whole human family, for there are +thousands of wires leading from this dark realm to each government +centre of earth. Satan thus communicates his wishes to each lawmaker, +of every land, who will lend a listening ear to his schemes." + +Blackana then conducted me to an immense building divided into many +sections. "Here is the electric centre of this level," he said. + +As I gazed I learned the secret of Satan's power in law. Thousands +were here engaged in conversing with legislators on earth. + +I could understand no word of all these communications, for the section +where I stood was devoted to Asiatic countries and the islands of the +Pacific Ocean. + +"Take me, O Blackana, to the section connecting with the Western world +that I may see the very wires that run to the United States of America." + +I soon stood in the interior of another large building, and with great +interest listened to the operators communicating with some who were +in authority at Washington, and with persons elsewhere who were +interested in the formulation of laws for the whole country. + +"Does this never cease?" I questioned. + +"It continues through the days and nights of earth forever," came the +reply. + +I was looking at the intricate system of wires and the stupendous +proportions of the place, when suddenly I heard some one mention a +name with which I was familiar. I was attracted close to the side of +the operator that I might hear at least the one side of the +conversation. + +"That bill should never become a law," said the operator, but I could +not hear the reply. + +"Fight hard to defeat it. You will get heaps of gold if you succeed," +were the next words I heard at the lower 'phone. + +"Never mind them. I'll take care of that crowd. I will try once more +to get their ear. I failed the last time, but I hope to succeed at my +next endeavor." These words were spoken very plainly, but still I could +hear no reply. + +"Suppose the other element has chances to win. Get ready at once and +meet the situation. Go and speak to the chairman of the committee and +early influence his mind in our favor. Offer any bribe you wish, for +we have unlimited resources at our command." + +"If only I could hear the answer," thought I. + +Then the operator listened a long time, and I almost envied his +privilege, wishing that I might also hear the human voice from the +earth's surface. + +Blackana conducted me to other parts of the building, and I saw the +fiendish program carried out at each point. Thousands of demons were +in league with the law-makers of the world! + +"Oh! that I could cut these wires and restrict Satan's laws to these +underground dominions," I said with rising boldness, + +"Silence, puny mortal! Know you not that others can hear you speak? +Would you here be crushed to death so far from the light of day?" + +Superhuman strength moved me to answer thus: "Though all these hosts +should hear me, I fear nothing. I am invincible, and should you take +me to the deepest depths, amidst foul crawling imps, not one can harm +me. Neither can you, Blackana. + +"Come on," he sneered, "cease your senseless sentences and follow me." + +I saw that Blackana endeavored to conceal the counter-currents of his +heart, but nevertheless his agitation did not escape my notice. + +Back to the elevators we went, and with a throng of evil spirits we +entered the central car and fell another thousand furlongs into the +depth of the earth. + +We stopped at the second grand level into which I was ushered. I looked +out over what seemed to be a new world with more light and more +animation than was manifest on the first level. + +Boisterous demonstrations were heard on every hand, all made more +hideous by the variety of evil spirits who added their din to the +general bedlam. "What furious world is this?" I shouted. + +"This is Satan's political headquarters, and the place where his state +laws are made. We are here connected with every state or divisional +government in the world, and with every political movement that can +be influenced by these underground voices." + +My indignation leaped over all bounds as the vileness of these +iniquitous schemes pressed upon me. I heard the bands of music from +those who had prostituted their talent to the second level. + +Blackana pushed me on through all the demonstrations, and then led me +into a great structure more secluded than the electrical stations. +Here the state laws are hatched, but, thanks to a higher sanctum, not +all the brood see daylight. + +The plotters of Hell sat in this underground legislative centre, and +I saw, to my horror, some state legislators occupying seats in this +infamous quarter. + +Then said I to Blackana: "It is no more a mystery to me how so much +of Hell is incorporated into the laws of the states in the country +where I hold residence, as well as in all other parts of the world. +How long have these things been?" + +"Since the beginning of law," was his indifferent reply. + +"It will not be so forever," I prophesied under a sudden spell of +inspiration. "The time must come when the power of this level will be +blasted forever. The owner of the tree will burn the worms and their +nests from every branch." + +Then said Blackana tauntingly: "Neither flood, poison, fire, nor knife +can ever destroy this section." Just as he spoke these words the whole +edifice shook, and I heard a noise as if a shower of great stones had +crashed into the roof and sides of the building. The legislators quaked +with fear and all looked toward the ceiling. All of this instantly +reminded me of the thousand lords who looked at the ominous handwriting +on the wall at the feast of Belshazzar. + +"Explain it to me," I asked as I looked wonderingly at Blackana. + +"Urge it not, urge it not! Be content to dwell in ignorance!" + +"I am here to learn, and I would know what force or power can so +well-nigh destroy this wretched center. Tell me the truth. I demand +it." + +Then did Blackana move himself in his startling attitudes, as if loath +to speak. He rolled his heavy eyes as his discordant voice yielded the +unwilling explanation. + +"These are the votes that just fell in favor of reform in a campaign +on earth. Such votes, under the panoply of prayer, strike more terror +to these kingdoms than all else combined, and the most disastrous +feature is that they go bounding from the buildings of this level ever +downward and work their ruin from kingdom to kingdom, until they have +wrought their havoc even to the lowest level. If we only knew the way +to break the power of these votes, our comrades would not then dwell +in constant dread of what might happen." + +"May you never learn that power, and may the votes of good citizenship +ever increase in number until these legislative halls shall be broken +to rise no more, and their inmates driven from their secret machinations +to the abode prepared for the Devil and his angels." + +Blackana sprang at me in great rage. + +"Silence, you contemptible mortal! You have not such liberty of speech +here! Why fling insults into the face of one more powerful than +yourself?" + +"_Ho, ye ten thousand!_" I shouted with all my power, and Blackana +fell backward at my very words. Sullen, but cowed, he arose to his +feet and took me to the elevators. + +"Where next?" he gruffly asked. + +"What is on the next level below?" I inquired. + +"Greater proceedings than on this one. It is devoted to the government +of counties, cities, boroughs, and villages, and their political work." + +"Pass it by and take me to the lowest level." + +"You do not know what you ask. The lowest level is very, very deep, +and takes us where things have no weight. It is the lowest haunt outside +of Hell, inhabited by the vilest imps. How can you live or move in +such a realm?" + +"Not by the futile force of human power, but by the strength of Him +who bids me go. I fear not, O Blackana; conduct me thither." + +What an awful experience followed! I was taken down at an amazing +speed, held under the great hand of Blackana. We passed region after +region of infernal lights, each one existing for the purpose of carrying +out its part of Satan's fiendish plan. + +At length we stopped in the red glare of an awful burning amidst a +company of hobgoblins out of harmony with all human shape or symmetry. + +"This must be the bed of Hell, indeed," I said, after I had conquered +my rising fears. "Far from it, far from it!" answered Blackana. "We +are now in the lowest legislative center _where foul fiends invent the +horrible laws of personal pollution in the mortal body, and political +bribery in the civil body._" + +Blackana held me by the hand. I seemed not to walk but rather to move +along without effort, seeing the pictures of lowest life and ill-shaped +spirits, some of monster size. + +Into an immense auditorium I was wafted, a building without foundations +or floor. Here, amidst uncanny noises, hovered a vast throng of Satan's +lowest legislators. + +The dreadful suggestions here given, and the terrible debates that +followed, beggar human description. From all parts of the great hall +the busy wires were communicating with every section of the earth's +surface. + +Blackana, still holding me by the hand, spoke! thus in a derisive +strain: + +"O mortal, now comes my glorious revenge I have tasted your insults +until their galling bitterness grinds me still. I have craved for this +hour when I might leave you to the mercy of the lowest, and bring you +under my feet for ever." + +Then, turning to the chairman of the great assemblage, Blackana +attracted his attention, and at once the attention of all the spectral +monsters of the place. + +"Here," commenced he, "is a piece of mortal flesh, fresh from the +surface. I have been forced, by some strange power, to conduct this +mortal man through these nether levels until he has seen the workings +of our underground plans and schemes. He must never see the light of +day, lest the world above may know the true inwardness and source of +such laws as are called cursed, and rise in hosts against our surface +operations." + +At this Blackana thrust me forward, and I went straightway to the +chairman who seized me by the back and held me aloft in his right hand, +while a deafening roar of strident voices was measuring my doom. + +"_Ho, ye ten thousand!_" I cried aloud, at which the horrid chairman +fell backward, and I dropped unharmed to his own chair as the whole +host were rushing at me en masse. + +The chairman sprang to his feet and waved a wand. "Silence and order!" +he commanded. + +Thousands of brandishing weapons were brought to a stand, and quietness +reigned in a moment. + +"Why say you 'ten thousand'? What power lives in those words?" asked +the chairman with a show of boldness, but in secret quaking. "Power +unlimited, even over death, hell, and the grave. My flesh is not food +for such as these." + +"Who can you be to talk thus boldly to your superiors?" + +"I am one who is sealed by the blood of Jesus, and have no superiors +outside the gates of Heaven." + +"Why came you here?" he impatiently and furiously demanded. "Tell me +while yet you have opportunity to speak." + +Then, fully confiding in my unseen Guard, I stood erect and said with +boldness of speech: "I have come to learn the secrets of this +underground legislation which is sending its blighting curse throughout +the world. Having witnessed the wide extent of these secret operations, +I will now return to the brotherhood of man and sound the alarm of a +coming reformation. O, beware ye multitudes that now rise against me! +I am not alone, nor forsaken. By faith I see armies of the living God. +I declare, at this moment, that earth will not forever receive her +laws from such a depth. The hour must come when these million wires +will be broken beyond repair, and all you fiends go groveling under +penal chains in darkness eternal." + +[Illustration: The armies of righteousness will some day triumph over +the black hordes of civil iniquity.] + +No more could I speak, for the air was thickening all around me with +a rush of wild demons whose threatening weapons thirsted for my blood. + +I stood motionless, glorying in the power of the Unseen, for I saw, +shining far above me, a beautiful star of hope with peace and purity +in its rays. + +In the same instant I again shouted, "_Ho, ye ten thousand!_" Oh, what +a transformation took place! Regiment upon regiment of Heaven's military +hosts, converging as from infinite depth of space, burst into sudden +view, revealed by a dazzling light which filled the whole region arid +dazed the infernal hosts as with blindness, while their weapons broke +and fell beneath them in futile fragments. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE HILL OF REMORSE. + +1. While climbing a steep hill Miss Church-Member is touched by Remorse. + +2. Satan's strategy in keeping her away from the Narrow Path. + +3. All her trouble is lost in company with Mr. World on the Mountain Top +of Apathy. + + +Returning to my former post of observation, and looking again through +the open door, I beheld Mr. World and Miss Church-Member still riding +on the gravity road. They were approaching the Shadowy Vale, and Mr. +World was desirous that his friend should close her eyes until they +had passed through the shadows. + +She reclined her head, and soon was resting so comfortably that she +fell fast asleep and opened not her eyes until they had passed beyond +the darker scenes of the miserable valley. + +Then did Mr. World engage her with artful and pleasant conversation, +so that she might not fully observe the features that constantly make +this part of the Broad Highway dark and dreary. + +Satan, unseen, hovered around them during their conversation which was +well pleasing to him. At length, in partial disguise, he made himself +visible, much to the terror of Miss Church-Member. + +"Fear not; no harm will befall you," said Mr. World re-assuringly as +he laid his hand upon her shoulder. + +Satan smiled complaisantly, and spoke in soft tones: "Tremble not at +my presence. I have come only to render you such assistance as may be +especially helpful to you in your journey, and to disabuse your mind +of such false impressions as you have evidently entertained concerning +my character." + +So affable was his manner and so pleasing his address that, to her +mind, he soon lost that shocking hideousness which characterized his +first appearance, and evoked from Miss Church-Member this apology born +of her guilty conscience: "You would not have seen me now on this path +had Mr. World adhered strictly to his promises." + +"Indeed, Miss Church-Member," replied Satan, "you need have no regret +for being here. You are to be congratulated upon the good judgment +which led you into fellowship with Mr. World. It is your happy fortune +that he has succeeded in preventing you from leaving him. You are an +exception to a host of cranks, who, without investigation, are +prejudiced by what they hear. You are broad-minded, independent, and +will be found wiser and happier than the army of fools you have left." + +These words brought a mixture of pride and shame to her heart, and +threw her mind into a state of great confusion. + +But by this time they had come to a long and steep hill called Remorse +up which all pilgrims walked. Mr. World assisted his companion in +alighting, and promised to give her all possible help in her efforts +to climb the hill. + +Satan remained with them, and Miss Church-Member, under deepening +remorse of conscience, loitered a few steps in the rear. Her bowed +head indicated the warring of her thoughts. Then I saw that she cast +a longing glance over the rough hills toward the King's Highway, and +looked for some path by which she might go thither. + +Her two wily companions endeavored to allay her fears by offering all +manner of cajolements, none of which either diverted or quieted her +mind. + +"O ye friends of mine!" cried Miss Church-Member, "I can find rest +only on yonder King's Highway. Can you show me the shortest path leading +thereto? I cannot go to the summit of this hill." + +[Illustration: On the Hill of Remorse. Miss Church-Member cast a longing +glance toward the King's Highway, and looked for some way by which she +might go thither.] + +"It so happens," pleasantly replied the Devil, "that there is no way +of reaching the so-called King's Highway from this part of our route, +but, if you will have patience, we will conduct you safely to a point +a little farther on where you can conveniently leave this way with all +honor to yourself. In the meantime we will give you all the assistance +that you may need, and every convenience that science can afford." + +Miss Church-Member wept tears of gratitude at this proffered kindness, +and began to feel that this dark intruder was a friend with a rough +exterior but a warm and congenial heart. + +"It is quite evident that you have been grossly misrepresented to me," +she faltered as her voice trembled with emotion. "I was told that you +are the embodiment of envy, malice, and hatred, and vigorously opposed +to everything religious." + +Satan looked at her in well-counterfeited amazement. "How wrongly I +am judged by my enemies! How can I be opposed to all religion when I +attend church and prayer-meeting regularly, and sedulously listen to +the sermons and prayers while many sleep who claim to be better than +I? You will pardon me, Miss Church-Member," he continued, "but allow +me to bear the light burden you are carrying under your arm, and let +us hasten from this sickly atmosphere to the refreshing air beyond the +summit of the hill." + +"You are very kind, indeed," she said. "Please carry these books +carefully, as I prize them very highly." + +As they pushed their way up the hill, I looked at Blackana who, with +his eyes fixed upon me, sat as cold and motionless as a statue. + +"Tell me," I asked, "why Satan has falsified so greatly to Miss +Church-Member." + +Blackana, with a show of uneasiness, answered interrogatively: "Wherein +has he falsified?" + +"Did he not just inform Miss Church-Member that there is no way of +reaching the King's Highway from the place where she had been standing? +He well knew that there is a way opened by the Prince of the House of +David. Why did he not tell her?" + +Blackana again grinned horribly while my indignation waxed stronger. +Then came his pertinent reply: "My master is about his own business; +that is why he is so successful in his work. It is not his business +to point people away from his kingdom; his delight is rather in leading +them upon his own Highway." + +"Oh! for the voice of a thousand trumpets, that I might reach the ear +of Miss Church-Member, and break unto her the words of truth and life. +See how she walks on between those two fiends, ever nearing an awful +destruction, yet vainly imagining, through the deceitfulness of her +advisers, that she is nearing the place where she can, with greater +ease, leave her present course and join her comrades on the Shining +Path. Oh, that I could send a messenger, good and swift, in her +pursuit!" + +"Rest in ease, anxious mortal; she will get all necessary advice from +her two friends," replied Blackana with a sardonic grin. + +I could no longer look into his face, for I was filled with contempt. +I turned my eyes to see poor Miss Church-Member still struggling up +the Hill of Remorse. + +When the top was finally reached I heard Mr. World congratulating her: +"Well done, noble woman! You have fought Remorse until you have mastered +it. The pains and pangs incident to this climbing are over, and if you +should come to another hill you will ascend it with more ease. Look +about you at these cool mountain resorts called Apathy, and join me +in a needed recreation as we mingle with the merry multitudes amongst +these shady bowers." + +She needed no second invitation, being glad to seek relief in +forgetfulness of her guilt. + +As they went to their pleasures, Satan vanished to give attention to +others who were ascending the same Hill of Remorse, some in a sullen +mood and some with wails of anguish on their lips. + +The delightful resorts of Apathy were now quieting the mind of Miss +Church-Member, for the attractions on the mountain top were so numerous +and so ingeniously arranged that, as she gave full attention to them, +she no longer suffered any pangs of remorse. + +On this plateau, so full of charms for every sense, I saw bands of +music; gardens of shady retreat where one might while away the weary +hours in gentle dalliance; and cooling fountains throwing forth their +busy sprays. + +Artists were painting the scenes of worldly ease, and poets were writing +sweet verses for the singers of the place. + +Miss Church-Member, who was a lover of the fine arts, asked Mr. World +to tarry in one of the gardens of the poets where they might hear the +songs of the season just from the pens of their authors. + +This was a novel privilege; so he readily consented and accompanied +her into a garden near by. They were greeted by sounds of instrumental +music and charming voices raised in song. + +After these harmonies died away a soloist sang a hymn that had been +composed that same day. Her voice rendered each word distinctly: + + Remorse is but the foe of all, + The rich and poor, the slave and free + Unfriendly comes its bitter call-- + Perchance it comes this day to thee. + + Then come, thou troubled seeking peace + From this unkind, intruding foe; + Let anxious cares no more increase; + Go bury all thy pangs of woe. + + Forget the things that wake thy mind + To fleeting sorrows of the day; + Oh! come and be forever blind + To all except this Broader Way. + +Then followed a fiendish woman, in guise of a light-crowned angel, who +delivered an address entitled "The True Peace of the World." While the +applause which followed her remarks was dying away, an authoritative +old gentleman arose. After standing a moment in dignified silence, he +continued to carry out the program of the Devil by speaking on "False +Lights from the so-called 'King's Highway.'" + +Next a quartette beautifully rendered a love song of the world; this +also had been quite recently composed. + + Sweet world, so bright and fair, + We would thy pleasures share + While days pass on. + Thou art our truest friend, + On thee our souls depend + Till life is gone. + + In life's perplexing days, + Thou wilt, in every phase, + Be ever near. + While thy sweet, placid charms + Dispel our dread alarms + In times of fear. + + Who else can give relief, + When bowed in heavy grief? + No one like thee. + Thou sendest rays of light, + Into our darkest night + Till shadows flee. + +The melody of this song and the sentiment of its words had a very +decisive effect on Miss Church-Member. She looked into the eyes of Mr. +World with more than poetry in her glance, for her heart was now +thrilled with the first touches of true love for him. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. + +1. In this valley the two great Highways run almost parallel. + +2. The intervening ground is all alive with Satan's schemes to entice, +entrap and discourage Christians. + +3. The operation of Christian forces in this valley. + + +After leaving the Hill of Remorse and the pleasure grounds of Apathy, Mr. +World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on the Broad Highway which now +gradually sloped toward a deep valley. + +"What is the name of the valley which we are now entering?" inquired +Miss Church-Member. + +"'Tis but the Valley of Temptation," he carelessly answered. + +"Ah! I have heard of this valley," she replied. "Whenever I was tempted +or tried on the King's Highway some one would caution: 'Be courageous, +for you must go through the Valley of Temptation.' I am thankful, as +I come to it, that I am on a Broader Way." + +"Many call this valley 'Entanglement,'" further continued Mr. World, +"because of the large numbers who are here caught by the devices all +along the way." I saw the whole valley in one view. It was very wide +and more than a thousand experiences long and, from one end to the +other, there were constant scenes of activity. The King's Highway and +the Broad Highway ran almost parallel throughout the whole length of +the valley. + +The entire space between the two paths was occupied by the agents of +Satan, and by numerous rescue bands and missionary organizations of +the King's Highway Church. + +I was informed that no traveler, who knows the experiences of life, +ever escaped this valley. But the King of Glory gives his children +assurance of no harm if they will heed his words and step not from the +path upon any pretence. He has also placed, in plain view, countless +signs of warning to keep his pilgrims from yielding to temptation, as +it presents itself, with or without mask; and they who pass these +testing-places in triumph are counted stable in their ways. + +I saw in the first part of the valley some of Satan's shrewdest agents +at work. They were stationed along the Narrow Path at close intervals, +and were endeavoring, by all kinds of schemes, to attract the attention +of Christians as they journeyed through the valley. + +From one point they threw a hook baited with wealth over to the edge +of the King's Highway way. I saw an ambitious Christian, contrary to +the signs of warning and all advice, eagerly grasp this bait. Then did +the agents of Satan pull gently. The man seeing a clue to wealth in +his hand would not let it go, and so was drawn slowly and unconsciously +over into the territory of the World. He did not see the strand that +drew him, for it was invisible, nor was he conscious of being thus +drawn, having his mind so fixed upon the object of his earnest pursuit. + +Thus do these agents ply their nefarious skill without ceasing, and +so have drawn large numbers away from their original faith. + +Another agent I saw near-by throwing out a hook baited with fame. An +ambitious youth let go all he had and seized the baited hook with +singular avidity. It inspired him with inward hope, and he became so +engaged in thinking of his golden future that he followed whither the +gentle drawing led him, until he also reached the questionable ground +of the World. There he became still further entangled until he was +utterly under the sway of the tempter. + +Close by I saw an agent of the Devil fastening a book to a line and +throwing it to the edge of the King's Highway. In bold letters it bore +the title, "Forbidden Fruit," and under this title there was an impure +picture. + +Many, in passing by, who saw the book would have examined it had it +not been for their modesty. + +But one man, whose curiosity was stronger than his judgment, took the +book and commenced perusing it. While thus engaged the invisible strands +of influence drew the captive from the Narrow Way until he found a +series of books and illustrations to enchain his attention, and Satan +succeeded in totally winning his heart. + +I saw another book thrown to the edge of the Pilgrim's Path. This was +taken by a woman who opened its pages and saw its evil tendencies. +Although drawn by the invisible chord, she did not step from the path, +but threw the book as far to one side as she could, and proceeded on +her journey happily singing: + + "Yield not to temptation, + For yielding is sin. + Each vict'ry will help you + Some other to win." + +This only enraged the wily foes, and they became more determined than +ever to continue their work of deception and ruin. + +From one point or another I saw this dreadful work progressing. Each +station used a different kind of bait, pleasing or attractive to some +passing pilgrims. Here the enemy reaps a continual harvest +notwithstanding all the preaching, advice, and influence brought to +bear upon pilgrims to induce them to eschew all attractions not plainly +found upon their own pathway. + +Some, whom Satan could not attract by a bait, he would catch with +snares, many of which I saw in operation, each guarded continually by +trusted servants of the Evil One. + +One of the subtlest of these snares consisted of a series of small, +curiously shaped buildings. They stood as near to the King's Highway +as Satan could place them, while glaring signs informed the pilgrims +that they could here obtain knowledge upon any subject. Each building +was so constructed that, at the will of a secret operator, it could +be moved noiselessly from its resting place. + +Many an unsuspecting traveler who craved for a solution to some mystery +would step into one of these neat rooms, and meet with a most cordial +reception. + +I saw a man of more than usual intelligence, who had been faithful to +his Master, stop and read the sign over these buildings: "Bureau of +Information: All Mysteries Solved." + +"Here," thought he, "in this humble place I can perhaps find some +pearls of thought which more inviting waters never yielded to me." He +stepped in, not noticing that he thereby stepped to one side of the +way. + +"Can I have a mystery solved here?" asked the visitor. + +"Without doubt, sir," was the confident response of a dignified +professor who was in attendance. + +"Can you tell me the origin of sin?" asked the visitor. + +Just then I saw the building commence to move as the professor commenced +to explain the difficult question. + +The professor talked so interestingly to the visitor that he held his +attention until the building was moved, by the secret process, to the +brow of the mountain, and over to the great building known as the +"Devil's Theological School." + +"Perchance, my words," said the speaker, "are insufficient to fully +satisfy your mind. Go now from the rear door to the College where all +such perplexing questions are made clear." + +The visitor seizing, as he thought, a golden opportunity, gladly +consented and, to his great surprise, found a building of magnificent +proportions into which he entered. + +After listening a very short time to Satan's teaching on the origin +of sin, he emerged from the school with a heavy bundle of opinions on +his back, and failed to find the Old Way. After wandering and stumbling +about on this summit of human learning, he finally found the Broad +Highway whereon he could carry his vain burden with ease. + +These bureaus of information have ensnared so many learned men, +including ministers and professors, that the King of Glory has here +placed special signs of warning to all travelers; these have saved +many men from the snare of "the fowler." + +I saw three young college students about to enter one of the bureaus. +There stood an aged pilgrim near by who shouted: + +"Come! ye young men, out of the snare of the Devil, or ye will be taken +captive by him at his will!" + +The voice sounded so friendly that they hesitated long enough to discern +that the building did not touch the King's Highway. + +Then they remembered that they had been told long before to go by the +King's Highway, and not to turn to the right hand nor to the left, nor +even to step from the path, lest they should slip and fall to their +hurt. So they passed on about their Father's business. + +Near the edge of the King's Highway I saw another device to catch men +unawares. It was invented in the Wizard City and had been successfully +used by Satan for many centuries. + +It was an _artificial woman_, dressed in modest apparel, and so +constructed that the arms were uplifted and the heart plainly visible, +making the curious image just unnatural enough to attract the attention +of all pilgrims. + +Over the head of the image these words were written: "Touch this magic +heart for the charms that follow." + +It was ridiculous to see how many of the young and old, in passing +over this way of life, stepped from the path and tried the experiment. + +One man I saw who ventured to touch the mystic heart, and ere his eyes +could look into the face of the image its arms embraced him in a +tightening grasp. + +Away the image moved with graceful ease into Elysian bowers of sensual +joy. There he remained to breathe its poisoned air and feed upon the +husks of such a clime. + +I also saw a man of riper years who looked curiously at another image +similar to the one that had just moved away. At first he was doubtful +whether to test it or not, and as he stood in consideration he raised +his eyes and saw these words plainly written over the King's Highway:-To +ALL DESCENDANTS OF ADAM: + +Beware, O pilgrim, of this woman's heart, Lest you should from the +Narrow Way depart; For if you touch a secret chord within, You're borne +away to wider fields of sin. + +He read this sign a few times and also heard the voice of a good friend +who told him that he had seen thousands go to ruin by not heeding this +warning. Nevertheless he was urged by curiosity and carnality, and +being hardened by former acts of disobedience and seeing nothing but +innocent pleasure before him, he yielded to his baser desires. + +"O! rescue me, Mr. Law, I am in the clutches of this woman," was his +beseeching cry, not long after. But I saw that no one came to his help. + +There were many such places in this valley where men, both young and +old, were enticed; many of whom could not have been caught by the +snares of vice at other places along the Broad Highway. + +I saw also, farther down the valley, that Satan used all manner of +traps and nets to catch the silly and the foolish. That which attracted +my attention the most was a series of stations built close to the +King's Highway. At each place Satan employed a company of expert men +who were trained to use a lasso. I saw certain men and women of the +King's Highway who became so inflated with their own vanity and +imaginations that they rose head and shoulder above their humbler +comrades, thus enabling the lasso of Pride to get hold of them. Some, +by heeding advice, escaped; others submitted to the drawing power and +landed in the kingdoms of the World where they could worship their new +god with increasing ardor. + +There was also a certain young man who doted so much on his own ways +that his head rose unusually high. He was, therefore, easily caught +by a lasso called Conceit. Good friends came to his rescue and told +him to realize at once that he was nothing, and thereby he would +suddenly become so small that he would drop completely out of his +trouble. + +But he said that he could not believe a lie, whereat the lasso tightened +still more about his neck, and he succeeded by still further struggling +to remain a very brief time on the King's Highway; but being in pain, +he soon yielded to the inevitable and went to worship before the shrine +of his own god. + +I also saw that the women of the King's Highway were an exceeding great +army, mighty in battling against the foe, much to the discomfiture of +Satan and his allies. + +To counteract the influence of this sex Satan has plied his ingenuity +ever since the beginning. In his Pharaoh fashion he has so manipulated +the customs of the world that woman is trampled under foot in +uncivilized lands, and in lands of light she is ostracized by sections +of the Christian church and despised in the civil realm. And yet, with +a faithful heart, she suffers this indignity and, looking up from +underneath this weight, she offers to the powers that crush her down +the holiest sacrifice that one can give. + +O spirit of the age, like flowers of Heaven, Thy fragrance will not +die, but live eternal; And woman shall, some holier, happier day, +Attain her highest glory in the world. + +Yet notwithstanding all these means wherewith Satan has made the path +of woman so hard to travel, he has discovered that he can not disgrace +her by any means so effectually as through the old temptation. + +Consequently Satan has kept the seed of the central tree of the garden +and still raises, on the broad uplands of Hell, _forbidden fruit_ +which, through engrafting processes, has come to many varieties. + +This mysterious product of the tree, so suited to the natural palate +of womankind, is provided abundantly on each side of the King's Highway +along the whole length of the Valley of Temptation, and is offered, +ostensibly, free of charge. + +I watched, with chagrin and horror, the subtle influences of this +fiendish work, seeing young women and those of riper experience go +down alike under this intoxication of Hell. + +As I looked again at the whole Valley, what sad sights of intemperance +painfully greeted my eyes! + +The intervening ground was a veritable bed of iniquity, for it swarmed +with half-clothed inebriates who patronized the miserable and filthy +hovels of lowest resort, while inebriates, in finer array, entered the +apartments which were decorated and finished in all the beauty that +wealth could afford, and supplied with alcoholic beverages under a +fashionable bill of fare. + +I could see the same Devil controlling all, and the same gutter or the +same Hell receiving all who did not yield to the agencies of eternal +life. + +Among the many temperance organizations that operated throughout the +valley I observed a band of women who threatened to overthrow the evil. +They had, by long persistent effort, discovered the underground +connections between the distillery and the saloons, and therefore they +were endeavoring to kill the traffic at the head. This movement at +first created laughter in the ranks of the foe, but the women have +continued patiently and have built a thousand batteries from which +they hurl projectiles of death into the camp of intemperance. Since +then the agents of darkness have ceased their laughter and instead +have set to building defences behind which they hope to carry on their +business with impunity. + +But the bands of women have entered into an eternal agreement, pledged +their faith one to another, and have been calling upon Heaven for help; +therefore they declare that no flag will be lowered, and no gun will +be silent until the great wall around the city of their foes shall +fall, either at a long blast of the horn or a continuous volley from +their ramparts. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. + +1. The tower affords the most advantageous view of the world and a +most discouraging view of the King's Highway. + +2. The triumphant flight of Mrs. Discouraged from the tower's top to +a place on the King's Highway called "Victory by Faith." + +3. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member ride from the tower's top in Satan's +new air ship. + + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member continuing on the Broad Highway, +entered the Valley of Temptation with all its gaiety and outward +happiness. This valley is known by the pilgrims of the King's Highway +as the Devil's Heaven, for here the tinsel of the world, the pomp of +society, and the wealth of material grandeur are manifested in all +their glory. + +"An exceedingly pleasant valley," said Mr. World as they drew nearer +to the scenes of activity on each side of the way. + +"Beyond my anticipation, indeed. Our journey is growing more and more +delightful," she joyously replied. + +As they journeyed on Miss Church-Member came into agreeable fellowship +with some of her former Christian associates who, by looking over into +the territory of the World, coveted its ways and were snared by one +or another of Satan's devices to catch the unwary. The larger portion +of these new recruits were firmly convinced that they were still +traveling on the road to Heaven, even though they had fully left the +Narrow Way. + +Miss Church-Member congratulated her comrades of earlier years on their +happy choice of a wider and more pleasant path, and they accepted her +invitation to spend a season together in the valley. + +These new associates were welcomed most cordially by Mr. World who +left nothing undone that might add to their comfort or pleasure. + +The merry company passed down the valley and paused at a magnificent +temperance saloon which occupied nearly the whole space between the +two Highways. Into this place of attractive rooms I saw many enter +from the King's Highway, much to the displeasure of their great Master. + +In this infernal guise Satan seduces many an unsuspecting traveler to +take one more step downward toward the lowest service of his kingdom. +Mr. World courteously offered refreshments and conducted his friends +into the "Ladies Parlor" where they drank alleged unfermented wines, +and admired the sculpture and works of art which adorned the place. +They were then offered their choice of porter, sweet cider, root beer, +hot punch (special for a cold), or eggnog for a weak heart. Thus each +one was enabled to find a beverage directly suited to his need or +taste, for some had contracted a cold, while others were suffering +with cardiac troubles. + +Not far from this respectable place, and connected secretly therewith, +stood a group of buildings patronized by the lower order of criminals +and inebriates. These haunts bore a black reputation. + +Mr. World and his joyous companions, by reason of their refined natures +and good standing in the church, would not so much as look at such +despicable resorts, but continued their journey until they came to a +wider section of the valley where they saw numberless rescue bands at +work, but especially a great army of Endeavorers presenting a formidable +front. + +"Whence came this company so great that it cannot be numbered?" asked +Mr. World in a state of nervous agitation. + +One of the new companions quickly answered: "They come from the King's +Highway and are trying to capture the kingdom of this world and bring +it into subjection to God. I know all about them and can testify that +they are a mighty and glorious band." The regiments of this great host +were marching on, each soldier equipped with the full panoply of his +station. Many of the pilgrims on the Broad Highway trembled at the +presence of so powerful an army. It has caused the enemy much concern +how to meet and, if possible, conquer this foe. This army of Endeavorers +constantly grows and, according to the claims of the enemy, the most +successful plans to oppose it are not yet matured. Satan has promised +his forces that he would utterly rout these daring legions as soon as +some new inventions of war can be perfected. + +The merry companions, not being moved with anger, endured the gigantic +display of this host without chagrin. + +Mr. World quieted his rising fears and urged his comrades onward past +the Tobacco Station until they reached the centre of the valley where +the King's Highway was the roughest, and the Broad Highway the +smoothest. + +Here was built the most remarkable structure of the valley. A high +tower of imposing strength occupied the whole space between the two +highways. Its foundations were broad and totally covered the King's +Highway with a massive arch. + +This was known amongst Christians as the Devil's Tower, or Tower of +Temptation. It was built by Satan, and was said to afford the finest +view of the world to all who would consent to take a ride upward in +its electric carriage. + +The location of the tower was perfectly adapted to the purpose intended. +Scarcely any pilgrims _en route_ for Heaven passed by without taking +a view of the sights. + +Before this mountain was built, a high mountain-cliff, on one side of +the valley, was used by the agents of darkness for the same purpose. + +Thereon David ascended and saw the prosperity of the wicked until envy +filled his soul, and his "steps had well-nigh slipped." Had it not +been that by faith he looked to a mountain far away, and understood +the end of the prosperous worldly minded, he might have there fallen +to his death. + +Upon this mountain Satan took Christ, the Son of God, and showed him +all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and said unto +him: "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and +worship me." + +From this tower Judas saw the wealth of the world, and there was +begotten within him an inordinate craving for earthly gain which at +last dragged him down to a miserable end. + +As time rolled on, Satan erected this magnificent tower higher than +the loftiest crag of the mountain. I saw that Mr. World and his +companions were looking at the exterior finish of the tower, after +which they stepped to the base and spent some time in watching the +many schemes that were employed to induce disheartened Christians to +take the Broad Highway after descending the tower. + +They saw that one of the most successful of these schemes was a series +of little offices occupied by fortune tellers of reputed ability. In +one of these they saw an old woman with a mysterious face. She professed +to be able, by her strange conjuring, to reveal the future of any life. + +A certain Mr. Downcast, who was a church-member and had just come from +the top of the tower, visited this fortune teller, and by her +descriptions of his happy future on the Broad Highway he was induced +to travel thereon at once. + +Mr. World and his companions decided to get the benefit of the broad +view which could be had from the top of the tower. They entered a car +at the base and were delighted by the gentle ascent toward the clouds. + +Upon reaching the top of the tower they Were approached by an obliging +attendant and furnished with spy glasses of great power with which +they could see more distinctly the beauty and greatness of the world, +and the roughness and inconvenience of traveling the King's Highway. +_To each one was also given an ingenious pocket mirror in which could +be seen, at any time, the inconsistencies of church-members._ + +I saw throngs of people circling the top of the tower, and many evil +agents busily engaged in the interest of their master. + +There had just come from the King's Highway a group of church-members +upon whom the scenery had a doleful effect. Some were filled with +melancholy, and some were sullen, while despondency sent germs of slow +death into other minds. + +These conditions enabled Satan to destroy more easily all hope within +them of ever succeeding on a way that appeared more rugged than ever, +and also made them more desirous to taste the joys of this present +life which now lay before them in such a winning way. + +I then saw one called Mrs. Discouraged who had never before seen so +much of the world at once. She stood on the edge of the tower not far +from Mr. World and his companions, and listened to one of the polite +attendants who had given her also a spy glass. + +Mrs. Discouraged looked down upon the natural comforts of life which +were here seen to best advantage. She saw, with ease, the Broad Highway +presenting a picture of happiness as far as the glass could reach. + +Then did one of the smooth-tongued attendants speak to another group +of pilgrims who also had just come from the King's Highway. + +"Witness the glory of the Broad Highway and see how it goes down this +valley ever into finer stretches of country. See on yonder distant +elevations that magnificent University of the World built at an enormous +cost and sacrifice for the accommodation of all travelers. Each one +of you who reaches the lower end of this valley should take the Mountain +Trolley and spend a season at those schools. They occupy some of the +grandest buildings in the world. Focus your glasses and behold the +great sight." + +Continuing he said: "The path you see leading down there, in this other +part of the valley, is called King's Highway, very rough indeed, as +you all can see. Thereon it is hard to travel and difficult to stand +still. It is so narrow that if a traveler should stand still, he is +constantly harassed or pushed about by those who wish to pass on. The +other highway furnishes a marked contrast, for there a person may stand +still without annoyance to himself or anyone else. The way is so wide +that he can even sit on an easy chair and yet not be in the way of +others who wish to hasten on. The one who built this Wider Way kept +in mind the convenience and comfort of travelers. + +"The so-called King's Highway," still continued the attendant, "is +beset with many dangers, and passes through many places similar to the +one far down the valley." They all looked through their glasses and +saw the Meshes of Doubt on each side of the Narrow Way. + +"Those are the sorts of places," concluded the speaker, "that one must +constantly pass through in the service of an imaginary king." + +Mrs. Discouraged saw all these things and heard all these words. She was +so disheartened that she knew not what to do. + +"Have I served my God in vain?" she questioned inwardly. "Must all my +testimonies fall to the earth? Surely the way of the world seems to +be an easy way, and more suited to a person in trouble." + +She suddenly fell on her knees, as she was wont to do in such +emergencies, and, behold, I saw her, on wings of prayer, fly in triumph +from the tower's top, down the valley, over the Meshes of Doubt, and +land on the King's Highway in a most glorious place called Victory by +Faith. She thence went on her way rejoicing. + +[Illustration: The great victory of Mrs. Discouraged who, on wings of +prayer, escaped from he Tower of Temptation to a place called Victory +by Faith.] + +Then did the attendant on the tower speak of her in ridicule. "The +poor mortal, in her insanity, has descended to a bad level and must, +of necessity, climb yonder terrible hill which, as your eyes bear +testimony, is the last part of the Narrow Way visible from this tower." + +"She went, however, in a miraculous way. Those wings were sure and +steady, and I was pleased with the swiftness of her flight," said Mrs. +Diligence who was also a pilgrim from the King's Highway. + +"Without doubt," answered the attendant, "but she went with heavy labor +of her wings. Had she told me that she wished to take a flight, I could +have given her a finer trip in one of the aerial ships lately invented +by the experts of the Wizard City. I will summon one. Look no more at +Mrs. Discouraged with wings, but fix your eyes toward the east, and +you will soon witness the floating car whereon thousands go out daily +from this tower into pleasant places." + +As he said this he gave a signal, and soon the strangely shaped airship +came in sight, to the delight of all who saw it. + +"It must be far better," said one of the spectators, "to travel in a +car like that, than to be working your wings in the air." + +"A thing of beauty." "The greatest invention of the century." "It moves +as easily as a bird," were some of the various sentences that were +spoken enthusiastically as the object drew nearer. + +"Shall we ride in it?" quickly asked Mr. World as he turned to the +little group at his side. + +The new companions who so recently came from the King's Highway +timorously fell back at his abrupt suggestion, but Miss Church-Member +offered to accompany him. + +As the aerial machine was stopping at the tower Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member speedily exchanged words of farewell and prepared for +the new ride. + +They were soon numbered with a host of expectant passengers on board. +The lines were loosened and the weird airship cut the wind like a large +bird on wing, and sped away to the pleasure grounds along the Broad +Highway where most of the passengers, being blinded by sin, found such +delightsome fellowship that they refused thereafter to travel on any +other than the Wider Way. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. + +1. The two companions land far down the valley on "The Midway," whence +they take the Mountain Trolley and visit the underground Schools of +Suicide. + +2. Satan's primitive address on Literature. + + +The aerial car carried Mr. World and Miss Church-Member to the far end +of the Valley of Temptation where they spent a delightful season in +the pleasures of sense and sight. + +They lingered mostly on the wide intervening space between the two +paths which was known in this part of the valley as "The Midway." Here +they saw a large number of pilgrims from the King's Highway who were +engaging in one or another of the endless amusements which can be +enjoyed without stepping altogether on the Broad Highway. + +On this long Midway humanity swarmed by millions. Some, forgetful of +their vows, or regardless of their honor, stepped into the lower haunts +of vice, and offered sweet flowers of purity and fragrance in exchange +for dry and filthy husks from the floor of the stall. But Miss +Church-Member, in keeping with her moral character, did not surrender +her chastity, and although she had such continual fellowship with Mr. +World she yet held the respect of many other church-members; for it +was quite fashionable to belong to the church and still walk in the +ways of the world. Satan, under a hellish guise, offered to give, even +before death, handsome rewards to any church-member who succeeds in +carrying a certain amount of the world with him on his way to Heaven, +and multitudes were trying the experiment. Some, in hope of winning +larger prizes, were verily loaded down with the worrying weights of +the world. + +Looking away from this immediate vicinity of the valley, any traveler +could see, far above the surrounding scenes, the "University of the +World," whose front buildings crested the mountain elevations for many +miles. This imposing sight had awakened the admiration of Mr. World +and his friend, and had it not been for the countless attractions of +the Midway they would have hurriedly pushed their way to the schools, +immediately after the aerial car had carried them over the proud domes +of the University and landed them in the vale. + +During one of the darker periods which now and then cover the whole +Midway with its shadows, the two companions caught the flashes of +variously-colored lights which emanated from every part of the elevated +structure, making the entire mountain appear as if a vast crown of +nature were decked with dazzling diamonds rare. + +Miss Church-Member was excited by this unusual show of brilliancy, and +nothing on the lower level could any longer hold her attention. + +"How can we best rise to that glorious summit?" she inquired with a +glow of enthusiasm. + +"Ah," smiled Mr. World, "surely we need not think of walking up this +mountain. Have you forgotten the obliging attendant who advised us as +we stood on the beautiful tower? Did he not direct us to take the +Mountain Trolley?" + +Without delay they sought the Midway station, entered one of the +up-to-date cars, and instead of going directly to the mountain top +they were surprised to find that they were being carried into the +bowels of the mountain. + +"Whence go we dashing through the dark?" asked the terror-stricken +Miss Church-Member as she held fast to Mr. World. + +But ere her escort could answer they came into an immense cavern dimly +lighted. The car stopped at a station called Rest, and a voice announced +in distinct tones: "Come, ye troubled or distressed, and ye who are +disgraced! Here linger in this underground school and learn of the +rest that is for the weary." + +"What is your wish?" courteously asked Mr. World. + +"I am neither in trouble nor in disgrace. Why should I tarry?" + +"Only to see the lower schools before we go to the higher," was his +winning answer. + +They alighted and walked forth in the dismal light. They could readily +discern strangely shaped buildings of a costly type. The air was +stifling, and everything wore a melancholy dress; yet, withal, there +was a pleasing charm about the place. Some secret touch in the doleful +music, or some bright tinge to the ominous shadows, awakened a curiosity +and a hope in the visitors that prevented them from leaving the cavern +at once. + +In a half-decided mood Mr. World and Miss Church-Member meandered +through this sickly region, and had decided to leave the place when +they saw this illuminated motto over a massive arch: + +TO ALL WHO ARE DISGRACED! THE SHORTEST ROUTE TO REST! (ENTRANCE.) + +A genial attendant informed Mr. World that visitors were welcome, but +Miss Church-Member consented to enter only after some hesitancy. It +was indeed a dark school, with long narrow halls where one could only +see the darker side of life. Everything about the place evidenced the +dark designs of Satan. The teachers in this infamous place, by a series +of graded instructions, suggested to their pupils that suicide was the +surest and shortest road to rest. In the darker rooms of the rear I +saw, to my horror, a scene that neither Mr. World nor Miss Church-Member +was permitted to see. _It was the daily graduating class of this school +of suicide._ Each member of the class was instructed by what new method +he might rend the strand of life with his own hand, in the desperate +and sickening hope of finding rest "where their worm dieth not, and +the fire is not quenched." + +I quickly turned from this revolting spectacle, and saw that Mr. World +and Miss Church-Member had returned to the station called Rest. They +boarded the first car and were soon speeding on through Dismal Tunnel. +It was a welcome moment when the car emerged from the darkness into +the light of day and took its winding course upward toward the microcosm +of schools, which, as seen from this side of the mountain, also +presented a picture of imposing magnitude. + +When the car reached the University station Mr. World and his friend +alighted, and at once entered one of the carriages in waiting. They +were hurried away toward a group of immense structures known as the +"College of the World's Literature;" and yet with all the immensity +of its buildings, it was but a small part of the whole University which +lay far extended over the distant mountain elevations. + +As the noiseless carriage sped along I turned toward Blackana, who, +in strange muteness still tarried at my side. "I command you, O Black +Interpreter, to tell me of the origin and management of this College +of Literature." As I spoke he turned his face in a manner that made +me tremble. His sepulchral, husky voice only added to my uneasiness. + +"It originated," he explained, "in simpler form, immediately after +Satan commenced operations on the face of the earth. Parallel with the +progress of every age it has increased to its present proportions. +That which you see is but the central point of this great educational +enterprise. Its unseen branches extend into every part of the world. +The whole system is under the control of Satan. His most learned +disciples have charge of the special departments." + +"And what is the purpose of this limitless scheme?" I further queried. +The whole organism of Blackana quivered with reluctance as if he would +not answer. "Refuse me not," I continued, "you well know that I have +underneath me the everlasting arms." + +He was restless for a moment, angrily rolling his awful eyes. Suddenly +his attitude changed and he thus calmly answered my question: "The +purpose of all these schools is to counteract and, if possible, to +destroy the influence of the teachings of Him who is called Jesus +Christ. He was once visible in the flesh and declared that his kingdom +was everlasting. Of him it was said that he would reign till he put +all things under his feet." + +Then did Blackana add with fiery emphasis: "_Neither my master nor any +of his allies will ever be put under his feet._ Satan's words ran wild +as he addressed the insulted hosts of Hell on this issue." Knowing +that Blackana had a perfect memory, I commanded that he should reproduce +Satan's address in my own dialect. + +Like a flash of lightning he flung himself to the winds around me, +thereby transforming himself into the image of Satan. It appeared as +if a thousand spirits in fitful rage were dancing in mid-air. + +Then his voice pealed forth the logic of Hell as Satan had spoken it +centuries before: "Have ye heard, my noble comrades, how that Heaven +flings insults into our teeth? Not satisfied that we grovel on these +remains of empire, we are further threatened with being cast miserably +under his feet. Whose feet I ask? The feet of our direst foe, whom to +worship, as he desireth, means serfdom worse than ours. Is there one +of you who will surrender his native dignity in such a fashion?" + +Millions of voices rendered the air hideous with their cries, so +accurately did Blackana reproduce it all. + +"I knew your sentiments," continued he, triumph ringing in his tones. +"What can we do but stand unitedly on our rustic frontier, and push +the conquest on to farther realms. Then all Heaven will learn that we +are made of grit too fine and true to lie beneath the feet of any foe." + +As Blackana continued, I was struck with shuddering terror at his awful +gestures; but conscious that no harm could befall me, I continued +listening to his flaming oratory. + +"We must arise and seize our opportunities. Go forth, under cover of +night, and sow the seed of our own growing; this will flourish in the +very soil that Christ would bring to highest cultivation. The germs +of our literature, rooted in human soil and growing secretly beneath +the surface, shall spread throughout the world and come to fruitage +in the light of every clime. + +"We must build schools of literature, inspire the authors of the world +with our fine creed, and thereby spread our doctrines to the myriad +readers of every land and tongue. Who then, amongst our enemies, can +kill the appetite when once 'tis roused to craving for the carnal? +Give me the quill and the coming pen and press, and I can create thought +at my bidding and turn the main streams of human endeavor into +whatsoever channels I choose; and thus our river shall run full, while +other streams are drying. + +"With such a work how can our cause grow less or we go groveling under +any foot? Impossible, my heroes! for we will live in glorious triumph +to the end of time. On to your tasks, listening multitudes, and he who +most successfully counteracts the so-called 'Truth' shall be a ruler +in my kingdom, and shine more brightly than the radiance of all this +region." + +Thus was the speech suddenly ended, and I heard the unearthly +reverberations of the fiendish cheering by the mighty host, while the +form of Satan vanished; but from his waning shadows Blackana came forth +and in death-like silence again resumed his sullen attitude at my side. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. FIRST AND SECOND DIVISIONS. + +1. The schools described. + +2. The literature of the world tainted by the teachers of darkness. + +3. Satan's rules for the winning author. + + +The College of Literature, in three grand divisions, occupied one of +the most attractive sites of all the territory covered by the University +of the World. It was owned and controlled by Satan, and was visited +by the children of the human family from every portion of the earth. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member came thither in a conveyance. They +stood before the massive structure which comprised the first division +of the College. Around them were the living fountains which, like +pearls in billows of green, played upon the expansive lawn. While they +strolled along the pebbled paths they were lost in admiration as they +continued looking upon the stupendous building which towered far into +the air and extended as far as the eye could reach. In breathless +silence they noted first its size, then its durability, and marveled +most at the splendid symmetry of the parts, each blending into a perfect +whole. + +"Heaven must have inspired so great and beautiful a design," was the +first comment of Miss Church-Member. "Those porticos hanging in mid-air, +those domes and pillars, dreamlike, stand before me more like a hundred +fabled castles than aught real to sight or touch." + +"Indeed the world affords rich and delightful privileges to all who +will but walk in her ways," said Mr. World just as they arrived at one +of the large entrances, over which these words were written: + +DEPOSITORY OF THE WORLD'S LITERATURE, WELCOME TO ALL! + +As Miss Church-Member viewed the weighty pillars on each side of the +entrance, she exclaimed: "This is indeed a rare opportunity. Methinks +I could revel, with delight, forever in fields of literature. Come, +Mr. World, let us at once pass through the massive doors and learn +what we can from so great a source." + +Although the literary tastes of Mr. World were not strongly developed, +yet he offered no objections to her request. He seemed willing to +suffer any inconvenience for her sake so long as she traveled on the +Broad Highway. As they were entering the building I saw that many from +the church and the world were also pushing their way into the interior +that they might get a glimpse of the inner halls, and visit the ones +that were best suited to their fancies. + +Miss Church-Member was surprised when she saw the unique arrangement +of the interior. There were twenty-eight magnificent halls so +constructed that they converged toward a large central office into +which I saw Mr. World and his companion enter, profoundly impressed +with the smallness of the single human mind. + +After answering the stipulated questions, they registered under the +rules and regulations and were given certificates entitling them to +all the privileges which this first division of the College accorded +to visitors. + +In the commodious office they learned that each of the twenty-eight +halls contained a distinctive line of literature, systematically +arranged in numerous sub-departments; and that competent librarians +superintended the literature of each hall and of each department. + +Miss Church-Member ascertained also that each hall was centrally +supplied with a lecture room having an immense seating capacity, and +that learned professors, each in their turn, occupied the platform and +constantly gave lectures which were intended to describe and illustrate +the class of literature represented in their faculties. + +After considerable time spent in the office, they passed through the +long and wide circular lobby, reading the beautifully emblazoned +inscriptions over each entrance door, but they could not immediately +decide into which hall they would first enter. + +At length after a pleasant loitering, Mr. World led his charming comrade +into the fourth hall, over whose entrance, in plain words, this +inscription appeared: + +ALL THAT WAS EVER WRITTEN CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST. + +They first chose to enter a sub-department where ancient scrolls, +parchments, and papyri could be seen in tiresome variety. Miss +Church-Member scanned most carefully some of the manuscripts which had +never been published. + +In other sections of the hall there were books and pamphlets of all +descriptions, each one referring to Jesus Christ in a favorable or an +unfavorable manner. + +During these visitations the attendants extended unusual courtesies +to Mr. World and his faithful friend, and also to the endless procession +of visitors and students who were constantly moving through these +departments. Finally the two companions proceeded to the lecture room +of this hall and listened to an address entitled: "The Divinity of +Christ," by one of Satan's ablest advocates a professor with +ecclesiastical titles. His gestures were unique and his style altogether +persuasive. + +I heard his words with great displeasure, for they taught the philosophy +of Hell, with Heaven on the face of it. + +"I must congratulate myself," commenced he, "on having the privilege +of addressing so intelligent a class of people. I only hope that I may +be helpful to you in your quest of knowledge. + +"The central theme of this hall is 'Jesus Christ' and I shall now +proceed to speak of his so-called 'Divinity.' I cannot question that +there is a supreme hand in the works of nature, but after careful +research I am compelled to doubt the genuineness of the Divinity which +is ascribed to Christ. True enough, his childhood was blameless, and +he possessed exceptional wisdom so that many of his countrymen believed +him to be more than human. In this manner the idea of his Divinity +originated, and this fallacy grew as the man grew. + +"He was shrewd, and possessed a great amount of magnetic force which +was trained and used with remarkable skill, all of which made him pose +as a god before a credulous and unsuspecting public. The ignorance and +gross superstition of that age made a fit soil for the spread of +Christ's doctrine and the idea that he was Divine. + +"When Jesus discerned that his claims were more readily accepted by +the poorer and more ignorant class of people, he lauded them in his +teachings, while the learned and more respectable classes were subjected +to his abuse and sarcasm. + +"By his unusual tactics" overcame the prejudices of his enemies and, +for a long time, escaped punishment. But finally he was arrested and +convicted and, notwithstanding his so-called Divine power, he came to +an inglorious end by death on a cross. His friends, unable to prevent +his cursed death, quickly formed a plot to perpetuate his doctrines. +They carried out their plot by stealthily robbing Christ's body from +the grave and secretly burying it elsewhere, and then spreading the +news that he, of his own power, came forth from the grave. To complete +the fraud they also claimed, a little later, that he had ascended into +Heaven. What was the purpose of all this? It was to prove that Christ +was Divine and thereby to make his teachings authoritative and eternal. + +"I wish to inform you that the manuscripts and parchments, in sub- +department number six of this hall, all point to the fact that Jesus +Christ was born like any other babe and that his father was Joseph. +Dishonest, indeed, is any one who would rob Joseph of this honor. +'Honor to whom honor is due.' While Christ was a great man, he never +had in him the elements of Divinity. Let millions in the world glory +in their imaginary theology, yet that is no reason why scholarly +research should be put to naught, or why it should be sacrificed. We +are living in the morning twilight of a better day when God shall be +worshiped and Jesus Christ ignored when all thought of Divinity will +center at the true focus and a man will no longer receive the glory +that belongs to God." + +The vigorous applause which followed the remarks of this speaker fell +with grating horror on my ears. "Can it be possible," thought I, "that +any one can publicly teach such doctrines of Hell, and be thus +applauded? Whither are so many of the church and the world drifting +that they should give ear to such theology as it comes from the mouth +of the Devil?" + +Miss Church-Member and her escort left the lecture room and visited +a few more of the sub-departments where they saw many objects of +literary interest and, with the aid of experts, examined some of the +old manuscripts dating back to the time of Christ. They left the hall +and were next attracted by the words over the entrance of Hall No. 9 +appearing thus: + +LITERATURE ON LIFE. + +1. Vegetable Life. 2. Animal Life. 3. Mental Life. 4. Spiritual Life. + +At the suggestion of Miss Church-Member they entered, and could readily +see that the attendants and lecturers of this hall were also of a very +high class. One of the speakers elaborated on the theory that life is +the result of spontaneous generation. + +Another, in speaking on spiritual life, made special reference to the +fact that Jesus Christ claimed to be the "Life," and then proceeded +to refute this claim by a series of arguments which were altogether +too philosophical to be understood by the two companions. + +Finding no pleasure in this metaphysical atmosphere, Mr. World conducted +his companion to the adjoining hall devoted to the "Literature of +Fiction." + +Here they spent a season delightfully, perusing works of fiction and +listening to addresses, all of which advocated the views of Satan. + +I heard one of the lecturers, in a discussion on "The License of Pure +Fiction" make these dangerous remarks: "The highest fiction of the +world is that in which human life is pictured in ideal colors, even +though it be done at the expense of truth. + +"There can be no harm if the reader should gain a false view of life. +The very charm of such a view will act as a stimulus to a wider +experience and to a higher culture. + +"In our real life, as we come in daily contact with the world, we see +and suffer enough. Therefore it cannot be harmful if fiction carries +us into strange worlds of morality or into any mythical realm. I give +you but the result of long and careful study, and I advise you to read +the wildest and most exciting forms of fiction, and thereby get the +healthful and exhilarating effect that comes from total mental +absorption. All this will tend to the development of your nature so +that you will, by contrast, better appreciate the substantial things +of life." + +I saw that Mr. World and Miss Church-Member next visited the hall +devoted to the "Literature of the Passions." After they had entered, +Miss Church-Member, at first, felt embarrassed, and her sense of modesty +would not have allowed her to remain had it not been that her conscience +was eased by these conditions: + +1. She saw that among the moving thousands that were present in the +massive hall many belonged to the higher classes of society. + +2. She was also informed that not a few of the throng held good +membership in various branches of the visible church. + +3. She readily observed that Mr. World was so much delighted that she +offered no protest, and that he seemed to take an interest in the +endless program as carried out in one department or another. + +In this poisonous hall Miss Church-Member stultified herself more than +in any other place which she had ever before visited, and thereby added +one more decisive step in her downward course. She tarried longest in +one of the sub-departments where Satan's expert doctors of literature +delivered their special lectures on the writings of each author as far +as they related directly or indirectly to the passions. + +These avowed experts carried on their fiendish work under the cover +of a pleasing dignity. After their crafty manner they quoted or read +the fine sentences of an author, preferably those of a sensual cast, +and then placed a premium on the passionate by describing the fine +style of the author and showing how true to nature was the language +he employed. + +Thus I saw that the leaders of this department were using the choicest +and the foulest productions of the pen, gathered from the authors of +all lands, languages and ages, and Miss Church-Member, by degrees +almost imperceptible, voluntarily sacrificed her finer moral taste on +a popular and polluted altar. + +To a pure heart there was an unclean cast and a withering effect +prevalent throughout all the departments of this hall, and my heart +burned as I continued observing how the agents of Satan plied their +subtle influences so as to popularize this cosmopolitan resort. So +effectually has Satan entrenched his views that some of the strong +defenders of this hall of literature are connected with the church, +and types of this same teaching have found their way into some of the +Christian schools of the world. + +After this protracted visit Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left this +hall and continued their studies in hall after hall, until more than +one half of the twenty-eight halls were visited. Their next objective +point was the second grand division of this College devoted to "_The +Elements of Success in Authorship._" + +My heart trembled at what my eyes saw. The great army of writers who +studied in this department came from all countries of the earth. "Can +it be true," thought I, "that so large a portion of our authors get +at least a part of their training in the schools of the Devil?" + +"O Blackana!" I sighed, "how long have these things been?" + +"Since the beginning of literature," was his cold and brief reply. + +"Always so large a percentage of the world's authors found at that +school?" + +"It has never been on the decrease," he continued. "So many have visited +these halls that it has been a veritable meeting-place of almost all +authors of all lands and all ages at some stage in their careers. Some +who came tarried long; others, not satisfied, foolishly drifted to the +schools of the King's Highway which ever carry on their work in +opposition to the University of the World." + +Here also, in this second grand division, the subtlest kind of teaching +was prevalent. In one sub-division Mr. World and Miss Church-Member +read these general laws written in bold letters where all who desired +could read: + +RULES FOR THE WINNING AUTHOR. + +1. Give quality rather than quantity. + +2. If you will not compose your best, compose nothing. The world is +heavily overstocked with inferior compositions. + +3. Write nothing that will cause regret on your death-bed. + +4. Do not follow in the rut. Go by some path untraveled before, over +land or sea, and tell the world of your new discoveries. + +5. To be acceptable, in the highest sense, you must teach differently +than others, even though it be at the expense of what is commonly +called "truth." Novelty is the winning feature. + +6. In any one composition strive first to arouse the curiosity of your +intended readers; then keep the curiosity suspended and finally give +it satisfaction in accordance with the aim in view. + +7. You may be influenced by religion, but not by religious nonsense. +If your writings win, you are a teacher of millions. So, in order to +reach the public ear, you may cater to the tastes and wishes of the +majority. + +8. If you see some vile conditions of humanity, send out, in your +writings, vials of vileness. "Like cures like." If any part of the +church cries, "poison, poison!" you may justify yourself by the fact +that the so-called "poison" in your productions will only neutralize +the poison so prevalent in society, on the same principle that poison +is administered to a sickly body in order to effect a cure. + +9. You are always safest when you are true to nature, even though some +sentimental people may charge you with being vulgar. + +10. Words of profanity are not allowable if they are the mere expression +of the author, but any foul or profane expression may be quoted. An +author should not be charged with the impropriety of his characters +who are merely taken from actual life. + +The above ten commandments, if properly interpreted and obeyed, will +surely lead to literary success. + +Then Mr. World escorted his confiding friend from hall to hall of this +second grand division, and at many intervals they could be seen spending +a quiet season on the lawns which surrounded the entire structure. + +Their tastes were now more in harmony than ever, and their friendship +was fast reaching that intimacy where each one was searching for pearls +in the deep ocean of the other's love. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE THEATRE. + +1. Mr. World and his friend tarry at Satan's Theatres which lay in +seven grades, one below the other. + +2. A description of the "Century Session" held by the demons having +in charge the Theatre interests of Satan. + + +The College of Theatres lay between the second and third divisions of +the Schools of Literature. The numerous structures were built on so +large a scale, and after such winning designs, that the attention of +many travelers was attracted to them and thereby to the performances +given within their walls. + +Here could be found some of the graduates of the Schools of Literature +who were constantly engaged on one or another of the stages. + +All these theatrical attractions belonged to the first grade and formed +a part of a great system of Theatres which lay in seven grades, one +below the other, each serving its part to engross the human mind with +the carnal and sensual things of life. + +The performances of the first grade were practically free from the +vulgar touches found, with increasing intensity, as one goes downward +toward the seventh grade which lay beneath the Midway in the Valley +of Temptation. + +In these Satanic Theatres of the first grade respectability is +maintained purposely so as to ensnare as many professing Christians +as possible, for there are many in the ranks of the church who are +building with nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. The scheme works so +Well that the Devil is trying to form a "Stage Trust," and get all the +talent of the King's Highway to unite. Thus Satan seems to encourage +morality in order to carry out his deeply laid schemes of moral +pollution. + +I looked into the inward workings of this terrible system. I saw +multitudes descending downward from the first grade, many of whom +ceased not until they had passed through all the seven grades. The +scenes and revelations that came to my eyes beggar all description. +My heart sickened as I beheld the millions wallowing in the mire of +fleshly lusts, apparently living for no higher purpose than to see the +latest novelties of expressing lewdness and sensuality. + +"This is brute life, indeed," I soliloquized, "for it can be easily +seen that the hearts of these people are so seared and their ears so +dull that they have no desire for the music of celestial choirs, or +the ecstacies that rise from heart-communion with God." + +I also saw that there were numberless underground connections between +the lower Theatres and the Schools of Suicide, and with the varied +haunts of Prostitution that infested the whole region. + +This startling fact also forced its way to my attention:--_the money +flowing from the entire seven grades fell into one treasury_, so that +they who moved in the supposed moral atmosphere of the first and second +grades were, nevertheless, patrons of the whole iniquitous business. +At once I thought of the churches that were in sympathy, or league, +with this part of the work along the Broad Highway. And I inwardly +uttered these sad sentences: + +"_It is no more a mystery why such churches have lost their holy +influence and their warmth of spiritual life, while worldliness +flourishes from the pew to the pulpit_." + +[Illustration: The Devil's Substitute to the Prayer-Meeting (The +Christians left their Bibles at home.)] + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member spent several seasons of leisure in +the Theatres of the first and second grades. Finally he invited her +to accompany him to a Refined Vaudeville in the third grade Theatre +district. It happened to be on the same day of the week that she had +formerly been accustomed to attend prayer meeting. This fact awakened +memories of bygone days, and brought feelings of sadness to her heart. +Mr. World, by an artful diversity of language, arrested her mind and +calmed her conscience as he playfully remarked: "This will be a good +substitute for the prayer-meeting." + +I saw the two enter the Vaudeville with many other church-members that +mingled with the jostling crowds. These Christians left their Bibles +at home, while some took as a substitute their opera glasses. They can +see through these better than they can through their Bibles. + +While Mr. World and Miss Church-Member tarried at the Theatres, I was +permitted to see a conference of the evil spirits that had in charge +the Theatre interests of Satan. The conference met at the opening of +the year 1901 what was called "The Century Session." + +For the time I was lost to all other surroundings, and I could hear +all and see all as if I occupied the best seat. The unusual parliament +seemed to be held underground, and yet one could enter directly from +the surface of the earth. + +The assemblage was controlled by a highly honored chief, cool and +deliberate in manner. Every kind of imp imaginable could be found in +the number that constituted the many committees. + +I witnessed every part of the diabolical proceedings, and will here +disclose a portion of these doubly sealed secrets. + +After all preliminaries were brushed away, I heard seven ominous clangs, +and silence reigned supreme. The chairman rose to speak. What a mingling +of light and darkness! How truly Satanic his every feature and every +move! How earnest his brief address, every word in the interest of +Satan's blasting work. + +"Give heed, oh, ye co-workers, bound under oath to give a true report! +Our cause has made advances, and our work calls for the ripest service +we can give. _The theatre modernized is fast winning the church. All +honor, ye spirits who played your parts so well!_ The century has just +closed, but not our opportunity. Let coming years be one of mightier +conquest. Down with the narrow truth and morbid righteousness, and all +things else that check our onward marching!" For a moment the chairman +was silent. Then, as he raised his hand, I heard a hideous clang which +proved to be the signal for the report of "The-Moral-Effect-of-the-Theatre" +committee. Forthwith the whole committee stood _en masse_ before the +chairman. "Our work goes on with speed," cried the leader of the gang. +"In every district we are gaining ground." + +"I have watched your progress with joyful pride," answered the chairman, +as he smiled in hellish glee. "But I noted the sharp conflicts you had +with certain reformers in the churches." + +"Some of them we cannot conquer," despairingly admitted the leader. + +"Grieve not over forts you cannot take, but make good use of those +that have surrendered." + +"They are firing our guns splendidly," quickly intercepted the leader, +as he rose and read the following report: + +1. "We have labored earnestly in the ranks of the church until many +more of her members now believe that the moral effect of our Theatres +is helpful. + +2. "We have succeeded in dividing the members of many churches on this +question, and have witnessed, with pleasure, the many kinds of quarrels +that have resulted therefrom. + +3. "We have succeeded in turning the tide of many periodicals, so that +the defense of the Theatre, as a moral stimulant, is more general than +ever." + +As the leader closed his brief report, the chairman offered his +compliments, and the host cheered with vigor. + +The committee retired. The chairman again lifted his hand and two +clangs were heard. This was the signal for the appearance of the +"Park-Theatre" committee. + +"Good tidings, or ill?" tersely asked the chairman. + +"Good tidings of the first degree," cheerily replied the leader of the +committee as he proceeded to read his document: + +1. "We labored, with all zeal, to carry out the schemes concocted +previously. + +2. "We have succeeded in locating a series of free Theatres at every +summer park where we could possibly induce the management to admit +them. + +3. "These Theatres, even though they be of a third or fourth class, +are doing a great service for us by implanting a taste for other grades. + +4. "By this happy medium we are winning young people and church-members +by the thousand, for they can attend these Park exhibitions without +being severely criticised. + +5. "We are careful to give them enough immoral and sensual bait to +draw them further. (Wild applause.) + +6. "These innocent Park Theatres must not be abandoned, for they are +a sure training school. We hereby pledge ourselves anew to go forth +more earnestly to our tasks." (Furious applause over the whole +assembly.) + +"Have you met with any hindrances to your work?" queried the chairman +of the meeting. + +"Many indeed. Some Parks refuse our class of Theatres, while others +are closed to every class. But our committee is determined to push +ahead." + +"Onward, ye comrades," urged the chairman. "Buy up the stock of every +Park, if possible, and furnish recreation for the church. Do not become +too bold at first in the introduction of lewd and foolish plays, or +you may be fought by the popular churches." + +"Hardly possible," replied the leader. "So many in the church are glad +to wink at these incongruities, for they are thereby given a chance +to satisfy their carnal appetites without being classed with the regular +Theatre crowd." + +"This is one of our happiest modern hits," chuckled the chairman, as +the committee turned away, amidst the mad-like cheering, + +Next I saw that the chairman raised his hand, and at once I heard three +sharp clangs which were the signal for the "Church-Choir" committee. +"What has the church-choir to do with the Theatre," thought I, as I +saw the obedient host answering to their call. + +"What tidings, good or ill?" asked the chairman in a tone of confidence. + +"Progress slow, but sure," briefly answered the leader of the committee +as he stepped a little nearer to the chairman to give his report. + +"Ours is a difficult task. Some choirs are hedged about that we cannot +so much as reach them with suggestions. Nevertheless, we have succeeded +in many sections, notably in certain large cities. We report, with +pride, that some churches have engaged genuine theatrical singers to +render special selections during the regular Sunday services. Is it +not an evidence of our success when the opera-stage singer of Saturday +night furnishes the chief solo for church-goers on Sunday morning? +This is winning certain people to the Theatre, for in many instances +they cannot wait until the next Sunday; so they visit several theatres +during the week to keep their spiritual strength renewed." + +Then the demons cheered to the echo, and I listened with a sad, heavy +heart. + +The leader continued: + +"We are also endeavoring to get the regular church-choirs to imitate +the popular theatrical stars. Of course, we do not oppose the use of +religious words, if we cannot induce them to sing our selections. We +are aiming to create a taste for the up-to-date novelties in music, +in contrast to the old dry singing in certain churches of the King's +Highway." (Prolonged applause.) + +As this tall, wiry demon continued to unfold his deep-laid plans, I +well understood why Satan has selected the church-choir as an objective +point, and has delegated so large a number of imps to do work in that +special direction. I then cried within me: "Oh, that these churches +would not use their choir-corners as an advertising medium for the +Theatre! And that choirs, in their musical devotions, may be led by +the Spirit of God rather than by the imps of Hell!" + +This committee retired with special encomiums. + +The chairman rose and I heard four sonorous clangs which summoned the +"Ministerial" committee. At once its members, in their sedate and +portly attitudes, surged down the massive aisles. + +I shuddered as I saw the variety of these mean Satanic faces, portraying +a depth of vileness, mingled with shrewd and scholarly insight. With +great care I studied this pack of Hell-hounds, gathered from the ends +of the earth, now standing in sullen mood, ready to give their report. + +"What tidings, good or ill?" asked the chairman. + +"The tidings are good," replied the famous leader. "By our efforts we +have silenced many a voice which formerly thundered against us. To-day +many more ministers are in sympathy with the modern Theatre of the +higher grades, although not a few of these must hold their views in +secret. Others speak apologetically, and still more come out in bold +defense of what they term the 'Select Theatre.'" + +"What do you consider the most hopeful line of your work?" further +asked the chairman. + +"Our work in the theological schools," quickly responded the leader. +"Special sections of our committee have labored with stealthy vigor +to capture the preacher before he reaches the pulpit. The last years +of the century have witnessed phenomenal gains for our cause. By winning +the theological student early to our Theatrical theories we are likely +to gain his heart and sympathy in after years. Our success along these +lines is the most hopeful sign of the times, and bespeaks the ushering +in of more sensible conditions. (Furious applause.) + +"Before retiring," continued the leader, "let me quote the utterances +of a certain broad-minded clergyman: 'The clean Theatre of the twentieth +century will be, and ought to be, the moral prayer-meeting for +Christians, while the spiritual prayer-meeting will be held in the +church as usual.'" + +The whole army of devils cheered like madmen. I was so aroused that +I felt that ecclesiastical lynch law should be applied to any minister +whose utterances caused such jubilee among the legions of Hell. + +I could not remain to hear the report of: + +"The Moral Play" committee, + +"The Variant Dance" committee, + +"The Sacred Concert" committee and other committees whose names I could +not learn. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. THIRD DIVISION + +1. Seven separate halls described. + +2. The far-reaching schemes of Satan to pollute the Press and the Pen. + + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, after spending several hours at the +Theatres, moved toward the vast groups of buildings comprising the +third division of the College of Literature. The structures lay in a +semi-circle facing a magnificent court, in the center of which there +was a park of surpassing loveliness. On an immense arch, over the +center of the park, these words were hung in shining letters: + +THIRD DIVISION: + +TRUE CHRISTIANITY AND LITERATURE. + +As Mr. World and his charming companion entered this great central +court, they were quite overcome by the size and beauty of the three +score halls, each one widening as its depth increased. Some towered +one thousand feet in the air while others sent their proud domes, as +it were, into the clouds. + +The two companions mingled with the multitudes, engaged in the common +pleasures of this open court, and watched with poetic delight the +sparkling fountains, while sweet strains of music from scattered +orchestras lent their charms to the soul. The shrubbery, flowers and +plants, as well as the works of sculpture and pictorial art, all +appeared as if angel fingers had been employed in their production and +arrangement. + +The season here spent by Miss Church-Member was the happiest that she +had yet experienced since she had left the King's Highway. To think +that she was now living in the threshold of True Christianity, in its +relation to literature, was at once novel and refreshing to her mind, +for she now claimed to be a more faithful Christian than ever before. + +During their protracted stay at this division they visited the following +halls, each one devoted to a specific purpose: + +Hall No. 3. "The Bible from a Literary Standpoint." + +Hall No. 8. "The Best Literature for a Sunday School Class." + +Hall No. 9. "The Best Literature for Sunday school Libraries." + +Hall No. 13. "The Best Literature for a True Christian to Read." + +Hall No. 16. "Literature for a Christian's 'Grip' when on a Vacation." + +Hall No. 27. "The Sunday Newspaper and Other Publications." + +Hall No. 38. "The Best Way of Conducting a Religious Newspaper." + +Mr. World spent a day with his appreciative friend under the teaching +of Hall No. 3. The professors were exceptionally brilliant, and so won +the confidence of their many hearers that what they said seemed to +have more weight than even the Bible. They tried to demonstrate that +the literary style of the Bible was far below par. + +When they entered Hall No. 8 they were surprised to see how large a +number of Sunday school workers and teachers were already there. The +meeting that day was held largely in the form of an open parliament, +and a discussion was in progress concerning the use of the Bible in +the class during the study of the lesson. + +"Would it not be preferable," asked an interested visitor, "to use the +Bible in the class during the study of the lesson, and use the special +helps only for preparation?" + +"Don't think of it, don't think of it!" abruptly answered the teacher. +"It would only be a step backward." + +"It appears to me," continued the visitor, "that our young people ought +to become more familiar in using and handling the Bible, and if it +were used in connection with the study of the lesson it would surely +prove to be a valuable help, even beyond what the present system +affords." + +"And would you throw aside all the very valuable side lights to the +lesson that are being produced in such rich variety and abundance?' +hurriedly asked a Sunday school teacher who was present on a furlough. + +"Nay, nay," earnestly spoke the visitor, "let the press go on, but let +not its fruit be substituted for the bread of life. Fruit is good, +delicious and healthful, but we need the staff of life. _Let the real +actual Bible be handled and used in the teaching of the lesson. Then +whatever else is wise to use as an auxiliary help may be brought into +service_. That is my platform, pure and simple." + +The leader of the meeting was agitated. He impatiently rose to his +feet before the last words had fallen from the visitor's lips. + +"Let us use reason," he said, with a light vein of sarcasm in his +voice. "Is it not true that the average child sees enough of the Bible +in his home and in the public schools, and that he greatly relishes +a change when he comes to the Sunday school?" + +"That's only too true," spoke up the worldly element who were there +in large numbers. + +"Let me assure you," continued the speaker as he was warming to his +theme under false fires of devilish sophistry, "in the day when the +Bible was used in the Sunday school classes, spiritual ignorance +abounded more than now." + +"Why not be satisfied with rapid advancement, instead of inviting +retrogression in knowledge, and a double decimation in Sunday school +attendance, by compelling scholars to go searching through a book as +uninteresting and unfathomable to them as the Bible?" + +"One great hindrance to Sunday school work is its pious and +sanctimonious tendency. If the schools of the twentieth century are +to be successful, we must have less of that Bible stiffness in them, +and still more of an open sociability." + +The worldly element and some of the Sunday school teachers were now +cheering heartily. But the speaker continued: + +"Instead of going to an extreme that means death to the Sunday school +by advocating that an army of cold Bibles should go walking into the +service, I should rather advocate a change in the other direction, for +I am even opposed to the tons of cheap literature filled with cloudy +opinions that are now being scattered throughout our schools. We need +lesson helps that are interspersed with incidents of adventure, and +startling stories that have fire and life in them. Let some publisher +take the hint. + +"Then the boy or girl whose daily reading may consist of that style +of writing will find the Sunday school more congenial to his nature, +and he will go there with a bound. In that manner you are certain to +win the boy's heart, after which you can, with tact, send the spiritual +truth deeper into his soul. From such a scholar keep the Bible as far +away as possible It is not even necessary to lay stress on the fact +that the lesson text is, taken from the Bible. + +"If the teacher can succeed in holding his respect for the Sunday +school, then, in after years, when he is more matured and is better +able to reason, you may bring the Bible itself more directly to his +attention, and you will secure better results than are prevalent to-day +in the Sunday school world." + +The audience cheered lustily. In this cheering Mr. World and his +companion joined. The visitor, who was deeply grieved at the warm +reception of such destructive doctrines, arose to speak, but the +intolerant cried out: "Away with him! We want no more bigotry and +one-hundred-years-behind-the time speeches!" At the suggestion of the +chairman he was hurried from the room to appear before a commission +on lunacy. + +The speech had its desired effect. The great majority of the audience +were convinced that the Bible was not a "drawing card," and that it +should not be introduced into the class study if it could possibly be +avoided. A few pledged that they would do all in their power to effect +a revolution in the present system of lesson helps. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left this hall and entered Hall No. +9. It was a rare privilege for them to walk through the largest Sunday +school library in the world, where many committees were at work +selecting books for their respective Sunday schools. + +Satan had so ingeniously managed the composition of these books, and +so artfully arranged them on the endless shelves, that one could +scarcely discern the good parts of a book from the bad, or determine +in which section of the hall the largest percentage of good books could +be found. In this way committees almost invariably picked up +considerable chaff with the wheat. + +I looked at Blackana and sighed: "Oh! Blackana, how long will these +things be? If only a conflagration would reduce the contents of that +hall to ashes!" + +"Ah! mortal," he coldly replied, "these things will never be destroyed, +for the building is fire proof. Surely the Sunday school should get +as much of its library as possible from a source so well protected." + +"For what fiendish reason?" I asked as I was moved with indignation. + +"Nothing fiendish about it. Satan can furnish books at less cost, and +thereby be of material financial help to the Sunday school. Furthermore, +he is able to furnish a larger variety and a more inviting class of +books, with more spicy fiction, and less of that deadness so generally +characteristic of the books coming from the hand of a narrow-minded +Christian." + +"Silence, thou agent of the Devil! Thou art again dealing in falsehood. +When thou speakest to me, speak truthfully or hold thy tongue in +quietness." + +He rolled his eyes at me, but spoke no more. + +In the early hours of the following day I saw the same two companions +enter Hall No. 13 devoted to "The Best Literature for a True Christian +to Read." They moved leisurely from table to table scanning and reading +the books and booklets which, in great variety, lay before them. + +Weariness urged them to a seat in the lecture department where they +were entertained by a scholarly address on "_Choice Literature for a +Christian._" + +"It must not be forgotten." said the speaker in one part of his address, +"that the mind can be ruined by lack of vigorous exercise. In the +physical body the stomach would become weak and sickly were it not +compelled, quite frequently, to digest strong foods or a great variety +of them. So also the mind, in order to reach its true development, +needs a wide variety of thought-food. Not alone that of a +sickly-sentimental or sanctimonious kind which in its place is all +right, but such a variety as will best stimulate the mind in a +well-rounded, liberal education. In particular, a good Christian should +peruse such literature as will inform him thoroughly concerning the +enemies of Christianity. He should not spurn, but rather study +infidelity, skepticism and every other hostile movement, so that he +may be able the better to appreciate his own position. The Bible is +not so much a book for reading, as a book of reference, and therefore +a Christian's loyalty to Christ must not be measured by his reading +and studying the Bible, but by his success in locating the enemies of +the cross and studying their designs, looking over their encampments, +and estimating the strength of their weapons. If he becomes thus +acquainted with the foe, he is in better position to order an advance, +or to effect a treaty whereby much strife may be avoided." + +Hall No. 16 was next visited. It offered to its patrons a happy time. +Here the work of the artist was in pleasing evidence. On beautiful +walls were pictured retreats of all kinds. The games and sports, in +endless variety, which make merry the park, field and glen, were the +subjects of some of the paintings. + +These were the titles of some of the larger wall paintings: + +"A restful day under the oak." + +"The campers at the midday meal." + +"An hour of idle reading." "Around the camp-fire at night." + +"At rest beside the bounding brook." + +"Along the beach at bathing time." + +"The cottage by the sea." + +Nothing was said about the paintings on the wall; they were merely +suggestive of the refreshment that came after toil. + +The lecturer of this hall was a jolly man, an athlete of fine +proportions, whose splendid appearance attracted the attention of the +throng of listeners. + +"We are not here to discuss the good or evil which comes from various +kinds of recreation, but to tell you, from experience, what kind of +reading to take with you when you go on a vacation, or a pleasure trip. +As you are seeking rest for the body so let your religious books have +a rest. Leave them all at home, except the Bible, and prayer book,--you +might take them along to be used in case of sickness or accident. Then +put in your 'grip' some humorous books, such as will make you merry. +Besides these place therein some other very light reading, such as +will rest the mind from the more serious things of life. + +"As a father delighteth to see his children roam and romp in glee over +the meadows after the time of faithful toil, so the Heavenly Father +delighteth to see _his_ true children lay aside the seriousness of +prayer and Bible study, and go forth in joyful rest to the seashore, +or to the quiet glen in the fastnesses of the woods. If you follow +these directions, you will get the cream of pleasure and profit, and +return to your secular or religious work with renewed vigor." + +I saw many ministers, of the gospel in the audience, but not all +seconded the words of the speaker. Mr. World and his confiding companion +were surprised after entering Hall No. 27 to find on exhibition a copy +of all the periodical publications of the world. This was a large hall +and had sub-divisions, each devoted to a distinct class of literature. +One department contained all non-sectarian religious publications; +another the sectarian; still a third was devoted to daily newspapers, +partisan and non-partisan; yet another contained all trade journals; +another all the scientific periodicals, and thus the plan was continued +throughout. + +This was the busiest place of all, for some of the periodicals had +their offices in this hall, while others had representatives there, +so that countless thousands thronged the sub-departments daily. Each +sub-department had its own corps of lecturers. + +Many editors, before entering into active service, take the entire +series of courses offered by this hall, and are thus taught to +prevaricate, abbreviate, and exaggerate, or do ought else to attain +the end in view. + +I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member pass by one sub-department after +another. They were not pleased with the excitement that prevailed. +They had intended however to pause at the department devoted especially +to the Sunday newspaper question, and tarried at the door long enough +merely to catch these few words from one of the speakers: + +"I am a member of the church myself, and bear an honorable name therein; +but I am unwilling to be classed with a set of bigots who would rob +us of our personal liberties and, if possible, place all kinds of +restrictive measures about our inalienable rights. I stand for liberty +first of all, and tyranny never. Why should one dictate to me what I +shall read on Sunday? I look at my Bible more than one hundred times +a year, and read a Sunday newspaper only fifty-two times. It was a +happy change that started the regular press of the country to yield +seven issues a week, and thereby send forth additional rays of +enlightenment to a people who are in sad need of all that they can get +to increase their intelligence. + +"According to my opinion there are so many practices that are worse +than reading a Sunday newspaper that Satan must surely be annoyed to +see a man engaged in such a harmless pursuit. Happy, indeed, would we +all be if the---" + +The two companions passed on and heard no more, until they left this +hall and paid a brief visit to Hall No. 38 devoted to "_The Best Way +of Conducting a Religious Newspaper_." + +There were very few editors present, but the debate amongst them was +vigorous and, at times, very contentious, much to the interest and +enjoyment of the spectators. + +The question being discussed was: "_How Can We Best Increase the +Circulation of the Church Paper?_" + +After a few exchanges of opinions, the chairman of the meeting +advocated, with grave dignity, that all religious newspapers should +be more conformed to the tastes and the level of a hungry world. "There +is too great a contrast," said he, "between the mental condition of +the laymen and the high, cold tone of the average religious paper. Let +the editor of a church paper do as did his Master Jesus Christ,--come +down to the level of the world, where he can reach the heart and the +ear of the common people of whom the masses are composed. No paper +should be so holy that it cannot adapt itself to the development of +the natural as well as the spiritual part of man." + +These remarks were warmly applauded. + +Next an editor of a religious paper arose, and spoke with decision: + +"I want to be as liberal and broad-minded as God would have me be. I +came to this hall with doubtful steps. I cannot say that I have profited +thereby. My mind is at variance with the chairman of this meeting. He +says: 'All religious papers should be more conformed to the tastes of +the hungry world.' Let me ask, with all honesty, what is the taste of +the hungry world? Is it not a terribly perverted taste, a hungering +for the black sins of death? I contend that it is the work of a good +paper to be a beacon light, even though it shines from a lofty +light-house. It may thereby shine out farther and wider. Away with the +doctrine of devils that would pervert the truth and send with merciless +fling----" + +At this juncture the speaker was seized by an officer who came running +in at the ringing of a bell and arrested the editor on the charge of +"disturbing the peace," which, the chairman declared, was due to a +diseased state of his mind. + +Miss Church-Member was freightened from the hall by this episode, and +was followed by her less fearful companion. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE DEVIL'S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. + +1. Mr. World and his companion visit this immense college, with many +wings, all devoted to teaching every phase of the temperance question +in accordance with Satan's views. + +2. A view of the millions who attend this college. + + +Automobiles are used by the agents of Satan to convey students and +visitors from one college to another of the great University of the +World. + +I saw Miss Church-Member and her cherished escort leave the College of +Literature in one of these up-to-date carriages. + +"Shall we tarry at the athletic field?" asked Mr. World as they came +to a famous sporting ground. + +"Let us rather hasten to the Temperance College," she suggested. But +her manner indicated that she did not wish to urge him away from the +place of his heart's desire. + +"Altogether at your pleasure," he smiled, as he sank back into the +comfortable cushions of the conveyance. + +They soon reached the desired locality, saw the moving millions from +all portions of the earth, and heard the ceaseless babble of their +voices harmonizing with the work of this college which was known among +the pilgrims of the King's Highway as _The Devil's Temperance College._ +It covered many acres of ground, and consisted of many immense +buildings, around which clustered many smaller structures serving for +auxiliary purposes. + +When Mr. World and Miss Church-Member walked about the college grounds, +and saw more closely the magnitude and beauty of the edifices, they +were so overawed that their tongues offered no comment. + +They mingled a while with the merry multitude, and then at one corner +of the group entered the gigantic building devoted to the subject of +Temperance and the Bible. They hoped thereby to get the consensus of +opinion on one of the complex questions of the day. + +At the bureau of information the two companions were directed to the +Public Hall of Debate, which was reached by the aid of one of the +numerous electric elevators. The Great Hall had an auditorium of one +hundred feet in height and a seating capacity fully capable of +accommodating the visiting multitudes. The acoustics were so perfect +that one, at the farther end of the room, could easily hear the speaker +on the stage. When Mr. World and his friend had entered the hall they +were surprised to learn that many of the auditors were members of the +more radical churches along the King's Highway. + +The corps of high titled professors who occupied the stage spoke at +intervals, or answered questions which were propounded by persons in +the audience. + +Over the stage I saw in illuminated letters: TEMPERANCE AND THE BIBLE. + +An aged man was speaking when the two comrades took seats near the +center of the room. + +"We are not here," explained the venerable man, "to prove that the +Bible is either false or true. We leave that question for other schools +to decide. It is our province to show what the Bible teaches on this +important theme. Temperance is a word so misused and so abused that +it becomes people of sound judgment to go to the rock bottom of the +question as viewed in the light of Scripture." + +Then, adjusting his green spectacles, the speaker opened the Bible and +offered to explain, or to have explained, any part of it that bore on +the subject of "Temperance from a Bible Standpoint." + +A breathless silence followed until a moderate-drinking church-member +arose with Bible in hand. "Did Christians, during the life of Christ, +drink wine?" he asked, in a self-righteous manner. + +The speaker called upon Mr. Wine Expert who quickly stepped forward +from his chair on the stage. + +"There can be no doubt," he affirmed, "but that they drank wine freely. +They knew enough in that day not to discard a good thing." + +Hundreds of people sprang to their feet, but Mr. Venerable ordered +that one should speak at a time and that they all should be seated and +first listen to the questioner. + +"Was that wine the same, in kind, that Noah drank, as related in Gen. +9:21?" + +"Identical." + +"And the same that is used to-day in the commercial world?" + +"It is the same as the good wine that is used to-day. There are many +modern adulterations." + +The questioner took his seat. A man from London then obtained the +floor. He also held a Bible as he spoke. + +"I am a temperance worker in one of the districts of London, and would +like to know whether you conclude by your former assertion concerning +the early Christians that the Bible does not speak against wine +drinking?" + +"Not in a single place. How could it do so consistently?" answered the +Devil's expert. + +"Will you please turn to Prov. 20:1. 'Wine is a mocker, strong drink +is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.' How do you +harmonize this passage with what you have just asserted?" The man from +London sat down. + +"Quite an easy task for one who has given honest study to the question," +said Mr. Wine Expert. "Wine is a mocker. Just as wisdom mocks at the +calamity of those who reject it in Prov. 1:26. So, wine, personified +in a similar manner, mocks at the folly of those who refuse it. +(Applause.) Strong drink is raging. Just as in Jonah 1:15, the sea was +raging in protest against Jonah because he refused to preach the truth +to the people. So in this passage, 'strong drink is raging,' because +so many church-members and ministers refuse to preach the real truth +to the people on the subject of strong drink. (Prolonged applause.) +If there were as much said against me falsely, as has been spoken +against strong drink, I would not only rage, but would go raging and +foaming over this stage in protest. (Tremendous applause and shouting +from the people of the world.) I tell you more, my friends, strong +drink will keep on raging as long as old Voices and 'The New Voice' +of cranks and idiots are heard to squeak out their childish nonsense +to an enlightened people." (Furious applause and demonstrations.) + +"The last part of the passage is easily to be understood," continued +the speaker. "'Whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.' How could +a person be wise who allows himself to be deceived and hoodwinked +concerning as good a thing as wine or strong drink?" + +"Nobody, we need not fear," cried out a brewer from one side of the +room. + +"There is however a host," continued Mr. Wine Expert, "who are woefully +deceived, and who are endeavoring to force their deceptions upon the +state." + +"And I am one of them," shouted a tall man from Kansas, U. S. A., as +he violently jumped to his feet, and remained standing. + +"I would suggest," calmly interrupted the venerable leader, "that our +special photographer take a snap shot of this man. We are always glad +to keep a record of such monstrosities. He looks like a fair specimen +of a deceived man. (Laughter.) He is lean and bony, and if any one of +you never before saw such a man, take a full view of him now. Suppose +you," he said, as he continued pointing at the Kansas man, "slowly +make a full revolution on your feet so that each one can here see all +sides of you,--if you have more than one side." (Great applause amongst +the people of the world.) + +The man from Kansas stood still till the voice of the insulting outcry +died away. + +"I can stand abuse; I can stand irony and sarcasm; but I thank God +that where I live I need no longer endure the insults of the Rum Devil. +(Suppressed applause.) If Mr. Venerable thinks I am the only man present +who comes under his classification of 'deceived persons,' I will +demonstrate to him his folly, for there are many thousands here who +have not yet bowed the knee to Baal." + +"Out of order!" "Put him out!" "Away with him!" came from the audience. + +"If there is a person here opposed to the Rum Traffic, let him rise," +fearlessly continued the tall man. + +Up sprang a W. C. T. U. leader; then another person; then a hundred +from Maine; yea, a thousand more until over seven thousand, from all +parts of the world, stood on their feet. + +"Remain standing, I ask you! Let not one of you act the coward! There +are others here today, who came in, as I did, to visit. Stand up! Show +your colors! If you remain seated you will be classed with the enemy. +The time to honor your cause is at hand. I ask you seventy thousand +church-members present to choose this day whom you will serve." + +Mr. Venerable, who was an experienced man in these uprisings, whispered +to an excited saloon-keeper: "Let them proceed. A house divided against +itself can not stand." + +"I demand order," shouted a high-license advocate who owned a brewery, +but the agitated fellow was soon calmed by these personal words from +the venerable chairman: "_Let these people go. They will soon get into +factional contention and thereby break the point of their steel more +effectually than we could do it._" + +"Remain standing, ye noble band of men and women!" shouted the Kansas +man with increasing earnestness. "You, who are too cowardly or +indifferent to rise from your seats, are throwing your influence this +day on the side of the enemy, thereby casting a reflection on the +church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and--" + +This was more than a certain minister could bear. So, before the Kansas +man had finished his last sentence, he sprang excitedly to his feet +and shook his fist defiantly: "I want it distinctly understood that +I am just as good as the man from Kansas, and just as much of a +temperance man, but I don't believe in this way of showing my colors. +I would not be standing now had I not been insulted more by that crank +of one idea, standing there, than by Mr. Wine Expert who so contemptibly +perverted Scripture." + +Mr. Wine Expert sprang to the edge of the stage to defend his position, +but Mr. Venerable was instantly at his side. "_Come, come, don't spoil +that fight; suffer rather than have them combine against you,_" were +the quiet words of logic that brought him to his seat without uttering +a word. + +Then up jumped a few prominent church-members to express their +indignation at the adverse criticism of the Kansas man. + +"Those are exactly my sentiments, and I here offer my protest against +this manner of procedure," said one as he looked approvingly at the +minister. + +"And so do I." "I am most emphatically of the same opinion." "I stand +here, a true temperance man, to express my indignation at that Kansas +prodigy," were some of the expressions which came from temperance men +who were not willing to be classed with the seven thousand. + +Then upwards of one hundred women rose to their feet and indignantly +rebuked the Kansas man for his misjudgment in starting this factional +display. This provoked some radical leaders of the W. C. T. U. who +chanced to be there as detectives or visitors. They also arose in +defense of the Kansas man. + +I saw the tumult rising. Disorder was pre-dominant. Hundreds tried to +speak at once. Saloon-keepers, brewers, whiskey politicians, and the +professors on the stage were smiling in ghoulish glee. They enjoyed +it more than a prize fight, and the results were at once more disastrous +and more deplorable. + +As the conflict waxed hotter some men and women were screaming, and +some fainting, and some resorted to blows. Others scrambled to get +from the room. The elevators were put in quick service, and I saw Mr. +World and Miss Church-Member, with thousands of others, running from +the scene of the fight. + +"Let us go to another building," suggested Miss Church-Member. + +A very short time after this I saw them enter the largest building of +all the Temperance College. It stood centrally amongst the great group, +and was devoted to "_Hygiene and Temperance._" + +[Illustration: A Scene in the Devils Temperance College The fight +between the temperence factions was greatly enjoyed by the saloon- +keepers, brewers, and whisky politicians.] + +After learning that they came as visitors, a director advised them to +pass the many medical wings on separate flats and go to the great +auditorium on one of the higher floors. Proceeding, in obedience to +the advice given, they soon beheld a room of greater size and +magnificence than the one which they had just left, and as they were +taking seats they fixed their attention on the lecturer who had already +been speaking for an hour. He was discoursing on the relation of strong +drink to the stomach. + +"It must be remembered," affirmed he, "that the stomach was made to +serve man. The appetite is the true criterion by which he may know +what his body needs. If he feels a thirst for alcoholic drink, it is +akin to a hunger for any special class of foods. He is not to ask his +servant, the stomach, whether it is willing to do the work of +transformation. He is to give it the work to do. The stomach will do +it, unless that particular digestive function is lost. It is claimed +by some who know more about ditch-digging than about physiology, that +alcoholic beverages ruin the lining of the stomach, creating ulcers, +and other disorders. This kind of teaching reminds me of a conundrum. +'Why is a scientific temperance man like a dead man in his coffin?' +Who can answer it?" + +"Because each one ought to be buried," guessed a liquor-merchant from +Paris. (Laughter.) + +"A good guess," said the speaker, but you have not yet hit the mark." + +"Because needer von dem is vert any ding," said the proprietor of a +beer-saloon from Germany. (Increased laughter.) + +"You are still away from my idea," spoke the lecturer. + +"I know it," said a rum-lawyer. "It is because they both lie." +(Applause.) + +"That's exactly the truth of the matter. These so-called 'scientific +temperance men' are accountable for more lies imposed on a credulous +public than can be corrected for many years to come. Any sensible man +knows that moderate drinking is healthful to the stomach. If a man +drinks too much, he is liable to trouble, just like a man who eats too +much, or sleeps too much, or even talks too much about temperance. +(Applause and laughter.) I tell you, my good friends, a little of that +elixir of life is just as good for my stomach as it was for Timothy's, +and the good man Paul would say the same thing if he were here to-day. +(Cries from the world of "that's so!" and "hurrah for Paul!") I am +satisfied to have a great man like Paul on my side, even if I must +know that some of his pigmy disciples are against me." (Increased +applause.) + +This speech was especially enjoyed by Mr. World who himself was addicted +to a moderate use of alcoholic beverages. An announcement came from +the platform that in an hour the eminent Dr. Strauss of Europe would +discourse on "The Effect of Malt Liquors on the Heart," and those who +wished to remain might spend the interim in social intercourse. + +In consequence of this announcement the major part of the audience +dispersed in varying groups, and discussed the merits of the lecture +just ended. + +Every creed was there represented by a few or more of its members, +many of whom were favorably and deeply impressed by the argument of +the Devil as it was given in the address. + +Others I saw, not a few, who laid bare this iniquitous scheme of +presenting the untruth, and declared that they would no more give ear +to any teaching that came from that source. + +This gave rise to endless quibblings and contentions between +church-members of the same faith and those of separate creeds. These +disputes continued with increasing bitterness until the hour had passed. + +All eyes were fixed upon the stage as the portly Dr. Strauss arose to +speak. His voice at first was slow and deep, and in all he was the +personification of dignity. The first part of his lecture was a very +convincing argument in favor of what is called the "_Normal Use of +Malt Liquors_." He declared that moderate drinking could have no evil +effect on the action of the heart, except in rare cases. To prove his +general statement and to win the confidence of his hearers, he quoted +over forty printed and written extracts from eminent physicians of the +world. + +After this general survey of his argument, he entered into details and +illustrated the second division of his lecture by the use of pictorial +charts. In this manner the construction and action of the heart were +concretely shown. + +In the third division of the lecture the Prince of Darkness showed his +skill in manipulating the utterances of the speaker. By a second series +of illustrated charts the lecturer intended to show how alcoholic +beverages, in coursing through the human system, benefited the heart +rather than injured it. In trying to establish this point he used the +subtlest sophistry of Satan. + +Through the three divisions of the discourse I heard vigorous applause, +and when, in the smooth language of his final climax, he uttered the +last word and was returning to his seat, there was a deafening roar +from all parts of the vast hall. To the mind of Miss Church-Member the +argument of Dr. Strauss was unanswerable, and consequently she was +obliged to revise her radical opinions on the temperance question; and +not only she, but a host of others from the ranks of the Christian +church were influenced similarly. + +After leaving this hall the happy pair spent a long time in passing +through some of the other buildings of the group. _Miss Church-Member +was so filled with the doctrines of the Devil that she thought of going +as a missionary to the pilgrims of the Narrow Way._ + +During their visit at the Temperance College Mr. World conducted his +ever-faithful friend through some of the fashionable temperance-saloons +connected with the institution. + +Miss Church-Member would not have entered and much less indulged in +the questionable beverages, had she not been so strongly influenced +by the prolonged visit at the section of the group devoted to the study +of "_Temperate and Intemperate Drinks._" + +I was sorely vexed at the operations of this whole college and, looking +at Blackana, I said impatiently: + +"How can your comrades find delight in such an impish work--covering +truth and scattering hellish sophistry abroad?" + +"Delight?" repeated Blackana. "This world is but the Devil's Heaven, +and those in his kingdom find chiefest delight in thorns, and not in +flowers; in spinning sophistry, and not in dead things like truth and +logic." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. + +1. A general view of the vast University of the World with all its +subordinate operations. All working in harmony to destroy the good +that God would do in the world. + + +The University of the World is so extensive that one could not visit +all its parts during the course of a life-time, but there is a place +called the Magic Observatory whence an observer can have a bird's-eye +view of all the principal scholastic operations of the Broad Highway. + +The Observatory is owned and controlled by careful agents of Satan who +will allow only certain persons to get the benefit of so extensive a +view. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left the ground of the Temperance +College and proceeded to get permission to rise to the glorious heights +of the Observatory. Mr. World secured permission, but his companion, +not having had sufficient experience in the service of Satan, was +refused a pass. The difficulty was settled by a happy thought. Miss +Church-Member suggested that while he should improve the opportunity +and rise to see the sights, she would visit the College of Fashions, +for which privilege she had been yearning. + +I saw that Mr. World spent a long time in viewing the endless +proportions of the noted Observatory, and finally stood on the lofty +viewpoint with an interpreter at his side. + +He was then directed to a seat on a mechanical device that moved in +a circle; and as he sat there he looked through the powerful glasses +of the immense telescope. + +He first beheld the Schools of the Fine Arts, with their myriad students +who swarmed through a group of buildings so large that it covered the +first sweep of the telescope. + +At the next turn of the magic device Mr. World saw the Special Schools +of Mathematics whose prevalent tendency was to destroy faith. Here the +mind of each student was taught to submit everything to the tests of +proof, so that by the time one's training was finished he would believe +only what could be scientifically demonstrated. In this way Satan +induced many a student to disregard the Bible because he could not +reduce all its teachings to the cold and rigid rules of human reasoning. + +Thus does Satan manipulate affairs so that many of the Christian schools +of the earth have imbibed a similar course:--first exalting Reason, +and doing nothing to correspondingly develop in the student the +functions of Faith. + +When the telescope again turned Mr. World saw the Schools of Metaphysics +where Satan operated in harmony with the limitless scheme of the whole +University. + +Next the College of Theology came within the range of vision. Here the +clergymen of the Broad Highway are prepared to teach the doctrines of +Hell under the guise of "Broad-Minded Theology." I envied not Mr. +World's position, for I could also see what his wondering eyes beheld. +As I took a transient view of this vast group of Theological Halls, +and saw how many human beings resorted hither for information, I could +the better understand why the world is kept so full of perverted truth. +There is a daily inflow of ecclesiastics into this College, even such +as become dissatisfied with the Theology as taught on the Highway of +the King. + +At the next turn of the telescope Mr. World saw the extensive Business +College whither so large a number of merchants go to learn how to +advertise, and also how to get rich quickly. One hall alone is set +apart for the purpose of teaching a merchant how to practice fraud +without injuring his good standing in the church; another hall teaches +how far a business man may venture into prevarication without lying; +while a still larger hall is devoted to the wholesale trade, and is +intended to teach the best methods of adulterating foods while yet +allowing them to be sold for genuine goods. + +Mr. World was deeply interested in the view afforded by the next turn +of the telescope, for the magnificent groups of buildings comprising +the College of Fashions now lay before his admiring vision. He knew +that his beloved friend was somewhere amongst the moving throngs that +ever kept the College astir. + +I looked in wonderment upon the far-reaching operations of this Satanic +center. The teachings of this College were so far-reaching that the +seeds of endless follies were planted in the generations yet unborn. + +In one of the larger halls of this imposing group I saw an endless and +popular variety of the gods of Fashion. They were worshiped by the +slavish legions who were willing to sacrifice their all rather than +forsake their chosen idols. + +Mr. World plainly saw the connection between this College of Fashions +and the Devil's Pawn Shop. The next item in the weird program was the +Devil's Optical College which Mr. World and Miss Church-Member had +visited in the earlier days of their companionship. Satan's Medical +Schools also lay in the same line of vision, and were intimately +connected with the Devil's Hospital which had numberless branches in +all parts of the world. + +And next the vast College of Literature flashed before the admiring +eyes of Mr. World. As seen through the telescope this section presented +a most beautiful picture. + +The surface Schools of Law next attracted the attention of the spectator +who was surprised to get so large a view of these operations. + +Mr. World still moved in the magic circle, and saw the whole program +as revealed at the angle at which the telescope was inclined. When the +first circle was completed, the telescope dropped to a new angle and +started on its second revolution, disclosing to the observer a new +world of schools, all of which were also comprehended in the University +of the World. + +The Missionary College proved to be an interesting sight, as did also +the Devil's Temperance College. + +One of the most surprising sights that greeted Mr. World in this second +revolution was Satan's Modern College of Narcotics which is a series +of schools built and operated with great care, intended to counteract +the special efforts ever being put forth by the devotees of the King's +Highway to teach the relations of narcotics to the nervous system. +Formerly Satan did this branch of work in one of the wings of the +Temperance College, but on account of the great stress put on this +subject by the Surpassing Schools of the Christ, Satan has built this +modern institution, and now the church is in confusion because _so +many of its members have such an indistinct vision that they cannot +discern between the wool of the sheep and the hair of the wolf, even +when each animal is wearing its own hide._ + +The most mysterious schools revealed by this second revolution were +called the Schools of Emergency. These required the skill of the +interpreters to give Mr. World an idea of their work. + +This is also a modern idea of the Evil One, and since their erection +the schools have been patronized by an astonishingly large number of +disappointed church-members who receive instruction more readily from +the modern methods here in vogue than from the old-time system. + +Then did Mr. World behold a new line of schools in course of erection, +but the interpreter refused to give him satisfaction when he asked the +purpose of these new schools. + +When the great telescope had finished the second revolution, Mr. World +was surprised to see that it commenced on the third round as the outer +end of the telescope pointed more directly toward the base of the +Observatory. + +Startling scenes were now laid bare. The underground schools of this +Great University seemed to be greater than the surface operations. + +Mr. World first saw the Opium Schools, built in the form of large dens. +After this came the Schools of Iniquity, operated in darkness. Here +all forms of evil are taught and made to appear justifiable under +certain conditions. Many of these underground schools could not be +clearly seen by Mr. World, but ere the telescope completed its third +revolution he saw the Schools of Suicide more distinctly than during +his visit, and got a glimpse of the limitless Law Departments +Underground, and the terrible pictures of sadness and sin as seen +beneath the Devil's Hospital. + +Mr. World raised his eyes from the telescope and looked towards the +interpreter. "What lies beyond those vast elevations?" he asked as he +pointed to a rugged mountain range farther down the Broad Highway. + +"Back of those mountains lies the beautiful Wizard City, shut in from +all the world. Ask nothing more about it." + +"But may I not enter it?" + +"Not unless you are fortunate enough to discover one of the paths that +lead to the Summit. From thence one can see the City." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +EXPERT INVENTORS OF THE BROAD HIGHWAY. + +1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member fail to see the Ways and Means +Committee at work. + +2. They are directed to the city where expert inventors are constantly +employed in devising weapons and all kinds of devices. + +3. They see a few inventions which are just being perfected to +facilitate the services of the churches along the King's Highway. + + +After Mr. World's remarkable experiences on the Observatory, he gladly +called for his friend, Miss Church-Member, who accompanied him on +another branch of the Mountain Trolley. + +They alighted at a station called Progress, and proceeded on the Broad +Highway. Neither of them became wearied in listening to the experiences +of the other during their brief separation. + +Ere long they came to a large hall which was used by the Ways and Means +Committee of the Broad Highway. + +They obtained permission to visit the interior of the hall, hoping +thereby to see the famous committee in session. But, after being +escorted from room to room by a guide, they were informed, upon reaching +the main auditorium, that the committee was holding a secret session, +and that no visitors would be allowed to enter during that day. + +"How soon will visitors be admitted?' asked Mr. World, with a shade +of disappointment in his tone. + +"Not until the matter now under consideration is settled. It may be +two hours, perhaps two days," was the indefinite reply. + +"And where can we spend the interim with most profit and interest?" +further interrogated Mr. World. + +The guide, looking through a window, described a path leading to a +lofty summit. "When you reach that elevation," explained he, "you will +see, in the busy vale beyond, the Wizard City. + +"Most of the experiments performed in that wondrous vale are closed +forever from the view of mortal man; but so much of the work as you +are allowed to see will interest you for many days." + +"In my opinion such a privilege is greater than the one we are here +denied," smilingly spoke Miss Church-Member. + +"True indeed, my friend, unless the climbing of the hill should prove +to be a more arduous task than you imagine," cautioned Mr. World. + +"Each of you will be pleasantly surprised," promptly affirmed the +guide, "for they only can climb to that summit who do so willingly, +and by them it is easily accomplished." + +"Is there no shorter way thither than by that winding path?" slowly +asked Mr. World. + +"There is but one shorter route, and that is underground. No one is +permitted to go that way until he has passed the summit and has reached +the seventh degree in the secret service of our Master." + +"Ah! so there is an underground connection between this place and the +Expert Inventors?" said Miss Church-Member in a low tone, and with a +look of suspicion. + +"Be not in the least alarmed. The Ways and Means Committee and the +Expert Inventors work in harmony, each supplementing the work of the +other. It is therefore essential that between them there be as close +connection as possible, not only for convenience of travel, but for +insuring secrecy." + +"Then why are the two places so far apart?" queried Miss Church-Member. + +"Everything is perfectly arranged. If you could see the underground +world between the two sites you would readily observe the logical +relation of all parts. But the bell rings; I must go," continued the +guide. "If you wish further information you may obtain it at the +office," and with a courteous bow he withdrew. + +That same day I saw the two travelers climb with ease to the summit +from whence they beheld the most curious sight that had yet met their +gaze since their fellowship had begun. + +Down in the long and deep sloping vale before them, shut in from all +the world, lay a large city of fantastic structures. + +The weird outlines of this marvelous city extended downward into the +darkness of the earth, while the height of its buildings varied from +the common even unto the amazing. + +The form of the city, and the shape of its buildings, were the most +bizarre features of all. Only a few of the edifices bore resemblance +to any which the travelers had ever before seen. + +Toward one end of the city they saw a cluster of buildings which, taken +as a whole, resembled a gigantic tree towering to a great height and +covered with strange foliage. + +[Illustration: In the "Wizard City" Satan devises novelties, such as +"Angelette" for choir singing the "Service Regulator" for taking the +Holy Spirit's place in worship, etc.] + +At the other end of the city the structures were divided into more +than a hundred groups, resembling somewhat variously-shaped balloons +of monstrous size. + +The sides of the city were constructed somewhat after the manner of +immense Ferris wheels, of amazing diameter. The compartments therein +actually moved up or down according to the range of vision desired by +the Inventors in their experimenting. + +The central part of the city was the most notable of all. Here, with +an average diameter of ten hundred feet, rose a circular structure +tapering irregularly until it settled to a point six thousand feet in +the air. Around this, as a center, ranged terraces, hanging gardens, +aerial boulevards, and spiral electric railways. + +After viewing this wonderful valley for many hours, the companions +took one of the perfected automobiles and covered the long gradual +descent to a depth of ten thousand feet perpendicular. + +As they neared the base, I looked at Blackana, and asked: "How long +have those Schools of Invention been in operation?" + +"Since the creation of man." + +"What is the real purpose of their existence?" + +"To invent devices and weapons helpful to our cause in peace or war, +and more particularly to concoct new schemes for the use of the churches +along the King's Highway and the Way of the World." + +"Oh! that the earth might see all this foul inwardness, and discern +aright the bland deception with which those subtle plots are executed!" + +A Satanic smile covered the features of Blackana as he assured me that +the earth does know of these things, and has known of them for ages, +but is too well pleased with them to offer serious opposition. + +In disgust I turned from Blackana and saw that Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member had reached the suburbs of the Wizard City where they +read this unexpected notice over a large brazen gate: + +NONE ADMITTED EXCEPT THEY TO WHOM THE PORTER OPENETH. + +"Ah! all our toil may be in vain," sighed Miss Church-Member. + +They stood for a brief time in a quandary, discussing how one may know +whether or not the Porter will open the gate. Finally the stalwart +Porter approached them and spoke: "With what motive and for what purpose +would ye enter?" + +Mr. World, with native tact, was ready with an answer: "I am in full +sympathy with the work done in this city and have with me my friend +who is still a member of a church standing along the King's Highway." + +The Porter advanced with graceful bearing and bowed to Miss +Church-Member. "Perchance," said he, "you have come to receive some +new ideas for the benefit of the church?" + +"You have surmised it," she blushingly replied. "The church to which +I belong is sadly behind the age in its methods of work. I am hoping +that the inventive genius of this city can give me some features new +and attractive, that I may, in my missionary work, help to introduce +them into antiquated churches." + +"Yours is a worthy mission," politely said the Porter, "and I herewith +hand you a card which will admit both of you into the department of +the city, number seven hundred and seventy-seven." + +Instantly the gate flew wide open, and the happy couple passed through +joyfully. They walked by the many fairy-like buildings, closing their +eyes to all the special scenes so that they might give their first +attention to the department indicated by the Porter. + +With little difficulty they found the place desired, and handed the +card to a curator who conducted them to the general manager. + +"I infer, by this card," said the manager, "that you are hoping to +find some new schemes to facilitate the work and service of the church." + +"That is our aim," answered Miss Church-Member. + +"I am glad that you are so ambitious to keep apace with the times. In +this marvelous age of mechanism all things are done by devices and +machinery, and the church that would keep step with the spirit of +progress must also be run by mechanism. The services of such a +congregation should be controlled by a rigid methodical law, so that +everything will move like clock-work. The church of to-day, in its +movement towards form and ceremony, is approaching the highest laws +of universal harmony. This hopeful tendency is most helpful to the +soul of man and most pleasing to God." + +"Just my idea exactly," chimed in Mr. World. "The churches along the +King's Highway are stubbornly fighting these modern improvements. They +are very slow in catching up with the spirit of the age. Does that not +seem true, Miss Church-Member?" + +"I must confess I see it more clearly now than ever. Nature is run by +unerring, unchangeable law; why should not all spiritual operations +come under the same principle? Formality, after all, is the highest +point to be reached." + +"Your mind easily grasps the truth, I perceive," responded the manager. +"What can bring things into better form than to get as much machinery +as possible into church worship? In this building a thousand experts +are constantly employed in devising and perfecting mechanical +arrangements to facilitate the services of the church. Perhaps you +would be pleased to see some of the results of our work by passing +through some of the sub-departments?" + +"For my part," replied Miss Church-Member, "I am more than passingly +interested in these things, and if Mr. World does not object to +accompany us, I will be grateful to improve this opportunity to look +upon your work." + +After completing preliminary arrangements I saw the manager conduct +his two visitors on the easy running elevator to the floor which was +devoted especially to singing. + +"As it is your wish," said the manager "to see the latest, we will not +tarry at these lesser rooms, but proceed immediately to the corner of +the chief experts where I will be pleased to show to you the best +novelty on the floor." They walked down the long room, passing on each +side of the aisle one set of busy workers after another. They stopped +at one of the far corners and beheld, in advance, the latest novelty +to be used for singing in church service. + +It was an artificial woman, neatly attired and filled with a complicated +mechanism so constructed that when certain electric keys were touched +by the unseen operator, articulate sounds like unto a human voice +issued forth, while the expression of the whole face, and the +natural-like heaving of the breast, all moved in harmony with the +artificial sounds. The invention so much resembled a living creature +of beauty that Miss Church-Member at first thought it was really human. + +Mr. World was so well pleased with the novelty that he unconsciously +seated himself upon a couch and looked on in amazement. The beauty of +the female form attracted his attention as much as the voice that +pealed forth bewitchingly from the lips. + +"The greatest thing in the world!" he said after a period of ecstatic +silence. "The church that gets such a singer into its choir will have +a packed house at every service." + +"I never so much as dreamed of such a thing before. Have any of the +churches yet tried the experiment?" wonderingly asked Miss +Church-Member. + +"The time has not yet come," replied the manager. "Our experts have +been perfecting this fine piece of mechanism for many years, but it +is not yet quite satisfactory. We shall continue until it is well-nigh +perfect. In the meantime we are trying to prepare the way so that the +people will gladly receive such an addition to their church machinery. +It is our intention to be able to supply _angelettes_, (for that is +the name by which this invention will be known) of any size, and with +apparel suitable for any special or ordinary occasion of church worship. +The angelette is to be so perfected that it will render vocal music +without a break. That will be a happy day when people can worship God +without aging themselves hoarse or without being annoyed by the discords +so prevalent in congregational and choir singing and, moreover, have +none of the evil effects that come from choir quarrels." + +"I can plainly see," commented Miss Church-Member as they moved toward +another floor, "that the church is only in the morning twilight of its +progress. The wonders of today will pale into insignificance at the +coming of the greater things." They dropped to a lower floor and stepped +from the elevator. + +"This floor is devoted to the '_Order of Church Service_'" explained +the manager. "It is indeed surprising to see what a variety of devices +are here suggested to get the churches to pin themselves down to a +fixed law of service in such a way that all else must bend to it or +appear ridiculous. Some churches, claiming to be led by the Spirit, +are constantly out of order. One cannot even imagine what is coming +next. That is a foolish, haphazard way of conducting a religious +service. We are doing all we can to correct these errors. I will take +you at once to the expert's room and let you see the latest piece of +mechanism which we hope very soon to offer for public use." + +Far out in one end of the building I saw the three enter a room where +men were busily engaged at work. + +"Will you kindly show these two visitors the workings of your new +invention called the 'Service Regulator,'" requested the manager as +he looked at the chief inventor. + +A large curtain was raised and there it hung. No larger than a family +clock. The inventor opened a door of the Regulator, and carefully +explained its works. He called their attention especially to a roil +of blackboard canvas that passed from an upper to a lower cylinder +when the Regulator was running. + +I heard the inventor, in explaining, use these words: "The minister +arranges the program in advance and then marks the whole order of +service on the canvas roll, allowing as much time for each part of the +service as he thinks proper. The canvas is then replaced and the +Regulator hung on the wall. When the minute comes to commence services, +the Regulator is wound with a key and it starts to run. The canvas, +in passing down at a fixed rate, informs the congregation of every +change in the service, just as it had been previously planned." + +"What think you of it?" asked the manager, after the partial +explanation. + +"I do not believe that the church of the King's Highway to which I +belong could use it. It would tend only to confusion," said Miss +Church-Member. + +"Only till they become accustomed to it," explained the inventor. +"After a few weeks of use its value would be demonstrated. Then the +congregation would not part with it under any consideration. You see, +Miss Church-Member," he continued as he offered them easy chairs, +"there would be a definite time to close the service. The Regulator +would move with the precision of a clock, and nobody would complain +about the preacher speaking too long, for he would stop at a fixed +time. It is so arranged that a little bell rings five minutes in advance +of the time to stop preaching. It is sometimes a great satisfaction +for the hearer to know when the sermon is nearly ended, and the +Regulator would be a blessed boon to some preachers who find it +difficult to stop talking after they get 'warmed up,' as they call it." + +"How beautiful the thought that the bells of the Regulator would call +the congregation to prayer, and a bell bid the time to change the +devotion from prayer to song. You must not forget that this device is +intended to educate the minister, choir, and congregation to a fine +degree of accuracy in all their public devotions. See what opportunity +this device offers for the display of ingenuity and tact on the part +of a minister! He can, on the blank spaces, have a few pictures drawn. +These will be interesting to children who cannot comprehend his sermon, +or to an adult who loses the thread of the discourse. Does it not seem +like a good thing for the church?" he asked, as he turned his gaze +upon Miss Church-Member. + +"It seems more and more that way, and no doubt it will prove helpful +if it gets a fair trial. How does it suit _your_ fancy?" she inquired +of Mr. World. + +"It seems to me that all churches who know a good thing when they see +it will get it at any cost. It just meets my idea exactly. I like to +see things done decently and in order in the church. It always makes +me nervous to get into a church where enthusiasm runs away with the +meeting. It makes me feel somewhat as if I were in a trolley car that +is running down grade while the motor-man has lost control of the +brakes. It makes it uncomfortable to stay or to run." + +"Have any of the churches introduced this novelty yet?" inquired Miss +Church-Member. + +"None as yet. We are waiting for certain developments before placing +this device on the market. The agents of our Secret Service will inform +us when the time is ripe." + +The manager then offered to conduct them to another floor which was +devoted to the interests of the Prayer Meeting, but Miss Church-Member, +having lost her interest in such kind of services, expressed a desire +to visit some other part of the city. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +THE WIZARD CITY. + +1. The weird city of inventors described. + +2. Its ultimate overthrow predicted in a realistic climax. + + +I saw that Miss Church-Member was anxious to visit the vast tower in +the central part of the city. So Mr. World, in deference to her wishes, +and agreeably to his own desires, escorted her in that direction. + +Standing away at some distance, they were soon gazing upward at the +awe-inspiring spectacle. Its grandeur and proportions now appeared to +be greatly increased. + +They could see, with more distinctness, circling around the massive +wizard cone, the aerial boulevards, ever alive with private conveyances, +and the trolley cars each carrying a variety of passengers. + +"Will you accompany me on the trolley to the first series of hangings +gardens?" cheerily invited Mr. World. + +"If we are permitted, and you think it safe to ascend," she answered +in a tremulous voice. He calmed her fears and led her to the central +passenger room at the base of the tower. Here they saw a system of +interior elevators carrying throngs of people to the numerous stations +between the base and the highest dizzy view-point. + +Leading off to the right ran the double trolley system, and to the +left the equally wide boulevard, each on the exterior of the massive +tower. + +I saw the obliging Mr. World, with more than usual courtesy, conduct +his friend to a seat on a trolley car bound for the aerial gardens. + +The ascent was smooth and afforded delightful opportunities to view, +at every desirable angle, the surrounding city and its suburbs. + +"This is the most exhilarating ride of my life!" triumphantly cried +Miss Church-Member as they circled higher and higher so gradually that +more than ten miles were traveled ere the objective point was reached +one thousand feet from the base. + +Here lay the variety gardens, suspended from the rigid side of the +tower by a feat of architectural engineering surpassing anything in +the natural world. + +Around the gardens the boulevards and the trolley lines circled +horizontally, and also passed through some of the huge corridors which, +on this level, diverge from the interior elevators toward the exterior +gardens. + +When the trolley car reached this height Miss Church-Member at once +fixed her eyes on the ponderous pillars on each side of the converging +corridors, for she knew that more than four thousand feet of the tower's +amazing weight rested on these defiant granites. + +Mr. World and his pleasing friend meandered amongst the multitude from +one to another of the hanging gardens, drinking in all the vain glories +that this aerial world afforded. At last, wearied by the endless +succession of extraordinary sights, they stole away to a quiet retreat +on the outer edge of a garden farthest from the tower's center. +Reclining in hammocks, they conversed of all the greatness of the +world. + +Looking upward they saw, fifteen hundred feet above them, the next +series of hanging gardens; and during the lull in the music near by, +they caught the strains falling from the upper orchestras like music +from Heaven. + +"Will you go with me still higher to taste the sweetness of a more +ethereal level?" + +Intoxicated with the charms already felt, Miss Church-Member was ready +for any height. Upward they went on the venturesome trolley, admiring +the phenomenal ride and the scenery it opened to their view in panoramic +splendor. Their course wound round and round until they came to the +horizontal circle twenty-five hundred feet above the base. + +This was a place of more refinement and beauty. The touch of the finer +artists was seen in all the arrangement and style of the terraces and +hanging gardens, but especially in the rich variety of flowers and +plants that added their wealth to the novel combinations. + +Mr. World carefully guarded his much esteemed friend during their +sight-seeing from garden to garden, for at times they encountered +throngs of people. + +I saw them eventually seek rest on rustic chairs where their +conversation deepened into the relations they sustained one to the +other, succeeded at last by a tender, thoughtful silence. + +In the midst of their reveries they noticed a little spider, swinging +on its silken thread, floating in the air between them. + +"You rude little creature! Why do you come, at such a time, between +my friend and me?" said Miss Church-Member in a half humorous mood. + +"It may be for a purpose, dear. Perhaps the little insect poses here +to remind us that we can never escape the foe that seeks to separate +us." + +"Quite an ingenious explanation," she said with deepening seriousness. +"But who is that lurking foe who seeks our separation?" + +"'Tis better to learn to know your enemies than to be told of them. +Hence look through your eyes askance." + +Just at this instant Miss Church-Member raised her hand and caught the +little intruder, placing it alive into a locket which she had secretly +carried ever since she had visited the Pawn Shop. + +"What can be the meaning of that?" queried Mr. "World as he saw, through +the glass of the little lid, the struggling insect. + +"So may it be to any foe that seeks to separate us," she explained. + +"Then let me carry the locket," he suggested. "You have captured the +foe; allow me to keep him imprisoned." + +There was a happy exchange of glances as she pressed the little prison +into his hand. "It is yours forever," she pledged under the sway of +her rising emotions. + +And he, accepting it with a warm heart, spoke thus in glowing words: +"I accept the endless task and also pledge to the utmost of my power +to keep any foe imprisoned that seeks to rob your life of any passing +happiness." + +"Shall we go still higher?" he soon asked as he fixed his eyes on the +dizzy terraces two thousand feet above them. + +"In your presence I fear no height," was her confiding response. + +The trolley cars ascended no higher, so they proceeded to the interior +elevators. But they were told that no visitors were allowed above that +point that privilege being reserved alone for the inventors. + +"Are we permitted to visit the interior apartments of this tower, even +below us?" asked Mr. World wistfully. + +"They are all doubly sealed. No one but an expert inventor, true and +tried in our master's service, ever passes through these secret +chambers." + +"May we know what particular branch of work is done in this tower?" + +"It is devoted alone to the invention and testing of weapons of warfare +for the armies of our master, especially for the sharp-shooters +stationed along the so-called King's Highway." + +Miss Church-Member trembled at this announcement and urged Mr. World +to conduct her to the base of the tower that they might visit other +parts of the city. + +As I was looking at all these things, a flash of light, coming from +one side, blinded my vision, and as I turned I saw a heavenly messenger +in a blaze of glory. + +"Hither, hither!" beckoned the sweet-faced angel. + +I was instantly at his side without effort, except an act of volition. +He transported me almost instantaneously to the apex of the great tower +in the Wizard City. + +There I stood without fear under the sweet charms of my angel guide +who floated gently about me in the air. + +"O mortal man," calmly spoke the angel, "thou shalt now be privileged, +for a brief space of time, to gaze upon this Wizard City as angels do. +Thy memory shall be strengthened so that thou shalt not forget the +vision of these carnal things." + +Then, in a manner surpassing all things human, scales fell from my +eyes, and I was struck with horror at the awful sight that lay before +me. + +"Look thou first into the interior of this tower," bade the angel, as +he pointed downward. All things were open to my view, and I saw many +of the bright geniuses of the world in league with the imps of darkness, +all busily engaged in the secret service of Satan. + +I saw how Satan used the ingenuity of man to carry forward his infamous +schemes. Instead of the old rifles used in the earlier days of +Christianity I saw in this tower almost numberless kinds of fatal +weapons which send forth their poisonous and deadly discharges without +smoke or sound, so that the wounded, not knowing whence the missiles +come, might imagine that they were smitten of God. + +The angel informed me that every year this fiendish tower puts out +into the hands of its agents many new devices, either for poisoning +or wounding the disciples who travel on the King's Highway, and who +by any kind of negligence come within reach of Satan's forces. "Seest +thou," continued my guide, "with what cunning Satan hath builded this +tower? By its exterior beauty he gaineth the confidence of the unwary, +and thus winneth countless thousands to his cause. And seest thou the +depth to which it reaches, not six thou sand feet below us, but ten +times six thousand feet, into the bowels of the earth?" + +Then could I see, at a glance, the whole under-ground dominions +stretching their borders far, wide, and deep. There was a small empire +of groveling imps, each bent on the work of his particular branch. + +"Look thou now into the apartments of those ponderous wheels," directed +my glorious guide. + +Neither metal nor granite obstructed my vision. I saw delicate and +complex machinery, and half-human creatures in league with mortal man, +all bending to their tasks. + +"They all work in league with the Devil's Optical College. The inventive +genius of Hell hath contrived, in these graded departments, all the +modern lenses that are so terribly warping the vision of an alarming +number in the church and the world. + +"And seest thou," continued the angel, as he pointed to a far section +of the city, "those inventors plying their ingenuity in behalf of +Satan's Medical Colleges and Hospitals? + +"And also witness, in that nearer section, the viler groups at work +inventing snares and traps for Satan's allies to use in catching +Heaven-bound pilgrims. + +"Also behold," he continued, turning to another part of the city, "that +special class of geniuses who work for Satan's general emissaries as +they journey far and wide to do exploits. How terribly they influence +the weaker servants of our King!" + +Then I stood gazing, as the angel continued his interpreting, until +I had seen the foul workings of this whole city. + +I was so filled with a mixture of grief and indignation that I cried +out in painful anguish: "Why does not God send thunderbolts from his +eternal throne, and smite this city to fragments?" + +Then the sweet angel calmly answered: "Not until the worm ceaseth to +crawl, and thistles no more infest the ground. Till then the patience +of God endureth and his sunshine falleth on the temples of Virtue and +of Vice." + +"And what comes at the end of patience?" + +"Then shall the taint of sin be purged from the earth, for every temple +and pest-hole of Satan, including this whole Wizard City, will be +consumed by an awful fire whose lurid light will glimmer long after +the metals and granites of this great Tower shall have been reduced +to ashes amidst the general ruin." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE FESTIVAL. + +1. The whole scheme of merchandising in the church is laid bare as +Satan explains the origin of the word "Festival." + + +Looking once again through the open door, I saw that Mr. World and +Miss Church-Member, after leaving the Wizard City, had gained admission +to the auditorium where the Ways and Means Committee was in session. + +Miss Church-Member at once retired to the waiting-room in the rear, +and sat quietly perusing a book while her companion remained in the +large hall and listened to the proceedings. + +An agent of Satan occupied the chair. He was dressed in pleasing +costume, and controlled the assemblage with parliamentary dignity. + +When Mr. World took a seat the large committee was engaged in a warm +debate over a certain piece of ground occupying a space midway between +the King's Highway and the Broad Highway. This eligible site had been +used for holding church-festivals to raise funds for the maintenance +of gospel work. A few wealthy friends of Satan wanted this location +to erect on it a club-house wherein they might revel and carouse as +they wished. + +The question arose among the members of the committee as to which of +the two uses would best subserve the purpose of their master who held +a claim on the land. + +The chairman arose, after listening to the arguments at length, and +addressed the audience with great coolness and deliberation: "Most +worthy members of this committee," commenced he, "you have spoken many +words of truth this day. Your interest in this matter only shows your +loyalty to our cause. 'Club-House or Festival?' that is the question. +Surely we cannot dispense with either, but rather must we maintain +both at any cost. As for this place in question, I am decidedly in +favor of holding it for the use of the church. The Club-House will +find a location elsewhere, but this ground is so favorably situated +for church-merchandising that I urge you to hold it for such purposes. +Have we not seen how eagerly the two classes mingle here? This place, +being so accessible to all parties, makes it possible for the church +to gather larger numbers and thereby reap greater financial results-- +which is the principal object of the church in holding these delightful +affairs. Since the church is well supplied with everything it needs +except money, let us do it a favor by rendering some assistance in +that direction. Then we may reasonably expect that the church will, +in return, do us a favor by being less hostile to our methods of +operation, which, as you will admit, are highly honorable." + +This speech had the desired effect. A resolution was quickly passed +in harmony with the opinion of the chairman. + +The curiosity of Mr. World was now satisfied, for he had seen this +famous committee in session. Therefore he repaired to the waiting- +room, and while conducting Miss Church-Member from the building their +attention was arrested by this announcement written in bold letters +near the exit: + +ANY ONE WISHING REFRESHMENTS CAN FIND THEM AT THE FESTIVAL ON THE +CHURCH GROUNDS. + +"How does that announcement suit you?" interrogated Mr. World. + +"It comes at an opportune time," she answered, her face brightening, +"I had been hoping that we might soon have lunch." + +They had gone but a few steps from the door when they heard cheery +voices and strains. + +Here the Church receives money for souls from the Devil, while the +Devil gets souls for money from the Church of music lending attractive +life to the festival. Urged on by the thought of a pleasant hour, they +quickened their pace unconsciously and were soon within sight of the +grounds. + +I saw the multitude gathering in the grove. The mingling of the church +and the world was so complete that one could scarcely tell from which +path many had come. + +On this intervening ground everything appealed to the appetite, and +the patrons knew that the more they ate or purchased the greater would +be the success of the festival. Therefore some ate even unto gluttony +for the benefit of the church, while the agents of Satan with skillful +aim were sending poisoned arrows into the heart of true benevolence, +and also endeavoring to arrest the minds of Christians so that they +might pursue the Broader Path after their routine at the festival was +ended. + +Thus I saw, falling into the coffers of the church, filthy lucre not +sanctified by prayer or sacrifice, and from this seed the church hoped +to reap a holy harvest. + +Mr. World and his companion spent a delightful season with the company +and, thanks to Mr. World's plethoric purse, proved themselves pleasingly +generous in their patronage. Finally Miss Church-Member excused herself +from Mr. World and joined a company of young ladies who were engaged +in joyous pleasures. + +Mr. World, now alone, was walking leisurely about the grounds when +Satan appeared and sauntered at his side "Are you not fearful," asked +Mr. World in the midst of a conversation, "that many of your subjects +will be led into the Narrow Path by tarrying at this place and +associating with so many Christians?" + +"Not in the least," he replied, "for at such places as this I gain +more subjects than I lose. So I expect to encourage forever +sacred-merchandising all along my route. The churches are glad to use +this ground even though it belongs to me, for I concede to them all +the money. Naturally I prefer souls to money." + +"How did this word 'festival' originate?" queried Mr. World after a +brief pause in the conversation. + +"With pleasure I will explain. Once upon a time I called together my +generals to determine upon new methods of winning converts to our +cause, and promised to confer upon the one who should suggest the best +plan, the honorable title 'Fast Devil.' + +"A long intermission was granted to give my aids time to use their +ingenuity in planning. All Hell was filled with students, each one +striving to win the title. + +"At a given signal my cohorts re-assembled. Thus before me lay a vast +army of anxious faces. I gave each one, who desired, an opportunity +to speak. The sun revolved on his axis seven times ere the argument +was finished. During this debate there was comparative peace on earth." + +"Pray tell me," further asked Mr. World, "What was the trend of their +suggestions?" + +"I could relate it all, for I have every word recorded, but I shall +not weary you." + +"But at least give me a general idea." + +"Willingly. One of my generals arose and said: 'We can change some of +our tactics without loss to our cause. The sword and torture only +strengthen our enemies. We should resort more to the 'wolf- +in-sheep's-clothing method.' + +"He could speak no more. A thundering sound of voices drowned his +utterances. Thousands of my loyal leaders seconded his plans. + +"At last one of the speakers, who indeed won the prize, earnestly +proposed a grand scheme, and the vast multitudes listened with rapt +attention. His speech was short but fiery, and, rising to the occasion, +he demanded that all his comrades should unite to destroy the simple +voluntary spirit of Christian benevolence so that the church might go +begging before the world and even resort to all manner of mercantile +business for its support. The speaker declared that if the church could +be induced to adopt such measures it would tend to divert her mind +from interfering with the work to which he and his auditors were all +loyally pledged. + +"This speech had a marvelous effect, and there was a deafening roar +of voices in the applause which continued for a long space of time. + +"Then followed an animated discussion in which a host of trusted leaders +engaged. Each one commented on the winning speech and offered +suggestions how to awaken a trading interest in the church. It was +conceded that first of all the church must feel the necessity of +resorting to business. Accordingly a large committee was appointed to +work systematically amongst the churches on earth, inducing their +members to depart from the customs of the early church. + +"This committee did yeoman service and shrewdly prepared the way for +the more complete work in harmony with the views of Fast Devil. Through +the ages it succeeded in gradually influencing the church to engage +in all manner of performances and trading schemes to gain support. The +work of this committee is not yet at an end, for nearly every week we +hear of some innovation which has crept into the church, or some new +form of merchandising into which it has fortunately entered. + +"It is indeed gratifying that the church is casting off her unsightly +spiritual robe and putting on the costume of merriment and trade. I +hope the day will soon come when the church will have still less of +the spiritual nonsense and more of these up-to-date methods to secure +funds for its support." + +As Satan spoke his last words he bid a brief adieu to Mr. World and +hastened away to the side of a young man who was almost persuaded to +yield to some elevating influence. I suddenly looked at Blackana whose +presence I had well-nigh forgotten. + +"Have you been taking your ease in sleep?" I asked as an involuntary +shudder shook my frame. + +"I never sleep. Suns may wax and wane, nations rise and fall, peoples +live and die, but I am awake forever." + +"Did you hear the conversation between Satan and Mr. World?" + +"Every word of it." + +"Were you present when Satan held that great convocation to devise +plans for more efficient work against the church of Jesus Christ on +earth?" + +"I attended every session." + +"And did you hear the speech of Fast Devil?" + +"I heard every word." + +"And did Satan give to Mr. World a true account of the address?" + +"He gave only a condensed and garbled rendering of it." + +"Then I command you, O Blackana, to give me a full reproduction of +Fast Devil's speech as far as you are able to translate the language +of Hell into words that are intelligible to me. Can you remember each +thought?" + +"I must remember, for I have not the power to forget," and Blackana +groaned aloud. "Oh, that I could bury in oblivion the myriad thoughts +that sting me with remorse!" He paused a moment. "Am I to give you the +whole--speech as Fast Devil delivered it originally?" + +"Thought for thought, and gesture for gesture," I answered with +authority. + +Ere the last syllable fell from my lips Blackana was suddenly +transformed into a more terrifying creature than he was himself. I was +paralyzed at the sight of the weird monster which I learned was the +image of Fast Devil. + +There he stood, tall and erect, seven times the height of man, with +sinews like iron-rope and with a face defying human description. His +eyes were fiery with life, and determination marked every movement as +he stepped forward to speak. + +Notwithstanding my consciousness of being sustained by supernatural +power, I trembled as Blackana reproduced this noted speech of Fast +Devil: + +"Most honored chief and glorious master," he commenced, "be thou +indulgent as I speak to thee and unto these my comrades who lie in +anxious posture over this vast expanse of Hell. I am here to state an +issue of which we have heard murmurings for many an age. To prepare +for this hour I have taxed my ingenuity to its utmost." + +Then with striking gestures of his awful arms he passionately continued: +"Hope is no more crushed within me as I view the wide and measureless +field of our possibilities, for I see empires within our reach if we +but cease brooding over our dismal past and let this bright prospect +kindle its flames within us. What spur need we to move us on but to +look up and see the resplendent regions whence we fell, till hatred +starts afresh within our beings and our every passion moves to its +control." + +With an outward swing of his great right arm he asked in strong +appealing tones: "How can we best succeed against the church in which +our enemy glories so unceasingly? What inroads can we make? In what +manner shall we advance?" + +He vigorously seized a book. "Here is a Bible, borrowed from a saint. +I turned its pages over and over that I might learn what pained the +heart of Christ most grievously, vexing his inmost soul with +indignation. What was it?" vociferously interrogated Fast Devil as he +flung the book to the scorching winds of Hell. "'Twas that which +hindered the cause of Christ most efficiently--_prostituting the house +of God to worldly purposes_. Have we forgotten the vehemence with which +this arch-enemy drove the money kings from His sacred abode, saying +unto them: 'My house is a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den +of thieves,' and how we like sneaking cowards crawled away, and thus +our glorious scheme went by default?" + +Then Blackana uttered his final appeal with all the swing of his mighty +body and the low vibrant thunder of his voice. "Back to your forts! +Oh, back! ye dormant hosts around me! Not in the strength of arms, but +with the subtlest webs that Hell can weave, and with the snares of +silent treachery. We need no stronger weapons, and for our dress we +will don sheep's clothing of the finest wool. Thus who amongst the +church can tell that we are not seeking her highest good? _Then as we +strike at the heart of voluntary offering in the church, so shall we +kill the spirit that gives it birth. The carcass of this dead spirit +unburied we shall drag through the church for ages, and the germs of +disease arising therefrom will bring more death into the ranks of our +foes than all our weapons of warfare ever did."_ + +Blackana instantly resumed his former shape, and "while I was musing +the fire burned." I then looked out toward the festival ground and saw +that Satan had returned to Mr. World and was explaining to him how +helpful these festivals were to Christians. + +"Aside from the moral and religious influence," he remarked, "how could +the church defray her expenses if she did not engage in some innocent +forms of merchandising, or use some novel scheme to decoy money from +her admirers. Surely there can be no better way," continued the Devil +with an unholy grin. "If the church would maintain her honor before +the world, she must not do differently. I _am satisfied if wily thee +old way of voluntary giving is more and more discarded by the church."_ + +"But you began your former recital," reminded Mr. World, "to inform +me how the word 'Festival' originated. You have not yet succeeded in +making it clear to me." + +"It originated from the phrase of honor which was given the prize- +winner, Fast Devil, but we changed the wording somewhat so that it +might not seem obnoxious to the church." + +Then, by a peculiar method of concrete marking, Satan continued: "The +following is the process of development from the phrase to the word: +'Fast Devil;' '_Fest Evil_;' 'FESTIVAL.'" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. + +1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member visit the great college and are +strongly influenced in favor of Satan's teachings concerning missionary +work. + + +The fellowship of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member grew increasingly +delightful as they journeyed forth from the Festival. In their company +were a few church-members who had also enjoyed the physical pleasures +of the Festival and who preferred to reach Heaven by the most convenient +path. + +The merry band of companions soon reached a certain Missionary Station +which was controlled by pilgrims from the King's Highway. The travelers +were all very much amused at seeing tracts and other pieces of +literature scattered over the Highway in front of the station. + +"How much one can get for nothing!" sneeringly remarked Mr. Bigot, as +he pointed to the literature strewn across the way. + +"Surely there can be no harm in looking at such pieces of paper," said +Mrs. Lucre-Love as she lifted a booklet from the path and commenced +a quiet perusal of it. "And what is it all about?" queried another who +saw the eyes of Mrs. Lucre-Love fixed intently on the pamphlet. + +"Oh, it is nothing new! Only the old monotonous story of the heathen, +followed by the usual appeal for funds. Evidently it is some sharper's +scheme to rob the people of their money." + +Mr. World was near enough to hear her answer and with evident disgust +he asked: "Where can one get reliable information on this subject, +anyhow?" + +"At one of the Missionary Colleges, of course," answered two or three +in unison. "Yes, and I know from past experience that you will soon +be at one. This station and this literature is all the evidence we +need," added Mrs. Lucre-Love. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member thence walked alone and soon beheld +the great Missionary College whose higher domes kissed the lower clouds +of heaven. + +"Surely some great missionary enthusiast must have erected these +edifices," said Miss Church-Member as they were turning to enter the +section devoted to Home Missionary Work. + +The entrance ways were so crowded with students and visitors that Mr. +World escorted his companion with difficulty to the plaza toward which +the twenty-one halls of this section converged. + +The view of this part of the College from the plaza was at once +beautiful and inspiring. + +Hall No. 4 was the first place they decided to enter. Over the door +these words were hung: + +HOME MISSION WORK FINANCIALLY CONSIDERED. + +Having reached the interior, Miss Church-Member, in particular, was +surprised to see the many busy thousands in the large rooms of the +hall, and to note with what carefulness every item of expense was kept +of all the Home Mission Work of the world. + +Then they sought the main lecture-room whose large seating capacity +was already well taken with a motley crowd of students and visitors. + +The lecturer was a woman of shrewd appearance. Her face was void of +sympathy and her voice somewhat masculine. Her address was over one-half +finished when the two companions entered, They listened carefully to +her words which were in part as follows: + +"We are not to worship money, yet we are to guard against squandering +it. The person who wastes one dollar sets a bad example to others and +brings injury to himself. Woman is criticized for wastefulness in +dress. I stand here to defend her, not because she is altogether +innocent, but because her accusers are equally guilty in the same and +in other directions. The money wasted in Home Missionary Work would +feed the starving of all the world. Where does this money come from? +The greater part of it comes from the purses of those who are burdened +with all manner of financial obligations. What right have such people +to rob others of their dues in order to support Home Mission Work? O, +that the time may soon come when consistency will be manifested, and +so much money no longer wasted in this sentimental manner!" + +The speaker proceeded, but the interest of the two listeners was +flagging; so they quietly left the room. + +They next entered Hall No. 17, devoted to "_The Results of Home +Missionary Work_." But after remaining a very short time Miss +Church-Member declared that she was interested more directly in +Foreign Missionary Work. + +In deference to her wishes he at once accompanied her to the second +section of the Missionary College, which was much larger than the +first. Miss Church-Member led the way into one of the large halls where +Satan, through his agents, gave special instruction concerning "_The +Condition of the Heathen._" They listened to four speakers from whose +brief addresses they received food for thought. + +The first speaker expounded the theory that "_Ignorance is Bliss_," +and declared that the heathen were happy and comfortable in their +present condition. + +The second lecturer argued, at greater length, that the heathen were +free from all responsibility as long as they were left alone, and that +if God held them accountable, then their vague worship answered for +a good conscience, and therefore they would reach Heaven by a simpler +path. + +The third speaker declared that the heathen were now as God had made +them, and therefore just as they should be. To establish this theory +he used garbled arguments of predestination. + +The fourth assured the audience that the heathen, in due order, would +rise to loftier conceptions by the same natural processes as the +civilized peoples of to-day have risen from their rude primitive +conditions. + +After examining some heathen relics the two companions spent some time +near-by in a hall of the same section devoted to "_The Effects of the +Gospel on the Heathen._" + +Its teachers were very emphatic in their utterances. They affirmed +that the Gospel did not benefit the heathen, except that it brought +to them civilization with all its attendant responsibilities and vices. + +One lecturer to whom they listened was very fiery. In a scathing manner +the speaker pronounced censure on the Christian church for her +ill-advised policy in Foreign Missionary Work. + +Mr. World and his close friend left the second section of the College +without pausing to visit the recitation rooms where Satan's Missionary +Experts were constantly teaching graded classes. In a few moments they +entered the largest edifice of the Missionary College which was erected +for the special purpose of teaching "_The Comparative Need of Home and +Foreign Missionary Work._" + +Upon entering, Miss Church-Member was surprised at the interior +arrangements of the rooms and the exceptional beauty of their finish. + +After a much needed rest in one of the sub-departments, they went to +one of the higher floors, hoping to hear another lecture on some +missionary theme. + +Mr. World smiled as they entered the room and saw that a woman occupied +the platform. In a jovial manner he remarked that "women must be the +best missionary orators." + +The speaker was keen-eyed and shrewd, and well knew how to use sophistry +in pathos and wit. She expounded to the audience the doctrine of Satan +under whose service she was pledged to loyalty. + +"We are all missionaries," she commenced, "and cannot escape the +responsibility which is imposed upon us. Our duty is imperative. We +stand at the open door of opportunity and enter so slowly into the +fields of work all around us. When one sees rank bigotry and +narrow-mindedness on every hand, he feels like blushing that he ever +sent money to convert the heathen in far-away lands. The heathen at +our own doors are more blood-thirsty than the cannibals of distant +climes. I appeal to you all, noble women especially, to rid your minds +of the fallacy of foreign work and do the foreign work at home, even +inside your own doors. (Applause, principally among the men, in which +Mr. World heartily joined.) I must confess that, at one time, I was +almost overcome by this craze of evangelizing the world. My delusion +went so far that I could see visions of China, Africa, or the remote +islands of the sea, and even imagine that I heard voices calling me +thither. One night I dreamed a dream, the kindest of them all. I saw +a woman standing on the shore of a river, her children drowning at her +side. But she, unmindful of her own blood, was hastening to launch a +boat into the stream that she might rescue a sinking dog on the farther +shore. "Ungrateful wretch," I cried aloud on my bed so that I was +awakened by my own voice. I was so moved by the dream that I could +sleep no more that night, but sought for some one to make known unto +me the interpretation thereof. I soon learned, to my personal shame, +that I was that woman. I then and there vowed that I would no more be +guilty of so great a crime. (Great applause, with cries of "noble +decision!" "common sense!") From that hour I assure you that I have +been trying to evangelize the world--not the one across the river, +(applause) but the one on this side. (Applause.) + +"I have been working at my own home and find a task almost too great +for me to do. If I should ever see the day when I get through with my +own family, including my husband, (great applause among the women) I +can then commence busying myself with my neighbors' affairs and tell +them also how to become perfect. (Laughter and applause.) + +"God never made a greater world than when he instituted the home. The +woman who becomes inspired with international evangelization would do +well if she would learn how to season victuals and cook them aright +(shouting and applause among the men) and to give proper care to her +home and her children. This is home missionary work." (Continued +applause.) The speaker was about to be seated, but the applause was +rising, so she stepped forward again. "If this kind of missionary work +be adopted, then the church will no longer be drained by repeated +collections for missionary work, and that money will flow into better +channels and prove an impetus to trade." She stepped quickly from the +stage while the final burst of applause rang loud and prolonged. + +"That was the greatest and most sensible missionary speech to which +I have ever listened in my life," chuckled Mr. World as he was moving +toward the door with his companion. + +I learned from Blackana that this Missionary College of the Devil has +wrought great mischief in the missionary operations of the church, ad +that Satan glories in the fact that he has succeeded in sending these +nefarious doctrines to the hearts of so many church-members and thereby +kept a large part of the world in spiritual darkness. + +Then I took a passing glance at the King's Highway and saw a shining +pilgrim communing with God and casting his eyes over the hills of Time, +looking for the coming of his Redeemer. From his lips this prayer +arose, like sweet incense to Heaven: "O God, hasten the day when thy +church will unite and go forth into all the world to preach the Gospel, +instead of so large a part of it giving ear to the teaching of Satan's +missionary schools, thereby delaying the coming of thy dear Son!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +THE RIVAL CHURCHES. + +1. The two companions visit a church on the By-Path and are disgusted. + +2. Then they are delighted with the services of the Church of the World +whose minister they visit. + + +I saw the two happy companions leaving the Missionary College and +proceeding on the Broad Highway. They were engaged in censuring the +church for what they conceived to be its waste of time, talent, and +mean in trying to convert the heathen. + +This harmony of opinions was most pleasing to Mr. World. It was in +sweet contrast to what he had previously experienced in his earlier +acquaintance with Miss Church-Member. Her likeness to him and her love +for him were becoming more noticeable as their fellowship continued, +for she observed _through her faithful lenses_ that his moral purity +and refinement were above par. + +While they were yet criticising the church, Mr. World espied, not far +ahead of them, another path leading to the right. "Behold the narrow +path yonder," he exclaimed in a somewhat surprised manner. "If it were +not for a happy change in you, I would now be subjected to a score of +sickly sentiments as to leaving this way and going with you to a harder +one. Have I conjectured rightly?" he asked in a cheerful vein. + +"It is all too true," she confessed. "If people could but see their +folly before placing it on exhibition, what a blessing it would be to +all around them!" + +On the By-Path stood a small church within easy reach of the Broad +Highway. As they came nearer to the place of worship they heard music +which attracted them to the very door of the church. + +"Let us enter," she suggested. + +"I shall enjoy your pleasure," he courteously replied. "Only see to +it carefully that your glasses are properly adjusted, lest some strange +glimmerings of light should bring pain or ruin to your eyes." + +I saw Miss Church-Member re-adjusting her lenses while they were +entering the church and taking seats in the rear of the room. + +The minister led the congregation in a fervent prayer which seemed to +be altogether too Puritanical in the estimation of Mr. World and his +friend. The preacher began his sermon. As he proceeded his countenance +became more radiant. His clear eyes sparkled aright, and as he preached +Christ and Him crucified even his raiment seemed bright and shining. + +It proved to be a memorable meeting. A few who evidently intended to +ridicule were pricked in their hearts and, much to the disgust of some, +cried out: "What must I do to be saved?" + +"Fools who came to scoff remained to pray." + +"This is affectation in the extreme," whispered Mr. World scornfully. + +"Quite enough of it, indeed," she returned. + +The whole affair seemed to her so unreal that her mind could scarcely +believe that she was ever connected seriously with such a method of +worship. + +Still worse than all, through her warped vision and the aid of her +eye-glasses well adjusted, she was led to discern a wicked motive in +the mind of the minister. His utterances also appeared miserably narrow. + +At the request of Miss Church-Member they left the room, congratulating +themselves that they were not compelled to remain longer. + +"All this reminds me of how simple and foolish I once was," she said +plaintively as they descended the front steps. "Is it possible that +I was ever seriously connected with such a kind of worship? Yet +ignorance is the mother of endless follies. Can we find no better place +of worship than this?" + +"Better by far! I can easily lead you to a church where great varieties +of truthful and yet comfortable doctrines are preached, pleasing to +the ear, and fascinating to the senses. No blunt fellow stands in its +pulpit, but rather a cultured and highly refined gentleman of modern +type who delights to keep apace with the customs of the age. If you +desire, I will gladly accompany you thither. It would be sad indeed +were you to be turned away from religion altogether just because your +own church is so unsuited to your advanced ideas." + +The face of Miss Church-Member brightened, and she quickly expressed +her desire to accompany him to such a church. Therefore Mr. World +improved the first opportunity and conducted her to a large and +beautiful edifice. + +"Here," he said, "is the kind of church to which I am inclined. I give +very liberally to the support of the Gospel as here preached. I like +the broad-mindedness and liberal spirit which is manifested within the +domain of this denomination." + +"In what else does this church differ from the one to which I belong?" +she asked. "In this denomination your conscience is not always pricked +and you can do many innocent things without being called a sinner. You +may also consult your personal feelings relative to church duties. One +is not bound down by a galling yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny. Best +of all, this is an up-to-date church. You can learn something about +science, philosophy, and civil government. In your church one must +listen to the thread-bare doctrines of the Bible, much to his personal +discomfort. Your minister exercises a censorship over the consciences +of his members from which I prefer to be excused. In fine, I can say +that nothing is developed there but a long face and a sanctimonious +soberness." + +They entered the church, and were conducted to a front pew. + +The opening services were enrapturing to Miss Church-Member, and seemed +unlike anything she had ever heard. The operatic rendition of the +music, the ritualistic cast of the prayer and the soothing effect of +the rhetorical essay which took the place of a sermon, all exercised +a fascinating influence. + +As the minister neared the close of his essay, he said: "Christ intended +that man should enjoy liberty in this life, and that he should educate +himself in the best schools of art, science, and literature. Therefore +one has a right to seek, in this infinitely great world of ours, for +such things as will best educate his natural and spiritual being. If +the theatre can supply part of this demand, let him go, as a student, +and drink into his soul through the senses of sight and hearing. If +the dance can elevate him somewhat in demeanor and classical grace, +let him go there as a student. If some milder types of indulgence can +bring him into a more thorough knowledge of the weaknesses of human +nature, let him indulge, but only as a student with sincerest motives. +In general, I would say, that your conscience is a reasonably safe +guide and you cannot go far wrong by obeying its dictates. Be a student +all the days of your life; familiarize yourself with both the virtues +and the vices of human kind that you may be better qualified to defend +the right and resist the wrong." + +At the conclusion of the services I heard the minister announce that +the church would hold a "razzle-dazzle" party on Friday evening, at +which he hoped there would be a good attendance, as the church treasury +was in sad need of replenishment. He also announced that all the +prayer-meetings would be discontinued for two weeks, so as to permit +a thorough practice for the coming Cantata. After the dismissal of the +congregation the two continued on their journey, which was ever opening +to them new avenues of delight. + +Miss Church-Member expressed supreme satisfaction regarding the +scholarly sermon to which she had listened, and confessed that she had +never heard a preacher in her own church take such advanced positions +concerning the nature of human liberty. + +Mr. World felt elated because his companion had found such exquisite +delight in the worship of the same church to which he adhered. He also +remembered, with pleasure, that they had safely passed the little +church on the By-Way, which represented the same doctrines as the +church to which his now confiding friend belonged. + +"Would it not be more in keeping with your advanced Christianity if +you were to withdraw your membership from your present connection and +join a church more fitting to your degree?" were his suave words of +invitation. + +"That would be a natural question to consider after I know the rules +and regulations of the church to which I intend to go." + +"That only indicates your wisdom," said Mr. World insinuatingly. "Since +you desire more congenial Christian fellowship, why not give your +attention to the church toward which I lean?" + +"An agreeable suggestion," she said. "Where can I get the desired +information?" + +He answered the question by taking her to the home of the minister, +and there introducing the subject. + +She was very favorably impressed by the courteous reception accorded +her by so great and dignified a person. + +"You come seeking knowledge of the church. I assure you, my young +friend, that I will gladly answer any questions. May I take the +privilege of asking you whether you have ever belonged to any church?" + +She flushed with shame. "I will be true and tell you all. I had a great +experience some years ago, when I was seeking Christ. In answer to my +earnest petitions, I saw the most welcome beams of light that ever +touched my poor soul. I knew I was converted to Christ and continued +in his service ever since, although somewhat differently since I came +into fellowship with Mr. World. I joined the church in which I was +converted and still hold my membership there." + +"How did you get so well acquainted with the happy Mr. World?" + +Miss Church-Member answered half in quaint humor and half in pathos: +"I, at one time, thought he was a very wicked fellow, and in a prayerful +mood I endeavored to rescue him. I knew he would not come by his own +effort to my way of thinking, so I entered into an alliance with him +for the purpose of quietly leading him unto the King's Highway. I soon +saw the bigotry of my former self, and through the kindness of Mr. +World I have already been aided in my vision and improved in dress, +and, better than all, I have enjoyed the privilege of worshiping my +God in a more fitting temple, where true freedom is preached and +practiced." + +"Then it is your purpose to continue being a Christian, although you +have left the King's Highway?" asked the delighted clergyman. + +"As long as I live I will hold to my religion," she said emphatically. + +"Then you are sound indeed both in purpose and doctrine. Did you wish +to be visibly connected with our church?" + +"I wish to know first its rules and conditions of entrance." + +The minister opened his Guide Book and, duly adjusting his spectacles, +read in a pleasing manner: "Anyone wishing to unite with this church +must comply with the following rules and regulations: + +"RULE I.--He must reach a reasonable degree of respectability, or +endeavor to do so. + +"RULE II.--He must not wear clothing so plain as to attract undue +attention. + +"RULE III.--He must not tolerate or countenance the common nuisances +so prevalent in the churches of the King's Highway. + +"RULE IV.--He must ever manifest a liberal spirit so as to keep in +touch with the progress of the world. + +"RULE V.--He may engage in any practice that will give enlightenment +on either the dark or the bright side of life. Members of this church +ought to have a well-rounded education. + +"RULE VI.--He must never take advantage in buying or selling, except +in such cases like Jacob's, where he can bring good to himself or +profit to the church. + +"RULE VII.--He must never give way to his temper, except in such cases +where his personal liberty or his church is attacked. + +"RULE VIII.--He is to cultivate grace and etiquette through whatever +channel possible. + +"RULE IX.--He is to be faithful in attending the services of his own +church, except in cases of sickness or disinclination. + +"RULE X.--It must be his constant aim to reach Heaven by traveling +diligently on a way wide enough to hold the attention and respect of +an enlightened age. + +"These are our general rules. We have several thousand regulations +covering every phase or avenue of life." + +"What I have just now heard are certainly not as iron-clad as the rules +of my church. Nothing is said of conversion, or spirituality, or of +the Holy Spirit, or of the other Persons of the Trinity," commented +Miss Church-Member. + +"No, not of anything that is antiquated or, in other words, `out of +date.' The main church on earth must deal with practical things." + +"What do you call `conversion' in your church, or do you not believe +in it?" + +"Beyond any doubt we believe in conversion. Just as soon as a person +confesses his faith in our general rules he is converted, and is at +once a good Christian. The Bible says that if one will only believe +he is safe: or `saved already' as the true Greek rendering has it." + +"Then you hold to the Bible strictly?" + +"We are the only church that does really and truly hold to the Bible. +We believe and teach it as it is preserved for the ages in the original +Hebrew and Greek." + +"But I notice that many of your rules seem to be at variance with +certain parts of the Bible," she boldly declared. + +"True enough, but those certain parts of the Bible do not belong to +the genuine Scriptures. Whatever you find in the Bible contrary to our +rules and regulations you can safely conclude is an interpolation and +does not form a part of the inspired Word. Let me assure you, Miss +Church-Member, that our discipline was written with great care by +eminent scholars of the Hebrew and Greek; therefore how could there +have been any error in it?" + +Miss Church-Member was slightly confused, and evidenced by her manner +that she was ready to depart. + +"May I ask before you go," continued the minister, "whether you are +willing to join our church?" + +"I have been thinking," she replied, "that I could do more good in my +own church, not by fighting it, but by using _my_ influence quietly +in trying to get some of its members to be more like I am. I have +always had a missionary spirit. In that way I might satisfy my earlier +ambitions and lead some one out of the mist into a better light." + +"A very bright idea," testified Mr. World, advancing with Miss +Church-Member toward the door. + +"And may you succeed in your plans," added the minister as they were +stepping from the room. "There are millions who belong to my church +in spirit, but who hold visible connection with some radical church +of the King's Highway. They are doing great service in eradicating +old-time methods and planting the banners of a new liberty such as we +three enjoy." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +FROM THE VALLEY OF CONVICTION TO THE DEVIL'S AUCTION. + +1. Depression of Miss Church-Member + +2. The Merry Village. + +3. The Famous Cross Roads. + +4. The Devil's Auction. + + +As Mr. World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on their journey they +were frightened by a man who, with his hands uplifted and agony pictured +on his face, came running toward them, shouting: "Let good sense control +you and go no farther! Enchantment, spirits, witches, and unnamed +hobgoblins dwell in every part of this hideous valley!" + +"Oh, terror! What can this mean?" nervously asked Mr. World, as the +stranger stood panting for breath. + +"All a mystery! Even the air is filled with poison and weird music. +I am thankful that I have escaped with my life." + +"Come, come, Mr. Sin-Sick, tell us more about it. We may thereby profit +greatly," said Mr. World with more composure. + +[Illustration: As Mr. World and his companion were entering the valley +of Conviction a terrified man came running towards them. He ran away +from the preaching of the gospel.] + +"I had just been traveling farther down the valley of Thoughtfulness +and Conviction when I heard multitudes shouting praises to One whom +they called their Redeemer, each waving aloft a banner bearing the +imprint of a cross. On the cross I saw these words: 'For God so loved +the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth +in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' When I came +nearer to the confusion I was suddenly seized with a peculiar conviction +which brought grief to my soul; and, had I not made this timely retreat, +I might have been brought under the power of those strange creatures. +Oh, take heed and go with me some other way." + +Mr. World readily consented, but Miss Church-Member was inclined to +continue, confessing that she had once been a singer in such a valley, +and surely no harm could befall them there. Mr. World thought it was +the part of wisdom not to oppose her at this time, although he feared +that she might be induced to leave him. He consented to go, pretending +that it made no difference to him which way he traveled; but, as they +walked on, the wary fellow was very careful not to step from the Broad +Path. + +When they came in sight of the valley Miss Church-Member lifted her +glasses to test the strength of her eyes. Memory brought stinging grief +to her heart. She commenced sighing for the old paths and also wept +that she had for so long a time abetted her former enemies. + +Her companion became alarmed at the new turn. "Be not so fool-hardy," +he warned. "Your eyes are being needlessly ruined. Quickly replace +those glasses lest you become totally blind." + +She obeyed promptly and thus the intensity of conviction passed. Had +her spiritual ears been open, she might have heard an angel sadly +singing: + + "Oh, hear the song of love that fills the air! + Oh, heed the voice that pleads in touching prayer! + Both fall upon your conscience now in vain, + Through vile deceit your nobler self is slain." + +In this vale she heard the word of God preached powerfully, and the +calling of the Holy Spirit in unmistakable sweetness, but how could +it affect one who wore such treacherous glasses and who considered her +condition so favorable? + +She passed through the valley with her faithful friend without being +lured from the Broad Highway. + +On the verge of the valley I saw a curiously shaped building and read +these words over it: + +TONS OF LAUGHTER: CHEAP ADMISSION. + +A man with a strong voice stood along the path and cried out: "Whoa! +Whoa! Ye travelers of this way! Come hither and drive away your cruel +cares. Here is the greatest exhibition in the world. Smile and walk +lightly, laugh and grow fat!" + +Mr. World and his associate, however, did not enter this place, but +passed on through the entire Merry Village. On each side of the way +they saw an endless variety of gaudy advertisements, each one setting +forth some leading feature of some frivolous, indecent, or gay +performance. + +Miss Church-Member was not tempted as was her companion to spend time +at such places. So he, in order to hold her company, sacrificed his +desires and passed on without complaint. + +I now turned and spoke to Blackana who still mutely sat at his appointed +post. "Tell me the meaning of the Merry Village being located so near +the Valley of Conviction." + +Without the faintest murmur he replied: "Many of the millions who pass +through the valley are strangely affected with a sad countenance and +a heavy heart, which indeed drive them into a frenzy so that they go +toward the King's Highway. Satan intends by the attractions of the +Merry Village to divert the thought of all such travelers and hold +them in the bounds of the Broad Highway. You will soon come to the +path on which more people go to the narrow, rugged way than on all +other paths combined. Were it not for this happy village, and the +places beyond, many more would drop out of our ranks." + +I doubted not the words of Blackana, and as I looked out again upon +the Broad Highway, I saw that the two companions had just left the +Merry Village and had come to the well beaten road leading to the +right. + +Here stood a preacher who, in tearful earnestness, urged all travelers +to go the right way. I saw many heeding his words and go running on +the new way after throwing away many cumbrous things. + +At this place I saw some parting with their friends. One, in particular, +I noticed who was pleading with another not to go, and ever clinging +to him in bodily strength. Many who desired to leave the Broad Highway +were similarly prevented. + +In the fork of the road stood a number of large churches in each of +which services were held every hour of the day. These were the Devil's +churches, and were supplied by a courteous and shrewd class of +ministers. On the left side of the way was a large garden and a series +of groves, each filled with a merry throng of pleasure-seekers. Bands +of music made the air resonant, and every device known to the world +of sport could be found in full fling in these varied resorts where +intoxicating drink was the main beverage, and dancing and gambling +were the chief delights. + +The Broad Highway was especially wide at this junction. It led onward +between the Devil's churches and the pleasure grounds. + +The greatest confusion prevailed on this wide area. Many missionaries +from the King's Highway were busily engaged in speaking to the throngs +that had come through the Valley of Conviction. + +There were also many friends of the Devil, in vulgar attire, persuading +the multitudes to rest in the joyful grove, while other agents of +Satan, in more saintly manner, urged attendance upon the church +services. + +Thus I observed the heedless throng from the Valley of Conviction being +attracted by the music and passing through the pleasure grounds, while +an alarmingly large number attended the churches in the fork of the +roads. A few stoics, without pausing, passed on along the Broad Highway. + +Only a few, comparatively, could be persuaded to turn their steps +toward the King's Highway. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member stood for a long time watching the +ever-changing panorama of the surging crowds. He was desirous of +visiting the groves, but Miss Church-Member was too piously inclined. +So they were halting between these two desires when a saintly looking +person approached them. + +"To what place are you journeying?" the beautiful stranger asked. + +"We are journeying to a place called Heaven," promptly answered Miss +Church-Member. + +"Congratulations, indeed," spoke the stranger as he smiled. "You belong +to the better class of travelers. Some, I fear, who go this way will +miss Heaven. They are too much attracted by the frivolities of life +and never have a desire to go to church." + +"But we love the church," spoke up Mr. World. "However we have had +little time and no opportunity to enter one for some time." + +"You are welcome to the services in one of yonder buildings," said the +stranger as he pointed toward the group of the Devil's churches. "There +you can listen with pleasure and profit to the latest style of +preaching, and the special music will prove entertaining. You should, +without fail, attend church, or you will never increase in spiritual +knowledge." + +Without further hesitation the two pushed their way through the crowd +and entered one of the churches where they were greeted warmly and +ushered to a prominent seat. + +The minister had already begun to speak and was growing eloquent as +he warmed to his theme. They listened with absorbing interest to every +word that fell from his lips. + +"Into this church," the minister said, "come the wearied of heart, +troubled perchance with inward fears resulting from the weird +occurrences along the pathway through the Valley of Conviction. We bid +you cast aside your thoughts of trouble and be at peace. There is a +calmness you should covet untouched by such conviction. + +"They who sing and preach in that valley are low subjects of ignorance +and folly, and happy for you if you succeed in totally forgetting all +you saw or heard while passing through. Why should you worry about +your condition? Are you not good enough? You have come hither from +respectable parents, perhaps received Christian baptism, and can easily +distinguish between right and wrong. Why should cruel daggers now +pierce your heart? What you have done or expect to do is surely pleasing +to your God. If you belong to the church, you are doubly safe. Let +time change, or worlds fall, the church will stand forever. If you +continue faithful here, you will have a glorious end; only be not +influenced by the contemptible advocates of the Narrow Way, who show +their vanity by their professions of superior sanctity. Be satisfied +with the good, old, staid principles of this church, and be not swept +away by every wind of doctrine that is blasting the earth with its +sulphurous breath. Rejoice in your pilgrimage and let conviction no +longer sadden your life." + +After continuing at some length in this strain, the minister announced +that a quartette would render an appropriate selection just received +from the mountain-tops of Apathy. + +[Illustration: The Devil's Auction Here many church members, and others, +pay their all for a few baubles of worldly pleasure.] The congregation +seemed to be greatly pleased as these words were sung with a show of +sentiment: + + "Come, ye that struggle + With thoughts of conviction; + Continue no longer + Such burdens to bear. + Throw off forever + This needless affliction; + And taste of the pleasures + That wisdom would share. + "There's rest for the soul + In blissful forgetting; + 'Tis bought by the prudent + At moderate cost. + Then cast to the winds + Thy worry and fretting, + And live in the sunshine + Where shadows are lost." + +At the conclusion of the services Mr. World conducted his friend from +the church, and as they were moving again toward the surging crowds +they heard the voice of an auctioneer. + +"Let us tarry a moment," he urged as he turned his footsteps to that +part of the Broad Highway known as the Devil's Auction. + +A large company of men, women, and children were giving earnest heed +to the auction which had been in progress all day. + +The auctioneer held in his hand a gaudy bauble of worldly pleasure. +He cried in the full strength of his voice that such beautiful specimens +of pleasure were very rare. At once the bidding for it grew lively. +It was soon thrown out to a reckless mortal who seized it with unusual +avidity. + +Then a door was opened in the rear, and lo, I beheld a series of rooms +filled with baubles of every conceivable kind, enough to satisfy all +who came for such lightsome things. One of extraordinary beauty was +next offered. "What do I hear for it?" lustily shouted the auctioneer. + +The whole host bent forward eagerly to get a nearer view of the new +attraction. + +"I'll give one hour of time!" said an aged man. + +"An hour of time is bid, an hour of time! Who'll give more?" + +"I'll give one day!" joyously bid a thoughtless youth. He received it, +and walked off in high glee. + +"Here is another! A novelty just out!" boldly cried the auctioneer. + +How anxiously all stepped forward, each one wishing to scrutinize the +latest kind of pleasure offered. + +The highest bidder was a restless youth who offered his all for the +coveted prize. + +Miss Church-Member was but little interested in these proceedings and +urged her companion to the next auction-stand where certain rights and +privileges were sold. + +On the stand stood a glib-tongued fellow who announced that he would +first offer for sale the _Right to Sell Intoxicating Drink_. "How much +do I hear?" shouted the auctioneer as the cosmopolitan crowd looked on. + +"Hundred dollars per annum!" cried the people of one state. + +"One hundred, one hundred, going at one hundred!" + +"Two hundred dollars!" bid the representatives of another state. + +"Three hundred dollars!" was another offer that immediately came in. + +"That is far below the value!" shouted the auctioneer. "Remember, all +this money we get for licensing the saloon will go for charity or to +help educate and civilise the people!" + +Thousands upon thousands cheered to the echo, while the wicked +auctioneer and his allies were highly pleased at the spectacle. + +"Three hundred, three hundred! Altogether too low a sum for so great +a privilege!" + +"Five hundred dollars!" cried the authorities of another state. + +"Going at five hundred, five hundred, five hundred!" rapidly and +hilariously yelled the auctioneer, and the crowd cheered lustily. + +"Still going at five hundred, five hundred! Who'll give six hundred? +First, second, and last warning, and sold at five hundred dollars to +the state represented by yonder group of delegates!" + +Thus the program continued, and the right to sell liquor under +respectability was sold at varying prices. Mr. World and Miss +Church-Member left long before the auction was ended. They paused not +at the other centers where Satan's agents were selling their worthless +and death-dealing merchandize to the children of men. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +THE DEVIL'S HOSPITAL. + +1. Miss Church-Member, suddenly attacked with heart trouble, is hurried +away to the Hospital. + +2. She receives the attention of Satan's fiendish surgical operators. + +3. A visit through the various wings of the Hospital and sub-offices. +The horrifying work described. + + +The travelers of the Broad Highway pushed onward by millions, seemingly +unconscious of their end. Miss Church-Member had become so well +accustomed to the ways of the world that she could now adapt herself +with more ease to all the exigencies of the journey. + +In the midst of her favorable circumstances she was nursing the germs +of an insidious disease which rendered her heart weaker and weaker. +At times short, but sharp pains were felt; and more than once her hand +flew to her breast in evidence of the inward struggle. + +Her disease reached a climax after she had gone not far beyond the +Valley of Conviction. She was walking along in a happy mood, when she +suddenly felt a pang in her heart and mentioned the circumstance to +Mr. World who was still her faithful companion. + +"What can it be that has been giving you this trouble for so long a +time?" he asked. + +"I know not," she faintly replied as she stood still and pressed both +hands to her heart. + +Thoroughly alarmed, Mr. World called for help while he supported her +with his arm. + +"It seems strange," gasped Miss Church-Member in a brief interval of +relief, "that, with all the pure air along this way and the variety +of things to engage my attention, I should be seized, at shortening +intervals, with these cruel and unbearable heart-pangs. Oh, that I +might be free from this intruder's grasp! What shall I do? Where shall +I go? I feel again the edge of the invisible blade!" + +At this she threw her arms upward and, shrieking in agony, was about +to fall as she was caught by Mr. World. + +"Let us hurry her off to the nearest hospital," promptly suggested one +of the bystanders who had responded to the call for help. An ambulance +carried the fainting Miss Church-Member to one of Satan's hospitals +near by. + +[Illustration: An ambulance carried the fainting Miss Church-Member to +one of Satan's hospitals near by.] + +The chief physician ordered the apparently lifeless form to be taken +at once to an examination room, granting Mr. World the privilege of +remaining by the side of his suffering friend. A quick investigation +disclosed the fact that Miss Church-Member had been overcome by a +partial paralysis of the heart, induced by intense mental anxiety +dating from the time when she had passed through the Valley of +Conviction. + +"Not a serious case," said the suave doctor in reply to a question +from the anxious Mr. World. "An operation will take away, almost +entirely, the cause of this trouble." + +"Will you not explain to me the trouble, and the nature of the +operation?" nervously asked Mr. World. + +"Certain nerves which ramify through the human heart have been affected +emotionally by the nonsensical teachings of the King's Highway. These +teachings are commonly known us `Narrow-Gauge Ideas.' If these nerves +are rendered insensible, there is scarcely any trouble of that kind +again. We can, by an intricate operation, paralyze the mother-nerve +leading to the heart, and thereafter you may expect to find the heart +of this woman almost dead to the foolish influences that needlessly +send conviction and remorse into so many lives." + +While the physician was rapidly speaking these words, the surgeon had +arrived, and they forthwith proceeded to the operating room. + +Mr. World watched the attendants as they carried Miss Church-Member +away. He saw her no more that day, but heard that the operation was +successful, and that the patient was resting quietly. + +One of the managers of the institution, knowing that Mr. World was +companionless, offered to escort him through the various departments +of the Hospital. To this he gave his hearty consent. + +They first went to the tower which proved to be a magnificent point +of view. Here he could see far and wide, for the building itself was +situated on elevated ground, and the tower rose far into the air. + +On one side of the Hospital stretched away the Broad Highway more +pleasing at this point of the route than at many others, and far away +it seemed to lead into pleasant woodland realms. + +On the other side of the building passed the King's Highway, which, +at this point, was exceedingly rough and uninviting to the view. + +Thus I saw how the shrewdness of Hell was exercised in locating +hospitals at such places. + +"Ignorance is the mother of all that folly," said Mr. World with a +feeling of self-satisfaction, "I see a long line of separate buildings +just below us--there along the King's Highway. What purpose do they +serve?" + +"Those are medical offices under the supervision of this hospital- +staff. Any one traveling on the Narrow Path, and falling sick there, +may enter for help and restoration. If the case be difficult, or +requiring an operation, or even special nursing, the patient is brought +to the hospital." + +"Are you successful in most of your operations, especially with those +patients who come from such a rugged path?" + +"Fortunately we succeed in effecting a cure in almost every case. We +can only deal with those who voluntarily come to our medical staff. +Many, in sad need of our help, pass by all our special offices without +ever seeking advice." + +"Are your patients foolish enough, after having been treated, to go +back to that jolting road, and thus again invite their ills?" + +"Most of our patients go hence on the more delightful way which you +see, and on which you have come hither." + +"What diseases most commonly affect those who come to your physicians +and hospitals for help?" + +"Let me answer your question by taking you down to those offices. You may +there observe for yourself." + +I saw Mr. World and his escort enter a physician's office which stood +as near the King's Highway as Satan could build it. + +The doctor was examining a church deacon who, by reason of his disease, +found it hard to travel on a way so narrow and rugged. He was given +a vial of medicine with specific directions. + +After the patient had left, the doctor smiled derisively and pocketed +his fee with ghoulish delight. + +"What ailed that man asked?" Mr. World. "Can you tell me the cause of +his malady?" "He has been eating and eating sermons, exhortations, and +pious literature, and has done scarcely any work for his so-called +Master. Eating much and working little generally results in gout or +rheumatic diseases. There are large numbers in the church coming here +for treatment who are similarly affected. I suppose such Christians +enjoy eating better than they enjoy working." + +"Do you prepare them for better service on the King's Highway?" + +"Never! My business is to give them such medicine as will make all +kinds of spiritual food repulsive to them. Then, rather than starve, +they go to the fat lands on the Broad Highway for which my medicine +prepares them. There they eat of the fruit forbidden by their former +Master, for it is sweet-tasting withal. Some go on in the forbidden +kingdoms until death, and hold an honorable place in their first church. +Others are dealt with more summarily on account of the radical views +entertained by certain bigots who wage warfare against a man who finds +delight in gardens other than his own." + +The electric bell summoned the doctor to the door. He opened it, and +there stood a pilgrim from the King's Highway. + +She entered and, fully exhausted, sank into a chair. + +"What is the difficulty?" asked the physician in a cool manner. + +"Something terrible indeed, or else my comrades accuse me unjustly." + +"With what do they charge you, Miss Goodly-Minded?" he questioned, as +he felt her pulse. + +"I am accused of being out of order just because I do not run all the +time to prayer-meeting and to other services of the church. They say +I am not fit to travel this way, and therefore I have found it very +difficult to get over some of the obstacles. Weariness and fatigue +have almost dragged me to the earth. My persecution will prove to be +my death unless you can give me some medicine to relieve me." + +"Let me see your tongue," the physician requested. This done, he +continued: "Ah! I can easily see, by your coated tongue, that you have +already eaten more good things than you could digest. If there is any +error, it is because you have already gone to church too much. I have +medicine to cure you." + +At that he walked into another room and opened a secret door. I saw +him pour a liquid from a large bottle labeled, "Satan's Malaria Cure." +It contained a mixture of unbelief, ridicule, and self-righteousness. +He filled a small vial with sugar pellets and saturated them with the +mixture from the large bottle. + +"Take four globules every hour," he directed, as he gave her the +medicine, "and I would further advise that you travel for your health." + +"What climate would be most helpful to me?" she asked, for she was a +lady of considerable means and could go where she wished. + +"A colder climate where you will be free from the noonday sun, and +breathe in a new atmosphere. This medicine will do the rest." + +She passed out of the door just as a feeble man was entering. He was +an old pilgrim and evidently suffering much. + +The doctor seized him by the hand with a strange vigor not even +understood by Mr. World. + +"So you are under the power of 'La Grippe,'" saluted the doctor. + +"Under the power of something, I am sure, for everything is wrong with +me, and everything seems wrong to me," was the slow answer. + +The doctor soon diagnosed his case, and gave him powders with +directions. + +"It did not take you very long to attend to him," said Mr. World, after +the aged man left the office. + +"I deal with so many of that class that I keep the medicine ready. La +Grippe is a splendid thing for my trade. It is affecting more pilgrims +just now than any other disease. Some churches are more than decimated +by the ravages of this plague." + +The manager then conducted Mr. World into another office where the +doctor was just giving medical attention to a young lady who was +suffering with spiritual quinsy. It was so severe that she could not +testify for Christ, and she wilfully passed by the "Great Physician" +who could have healed her blessedly. She also passed by all the angels +of mercy who throng the King's Highway. She turned a deaf ear to all +the singers who sang, "Then why will ye die?" Finally she was heavily +pressed by her disease and, seeing a physician's office which she could +enter without climbing a step, she went in and chose rather to be +treated by a doctor of the Devil, as if dead to all the offers of mercy +which she had rejected. + +She accepted his treatment without question, and even felt at ease in +conscience, thinking that the easy, bland method of this physician was +in every way preferable to the searching methods adopted by the Healer +Divine. + +She regained her voice, but it lost that sweet accent of heaven which +once had characterized it. It was now difficult and embarrassing for +her to pronounce the name of Jesus. + +All this proved painful and intolerable, so she took a by-path to the +left called "Unchastity" where she found a whole vocabulary of speech +more suited to her utterance. + +She spent the rest of her days in the habitations of immorality along +the Broad Highway, unmindful of the tears and kindly solicitude of her +entreating friends. + +Into the third medical wing the two went only to see the fiendish +program carried on there as in the other offices. The first patient +they saw was a young man who, through the misguidance of a weakling, +was persuaded to enter the office. + +This physician, with a smile on his face, but vile purpose in his +heart, administered wilfully the very medicine that gave a transient +gratification to the patient's craving for narcotics, and which would +finally cause the appetite to break out anew into an inward burning +and gnawing, swinging a master's sash over him. + +The physician told him that his taste was inherited, and it would +consequently require much patience ere he could be cured. He gave him +the devilish medicine, and urged him to continue using it until the +bottle was drained to its dregs. + +At first it gave the promised relief, but the young man, now more +deeply contaminated by this concoction of Hell, raged in wilder passion +than ever, and verily ran to his utmost on the By-Path of intemperance +until the flower of his youth and manhood was blasted to the blackest, +and his sense of honor lost in the hovels of vice and corruption which, +in great variety, stood along the Broad Highway. + +The book-keepers of Hell placed an additional mark to the credit of +this doctor, while the church looked on the young man's fall somewhat +indifferently, having been hardened by the frequency of similar +occurrences. + +At the request of Mr. World the manager conducted him back to the +hospital building and proceeded to show the various departments to him. + +There was some commotion in one of the operating rooms just as Mr. +World entered. It proved to be the preliminary work necessary for +dressing a severe scalp wound. + +It happened that a certain woman, named Mrs. Criticiser, who belonged +to an active church, attempted to injure a good and holy man by hurling +stones at him. + +She noticed that the little stones did him no harm, so she seized one +of larger size and hurled it at him with great force. He, being a pure +man, and standing on a rock, was not even touched by the missile. But +it struck the great rock on which he was standing, rebounded with +unexpected force, and struck the head of Mrs. Criticiser with stunning +effect. + +It was seen that the stone had made an ugly gash on her head, more +severe and painful than she intended to inflict on the good Mr. Class +Leader. Her friends, being acquainted with the Devil's Hospital, +naturally carried her there for necessary attention. + +Mr. World saw Mrs. Criticiser brought into the room in a semi-conscious +condition and watched the whole operation. + +The surgeon declared that a scar would be carried on her head all +through life. Indeed there is no balm in Hell to cure the wounded head +or heart so as not to leave a scar. Had she gone to the "Great +Physician," and asked Him aright to apply the "Balm of Gilead," her +head would have been healed aright. + +The manager then escorted Mr. World into one of the wards which was +crowded to overflowing. + +They tarried at the bedside of a man whose left arm and right leg were +bandaged. There lay the poor fellow awaiting the slow processes of +healing for his fractured bones. + +It was on this wise that this man, a certain Mr. Treacherous, came to +this sorry plight. + +He was an ambitious member of the church, and aimed to be elected to +an office therein. His admirers were too few, so the majority vote was +given for another, named Mr. Wisdom. + +This so aroused the jealousy of Mr. Treacherous that he was moved to +seek amends for what he considered a stinging and crushing defeat. + +"This will I do," said he, "I will dig a deep ditch across Mr. Wisdom's +path of success, and will shrewdly cover it from view, and as he chances +along that way, in the course of his service, he will surely fall into +this ditch to his hurt. Then will I glory in his downfall, so that the +stings of this, my defeat, will not prick me so sharply." + +So Mr. Treacherous, in the blackness of the night, digged the ditch +and covered it ingeniously. Then he waited day after day to hear of +Mr. Wisdom's injury or death, that he might have cause for rejoicing. + +Now Mr. Treacherous, since his defeat, was so heavily weighed down +with envy and a desire for revenge that he could not sleep soundly, +and was wont to walk about the house in a somnambulistic manner. + +One night, under the influence of one of these strange spells, he went +from the house and walked over the path that led to the ditch. + +To his great dismay and double disgrace he waked not until his body +struck the bottom of the ditch. He was bruised and some of his bones +were broken. Thus he lay there in agony and cried all night long for +help. + +Ere the morning broke he wished a thousand times that he had not dug +the ditch so deep, or rather, had not dug it at all. + +A band of searchers found him and, lifting him from his disgrace, they +hurried him to this hospital, for he was not minded to humble himself +still more by going to another place where Mr. Wisdom and his kind +found relief in time of trouble. + +It is likely that Mr. Treacherous will never be able to walk again as +perfectly as he did before, for it is the reputation of surgeons and +physicians of this hospital, in dealing with cases of such extreme +folly, that they so manipulate an operation as to render the patient +incapable of complete recovery. + +Mr. World and his congenial escort moved on from patient to patient, +passing many hundreds who had met with accidents on the Broad Highway. + +Many had been wounded by the "sword of the Spirit" and were now hoping +to be cured by the processes here in vogue. + +In passing on through another ward their attention was called to a +woman who lay on a couch and seemed to be suffering more than she was +able to bear. + +Mr. World inquired concerning her, and was told that she was one Miss +Busy-Body, a member in good standing of a radical church. She came to +her grief in this strange manner: she had a special aptitude for +sweeping before other people's doors, and could always find dirt, even +if she could not find anything better. + +She had been told repeatedly to sweep before her own door, but she did +not heed this wise counsel, for she often said that there was no dirt +visible about her own home. + +One day she went forth as usually, broom in hand, and swept the dirt +from other doors than her own, much to the annoyance and provocation +of her neighbors, for she always raised the dust incontinently. + +Now by her continual neglect at home the filth had accumulated to such +an extent that when she returned home and attempted to enter the door, +her foot slipped on the greasy step, and she fell, breaking her collar +bone, two of her ribs, and otherwise injuring herself. + +The manager told Mr. World that many such cases came to them for help +every day--some from the King's Highway and still more from the Broad +Highway. + +They soon came to the bedside of one named Mr. Jealousy who occupied +a private room. He was somewhat convalescent when Mr. World saw him. + +Mr. Jealousy at one time was an active member of the church, but he +undertook to stab Mr. Stability in the back. But Mr. Stability had a +good back-bone so strong that no knife that Mr. Jealousy could handle +was able to penetrate it. + +One time in desperation Mr. Jealousy flung himself violently upon his +imaginary foe. But his blade broke, and he himself fell upon it, cutting +a terrible gash in his side. He was taken to this hospital for help. + +Thus did Mr. Jealousy bring upon himself the disfavor of his church +and he was forthwith expelled, for he refused to give the required +promise of reformation. + +Mr. World and the manager now came to a large door. + +"In this room," said the manager, "we keep all our cancer patients. +We have a large number of them and, since they require special +treatment, we keep them separate to facilitate the work of the +physicians and nurses." + +I saw them enter the room, and heard the words of surprise that fell +from the lips of Mr. World as he saw the magnitude of this department. + +"These are they," explained the chief of the division, "who came here +through 'profane and vain babblings.'" + +Mr. World then passed through the leprosy ward where he saw quite a +few who were once cleansed by the Divine Healer, but who, failing to +give thanks for their recovery, suffered fatal relapse and were now +in the last stages of this dread disease. + +This place was so loathsome to him that he was hastened into the General +Department where he saw all manner of patients, each in his particular +dilemma. + +A great number of this section were suffering from disordered livers, +and of these not a few came from the church. + +One such, who was a wealthy man, had so far protruded his +disagreeableness upon the community that the church officials +voluntarily gave him medicine for his liver. This was of no avail. He +still grew more irritable and complained about the preacher, the sexton, +the choir, and even his own wife. The weather never suited him, and +when lie gave any testimony about religion it was always a partial +outline of the supposed or real sorrows and troubles of the Christian +pilgrimage. + +While suffering from one of his morbid spells, he listened to the voice +of the tempter who persuaded him to seek help at the hands of the +physicians under the control of this Hospital. These doctors dosed him +until they persuaded him to submit to an operation, and the wicked +surgeon knew how to render him still more liable to trouble after his +imaginary restoration toward which he was looking when Mr. World saw +him. + +When he leaves this Hospital he can never be cured from the fiercer +subsequent attacks unless he be born again, and such an event Satan +knows is very unlikely to occur. + +Mr. World, in passing, spoke to quite a few who were suffering from +spiritual dyspepsia, consumption, and a great number of other ailments +which had developed into chronic form, or had made necessary the +surgeon's cruel knife, and then, turning to his obliging friend, asked +if he could not now see Miss Church-Member. + +He was taken into a special department arranged for those who were +convalescent. + +When she saw her faithful and loving friend, Miss Church-Member smiled +for the first time since the operation. + +The pleasant interview soon ended at the behest of the nurse, and Mr. +World was asked if he wished to enter the secret departments +underground. This question aroused his curiosity and led to a lengthy +conversation after which he expressed a desire to visit the secret +chambers. + +He was conducted into a dark office and asked to sign a pledge that +lay on a desk. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +SATAN'S SECRET SERVICE. + +1. While Miss Church-Member is convalescent, Mr. World alone visits +the underground apartments where secret sins are taught. + +2. The last horrible stages of vice represented. + + +I saw Mr. World standing in a shadowy room and reading the conditions +of entering "Satan's Secret Service." He was soon surprised by hearing +a voice from a gloomy corner: "You cannot gain entrance to these secret +abodes unless you sign that pledge." + +"The meaning of the pledge is not clear to me. Who will explain it?" +asked Mr. World somewhat tremulously. + +"You can read between those lines all you wish. Those sentences must +be their own interpreters, and you must choose to sign or withdraw +from this room, just as you prefer," came the firm answer from the +dark corner. + +Before Mr. World could decide what particular course to take, a hand +gently touched his shoulder. He turned to see who stood in the rear. + +"O, Mr. World, thou needst not fear to sign the pledge and enter the +secret service of our great and glorious master," were the words that +greeted him in a friendly tone. + +"Who art thou, and how camest thou here?" asked Mr. World in suspense. + +"I came here from 'going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up +and down in it.'" Then, without uttering another word, the strange +visitor lifted the pledge from the desk and read it audibly: + + "Into these darker chambers let me go, + I promise to conceal its scenes of woe, + And solemnly declare, as here I stand, + That I will aid this secret working band." + +"What can there be about that pledge not suited to your wish? It means +that you are to have your eyes opened to behold new things, and also +to learn the secret laws of life, healthful to your marrow and your +bones." + +Mr. World hesitated no longer. He signed the document forthwith, and +a pass-word was whispered into his ear. + +Suddenly a door opened at one end of the room, through which Mr. World +walked into a large cavern which was illuminated only by faint +glimmerings of light. + +He could discern faintly that many creatures were there whose uncanny +noises, freighted with oaths and blasphemies, sent their sulphurous +fumes around. Although Mr. World was accustomed to foul scenes and +profanity, yet he was sickened at this deeper touch of Hell. + +"Where am I and how came I here?" he cried out excitedly. A woman came +quickly in response to his outcry. + +"You are in a place of liberty and personal license," she answered. +"Here you are free from the annoyances of narrow-minded pilgrims from +the King's Highway, and you may spend a season in pure delight in these +secret abodes which you will find more and more suited to the cravings +of your natural heart and mind." + +Now Mr. World was a somewhat judicious man, and although he would not +sanction what he called church fanaticism, yet he had some self-respect, +and had never allowed himself to reach the slum-level of society. + +"Here I cannot and will not stay. Are there no other apartments to +which I can go?" he asked, as the woman offered him a glass of wine, +and in a sensual way entreated him to remain. + +Mr. World was a lover of wine, but was suspicious of the place, and +so he moved to go and found great difficulty in getting to another +door, which, at last, he reached only by determination, and, giving +a pass-word, he went into the first regular department of Satan's +Secret Service. + +This place, which was secretly connected with the Wizard City, was one +of Satan's centers from which originated schemes and devices to commit +and practice embryonic murder. + +I saw in this dark cavern the sons and daughters of earth, high and +low, noble and ignoble, and my heart bled within at what I further +witnessed. + +Mr. World passed through from one section to another, studying carefully +the secret processes in vogue, while illustrations, drawn by the artists +of the Devil, instead of sending the blush of shame to his cheek, only +fed his inner curiosity and verily aroused his baser passions. + +Having finished, he gave the pass-word and was admitted to a +sub-department called Foeticide. + +This section, and the one he had just left, were located directly under +the physicians' offices along the King's Highway. It could be seen +that there was direct connection between these offices and the horrible +subterraneous apartments through which Mr. World was now passing. + +So many unnatural and horrible things were practiced in this sub- +department that Mr. World was shocked beyond measure, for he had never +dreamed of the extent of the malpractice to which his eyes here bore +testimony. + +All these things, while at first revolting, were only hardening his +own heart to such an extent that, before he had passed through the +last wing of the department, and heard the apologetic words of those +who were in charge, he concluded that these agencies conduced to much +good. + +"Oh!" thought I, "how the light of Hell casts a strange coloring over +the things of earth, thereby creating false theories of mortal life." + +By means of the pass-word Mr. World was enabled to visit the next +department where he witnessed sights more revolting than in any place +previously entered. Here groveled the youth under the power of so-called +stimulating medicaments. + +Mr. World, with all his wickedness, was chilled with horror at these +underground spectacles. + +Noticing his evident disgust, one came to him and offered soothing +explanations to which he listened very attentively. + +"This is a blessed place," spoke the newcomer. "We, who are skilled +in crime, give the youthful an expert training in the ways of pollution +and kindred types of immorality. It is far better to teach the young +to sin aright and with least damage to themselves, than to place them +under all restraint and see them fall more wretchedly than these." + +With all the moral turpitude of Mr. World he was scarcely ready, at +first hearing, to accept this grinding sophistry of Hell. + +"Are you quite sure, my friend, doubted Mr. World, that you are speaking +words of soberness to me? Do you feel proud of the results of the work +here accomplished?" + +"Proud indeed, for our master has given us encomiums for the splendid +work accomplished. You see, Mr. World, it is a settled fact that young +people will sin, notwithstanding all the influence exerted to the +contrary. Such as we can persuade we take under our direction, and +try, as soon as possible, to harden them in personal crime. Our +physicians have special medicines to inflame their propensities, so +that they may, by continual burning, consume themselves and spare the +youth from otherwise being tormented day and night in these flames of +passion. Are you so dull, Mr. World, that you cannot grasp such +self-evident truth?" + +"It seems now somewhat clearer to my mind, but still my eyes behold +such horrid scenes around me." + +"I cannot question that," continued the smooth-tongued agent of +darkness, "yet what you see are but the lower stages. If you could +look beyond these dark corridors and see the types of womanhood which +grow out of this under-soil, you would no longer breathe in doubt or +look with shuddering frame on scenes around you. All good things come +forth through putrefaction. Then why should you despise the +putrefaction? Be content, Mr. World, and as you walk along the path +of life, remember this great College underground, and recommend its +salient features to the rising generation. You have signed the pledge +and promised to aid this secret working band. So do it with a vim, +keeping in view the blossoms and the fruit of after-growth." + +Mr. World was completely won by this false and devilish reasoning, and +looked on the whole program of shame quite philosophically. + +He took full cognizance of the far-reaching effects of this section +and, after an interview with one of the head physicians, he proceeded +to visit the next section. + +But what he saw there will not be told. No pen can describe and no +tongue relate the loathsome filth of this last stage of immorality. +An awful stench filled the air arising from medicines of last resort +and from the putrefying flesh that clothed the living skeletons. + +It was by mistake that Mr. World got into this place. The door opened +to admit a few "Unfortunates," as they were called by the attendants, +and Mr. World, standing near by, entered without permission. + +He was no sooner inside the door than he was frantically seized by a +sunken-eyed creature. + +"O man of health, deliver me from this inner eating and from the grave +that opens to me its mouldy mouth!" was the heart-rending cry that +grated on the ears of Mr. World. + +Another, hearing this pleading cry, came rushing toward the same spot +and sobbed piteously: + +"Oh! Mr. World, have pity on me! I had help when I had means and +vitality. Oh! give me some relief now." + +Mr. World was so terror-stricken that he could not speak, but struggled +with all his might to escape from the place. + +He gained double strength, but of no use. These two men imagined that +they had a claim on him by reason of his name, and therefore held on +with tightening grasp. For a moment Mr. World ceased his struggling +and looked at his two pitiable beseechers. + +"I can give you nothing. Why torment me thus?" he tremblingly gasped +with abated breath. + +"In our better days we gave all we had to the world and now we need +help. Surely you can give it." They became furious and ranted the more +at the thought of their past folly. + +"Why come to me? Go to Mr. Flesh, or ask the Devil for help," pleaded +Mr. World. + +"We have served the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. All have failed +us miserably. To whom else can we go but to anyone within our reach? +Oh! forsake us not in this awful plight!" + +Poor Mr. World, unable longer to bear the sickening and threatening +attack, sank to the filth-covered floor and groaned aloud. + +At once a fierce and powerful being came to the rescue and, flinging +the two unfortunates aside, lifted Mr. World to his feet and looked +down upon him with his awful eyes. + +Mr. Intemperance lay crouching near the side of Mr. Lust, each smarting +under the pain of his fall. + +"How came you to this place?" sternly asked the monster. + +"By walking in at the door," answered the terrified Mr. World. + +"Without permission?" he further asked. + +"There was no one there to ask, and I, being out sight-seeing, thought +I might also enter in here." + +The monster seized Mr. World by the arms and looked at him in a still +more frightful manner. + +"You are not yet ready to come into this region, and if you will +solemnly pledge me that you will never reveal what you have seen here, +I will conduct you safely to the door; if not, you must remain here +without a ray of hope until death gives relief." + +Mr. World humbled himself and gave double assurance of secrecy. Then +the grim creature conducted him a little to one side and bade him look +down into a deep and dark yawning chasm. + +"Down there," commenced the Old Monster, "runs the Black River deep +and wide. The stream, coming from its distant source, drains the filthy +realm of human society, and not far hence it enters into the boundless +ocean of eternal death. The wild sounds which you hear are the unseen +dashings of its never-ceasing waves, and the moans of those who have +fallen victims to its merciless currents." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE LAST WARNING. + +1. Miss Church-Member is now induced to frequent the haunts of vice +in the "Wicked Valley." + +2. The blessed work of Warning as given by rescue bands from the King's +Highway. + +3. The heedless throngs passing by. + +4. The experiences at this place of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member. + + +There was a joyful meeting in the reception room of the Hospital when +Mr. World, returning from his underground experiences, met his beloved +friend Miss Church-Member who had recovered sufficiently to resume the +journey. + +In joyful spirits they sauntered forth on the wide and pleasant path, +away from the Hospital and toward their imaginary Heaven. + +Miss Church-Member's face was more cheerful and her footsteps more +buoyant than at any time since she left the Valley of Conviction. + +Mr. World, observing her favorable condition, complimented her with +these words: "Blessed be the memory of that Hospital, for I can see +that your face is no more covered with the cloud of care that once +robbed you of so many joys. The unkind intruder has drifted away, and +now the light radiates from your every feature. It is also plainly +evident that you are no more tormented by a troubled conscience." + +"I am glad that my sufferings have not been in vain," she modestly +declared. "May the new light which you so readily notice in my face +add to the pleasantness of our journey and the profit of our lives." +Their conversation grew more and more pleasant as they passed through +a long stretch of woodland. They could see beyond, them, and in the +rear, the legions that were traveling the same path and in the same +direction. + +Emerging from the woodland they saw that their path came again in close +proximity to the King's Highway. + +The intervening space between the two paths, called the Wicked Valley, +was all astir with every form of evil as practiced in the world of +sin. In this vale nearly every traveler on the Broad Highway tarries +awhile, and many are lured away from the Highway of the King here to +mingle with the servants of Mammon. + +Mr. World and his friend paused opposite a cluster of magnificent +buildings with frontage toward the Heavenly Way. Some were used by +vulgar theatricals; some devoted to the sensual dance; some were +occupied by the Devil's maid-servants in prostitution, and many others +were used as haunts of intemperance and personal pollution. + +All along the road to perdition at thousands of places stand such +clusters of buildings, each under the command of one of Satan's most +efficient leaders. + +"Here," said Mr. World, "let us take a long rest. If you have your +glasses properly adjusted you can see new beauty behind magnificent +walls." + +She looked at first doubtfully. "Ah! I never frequented such places +before. I would not as much as look at them." + +"I doubt not your word, Miss Church-Member, but remember you are growing +older and wiser. You are no more a narrow-minded creature influenced +by prejudice and sophistry." + +She was now in a condition to imagine that much of her earlier +instruction was erroneous. She had not forgotten the teaching of the +sermon in Mr. World's church. Subsequently she reasoned that the only +way to learn the taste of forbidden fruit was to eat of it. + +"I will enter these buildings as a student," she soliloquized. "I will +be cautious. Surely I have sufficiently clear judgment to discern +between good and evil." + +The crafty Mr. World, having won her confidence, escorted her all +through the Wicked Valley. By a continual palliation she yielded one +point after another until her virtue was sacrificed on a cursed altar. + +Satan assisted her in solving many perplexing problems when she reeled +in the realm of doubt. + +At the conclusion of their protracted visit I heard the wicked Mr. +World say to his beloved friend: "Your eyes are completely cured. You +may now with safety lay aside the glasses. I hope you will never have +occasion to use them again." + +Of the multitudes that tarried here from the Narrow Way very few went +out at the front door. Having stultified themselves, they passed from +the rooms at the rear, and thenceforth traveled on the other path more +suited to their changed natures. + +The two congenial companions, proceeding on their way, soon overtook +a company of church-members. + +In the social intercourse which ensued each one resented the criticisms +of those who refused to leave the Old Path. + +"Verily," said one, "I now enjoy more liberty. I believe the road to +Heaven should be as broad-gauged as possible." + +"Certainly it should," said another. "Those who want to climb hills +and continually suffer inconveniences may do so. As for me, I want to +reach Heaven on the easiest road. I believe this course leads to +Paradise just as directly as the other." + +These utterances were highly complimented by Mr. World, and he said +that he was to be congratulated on meeting and associating with such +congenial people. "On the way on which we are now traveling one can +reach his reward as certainly and as speedily as on any other route. +In addition, one can here enjoy natural and graceful pleasures which +of course are not tolerated under the eyes of selfish and narrow-minded +bigots." + +I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, now more intimate than ever, +pass on alone, ever walking more hastily. Satan had told them, during +their stay in the Wicked Valley, that the faster they journeyed the +sooner and the more certainly would they reach their reward. + +Not far from the Wicked Valley there is a section called the Place of +Warning. It has been maintained for thousands of years by virtuous +workers from the King's Highway. It is the last warning-station that +travelers pass before reaching the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and +here with tearful earnestness do the Shining Pilgrims of the cross +speak their words of last caution, sing their sweet hymns of warning, +and put forth every other loving endeavor in the hope of snatching +some from the thoughtless throngs that go rushing by toward the Dark +Valley. + +I listened and heard a voice from the Place of Warning speak to a +motley crowd that were passing. + +"Whither go ye, whither go ye?" + +"We go to a better place called Heaven," answered one of the company. + +"Then come hither and go on the Path of Life. The way on which ye are +now traveling leadeth unto everlasting death." + +"Aha! Aha! Aha!" cried they all. "We are well informed about the way +and need no foreign voice to give direction." + +Then came the solemn hymn of warning in words so tender and clear that +each one could hear every sentence: + + "There's a sad day coming, + A sad day coming. + There's a sad coming by and by; + When the sinner shall hear his doom: + 'Depart, I know you not.' + Are you ready for that day to come?" + +CHORUS: + +"Are you ready? Are you ready? Are you ready for the judgment day?" + +The words had not yet died on the air when a young man ran hastily +from the company toward the Way of Life. His companions then gave vent +to their ridicule, some even going after him and endeavoring to pull +him back, but without avail. + +Some sang an idle song to drown the hymn of warning that still rang +in their ears. Others engaged in boisterous conversation, and still +others mocked with foul profanity. They passed on, and as far as I +could see them they were pushing on to the Valley of Death. + +I saw another man who was heavily burdened with pieces of timber on +which was written: "Faults of Church-Members." He also came to the +Place of Warning. + +"Throw off the cumbersome weight you are carrying on your back, and +travel on the way where your burden ill be light," came a friendly +voice from the Rescue Station. + +"I am not so foolish as to throw away my only hope," he answered with +unthankfulness in his tone. + +"'Your only hope,'" repeated the voice of warning, "how can you explain +such foolish words?" + +"With passing ease. I will soon come to the River of Death and with +these boards I can make myself a raft whereon I can pass over safely." + +Then spoke the voice of warning clearer than before: + +"O, foolish man! Knowest thou not that the River of Death, toward which +thou art rapidly moving, cannot be crossed in a bark so frail? I have +seen millions who tried in vain to ride its angry currents, but they +sank beneath its dark waters. Come, O mortal man, if thou hast nothing +better on which to depend, listen to the voice of wisdom and come, +without delay, to the Path of Glory." + +But the man passed on. I watched him till he reached the river, and +saw him go from the shore in his self-constructed raft. + +"I sink! I sink! Save me!" he, cried in utmost agony of terror as his +little raft whirled about, leaving the poor self-deceived fellow to +the mercy of the waves. + +I saw others as they passed the Place of Warning. Thousands and tens +of thousands, some now totally deaf to every voice of warning, some +with cotton-filled ears, and others with instruments of music with +which they drowned the calls of warning. + +Many more passed by who carried little balloons of self-righteousness +with which they expected to rise above the murky River of Death. + +A young woman, who moved more cautiously, stopped at the Place of +Warning and listened attentively. + +Directly a voice spoke to her: "Not far hence, O mortal woman, there +is a wide river. It surges on forever. No one who goes this way can +escape its waters. Listen now to the voice of Wisdom. Leave this +blood-marked way of misery and woe, and come to these happier dominions +where 'her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.'" + +"Surely I will not be lost," she replied. "I am depending on the mercy +of God who is too kind to be unjust. I will come out all right in the +end." + +"Take heed, my friend," pleaded the warning voice. "You are hoping for +mercy at the dividing line between time and eternity. Better forget +not what the Scripture saith. 'He that is unjust, let him be unjust +still: and he which is filthy let him be filthy still.' So thou canst +not wilfully neglect so great salvation and hope that God will cover +at last all thy folly. 'Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the +day of salvation.' 'To-day, if ye hear his voice, harden not your +hearts'" + +"You have said nothing new to me. They are the old thread-bare passages +that I have heard from my youth up, and I am minded to accept a broader +view of these statements than you seem to take of them." + +At this she tossed her head haughtily and continued her journey, +resolving more firmly than ever that she would not spend eternity +outside the Gates of Heaven. + +When she came to the Dark Valley and to the angry swelling currents, +her pitiful prayer broke out from the long-covered depth of her soul. +"Mercy, O mercy, to a wretch like me!" But no hand came to her rescue. + +I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member as they approached the Place +of Warning. They heard the sweet music, rendered so excellently, but +gave no attention to the sentiment expressed by the words. They listened +only to the harmony of sounds. + +"O, Miss Church-Member!" pleaded a voice, "you who were once so +earnestly engaged on the King's Highway, will you not, before you reach +the River of Death, forsake your perilous course and walk on the path +of life eternal?" + +These words, which would have once brought conviction to her heart, +only brought vanity to her head. "'Judge not, that ye be not judged,' +and go speak to the lost, not to me so well equipped to meet the direst +foe. Turn your words to those on the other path, who go hobbling along +in misery, not fit to live or die." + +"Come, come!" put in Mr. World, "your pearls before swine are only +trampled under foot. Forget not so quickly the teachings of our Lord." + +As they passed on, in a self-righteous manner, she cheerily looked +into his face and said: "It was kind in you to come so promptly to my +rescue. I might have prattled there a whole day and yet not have shown +them half their folly." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. + +1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member getting farther from the light. + +2. They drift into the deepening shadows where the path could be +traveled only one way. + +3. The terrible experience of the two companions contending with the +imps of the dark valley. + +4. Their sad and tragic end as they catch a glimpse of what they might +have been. + + +After leaving the place of the Last Warning, the Broad Highway grew +darker and darker as it steadily diverged from the King's Highway. + +The little light that Satan's pilgrims do enjoy is borrowed from "the +path of the just that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." + +Mr. World saw the deepening shadows and endeavored to be as cheerful +as usually, hoping thereby to prevent any alarm in the mind of his +faithful friend. + +The path, though wide, was now steeply descending, and travelers often +slipped on the steeper inclines. + +I saw that the two companions descended with difficulty, cautiously +watching every footstop, lest they, like many others, should fall to +their hurt. They now gave but little attention to the things along the +way, and when they did pause for rest on the easier grades, they found +the meadows more barren and everything more dark and dank. + +Miss Church-Member had been painfully conscious of these unhappy +contrasts, and Asked repeatedly the meaning of all that her eyes beheld +and her heart realized, but Mr. World, true to his nature, partly +allayed her fears with words of hope and glowing promises. + +But I heard her again ask with a quivering voice: "Where is the light +that so lately lent its blessed cheer, and whither go we stumbling +downward in the dark?" + +"We only go in the darkest hour that comes before the dawn," he said +with a firm voice but a trembling heart. "Be hopeful, my dear, I will +not forsake you." + +Her heart was not calmed, for she could see his distress which he had +hoped to conceal, and no one could minimize the surrounding scenes +which now seemed like omens of death. + +They stood still, and learned, upon inquiry, that they were standing +in the Shadows of Premonition. + +Mr. World could no longer endure the strain. His bold attitude gave +way to his rising fears, for he saw that his wasted life was ending +with no opportunity of redeeming its days. His whole body quivered as +they walked still farther in a desperate effort to find relief. + +Miss Church-Member was almost overcome as she continued looking upon +the ominous darkness around. She soon realized that her only refuge +whom she had seized by the arm proved miserably weak in this hour of +great need. + +"Oh! Mr. World," she cried, in utmost agony of mind, "where have you +led me? Save me ere I perish!" + +He spoke not, but with his aspen fingers he pointed backward toward +the sloping Highway. Then with all eagerness they endeavored to retrace +their steps, but somehow they could do no more than stumble and fall, +and when they were making their most desperate effort to return they +heard a voice from someone invisible. This voice announced to them +that here the path could be traveled only one way. The same voice urged +them to push through the shadows and face their end like heroes. At +this their hope died within them, and they had no more courage to +struggle up the hill. They stood again in their wretched dilemma and +heard the sound of distant waters, doleful to their ears, and from +this they could distinguish the bitter wails of those who also found +that they could not return. + +Mr. World and Miss Church-Member cast their eyes heavenward and +discerned that they were standing in a very deep valley. _They saw the +dim outlines of all their past evil life. Their deeds stretched away +at interminable length, and in the aggregate they were piled, like +ledge upon ledge, until they verily shut out the mercy of a just God._ + +Here they stood in the first shadow of their self-constructed Hell. + +"Oh, what a valley!" shrieked Miss Church-Member, as her consciousness +now revealed to her more in one second than all the fanciful dreams +of a life-time evolved. + +And Mr. World was undone. He knew not which way to turn. He was +speechless as he saw so clearly the worthless product of his life's +work almost overarching him. + +Finally Mr. World cried out excitedly: "If we cannot go back, neither +will we go forward!" + +Then a grim monster spoke in a slow, dead tone: "No one remaineth here; +away, away from this place!" + +Miss Church-Member was terrorized at the presence of so cold a creature +and frantically cried out: "I cannot and will not endure it! Can I not +go back to the Voice of Warning?" + +"Back? Never! No one who comes thus far ever goes back. During the +earthly life of one called Jesus there was but one snatched from these +lowlands, and he was the thief on the cross." + +"If there was chance for a thief, there might be hope for me," she +sighed as her wretched face brightened. + +"Hope for you?" repeated the cold-hearted monster. "None whatever, and +for none of your kind who come thus far. Pass on, make room for the +thousands coming this way, the sound of whose tread you already hear." + +Looking at Mr. World she pitifully sobbed: "Why do you not help me? +You have brought me here; plead my cause." + +"Alas, I cannot even plead my own!" He could say no more, for he took +a longing glance backward, over the hills of time, where he could truly +see, for the first time, the horrible depth of his folly. + +Then came the monstrous creature again and sternly commanded them: +"Tarry no more on this side of the river's brink." + +[Illustration: Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the +Black River in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.] + +They tasted the bitter fruits of opportunities lost, and felt the awful +pangs of a soul without hope as their reluctant footsteps carried them +on through the valley made dark by the shadow of their own deeds. + +I then heard the discordant and agonizing wails of poor Miss +Church-Member and her wretched companion; but the sounds fell +harmoniously on the ears of Satan who listened to them chiming with +the music of Hell, in its deathlike rhythm, as it reverberated forever +from the depth beyond them, and from the throngs passing by. + +Miss Church-Member could no longer hold fast to Mr. World. It took +both arms to contend with the real and imaginary imps who stood grinning +at her folly, and grievously tormented her from all sides. + +"O mercy! mercy! Where am I?" she shrieked. "How can you be so +heartless, Mr. World? Why not rid me of these fiends?" + +"Cry to me no more!" he groaned out in anguish. "I am also overwhelmed +with foes and fears that verily drag me down with infernal and +relentless grasp." + +This only deepened her pathetic cry, for she saw that she was lost +forever, and realized anew that Mr. World was unable to give help, +contrary to all his promises of the past. + +Then did, they look forth, and beheld afar off the Valley of the Shadow +of Death through which the King's Highway passed. They saw that its +foot-sore pilgrims leaned upon a rod and staff, and that they were +supported by the pierced hands of a Friend that sticketh closer than +a brother. + +Neither did the pilgrims fear any evil nor tremble at any foe, for +Christ was their all in all, and his lovely light lit the whole valley +until it was all aglow with heavenly radiance. + +This vision revealed to Mr. World and Miss Church-Member the place +where _they_ might have been, and pierced their hearts as with a +thousand daggers. + +They soon stood on the verge of the Awful River which was filled with +the filth and slimy putrefaction of the world, the fungus growth of +society, and the scum of all nationalities. From these currents came +unearthly sounds, doleful lamentations, melancholy and hopeless. + +Not far down the stream they saw the fitful light of an eternal burning +whose ghastly glare lit the water crests of the Black River. + +I saw a relentless monster, in deep silence, stretching forth his bony +arm, and with his icy fingers he pushed the two companions from the +brink of the river, thus bringing them face to face with the last enemy +whose sharp sting they felt as they were being overwhelmed by the +merciless waves. + +[Illustration: When they who journey on the King's Highway reach the +River of Death, they are met by a convoy of angels and borne aloft to +the gates of the Celestial City.] + +Their heart-rending cries for mercy brought no relief. They had sinned +against all light, and had even spurned the last kindly warning. The +Door of Hope was shut forever. + +As they were sinking to rise no more they caught another vision of the +Shining Pilgrims of the King's Highway, and saw that when they reached +the brink of the River of Death they were met by a convoy of angels, +on whose snowy pinions they were borne aloft to the very gates of the +Celestial City which apparently stood on white clouds. + +THE END + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, by W. S. Harris + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER *** + +This file should be named 6494.txt or 6494.zip + +Produced by Anne Soulard, Joshua Hutchison, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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