,,mr4 ,,world ,,and ,,miss ,,church-,,member ,a ,,twentieth ,,century ,,allegory ,,by ,,rev4 ,w4 ,s4 ,,harris4 to ,edwin ,l4 ,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 ,,dedicated4 ,preface4 ,after long and careful study we send forth this book to do its work4 ,we offer no apology for adding one more volume to the endless library of modern times1 constantly increasing at the rate of over one hundred volumes per week1 the great bulk of which is consigned to the debris of the passing years4 ,we pray that this book may find a field of usefulness rather than an early grave4 ,we need not tell of the pleasures and difficulties we experienced in preparing these twenty-five chapters for the press4 ,let it be known1 however1 that we were seconded and assisted by several able critics who1 each one independently of the others1 kindly reviewed the manuscript4 ,at the suggestions of these critics minor changes were made in the several manuscript editions4 ,these critics deserve much credit especially for the literary finish there may be to this book4 ,the illustrations were drawn by ,paul ,j4 ,krafft1 of ,new ,york4 ,they evince patient study and careful work1 and display a creative genius well suited to the field of allegory4 ,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 ,mr4 ,world4 ,in this lifelike journey the two companions come in contact with many of ,satan's up-to-date schemes1 and witness his far-extended operations in many a wicked realm4 ,in the descriptions of all these things we have endeavored to be suggestive rather than exhaustive1 for we have withheld the almost infinite details and brought to light only a mere synopsis of the panorama as seen from the lofty summit4 ,will not the reader1 as he takes one step after another in the progress of the story1 realize more keenly than ever the unspeakable deceptions of ,satan1 so bewitchingly robed in the garments of subtle treachery8 ,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 destruction4 ,the logical ending of such a life is pictured in the remorseful and tragical experiences of ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member in the ,valley of the ,shadow of ,death4 ,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 all4 ,then when he comes to the place made shadowy by the power of sin and death1 he will be surrounded with a light from the sure city of ,god1 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 home4 ,,the ,,author4 ,contents #a4 ,the ,meeting of ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member #b4 ,the ,by-,path #c4 ,the ,devil's ,optical ,college #d4 ,satan ,interpreting ,scripture #e4 ,the ,devil's ,pawn ,shop #f4 ,satan's ,law ,departments1 7,underground7 #g4 ,the ,hill of ,remorse #h4 ,the ,valley of ,temptation #i4 ,the ,tower of ,temptation #aj4 ,dark ,schemes of ,satan #aa4 ,schools of ,literature1--,first and ,second ,divisions #ab4 ,the ,theatre #ac4 ,schools of ,literature1--,third ,division #ad4 ,the ,devil's ,temperance ,college #ae4 ,infernal ,school ,system #af4 ,expert ,inventors of the ,broad ,highway #ag4 ,the ,wizard ,city #ah4 ,the ,festival #ai4 ,the ,missionary ,college #bj4 ,the ,rival ,churches #ba4 ,from the ,valley of ,conviction to the ,devil's ,auction #bb4 ,the ,devil's ,hospital #bc4 ,satan's ,secret ,service #bd4 ,the ,last ,warning #be4 ,the ,valley of the ,shadow of ,death ,list of ,illustrations4 #a4 ,looking through the open door of the ,twentieth ,century #b4 ,miss ,church-,member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim #c4 8,let us follow this shining path10 hopefully urged ,miss ,church-,member #d4 ,leaving the ,optical ,college #e4 ,a scene in the ,devil's ,pawn ,shop #f4 ,the ,shorter and ,broader ,way to ,heaven #g4 ,the final triumph of right over the black hordes of civil iniquity #h4 ,on the ,hill of ,remorse #i4 ,the victory of ,mrs4 ,discouraged on the ,tower of ,temptation #aj4 ,the ,devil's substitute for the prayer-meeting #aa4 ,a scene in the ,devil's ,temperance ,college #ab4 ,the ,wizard ,city #ac4 ,the ,festival #ad4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member entering the ,valley of ,conviction #ae4 ,the ,devil's ,auction #af4 ,miss ,church-,member carried to the ,devil's ,hospital #ag4 ,struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the ,black ,river #ah4 ,the glorious end of the righteous ,introduction ,,by ,,bishop ,,rudolph ,,dubs1 ,d4 ,d41 ,,ll4 ,d4 ,in response to the earnest request of the author of this book ,i have written these introductory words1 after a careful1 deliberate reading of the allegory4 ,what ,i have written expresses my own opinion of the book1 uninfluenced by motives of friendship for the author or any other consideration4 ,the book is a powerful allegory1 somewhat after the style of ,pilgrim's ,progress1 but in no sense is it an imitation of any existing work of the kind4 ,it is a masterful presentation1 wrought out with excellent judgment and consummate skill4 ,the creatures of the author's vivid imagination are perfectly formed and fittingly clothed1 living1 moving1 feeling1 talking1 in complete harmony as the development of the great drama goes on to its consummation4 ,the author has evidently made a careful and profound study of the manifold dangers which beset the ,christian church and threaten her spirituality1 and consequently her influence and power in saving the lost and maintaining the gospel standard of life and godliness in the world4 ,the encroachments of worldings upon the church are truthfully and graphically set forth4 ,the manifold forms of temptation and danger are clearly exposed1 and faithful1 tender1 earnest warnings and admonitions are set over against them4 ,in depicting the various efforts of ,satan and his agents to lead ,christians away from ,god and duty1 the author shows an extensive knowledge of the devices of the evil one1 as well as a clear insight into the drift and tendency of modern forms of wickedness4 ,the final results of compromise with the world are set forth in vivid1 graphic pictures drawn on the dark shadows as with a pencil of fire4 ,the downward course of the deluded soul is followed1 step by step2 the snares and delusions of sin are exposed2 the mask of vice is relentlessly torn away1 and church-members can here see what fellowship with the world really means and whither it leads4 ,the religious tone of the book throughout is excellent4 ,the delusive character of sin is plainly pointed out4 ,the devices of ,satan are laid bare with unsparing hand4 ,the abominations of vice are not concealed4 ,all this is done in language well chosen and unexceptionable4 ,the ,christian life is pictured without cant or exaggeration4 ,the beauty and blessedness of a devoted life are eloquently portrayed4 ,true religion with its present comforts and its great rewards is presented in a most attractive form1 and the contrast between the worlding and the faithful ,christian1 here and hereafter1 is impressively set forth4 ,with this favorable opinion of the book1 to whose edifying pages ,i introduce the reader1 ,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 library4 ,let young and old read its fascinating and instructive pages4 ,let it be circulated by hundreds and thousands of copies4 ,may the blessing of ,god attend the book in its mission and ministry wherever it is read4 ,,rudolph ,,dubs4 ,chicago1 ,ill41 ,march1 #aija4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,meeting ,,of ,,mr4 ,,world ,,and ,,miss ,,church-,,member #a4 ,the dying of a century compared to the waning of a day4 #b4 ,the allegory opens with a panoramic view of human life1 as seen through the open door of the twentieth century1 on the ,broad ,highway and ,king's ,highway4 ,blackana is introduced4 #c4 ,mr4 ,world meets ,miss ,church-,member at a place called ,fellowship4 ,from here she journeys with him on the ,broad ,highway where she witnesses several sad endings of human life4 ,in the closing hours of a long day ,i climbed a rugged path to a high eminence whence ,i overlooked a beautiful valley and watched1 with increasing delight1 the changing hues of earth and sky4 ,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 century4 ,then ,i saw1 as 8through a glass darkly10 the whole panorama of human life1 with its painful pictures of sadness and sin1 and its blessed scenes of peace and righteousness4 ,i also heard the unmistakable wails of a suffering humanity and the turmoils of myriad contentions1 all strangely mingling with the songs of glory and the shouts of spiritual triumph4 ,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 me4 ,all of this so preyed upon my mind that ,i involuntarily cried out1 in the anguish of my soul3 8,when will confusion come to an end1 and sweet peace cover the earth as the waters cover the sea80 8,will you wait for the winds to answer1 or shall ,i80 replied a voice so passing strange that ,i was startled4 ,i turned to see in whose presence ,i was and1 to my horror1 ,i beheld a dark creature unlike any mortal being4 ,he was without definite form and not cumbered with any garments4 ,his indescribable face was set with two bright eyes1 softened in expression until a slight halo revealed to me a countenance half beautiful and half terrible4 8,who are you1 and what is your mission80 ,i finally ventured to ask after speech had found my lips1 for ,i was altogether ignorant of his nature or purpose4 8,i am ,blackana1 from the lower world of spirits1 and am commanded here to stay until released40 ,illustration3 ,looking through the open door of the ,twentieth ,century4 8,until released8 ,what power binds you here1 and how long will you abide80 ,i asked in dread suspense4 8,i must remain1 as your companion and interpreter1 until the vision is past40 ,i trembled under these announcements1 but ,i was assured that underneath me were 8the everlasting arms0 and1 moreover1 ,i heard a still1 small voice whispering within me3 8,stand still1 ,o mortal man6 ,neither ,blackana nor any of his horde shall do thee harm4 ,he hovers before thee at my bidding1 and will leave thee only at my command4 ,ask him what thou wilt1 and he must answer thee1 even to the limit of his knowledge40 ,at this juncture1 and without a moment's warning1 my vision was enlarged and an unusual light flashed upon me4 ,quickly ,i cast my wondering eyes all about me and saw that ,i was standing at the very threshold of a great door4 ,it was of such imposing dimensions and so magnificently constructed that only the architects of ,heaven could have designed it4 ,instinctively ,i turned to ,blackana1 whom ,i could now face without fear3 8,where are we1 and what is the meaning of this great door80 ,and as ,i spoke unseen hands swung it open upon its hinges4 8,we are standing at the open door of the twentieth century4 ,you may look out into the coming years as far as you wish10 replied ,blackana in a cold1 indifferent manner4 ,thrilled by such an unusual sight1 and the thought which his interpretation and words suggested1 ,i marveled at his sullenness1 for ,blackana did not so much as lift his head to see the spectacle4 8,o1 ,blackana60 ,i cried1 8why are you so dead to such surroundings80 8,these are mere playthings10 was his gruff reply4 8,to me the doors of the centuries1 which open and shut on the cycles of time1 are as trifles1 neither lessening my misery nor adding to my pleasure40 ,during a brief1 thoughtful silence ,i continued looking at him1 as a shudder swept my whole being4 ,i then turned from this creature so shrouded in mystery and1 stepping forward to look through the open door1 ,i was suddenly overawed at the still greater scenes which spread in wondrous panorama before my entranced vision4 ,under the new light ,i beheld a marvelous sight1 for ,i could distinctly see the myriad millions of humanity moving on the paths of life toward a common goal4 ,in the bright halo of the scene ,i saw the beautiful ,king's ,highway1 on which were marching the hosts of the church militant1 led triumphantly by the ,spirit of ,god to the very gates of the ,celestial ,city1 which1 though distant1 ,i could yet see under the dazzling light radiating from the central throne of glory as from untold suns4 ,in the darker shadows of this same panorama ,i saw the ,broad ,highway with its thronging multitudes4 ,some1 with deliberate step1 scrutinizing the objects along the way2 others1 in mad haste1 rushing on toward an awful destruction whose wreck and ruin loomed up dimly in the glare of an eternal burning4 ,among the happy pilgrims of the ,king's ,highway was one named ,miss ,church-,member1 who had left the ,broad ,way of death1 and entered1 through ,christ1 into that marvelous light wherein she was now walking4 ,her tread was in sweet harmony with the footsteps of her ,master1 and her beautiful face was all aglow with the passion of pure love4 ,a pilgrim's robe added beauty to her form2 a ,bible1 carried under her arm1 gave some evidence of her spiritual character2 and a religious emblem1 worn over her heart1 told that she was a member of some ,christian organization4 ,miss ,church-,member1 in traveling her chosen path1 tarried at a place called ,fellowship which occupied a pleasing site close by the ,king's ,highway4 ,here one could readily speak and associate with the travelers who moved in gay companies along the ,broad ,highway4 ,at this visiting place she met a certain ,mr4 ,world--a good1 jolly fellow1 of corpulent build1 who was attired in the fashion of the day1 and bore himself with more than usual jauntiness in the presence of ,miss ,church-,member4 ,after a pleasing conversation1 in which ,mr4 ,world plied his ,satanic shrewdness and sophistry1 he was emboldened to give this brief invitation3 8,will you journey a short distance with me on this ,broader ,way that ,i may prepare myself1 with more facility1 to accompany you where you wish1 even on a path as narrow as the one you seem to love80 8,ah1 ,mr4 ,world10 she said1 with a tolerant smile1 8do you not know that you are walking on the way of danger and death8 ,why would you have me share your folly8 ,it were a thousand times better for you to join me at once on a path that leads to everlasting happiness4 ,here you can drink the water of life in abundance1 and feed upon angels' food4 ,o1 come1 ,mr4 ,world10 she added as she spoke more earnestly1 8linger no longer1 carry out the resolution which you have already broken repeatedly1 and you will never regret so wise an action40 ,thus did ,miss ,church-,member urge upon him a course which1 in her inimitable missionary spirit1 she made really attractive to him4 ,although he appreciated her genuine earnestness1 yet he could not be induced to heed her words4 8,you have covered the whole field of my intention10 he courteously replied4 8,i sincerely wish to mend my ways1 but there are certain things ,i must first overcome4 ,how much better ,i could do this if one like you1 in whom ,i have supreme confidence1 would but journey at my side4 ,will you not do the work of a good missionary and1 like ,christ1 adapt yourself to my level1 that ,i may1 by your uplifting influence1 be drawn into a nobler life1 and even have your companionship as ,i go up to the ,highway of your ,king80 ,miss ,church-,member1 being of a sympathetic nature and of strong missionary proclivities1 refused to heed her many counselors who feared for her safety1 and actually stepped still farther from her wonted path and journeyed at the side of ,mr4 ,world with the desire to compass his conversion4 ,but her conscience1 at first1 troubled her and her feet moved with a suspicious tread4 ,in this nervous1 half confiding and half shrinking mood1 she leaned lightly upon his arm1 ever turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her well-meaning friends who still hoped to dissuade her from this ill-advised course4 ,mr4 ,world was keenly delighted at her concession and loyalty to him4 ,he seemed to be willing to go to any sacrifice that might add to her comfort or increase her happiness4 ,his many companions could readily see that ,miss ,church-,member felt 8out of place40 ,but she justified her own course by what she was aiming to do4 ,he saw that her dress of righteousness was in wide contrast with the filthy rags that covered his own soul1 and so he preferred to look upon the garments that adorned his outer person1 and the gaudy scenes on either side of the way4 ,i beheld this wide path along a great length1 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 sight4 ,the thoughtless throngs were seemingly unconscious that underneath the whole length and breadth of the path there were strata of fire1 and they were apparently blind to the sulphurous flames which1 here and there1 issued from openings into which many an unsuspecting traveler fell4 ,sad to relate1 of all the moving multitudes there were but few1 indeed1 who took warning and fled toward the ,king's ,highway4 ,many1 like ,miss ,church-,member1 were walking on the forbidden path for no other reason than some weak apology4 8,what mean these lurid openings80 nervously asked ,miss ,church-,member1 for their flames excited her terror4 ,mr4 ,world replied1 with a look of surprise3 8,have you never heard that these are to give light to pilgrims1 such as we8 ,without them the way would prove very dark and dreary40 8,what a contrast10 she exclaimed1 8between these lights and those that illumine the ,king's ,highway6 ,they shine from above1 with increasing splendor1 while these cast forth1 from below1 their uncertain lights4 ,it seems to me that the farther we go the darker becomes the way1 and its lights the more inconstant1--so fitful is their gruesome glare40 8,ah6 ,i see what ails you10 responded ,mr4 ,world4 8,your eyes are at fault4 ,we will presently meet the expert who will correct your vision ere your eyes are totally ruined40 ,the attention of ,miss ,church-,member was suddenly attracted by seeing a man who was just sinking out of sight into the fire of destruction4 ,as soon as he disappeared the flames burst forth in fury through the newly-made opening4 ,instantly a servant of ,satan covered the breach so that observers could no longer hear the wails of the poor man1 nor smell the fumes from the burning strata4 ,then did ,i look and1 behold1 ,i saw such places in countless variety1 each attended by a servant of the ,black ,prince4 ,each opening made by an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so that others1 in passing along1 would the more readily be ensnared in one of these fatal fissures4 ,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 ,highway4 ,she also saw1 not far ahead of her1 a woman sinking in utter despair1 and ran to rescue her4 ,but the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched ruin before the hands of ,miss ,church-,member could give assistance4 8,help6 help6 ,i sink ,i know not whither10 was her wailing cry1 as she was passing out of sight1 her arms outstretched beseechingly toward her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames that issued from the fresh opening4 8,oh1 horror60 shrieked ,miss ,church-,member as she turned toward ,mr4 ,world4 8,that ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of wickedness and vice40 ,illustration3 ,miss ,church-member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim4 ,without a moment's delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and covered it from sight1 completing his work so quickly and with such skill that neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer perceptible4 ,but ,miss ,church-,member refused to leave the spot1 and with tears she urged ,mr4 ,world to place there a sign of warning so that other short-sighted1 mortals who came that way might read and heed4 8,it would be only a waste of time and energy4 ,i have seen hundreds of such places where travelers have gone down1 even under the sign of the ,cross40 8,indeed1 ,mr4 ,world1 ,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 this40 ,her finger pointed to the spot where she had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more4 8,look yonder10 he hurriedly spoke1 as he touched her arm4 8,do you see that woman with her steps in the same direction8 ,now try your skill10 he added with more sneer than sympathy in his voice4 ,she did not tarry to resent his attitude1 but quickly went to the woman and asked her to pause a moment4 8,are you willing to be saved from destruction80 earnestly asked ,miss ,church-,member4 8,i am safe enough10 was the indifferent reply4 8,you are now walking rapidly toward an awful death10 were her further words of warning4 8,what right have you to judge me10 she curtly replied1 8since you also are on this ,broad ,highway8 ,have ,i not heard already the words from those who also wear the pilgrim's robe1 but who journey on the ,king's ,highway8 ,their words brought conviction to my heart and tears to my eyes1 but your words only stir up my indignation40 8,why speak so unkindly to a friend8 ,my only intention is to do you good4 ,i just saw one who came to a horrible end by continuing a little farther in the same course that you are now pursuing40 ,then did the wicked woman fly into a rage4 8,you need no more concern yourself about me4 ,i have two eyes--as many as you have4 ,look to your own future1 not mine2 at your own steps1 and not at another's60 8,come10 impatiently spoke ,mr4 ,world1 as he drew her by the arm1 8it is just as ,i expected2 let us get away from this sickly atmosphere40 ,but ,miss ,church-,member lingered only to see the heedless woman step to the last extreme and sink hopelessly1 while her piteous cries for help came too late for any to rescue her4 ,illustration3 8,let us follow this shining path40 hopefully urged ,miss ,church-,member4 ,but it is too rough and steep for ,mr4 ,world4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,by-,,path4 #a4 ,in their journey ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member come to the ,by-,path leading to the ,king's ,highway2 on this ,miss ,church-,member urges ,mr4 ,world to travel4 ,he defers so decisive a step and defends his attitude by the use of sophistry4 #b4 ,miss ,church-,member1 still hoping to win ,mr4 ,world to a better path1 forsakes the ,king's ,highway and continues in his company4 #c4 ,a tilt with ,blackana who defends ,miss ,church-,member for traveling on the ,broad ,highway4 ,the highway of the world was so broad that one could walk thereon as loosely as he wished without fear of stepping from it4 ,along the way there were so many things to attract the attention that the farther ,miss ,church-,member journeyed with ,mr4 ,world1 the less frequently she looked toward the ,king's ,highway4 ,however1 her face brightened and her hopes waxed strong as they suddenly came to a place where two ways met4 ,with quick insight ,miss ,church-,member saw that the ,by-,path was a blessed one and that it led directly to the ,king's ,highway4 8,let us follow this shining path10 she hopefully suggested4 8,i know it leads to the way of light and glory40 8,not such a path1 my friend10 hastily replied ,mr4 ,world4 8,do you not see the terrible hill to which it leads1 and those who are even now struggling to climb its arduous heights80 8,i clearly see it all10 she calmly admitted1 8but they who struggle most are endeavoring to carry many idols with them4 ,if one will forsake his idols1 he can1 with ease and pleasure1 mount to the shining summit which is but the edge of the ,king's glorious ,highway4 ,come1 ,mr4 ,world1 hesitate no more4 ,let procrastination end1 and go with me even to the hill1 and ,i will help you to the summit--while ,another will help you more40 8,very true1 very true10 he said1 though somewhat irritated1 8but we have not yet come to the place where ,i may wisely follow your advice4 ,this path turning away to the right leads to a place that may seem bright from this point1 but nevertheless ,i know it to be a narrow1 rugged way1 whereon a few of your friends are trudging1 eking out a miserable existence4 ,urge me not to go thither4 ,if you leave me1 ,i can neither accompany you nor give you my assistance4 ,surely you have learned1 ere this1 that your needs are of such a nature that you must inevitably suffer embarrassment without my little help40 ,miss ,church-,member1 with eyes but partly open to her own folly1 was grievously perplexed and not a little disappointed4 ,she fell on her knees and wept4 ,looking up pleadingly into his eyes1 she faltered3 8,twice have ,i yielded to you since we entered into companionship4 ,you well remember the solemn promise you made1 but at each time you deferred its fulfillment1 and now ,i must again hear your vain excuses4 ,i have suffered much for your sake1 and have now the enmity of many a former friend1 and even my pilgrim robe is becoming stained with the filth of this way40 8,come1 come1 my friend1 be a woman and not a sickly suppliant4 ,the portion of the ,king's ,highway which we would reach from this point is too rough for my feet to travel4 ,we will shortly come to a more convenient place2 then ,i can think more seriously of leaving this way40 8,ah60 sighed ,miss ,church-,member1 8you say that in your folly4 ,i can testify1 from knowledge1 that the way is most delightful and leads to mansions incorruptible in the ,celestial ,city40 8,let us cease debating10 interrupted ,mr4 ,world1 with ill-concealed impatience4 8,if you have sacrificed so much through my fellowship and imagine that you can find better company1 you may leave1 but you cannot expect me to accompany you on so thorny and rough a path as this which you have so foolishly proposed40 ,strengthened by the remnants of ,christian virtue yet within her1 she sprang to her feet and was about to execute her noble purpose of leaving him4 ,but a number of ,mr4 ,world's friends quickly rallied and complimented ,miss ,church-,member on the good she had already done4 8,mr4 ,world is a better man since he has known you10 said one4 8,if you will continue walking with him on his own level1 no one can estimate the amount of good you will yet do for him10 hopefully spoke another4 ,these unexpected testimonies aroused anew her missionary spirit and changed her thoughts to these yielding sentences3 8,no sacrifice is too great1 if victory but comes at last4 ,if there is hope that ,mr4 ,world will cease deceiving me and walk in the path of truth1 ,i will consent to be his companion still a little farther40 8,there is every hope of that10 smilingly returned ,mr4 ,world as he suavely bowed to her and to the little group of companions who had given him such timely help4 ,as ,i saw ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member moving on1 in closer fellowship than ever1 ,i waxed warm with indignation1 and addressed ,blackana who was still lying at my side as motionless as the strata of the rock-ribbed earth3 8,will you explain to me this folly of ,miss ,church-,member1 who has not only disgraced her cause before the fiendish ,mr4 ,world1 but who also continues with him in such unseemly intimacy80 8,miss ,church-,member is not walking in folly4 ,she is engaged in a noble work1 endeavoring to elevate ,mr4 ,world to a higher ,christian life10 was the answer from the lips of ,blackana in a low1 heavy voice4 8,ah10 said ,i1 with a feeling of suspicion1 8she is shining from the wrong lighthouse4 ,the rays of truth will never reach him as long as she is in that position4 8,perhaps they might in a miraculous way10 suggested ,blackana4 8,no good miracle is ever done in the steps of the ,devil or in his dominions10 ,i answered with boldness4 ,then did ,blackana enlarge himself1 and as he replied he looked down upon me significantly4 8,o puny mortal1 instruct me not in the miracles of my master4 ,more great things are done under the canopies of ,hell than mortals ever know40 ,at first ,i was filled with alarm1 but under the voice of ,one invisible ,i rose as with superhuman strength1 and ,i looked at him unflinchingly4 8,o horrible creature6 ,i fear you not in any of your passions4 ,you would even destroy me if you could1 but you are forever restrained by the ,power that holds authority over all60 ,there was a sudden rustling1 unlike anything ,i had ever heard4 ,the uncanny creature dashed toward me in his awful fury4 ,but ,i moved not1 neither was ,i touched4 ,then ,i stretched forth my hand and commanded him1 in the name of ,one who is supreme1 to cease his foolish ragings1 else would he be instantly flung through the wastes of ,hell4 ,blackana1 knowing his limit1 as all foul fiends do1 dared to venture no further in his rage1 but calmed himself and1 with unexpected civility1 he addressed me4 ,he told me1 in close detail1 how ,mr4 ,world1 by his binding promises to his companion1 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 heaven1 and that1 too1 in good company4 8,and what think you1--will ,mr4 ,world ever fulfill his binding promises80 8,do not doubt it1 sir4 ,mr4 ,world is an honorable gentleman4 ,his promises are always fulfilled4 8,a lie6 ,a lie6 ,can you not speak the truth80 ,again he was about to rise into terrible proportions when a great hand moved the door on its hinges4 ,blackana1 interpreting that movement better than ,i1 continued in dread restraint4 ,i looked again upon the ,broad ,highway1 and saw how ,mr4 ,world had so completely won the confidence of ,miss ,church-,member that she now frequently expressed her sense of obligation to him1 and declared that he was not so mean a fellow as some alleged1 and as she had been inclined to believe4 8,pray1 tell me who seeks to injure my good reputation80 he courteously asked4 8,it has long been current talk on the ,king's ,highway that you are deceitful and treacherous1 and that you aim to lead people to ruin4 ,you well know that ,i hoped1 by mutual association1 to win you to a better path4 ,i find1 even after some painful errors on my part1 that you are not so much in need of reformation as ,i imagined4 ,you are a very considerate and clever fellow1 doubtless under the sway of a moral evolution1 and whether ,i stay with you1 or you go with me1 it is now1 to my mind1 quite evident that you will soon reach a perfect condition40 ,the wily ,mr4 ,world chuckled4 8,you are newly endowed with the gift of a wisdom whose inward glory has lent its brightness to your eye1 and has given savor to your very words4 ,if you continue in your present state of liberality and broad-mindedness1 you will not only share all that ,i possess1 but will wear a crown set with gems of truth40 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,devil',s ,,optical ,,college4 #a4 ,the college described4 #b4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member have their eyes examined1 and ,miss ,church-,member is supplied with lenses which warp her spiritual vision4 #c4 ,the allegory shows how ,satan supplies every conceivable kind of lenses to suit the people of the world and the church4 #d4 ,blackana1 with deceptive words1 attempts to defend ,satan's course4 ,this institution of ,satan has been in operation since the creation of man1 having been remodeled as often as advancement in style or skill demanded4 ,each one of the fourteen massive buildings was a gem of architectural beauty1 and was devoted to a special line of study or practice4 ,the entire group worked harmoniously toward the same end4 ,in the course of their journey ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member drew nigh to this great college1 but the shrewd and wicked ,mr4 ,world remained silent1 waiting for the first words of his companion4 ,miss ,church-,member1 however1 as she looked upon the stupendous edifices1 was so filled with wonder and admiration at the long stretches of masonry1 and the perfect symmetry of parts1 that she offered no comment until they were quite near the first building4 8,for what purpose is this group of great structures used80 were her words that broke the brief silence4 8,all for the sake of the eyes10 he carelessly answered1 as he called her attention to the ,king's ,highway and the throngs of people that were admiring and entering the college from those parts4 8,it is indeed wonderful10 she commented1 8that so small a thing as the eye should demand the service of such great edifices40 8,the buildings are not too large nor too well equipped4 ,your surprise would not be so great were you to witness the large number from the two great highways that come here daily for treatment4 ,you can see them now moving by thousands to and from the buildings4 ,it might be wise for us to enter for consultation4 ,my eyes1 at least1 may need some expert attention40 ,she1 being anxious to see the interior of at least one of the buildings1 offered no objection to his shrewd suggestion4 ,the building was so easy of access that there was not one step to climb4 ,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 converged4 ,this style of architecture not only added to the beauty of the appearance1 but also proved to be perfectly adapted to the uses of the college4 ,the confidence of ,miss ,church-,member was fully won by the appearance of the interior and the courteous attention she received from the managers4 ,the consulting physician examined the eyes of ,mr4 ,world1 then congratulated him upon the clear vision he enjoyed1 and informed him that his eyes required no immediate treatment4 ,turning to one side1 ,mr4 ,world whispered to his companion3 8,while we are here you had better improve this opportunity and also get the benefit of an expert opinion40 8,i have not come prepared financially10 she blushingly and faintly replied4 8,i did not even dream of seeking the service of a specialist40 8,that obstacle is easily overcome1 for the examination is free1 and if you should need further attention and would wish to receive it1 ,i would deem it only a great pleasure to bear all the expenses40 ,after a brief1 thoughtful silence she consented to the preliminary examination4 8,will you examine the eyes of my friend80 requested ,mr4 ,world as he stepped toward the chief oculist4 ,the expert accordingly tested her sight4 ,first he held up1 at a distance1 the 8,delusion of the ,new ,jerusalem10 but she was totally blind to it4 ,then he submitted the 8,deceptions of the ,holy ,bible0 of which she could again see nothing4 8,look through these windows to the ,broad ,highway1 far out into the distance over rolling stretches of country4 ,can you see the gates of ,heaven1 at the end of the way80 ,miss ,church-,member looked carefully1 but declared that she could not see anything that appeared like ,heaven or the gates thereof4 8,can you see that place called #8,perfect ,peace' along the ,broad ,highway10 continued the oculist as he pointed to a far-off region4 8,i can see nothing that looks like it10 she honestly confessed1 quite surprised to discover the existence of these apparent defects of her vision4 8,a very sad and extreme case10 murmured the examiner as he requested her to open her ,bible4 8,can you see1 in that book1 that all people shall be saved1 and none perish80 8,i am surely blind to that and always have been10 she readily admitted with a little more boldness4 8,perhaps you can see the justice of ,god in punishing the sinner80 he continued with a touch of sarcasm in his voice4 8,plainly visible40 8,so ,i expected40 ,he then proceeded to a more minute examination1 after which he wrote a brief diagnosis and commended her to a specialist in the next building4 ,she hesitated somewhat1 but ,mr4 ,world1 handing her1 confidentially1 a handsome sum of yellow coin from his bag of gold1 brought words of deep thankfulness from her lips1 and gave decision to her steps in the direction he desired4 ,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 magnitude4 ,the room into which they entered1 at such a dizzy height1 surpassed1 in its unique arrangement1 anything of the kind that they had thus far seen4 ,in long and high glass cases lay all the modern appliances used by the most skillful hands4 ,the furnishings blended harmoniously with the general environments4 ,all this won the utter confidence of the new and unsuspecting visitor4 8,with pleasure10 politely began ,mr4 ,world1 8,i present my friend1 ,miss ,church-,member1 who comes hither with defective eyes and a duly subscribed diagnosis from the chief of the oculists40 ,the specialist whom he thus addressed made an additional examination1 plying his craft with all the ingenuity he had learned from his master4 ,at the conclusion he delivered himself in this wise3 8,i find1 ,miss ,church-,member1 that your eyes are very much out of order4 ,a complex case1 indeed4 ,i have discovered ametropia in the particular form of irregular astigmatism4 ,the pupil1 covered by the unabsorbed remains of the pupillary membrane1 is occluded by a deposition of inflammatory substance1 occasioned by inflammation of the ciliary body4 8,i have also noticed a severe type of hemianopsia1 which1 ,i presume1 had its origin in congeniture4 ,minor defects are also apparent1 but it is unnecessary for me to give further details10 ,miss ,church-,member could not refrain from weeping bitterly at this sad announcement4 8,is it possible to effect a cure80 she sobbed4 8,ah6 you need not thus lament10 said the specialist in a tone of sympathy4 8,millions have been altogether cured whose eyes were more diseased than are yours4 ,forget your tears and be at perfect peace4 ,calmly confide in our skill40 ,she consented to their method1 and was first subjected to a course of preliminary treatment4 ,many an hour she lay while her eyes were covered with cloths saturated with strange liquids4 ,and when her eyes were uncovered she was compelled to sit in darkness1 for the physician told her that her eyes had already suffered much on account of light4 ,at times the pain was well nigh intolerable1 but she endured it all heroically1 hoping to gain thereby the boon of a complete cure4 ,after this preparatory work one who was skilled in the best methods of the age performed the operation1 and ,miss ,church-,member was comforted by the assurance that her eyes would be fitted with special lenses1 and soon she could again behold the natural light of day4 ,mr4 ,world was busily engaged during the treatment of ,miss ,church-,member1 but he came repeatedly to her side and spoke words of cheer and urged her strict obedience to all directions4 ,finally her new lenses were put to service1 and ,mr4 ,world proffered his compliments profusely until the first impulses of vanity moved within her4 ,to be admired1 on account of her appearance1 seemed never so attractive as now6 ,what a new world opened to her view6 ,she looked down upon the ,broad ,highway with a degree of pleasure hitherto unsuspected1 and also upon the ,king's ,highway1 but only to see that the path was indeed a rough one and beset with trials and difficulties which1 to her mind1 now seemed unnecessary to a ,christian life4 ,in the same manner ,i looked into all the apartments of each building1 and was astonished at the presence of so large a number from the ,king's ,highway1 and a still greater throng from the way of the world4 8,o ,blackana60 ,i cried1 8how long will this continue8 ,is there no end to deception8 ,with such a changed view of things1 how can ,miss ,church-,member crave for the ,king's ,highway or urge ,mr4 ,world thither80 8,miss ,church-,member will be happier where she is10 answered my uncanny companion as he grinned horribly4 8,by the aid of her glasses she can both see and enjoy the wonderful scenes along the way40 ,i knew that ,blackana was covering the truth1 but hesitated to insinuate as much4 8,can you explain10 ,i questioned in a half hopeful mood1 8how those specialists can do their deceptive work so brazenly8 ,poor ,miss ,church-,member1 deluded and defrauded1 now stumbles rapidly onward with the fiendish ,mr4 ,world4 ,tell me1 ,o agent of the ,devil1 do those creatures find delight in such horrible deeds80 8,it is not a matter of pleasure or delight with them1 but rather one of loyalty to their king1 whom you call #8,devil4' ,to serve him poorly means a more bitter hell1 but to serve him well brings honor from his hand40 8,but such honor60 ,i exclaimed1 and then said3 8,i observe that ,miss ,church-,member wears colored lenses--tell me the meaning of this2 and you1 ,blackana1 hereafter deal no more in falsehood with me60 ,i demanded4 ,blackana shifted his position1 and with marked reluctance proceeded to answer3 8,the ,devil1 my master1 uses in his work all imaginable kinds of glasses1 invented in the ,wizard ,city4 ,every conceivable shade of color is made1 each for its particular use4 ,through his agents ,satan selects the lens for the patient's eye1 and if it is worn as selected and directed1 he has won a decisive victory40 8,foul and fiendish plots of ,hell10 ,i involuntarily muttered2 but ,blackana listened in silence4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,satan ,,interpreting ,,scripture4 #a4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member now take an easier method of traveling1 for they ride on a strange vehicle down the gravity road4 #b4 ,miss ,church-,member reads her ,bible by the aid of her new glasses4 #c4 ,she is assisted in understanding it by a minion of ,satan who comes robed as an angel of light4 #d4 ,her glasses enable her to distinguish between the inspired and the uninspired parts of the ,bible2 for this ability she is highly complimented4 ,the ,broad ,highway1 after leaving the ,optical ,college1 was especially hard to travel4 ,here ,mr4 ,world secured a fashionable vehicle propelled by some secret force4 ,into this carriage he assisted ,miss ,church-,member1 and each was delighted with the smooth descent down the gravity road4 8,this is delightful traveling10 she said1 as she reclined upon the luxurious cushions of the conveyance4 ,aided by her new glasses she enjoyed the scenery along the way more than ever4 8,i am glad you appreciate it10 he smilingly returned4 8,according to my notion1 riding is indeed preferable to walking4 ,from these elevated carriages one can witness so much more of the world1 and can also with more distinctness see the ,king's ,highway with its trudging pilgrims seemingly unconscious of this better mode of travel40 ,miss ,church-,member took a mere casual glance at the ,old ,path and her former associates1 and seemed to feel thankful that she had risen from bigotry to a more charitable view of things4 ,her ,bible1 although closed altogether too long1 had never been surrendered4 ,but she had received strict orders not to read it until her eyes were fully adjusted to the new lenses4 ,now1 however1 she opened it and was reading it under the new light1 lifting her eyes at close intervals so as to miss nothing of beauty or interest along this way of the world4 ,mr4 ,world observed her careless manner1--how she turned from chapter to chapter in brief succession and fixed but little attention on any particular portion4 8,i would urge you10 he kindly advised1 8that if you feel aught of headache or heartache1 through excessive reading1 to close the book at once40 ,illustration3 ,miss ,church-member was reading the ,bible to her companion when there appeared to them an interpreter who was like unto an angel of light4 ,she made no reply1 but to his surprise was now deeply engaged in the perusal of the seventh chapter of ,matthew4 8,i have heard that some parts of that book are very interesting10 he said in his good natured way4 8,will you not read aloud to me80 ,with a return of the old passion for his conversion she gladly complied and read the whole chapter while they continued gliding smoothly along4 ,an interesting discussion ensued1 during the course of which there joined them one who was like unto an angel of light4 ,after hearing his smooth sentences of general ,bible-knowledge1 ,miss ,church-,member exclaimed3 8,who art thou1 and how didst thou gain so great a knowledge of this ,book80 8,i am but a harmless creature of the air1 going whither ,i will4 ,i have studied that ,book through all the changes of time and understand every part of it4 ,i would1 even now1 make any sentence as clear as light to thee40 8,and thinkest thou that this part is true80 hopefully asked ,miss ,church-,member as she raised the open ,bible and pointed to the chapter she had just read4 8,every sentence is true1 but in reading it there is grave danger of misapprehension4 ,didst thou have difficulty with any particular part of the chapter80 8,with verses thirteen and fourteen10 she replied4 ,the angelic interpreter then read them in a fine resonant voice4 8#8,enter ye in at the strait gate3 for wide is the gate1 and broad is the way1 that leadeth to destruction1 and many there be which go in hereat3 ,because strait is the gate1 and narrow is the way1 which leadeth unto life1 and few there be that find it4'0 8,if these words are really true10 quickly commented ,miss ,church-,member1 8we must be traveling in the wrong way4 ,does it not appear so80 she queried1 as she looked with increasing interest at the angelic being4 8,naturally it does10 he shrewdly answered1 8especially if you look merely at the surface of the text2 but the pearls of truth lie deeper40 8,i well know that the ,king's ,highway is called the #8,narrow ,way' and this1 whereon we journey1 the #8,broad ,way4' ,surely this part of ,scripture is against us10 insisted ,miss ,church-,member1 as her countenance grew more troubled4 8,thou needst not stumble at such easy ,scripture2 behold1 the meaning is quite clear6 ,they who travel on the so-called ,king's ,highway are continually exaggerating the merits of the way1 thereby making it appear greater and broader than it really is4 ,they go so far as to claim that the way is broad enough to accommodate all the people of the world1 were they minded to travel thereon4 ,therefore those who thus make the way broad by their own conceits will meet with destruction4 ,this is the meaning of verse thirteen40 8,it is certain1 according to verse fourteen1 that we have a strait gate1 and none1 on this road1 imagine or claim that the way is broader than it is2 so we are credited with having it called #8narrow1' for it is as narrow as we claim it to be40 8,notwithstanding your explanation and the relief these glasses have given me1 my conscience is still troubled1 and methinks ,i hear a voice from this ,bible chiding me4 ,this is the chief barrier to my real happiness10 she boldly confessed4 8,thou shouldst not dwell in fear10 spoke the shining adviser4 8,do not allow the errors of any false teaching to mar the peace and happiness of this way4 ,bid farewell to all thy inward doubting1 and taste the imperishable sweetness of the world1 turning a deaf ear to the voice that chides thee unkindly40 8,but the voice comes from my ,bible10 she tremblingly declared4 8,truly said1 ,miss ,church-,member2 it comes far enough from the ,bible4 ,why not listen to the voice that is the ,bible4 ,thou art in harmony with every part of ,scripture4 ,let not false voices drive thee on to deeper grief40 ,she then looked at the shining form with more curiosity than ever before4 8,who can this be80 she asked ,mr4 ,world in a passing whisper4 8,you have seen how he urges me to perfect peace1 and so unselfishly40 8',tis but a happy friend that comes in the hour of need4 ,should we not give heed to his kindly voice8 ,if the studying of that ,bible gives you pain1 adding to the weight that already wearies your heart1 why not close the book and1 continuing on this way of ease1 look more carefully on outward things again80 8,think you1 ,mr4 ,world1 that ,i would lay down my ,bible8 ,this is the book that mother loved4 ,it has always been my ,book of books4 ,it contains the code of laws that controls the whole spiritual world1 and it is the only lamp that leads to light and to the gates of ,heaven4 ,you need it as much as ,i4 ,why ask me to lay it down80 8,nay1 nay10 spoke the angel of light1 8urge her not to discard her ,bible1 but rather to get a true understanding of it4 ,perhaps10 he continued1 turning again to ,miss ,church-,member1 8thou hast met with other mysterious verses in this chapter4 ,if so1 ,i will gladly serve thee1 for ,i love to give light to an honest heart40 8,i see nothing more now that gives me trouble4 ,these glasses1 which ,i got through the kindness of ,mr4 ,world1 have helped me to understand your interpretation so that the rest of the chapter is quite clear to me40 8,and how does the whole ,bible appear since thy sight is so improved by those fortunate lenses80 8,it certainly appears vastly different10 she confessed4 8,it is so much more liberal in its teachings than ,i ever before imagined40 8,hast thou become so far advanced that thou canst1 with thy more comprehensive view1 distinguish between the inspired and the uninspired parts80 asked the shining one with an air of dignity4 8,not clearly so1 although ,i have recently doubted the genuineness of some parts which still hold their place in the book40 8,thou art coming to the true light10 he flatteringly replied4 8,blessed is the event that ever changed thine eyes to see so great a truth4 ,oh1 that all the world might thus drink from the fountain of knowledge60 8,when will the time ever come that the ,bible will be rid of its errors80 impatiently broke in ,mr4 ,world4 8,in that happy day when the mists of superstition shall vanish before the true light of personal liberty and free thinking10 came the answer from the bright-robed angel who was none else than a minion of the ,devil in disguise4 8,how could such a glorious work best be accomplished80 asked ,mr4 ,world whose interest now was more intensely aroused4 8,only by ,christians who ought to appoint a committee from their own number1--persons like our friend ,miss ,church-,member4 ,this committee could decide1 by a majority vote1 what parts of the ,bible to expunge4 ,then the church and the world would have a ,bible reasonably free from errors4 ,our present ,bible has so many objectionable parts which1 of course1 could not have been inspired1 and any person who has the courage to correct it will be doing the world an incalculable service40 8,amen and amen60 enthusiastically spoke ,mr4 ,world4 8,the ,bible is certainly a great book1 but it would be vastly improved if once rid of its interpolations and errors of translation4 ,any preacher who would use in his pulpit such an abridged ,bible would have my profoundest respect1 and ,i hereby pledge half my fortune to the first minister who will do himself the honor of taking such a step40 8,that will have its desired effect10 smilingly commented ,miss ,church-,member1 8for there are some gentlemen of the cloth who would quickly sacrifice any conviction for such a sum of money40 8,and here10 added the angel of light1 8,i hold in my hand a crown of fame set with the gems of honor4 ,i hereby engage to place a crown like this on the head of each minister who will1 in preaching and teaching1 abridge the ,bible and ridicule its weaknesses4 ,of course he must not cast reflection upon the real ,word of ,god4 ,he must only denounce and destroy the errors that have crept into it40 ,with these words the bright messenger disappeared1 and ,miss ,church-,member endeavored again to know more about his identity1 but ,mr4 ,world did not altogether satisfy her curiosity4 ,then1 as they sped onward in their well-devised vehicle down the gravity road to ,hell1 ,miss ,church-,member continued reading her ,bible quietly4 8,how changed the teachings of this book appear10 she soliloquized4 8,i can now see how foolish ,i once was in taking so narrow a view of its truths40 ,i took a passing glance at the ,king's ,highway1 and saw a virtuous and holy woman on her knees in prayer1 with a ,bible opened before her4 ,she read from the ,book1 doubting not its words1 and was pleading earnestly with ,god for a better understanding of them1 until flash after flash of heavenly light filled her soul1 making her face shine with more than human glory4 ,to her the ,devil1 robed as an angel of light1 made no appearance so long as ,i looked4 ,then ,i asked ,blackana1 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 ,god4 8,and what think you of ,miss ,church-,member80 ,i continued4 8,she is a fine character10 spoke ,blackana as a hideous grin spread over his face4 ,then ,i was moved with indignation1 and ,i spoke with fire in my voice3 8,give me no more deceptive words of ,hell6 ,tell the naked truth4 ,what is the estimate that ,satan places on one who acts like ,miss ,church-,member80 ,blackana moved not a feature at my changed attitude1 but spoke calmly within the bounds of truth3 8,satan considers such a one as a valuable ally to his cause1 for she is now working against ,jesus ,christ on her imaginary road to ,heaven4 ,nothing is more helpful to ,satan than when members of the church believe that parts of the ,bible are untrue4 ,it is indeed gratifying to us10 continued ,blackana with a fiendish smile1 8to see the twentieth century of the so-called ,christian era opening with the church wrangling over her ,bible more desperately than ever1 and some of the learned leaders1 and those of lesser light1 laying the lash on him who believes that the regularly revised version of ,scripture is of sufficient authority and approved of ,god40 ,thus ,blackana1 in dread reluctant tones1 and with his tongue still unfriendly to ,christ's cause1 was continuing1 when a voice from above gave this startling and silencing testimony4 8,such ,scripture is an impregnable rock2 and they1 who by faith stand thereon1 cannot be poisoned by the fiery darts which are hurled even by the latest invented guns from the ,wizard ,city4 ,all ,hell secretly acknowledges the strength of this foundation1 even though part of the church on earth refuses to do as much40 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,devil',s ,,pawn ,,shop4 #a4 ,miss ,church-,member with her new glasses looks upon her attire and1 not being satisfied with her pilgrim's robe1 exchanges it for up-to-date apparel4 #b4 ,the similar action of ,mr4 ,deacon and ,mr4 ,elder described4 ,miss ,church-,member1 having closed her ,bible1 was engaged in a close scrutiny of her attire4 ,by the aid of her glasses she realized very keenly that her garments were out of harmony with her environments4 8,will you answer a frank question80 she modestly asked ,mr4 ,world4 8,do you think my pilgrim's robe becomes me as it should80 8,a very delicate question4 ,i should never have ventured a criticism without your invitation to do so4 ,sincerely1 your whole attire is somewhat antiquated4 ,it is just as faulty as the ,bible4 ,so ,i would advise you to wear apparel more suited to your natural charms40 8,but where can such be found80 she blushingly asked1 offering no comment upon ,mr4 ,world's aspersion upon the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,illustration3 ,a ,scene in the ,devil's ,pawn ,shop4 8,her beautiful pilgrim robe was drawn through the dust and relegated to the rear40 8,at numberless places along the way4 ,in the distance ,i see an exchange store1 duly authorized to do business along this ,highway4 ,if you so desire1 we will proceed thither40 ,she assented gratefully1 and soon the vehicle stopped4 ,the two alighted and stepped into the place known along the ,king's ,highway as the ,devil's ,pawn ,shop4 ,this establishment was easily accessible from either ,highway1 and had been in operation for thousands of years1 carrying on an extensive business4 ,in such a place our parents pawned a glorious inheritance for a taste of forbidden fruit1 and ,esau exchanged a legitimate birth-right for a mere mess of pottage4 ,in another similar place ,judas sold his ,lord and ,master for thirty dirty pieces of silver2 and ,ananias and ,sapphira pawned their natural and spiritual lives for a little worldly profit which was held but for a few hours1 and that in guilt and pain4 ,satan has a ,pawn ,shop1 or an exchange store1 for every phase of desire that can enter into an unsatisfied heart1 or a soul unduly ambitious4 ,this one1 into which ,mr4 ,world escorted ,miss ,church-,member1 is intended for those who become dissatisfied with the dress of righteousness1 or for any who wish a change in any part of their apparel4 ,it proved intensely interesting to ,miss ,church-,member1 with her new-found ambitions1 to walk through the aisles of this great department store1 each department being used for a separate kind of apparel4 ,the entire ,pawn ,shop was full of old curiosities which had never been redeemed4 ,these1 and more recent specimens1 told the story of many a faithless pilgrim4 ,in the footwear department ,i saw many a 8preparation of the gospel of peace0 which had been pawned for shoes of worldliness1 and elsewhere ,i saw the garments of truth which had been girt about the loins of the saints1 but which had been exchanged for robes of vanity4 ,there were also many antiquated pilgrims' robes which had been given for more fashionable attire4 ,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 contemplating4 ,one of the shrewd attendants1 observing the impatience of ,miss ,church-,member and the significant look of ,mr4 ,world1 approached her and offered to render such assistance as she might desire4 8,i am feeling wretchedly out of place and out of style in my present condition4 ,can ,i not be dressed in a way more consistent with my station80 8,we can readily and easily supply all your fancies10 answered the attendant with a graceful bow and a smile which gave re-assurance to ,miss ,church-,member4 ,the sad transformation was effected in a manner well pleasing to the ,prince of ,darkness4 ,her beautiful pilgrim's robe was drawn through the dust and relegated to the rear4 ,my own heart saddened as ,i beheld the changed appearance of ,miss ,church-,member1 who had just taken one more step in her downward course1 and who was still vainly imagining that she was on the road to ,heaven4 ,i saw1 with disgust1 her fantastically feathered hat of conceit1 her broad sleeves of self-righteousness1 her ruby bracelets and necklace of vanity1 her flowing garments of personal liberty1 and her shoes of fashionable infidelity4 ,then they made a strong effort to induce her to pawn her ,bible1 but to no purpose1 for she had clung to it so long that it had become a precious souvenir with which she declared she would never part4 ,thus ,i saw how some worship the ,bible who do not worship ,god4 ,finally they emerged from the ,pawn ,shop1 and glided along in their mysterious carriage more rapidly and smoothly than ever4 ,the two happy companions1 free from their former embarrassment1 now enjoyed the scenes of life along the way with increasing pleasure4 ,the moving masses1 in their diversified employments1 yielded constant entertainment4 ,miss ,church-,member was soon agreeably surprised to see ,mr4 ,deacon and ,mr4 ,elder1 who served in the same church to which she belonged4 ,the carriage overtook them in a rather isolated place and stopped at their side1 in obedience to the will of ,miss ,church-,member4 8,can it possibly be that ,i meet two of my church officers at this unexpected time and place8 ,how came it about that you also have chosen this #8,broader and ,better ,way' to ,heaven80 ,the two men were slightly abashed at first and stood speechless as if in doubt what to say1 or as if they were unable to recognize her4 8,ho6 ho60 cried ,mr4 ,deacon1 8here is ,miss ,church-,member who sits in one of our front pews40 8,her appearance is wonderfully improved however10 added ,mr4 ,elder in an undertone4 8,how came you to adopt this dress and be in such close fellowship with ,mr4 ,world80 asked ,mr4 ,deacon4 8,i am now in the midst of my missionary work1 endeavoring to lead ,mr4 ,world into church membership10 were her glib words of explanation1 though1 somehow1 they were unsatisfying to her ear2 but she was rapidly learning to stifle such unpleasant qualms of conscience4 8,she is doing a grand work10 said ,mr4 ,deacon to ,mr4 ,elder with gestures of approbation4 8,are you any better than you were since such an elevating influence has been thrown about you80 asked ,mr4 ,elder1 as he turned to ,mr4 ,world4 8,happy for me that ,miss ,church-,member ever undertook my case1 for ,i am now nearer joining the church than ever before40 ,the two church-officials offered their hands to ,mr4 ,world in warm congratulation1 and then praised ,miss ,church-,member for her timely efforts which they felt sure would terminate in his conversion4 8,what more is required of me in order that ,i may join your church80 inquired ,mr4 ,world in a voice of deepening earnestness4 8,nothing more than to express your willingness10 responded the two4 ,your morality is beyond suspicion1 and your fulfillment of the duties of citizenship has always been praiseworthy2 therefore your religion is quite exemplary4 ,it lacks but your admission into the church40 8,i would have joined before now had it not been for a radical element potent in the councils of the church1 and especially for the narrow views entertained by your minister4 ,if you had another pastor1 one of more liberal cast of mind1 it would not only influence me to join1 but many of my wealthy and honorable friends would do so as well40 8,it certainly is a sad state of affairs10 sighed ,miss ,church-,member4 8,we are losing heavily by reason of such narrowness4 ,i thought differently at one time1 but these glasses have given me a wider and clearer range of vision40 8,your words indicate a sound judgment10 commented ,mr4 ,world1 and the two church officials listened eagerly4 8,why should the church compel a man to journey on a path so narrow that he can scarcely make any progress80 ,illustration3 ,mr4 ,elder1 unable to push through the narrow pass of ,consecration1 was compelled to take the 8,shorter and ,broader ,way to ,heaven40 8,a sensible view of it10 said ,mr4 ,elder1 8for ,i have learned by experience that it is impossible to travel far in the way you mention4 ,i tried it until recently1 when ,i gave it up in disgust4 ,i patronized an old established exchange store1 disposed of a part of my outfit1 and got in exchange something up-to-date1 as you see from my appearance4 ,i then endeavored to walk on the old path1 but soon came to an especially narrow place called ,consecration4 ,i could not squeeze through4 ,i struggled hard and long until one came to me and said3 #8,let go what thou hast under thine arms and belted to thine heart1 and thou shalt go through with ease and rejoicing4' ,that was asking too much of me1 for ,i paid a high price for these things and was minded to hold to them at all cost4 ,i then endeavored more earnestly to push ahead1 but found that ,i could not4 ,as ,i looked around me1 in despair1 ,i saw a path leading to the left1 under a beautiful arch1 whereon ,i read this inscription3 ,a ,,shorter ,,and ,,broader ,,way ,,to ,,heaven4 8,this path ,i took and have been traveling comfortably thereon1 especially since ,i found this still ,broader ,way into which it led4 ,if only all church-members would know the comforts and advantages of this way1 they could no longer refuse to travel it40 8,they are finding it out more and more every age10 said ,mr4 ,world with a complacent smile4 8,the church and the world ought to be one and1 according to the teaching of the ,bible1 how could this be better accomplished than by having the church come down to the level of the world1 and from that point lift the world upward4 ,that was ,christ's method and example4 ,the church of to-day should not wish to be greater than her ,lord40 ,the two church-officials looked at each other in surprise4 8,without doubt that is broad-minded theology10 first spoke ,mr4 ,deacon4 8,it is indeed refreshing in contrast with what we must hear repeatedly from the troublesome element in the church10 added the other4 8,will you not tell us how you also came to reach this favored place80 inquired ,miss ,church-,member1 as she gave her attention momentarily to ,mr4 ,deacon4 8,it came about in a very odd manner4 ,i had been wearing an old-style robe of righteousness1 and gradually came to see that it was totally out of harmony with the higher thought of the age2 so much so that ,i became odious to many liberal-minded people4 ,a sharp struggle ensued between my conscience and my judgment4 ,in the midst of this conflict ,i came to a place which offered to accept my old garments in exchange for seasonable attire4 #8,anything for peace1' thought ,i2 so ,i entered the establishment and selected this apparel1 and these additional advantages4 ,it cost me nothing but the mere willingness to exchange1 and would ,i not have been foolish to refuse so much at so small a price80 8,without a doubt10 quickly answered ,miss ,church-,member4 ,the others forcibly confirmed her answer4 8,after ,i had completed my bargain ,i continued my diligence in the work of the church and in traveling on the good old ,narrow ,way4 ,i came to a place called ,god ,praise1 and got through with little difficulty2 but voices from unseen creatures spoke terror to my soul4 ,in this unhappiness ,i trudged along until ,i came to a narrow pass known as ,sacrifice4 ,through it ,i could not go4 ,i struggled again and again4 ,i also heard a voice saying unto me3 #8,if thou wilt wear the garments of salvation1 and cast off these things of earth1 then thou mayest pass through all thy sacrifice with ease and sweet delight4' 8,the voice troubled me much1 for ,i feared it spoke the truth4 ,there did ,i spend a long season in mortal dread and doubt1 and thought ,i would rather die than suffer thus4 ,suddenly1 as if blind to it before1 ,i saw a sign apparently moving in circles about me4 ,it settled to my left and thus it read3 ,,to ,,heaven ,,without ,,sacrifice4 8,at once a smooth path opened to view1 and ,i chided myself for having been blind to it so long4 ,i entered upon it and hastily pursued my journey1 and soon from thence passed upon this ,broad ,gauge ,road4 ,i traveled hereon for a long time when1 to my delight1 ,i came across ,mr4 ,elder4 ,i assure you we have had companionable seasons4 ,we are on our road to ,heaven and expect eventually to reach that place4 ,many persons of the ,narrow ,gauge ,road have told us that we are wrong1 deceived1 and would be hopelessly lost if we do not change our course1 but methinks that those people are disregarding the ,bible where it saith1 #8,judge not that ye be not judged'2 and #8,thou hypocrite1 first cast out the beam out of thine own eye2 and then shalt thou see clearly4'0 8,ah6 ,mr4 ,deacon10 quickly complimented ,mr4 ,world1 8you must be a champion in the use of ,bible truth4 ,how can these bigots expect to stand when such ,scripture condemns them8 ,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 innocence40 ,while ,mr4 ,world was speaking these words he assisted ,miss ,church- ,member into their strange vehicle and1 when his last sentence was ended1 they bade a hearty farewell to the two acquaintances and smoothly glided on1 not tarrying to hear the words of commendation which each church-official was speaking simultaneously4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,satan',s ,,law ,,departments 7,underground47 #a4 ,an allegorical representation of ,satan's underhanded methods in law and politics4 ,all seen during a thrilling journey with ,blackana through this underground regions 7level below level7 where the laws of ,hell are hatched4 #b4 ,a realistic climax1--ultimate triumph of right in the civil realm4 ,i now saw two mountains so high that their shadows perpetually darkened the ,broad ,highway which covered the wide valley between them4 ,in this ,shadowy ,vale many held permanent residence1 until the whole region swarmed with teeming millions of every tongue and tribe on the face of the globe4 ,at the base of the mountains1 on each side of the way1 there were numerous large openings through which imps of darkness were constantly passing4 ,most of them were habited as angels of light4 8,tell me the mystery of those dismal openings10 ,i asked as ,i turned to ,blackana4 8,words are inadequate to tell of the places to which they lead4 ,to know aright one must see10 he answered with marked indifference4 ,for a moment ,i silently looked upon ,blackana whose evasive answer had so greatly aroused my curiosity4 8,beyond those ominous portals ,i can discern nothing10 ,i murmured4 8,how can ,i be privileged to see what is there hidden80 8,come with me10 coldly invited ,blackana1 8,i will guide you to the nethermost realms now unseen by you4 ,this ,i do not willingly1 but ,i am thus commanded40 ,not wishing to receive my orders from the mouth of a demon1 ,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 side1 though ,i saw them not4 ,on wings1 swifter than the wind1 ,blackana and ,i covered the intervening space4 ,we stood in the dark valley at one of the openings1 now appearing ten-fold larger than before1 and the mountains reared their imposing crests as if to an endless height4 8,follow me10 grimly spoke ,blackana as he advanced through the monstrous arcade into the deepening darkness4 ,i remembered the ten thousand1 and feared not as ,i followed4 ,downward and inward we went1 with no light but a horrid glare casting its uncertain rays athwart our path4 8,is this the passage-way to ,destruction80 ,i cried1 as ,i saw how spectral all things were1 for more than a thousand grimy faces had already added their fitful glances to the glimmering scene4 8,the passage-way to ,hell is not so smooth2 we go to a better place10 he answered1 without so much as turning his head4 ,we finally stopped at a line of massive elevators1 ever in busy motion1 carrying the throngs upward or downward4 ,as we paused1 ,blackana regarded me silently4 ,i was then able1 for the first time1 to see his face clearly4 ,no light reveals the countenance of a demon so well as the light of his own region4 ,i stood as if paralyzed under his awful eyes4 ,oh6 thought ,i1 can two orbs picture such infinite depth of remorse2 such absence of tenderness2 such barrenness of sympathy1 far beyond the most care-worn look of earth8 ,then1 pervading all these lineaments of despair were the positive characteristics of his nature--malice1 envy1 and hatred4 ,these lent their repulsive fires to his eye1 already overcharged with insidious gleamings4 ,i suddenly thought of my ten thousand1 and my fears subsided4 8,it were better for you to remain a stranger to the greater depth and go no farther10 were the words that finally came from ,blackana's scarcely moving lips4 8,fulfill your mission1 ,blackana6 ,i fear not the deepest depth when ,i am thus equipped40 8,where is your sword and where is your armor80 he tauntingly asked4 8,my steel is hid until ,i find a foe worthy of its mettle40 ,blackana quivered and resumed his task4 ,he told me that above us1 deep in the bowels of these mountains1 were the more refined legislative halls of ,satan2 while below us1 at varying and terrible depths1 lay scattered many a brooding station where the lowest laws of ,hell are hatched4 8,let us go downward10 ,i said1 and scarcely had the words escaped my lips ere ,blackana had ushered me into an elevator1 holding me as we dropped down and down with increasing velocity1 while a cold chill was freezing my heart1 and my body playing the part of an aspen leaf4 ,never before had ,i been touched by so dreadful a hand1 but ,i thought again of the ten thousand1 and that lent warmth to my heart and calmness to my nerves4 8,to what great depth are we falling80 ,i soon ventured to ask1 as ,i perceived that we were dashing downward at terrific speed4 8,we fall to no great depth2 we go only a thousand furlongs to reach the first grand level1 not stopping at these lesser places of which you get a glimpse in passing40 8,a thousand furlongs10 ,i repeated1 8down into the earth6 ,who ever heard of such a descent before80 ,but ,i still thought of my ten thousand1 even though ,i could not conceive how they could follow me in such places4 8,at what rate do we now travel80 ,i nervously asked1 for ,i felt the hand of ,blackana still pressing me down lest the great elevator would fall faster than my body4 8,according to earthly reckoning we are falling twenty furlongs a second and our speed is still increasing with the descent10 was the startling answer4 ,i spoke no more1 but found myself clutching the raised bars of the floor4 ,i saw the glimmering light of many a region as we darted by at our lightning speed4 ,in an incredibly short time we reached the first grand level4 ,blackana led me forth from the elevator into an immense cavern whose dimensions were apparently as limitless as the space between the earth and sky4 ,it was illuminated by infernal lights and all astir with moving thousands in fabled dress and shape4 ,never before had ,i imagined or beheld such a scene4 ,pure gold was as plentiful as the water of the earth1 and was abundantly used in the construction of vast halls whose overarching vaults were encrusted with priceless gems that dazzled like jets of crystallized light4 8,what weird world is this80 ,i asked in an awed tone4 8,this is one of my master's legislative centers1 devoted to each separate government on earth4 ,the many legislators of this whole region are ever busily engaged in determining upon their policy and methods of operation1 and in endeavoring to influence the law-making body of each government to create and modify laws in harmony with the underground legislation here enacted40 8,ah60 said ,i1 8but this place is far from the surface where man dwells4 ,how can there be such close connection80 ,blackana smiled as he made a wonderful revelation to me4 8,this strange empire is in close touch with the whole human family1 for there are thousands of wires leading from this dark realm to each government centre of earth4 ,satan thus communicates his wishes to each lawmaker1 of every land1 who will lend a listening ear to his schemes40 ,blackana then conducted me to an immense building divided into many sections4 8,here is the electric centre of this level10 he said4 ,as ,i gazed ,i learned the secret of ,satan's power in law4 ,thousands were here engaged in conversing with legislators on earth4 ,i could understand no word of all these communications1 for the section where ,i stood was devoted to ,asiatic countries and the islands of the ,pacific ,ocean4 8,take me1 ,o ,blackana1 to the section connecting with the ,western world that ,i may see the very wires that run to the ,united ,states of ,america40 ,i soon stood in the interior of another large building1 and with great interest listened to the operators communicating with some who were in authority at ,washington1 and with persons elsewhere who were interested in the formulation of laws for the whole country4 8,does this never cease80 ,i questioned4 8,it continues through the days and nights of earth forever10 came the reply4 ,i was looking at the intricate system of wires and the stupendous proportions of the place1 when suddenly ,i heard some one mention a name with which ,i was familiar4 ,i was attracted close to the side of the operator that ,i might hear at least the one side of the conversation4 8,that bill should never become a law10 said the operator1 but ,i could not hear the reply4 8,fight hard to defeat it4 ,you will get heaps of gold if you succeed10 were the next words ,i heard at the lower 'phone4 8,never mind them4 ,i'll take care of that crowd4 ,i will try once more to get their ear4 ,i failed the last time1 but ,i hope to succeed at my next endeavor40 ,these words were spoken very plainly1 but still ,i could hear no reply4 8,suppose the other element has chances to win4 ,get ready at once and meet the situation4 ,go and speak to the chairman of the committee and early influence his mind in our favor4 ,offer any bribe you wish1 for we have unlimited resources at our command40 8,if only ,i could hear the answer10 thought ,i4 ,then the operator listened a long time1 and ,i almost envied his privilege1 wishing that ,i might also hear the human voice from the earth's surface4 ,blackana conducted me to other parts of the building1 and ,i saw the fiendish program carried out at each point4 ,thousands of demons were in league with the law-makers of the world6 8,oh6 that ,i could cut these wires and restrict ,satan's laws to these underground dominions10 ,i said with rising boldness4 8,silence1 puny mortal6 ,know you not that others can hear you speak8 ,would you here be crushed to death so far from the light of day80 ,superhuman strength moved me to answer thus3 8,though all these hosts should hear me1 ,i fear nothing4 ,i am invincible1 and should you take me to the deepest depths1 amidst foul crawling imps1 not one can harm me4 ,neither can you1 ,blackana4 8,come on10 he sneered1 8cease your senseless sentences and follow me40 ,i saw that ,blackana endeavored to conceal the counter-currents of his heart1 but nevertheless his agitation did not escape my notice4 ,back to the elevators we went1 and with a throng of evil spirits we entered the central car and fell another thousand furlongs into the depth of the earth4 ,we stopped at the second grand level into which ,i was ushered4 ,i looked out over what seemed to be a new world with more light and more animation than was manifest on the first level4 ,boisterous demonstrations were heard on every hand1 all made more hideous by the variety of evil spirits who added their din to the general bedlam4 8,what furious world is this80 ,i shouted4 8,this is ,satan's political headquarters1 and the place where his state laws are made4 ,we are here connected with every state or divisional government in the world1 and with every political movement that can be influenced by these underground voices40 ,my indignation leaped over all bounds as the vileness of these iniquitous schemes pressed upon me4 ,i heard the bands of music from those who had prostituted their talent to the second level4 ,blackana pushed me on through all the demonstrations1 and then led me into a great structure more secluded than the electrical stations4 ,here the state laws are hatched1 but1 thanks to a higher sanctum1 not all the brood see daylight4 ,the plotters of ,hell sat in this underground legislative centre1 and ,i saw1 to my horror1 some state legislators occupying seats in this infamous quarter4 ,then said ,i to ,blackana3 8,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 residence1 as well as in all other parts of the world4 ,how long have these things been80 8,since the beginning of law10 was his indifferent reply4 8,it will not be so forever10 ,i prophesied under a sudden spell of inspiration4 8,the time must come when the power of this level will be blasted forever4 ,the owner of the tree will burn the worms and their nests from every branch40 ,then said ,blackana tauntingly3 8,neither flood1 poison1 fire1 nor knife can ever destroy this section40 ,just as he spoke these words the whole edifice shook1 and ,i heard a noise as if a shower of great stones had crashed into the roof and sides of the building4 ,the legislators quaked with fear and all looked toward the ceiling4 ,all of this instantly reminded me of the thousand lords who looked at the ominous handwriting on the wall at the feast of ,belshazzar4 8,explain it to me10 ,i asked as ,i looked wonderingly at ,blackana4 8,urge it not1 urge it not6 ,be content to dwell in ignorance60 8,i am here to learn1 and ,i would know what force or power can so well-nigh destroy this wretched center4 ,tell me the truth4 ,i demand it40 ,then did ,blackana move himself in his startling attitudes1 as if loath to speak4 ,he rolled his heavy eyes as his discordant voice yielded the unwilling explanation4 8,these are the votes that just fell in favor of reform in a campaign on earth4 ,such votes1 under the panoply of prayer1 strike more terror to these kingdoms than all else combined1 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 kingdom1 until they have wrought their havoc even to the lowest level4 ,if we only knew the way to break the power of these votes1 our comrades would not then dwell in constant dread of what might happen40 8,may you never learn that power1 and may the votes of good citizenship ever increase in number until these legislative halls shall be broken to rise no more1 and their inmates driven from their secret machinations to the abode prepared for the ,devil and his angels40 ,blackana sprang at me in great rage4 8,silence1 you contemptible mortal6 ,you have not such liberty of speech here6 ,why fling insults into the face of one more powerful than yourself80 8,ho1 ye ten thousand60 ,i shouted with all my power1 and ,blackana fell backward at my very words4 ,sullen1 but cowed1 he arose to his feet and took me to the elevators4 8,where next80 he gruffly asked4 8,what is on the next level below80 ,i inquired4 8,greater proceedings than on this one4 ,it is devoted to the government of counties1 cities1 boroughs1 and villages1 and their political work40 8,pass it by and take me to the lowest level40 8,you do not know what you ask4 ,the lowest level is very1 very deep1 and takes us where things have no weight4 ,it is the lowest haunt outside of ,hell1 inhabited by the vilest imps4 ,how can you live or move in such a realm80 8,not by the futile force of human power1 but by the strength of ,him who bids me go4 ,i fear not1 ,o ,blackana2 conduct me thither40 ,what an awful experience followed6 ,i was taken down at an amazing speed1 held under the great hand of ,blackana4 ,we passed region after region of infernal lights1 each one existing for the purpose of carrying out its part of ,satan's fiendish plan4 ,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 symmetry4 8,this must be the bed of ,hell1 indeed10 ,i said1 after ,i had conquered my rising fears4 8,far from it1 far from it60 answered ,blackana4 8,we are now in the lowest legislative center where foul fiends invent the horrible laws of personal pollution in the mortal body1 and political bribery in the civil body40 ,blackana held me by the hand4 ,i seemed not to walk but rather to move along without effort1 seeing the pictures of lowest life and ill-shaped spirits1 some of monster size4 ,into an immense auditorium ,i was wafted1 a building without foundations or floor4 ,here1 amidst uncanny noises1 hovered a vast throng of ,satan's lowest legislators4 ,the dreadful suggestions here given1 and the terrible debates that followed1 beggar human description4 ,from all parts of the great hall the busy wires were communicating with every section of the earth's surface4 ,blackana1 still holding me by the hand1 spoke6 thus in a derisive strain3 8,o mortal1 now comes my glorious revenge ,i have tasted your insults until their galling bitterness grinds me still4 ,i have craved for this hour when ,i might leave you to the mercy of the lowest1 and bring you under my feet for ever40 ,then1 turning to the chairman of the great assemblage1 ,blackana attracted his attention1 and at once the attention of all the spectral monsters of the place4 8,here10 commenced he1 8is a piece of mortal flesh1 fresh from the surface4 ,i have been forced1 by some strange power1 to conduct this mortal man through these nether levels until he has seen the workings of our underground plans and schemes4 ,he must never see the light of day1 lest the world above may know the true inwardness and source of such laws as are called cursed1 and rise in hosts against our surface operations40 ,at this ,blackana thrust me forward1 and ,i went straightway to the chairman who seized me by the back and held me aloft in his right hand1 while a deafening roar of strident voices was measuring my doom4 8,ho1 ye ten thousand60 ,i cried aloud1 at which the horrid chairman fell backward1 and ,i dropped unharmed to his own chair as the whole host were rushing at me en masse4 ,the chairman sprang to his feet and waved a wand4 8,silence and order60 he commanded4 ,thousands of brandishing weapons were brought to a stand1 and quietness reigned in a moment4 8,why say you #8ten thousand'8 ,what power lives in those words80 asked the chairman with a show of boldness1 but in secret quaking4 8,power unlimited1 even over death1 hell1 and the grave4 ,my flesh is not food for such as these40 8,who can you be to talk thus boldly to your superiors80 8,i am one who is sealed by the blood of ,jesus1 and have no superiors outside the gates of ,heaven40 8,why came you here80 he impatiently and furiously demanded4 8,tell me while yet you have opportunity to speak40 ,then1 fully confiding in my unseen ,guard1 ,i stood erect and said with boldness of speech3 8,i have come to learn the secrets of this underground legislation which is sending its blighting curse throughout the world4 ,having witnessed the wide extent of these secret operations1 ,i will now return to the brotherhood of man and sound the alarm of a coming reformation4 ,o1 beware ye multitudes that now rise against me6 ,i am not alone1 nor forsaken4 ,by faith ,i see armies of the living ,god4 ,i declare1 at this moment1 that earth will not forever receive her laws from such a depth4 ,the hour must come when these million wires will be broken beyond repair1 and all you fiends go groveling under penal chains in darkness eternal40 ,illustration3 ,the armies of righteousness will some day triumph over the black hordes of civil iniquity4 ,no more could ,i speak1 for the air was thickening all around me with a rush of wild demons whose threatening weapons thirsted for my blood4 ,i stood motionless1 glorying in the power of the ,unseen1 for ,i saw1 shining far above me1 a beautiful star of hope with peace and purity in its rays4 ,in the same instant ,i again shouted1 8,ho1 ye ten thousand60 ,oh1 what a transformation took place6 ,regiment upon regiment of ,heaven's military hosts1 converging as from infinite depth of space1 burst into sudden view1 revealed by a dazzling light which filled the whole region and dazed the infernal hosts as with blindness1 while their weapons broke and fell beneath them in futile fragments4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,hill ,,of ,,remorse4 #a4 ,while climbing a steep hill ,miss ,church-,member is touched by ,remorse4 #b4 ,satan's strategy in keeping her away from the ,narrow ,path4 #c4 ,all her trouble is lost in company with ,mr4 ,world on the ,mountain ,top of ,apathy4 ,returning to my former post of observation1 and looking again through the open door1 ,i beheld ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member still riding on the gravity road4 ,they were approaching the ,shadowy ,vale1 and ,mr4 ,world was desirous that his friend should close her eyes until they had passed through the shadows4 ,she reclined her head1 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 valley4 ,then did ,mr4 ,world engage her with artful and pleasant conversation1 so that she might not fully observe the features that constantly make this part of the ,broad ,highway dark and dreary4 ,satan1 unseen1 hovered around them during their conversation which was well pleasing to him4 ,at length1 in partial disguise1 he made himself visible1 much to the terror of ,miss ,church-,member4 8,fear not2 no harm will befall you10 said ,mr4 ,world re-assuringly as he laid his hand upon her shoulder4 ,satan smiled complaisantly1 and spoke in soft tones3 8,tremble not at my presence4 ,i have come only to render you such assistance as may be especially helpful to you in your journey1 and to disabuse your mind of such false impressions as you have evidently entertained concerning my character40 ,so affable was his manner and so pleasing his address that1 to her mind1 he soon lost that shocking hideousness which characterized his first appearance1 and evoked from ,miss ,church-,member this apology born of her guilty conscience3 8,you would not have seen me now on this path had ,mr4 ,world adhered strictly to his promises40 8,indeed1 ,miss ,church-,member10 replied ,satan1 8you need have no regret for being here4 ,you are to be congratulated upon the good judgment which led you into fellowship with ,mr4 ,world4 ,it is your happy fortune that he has succeeded in preventing you from leaving him4 ,you are an exception to a host of cranks1 who1 without investigation1 are prejudiced by what they hear4 ,you are broad-minded1 independent1 and will be found wiser and happier than the army of fools you have left40 ,these words brought a mixture of pride and shame to her heart1 and threw her mind into a state of great confusion4 ,but by this time they had come to a long and steep hill called ,remorse up which all pilgrims walked4 ,mr4 ,world assisted his companion in alighting1 and promised to give her all possible help in her efforts to climb the hill4 ,satan remained with them1 and ,miss ,church-,member1 under deepening remorse of conscience1 loitered a few steps in the rear4 ,her bowed head indicated the warring of her thoughts4 ,then ,i saw that she cast a longing glance over the rough hills toward the ,king's ,highway1 and looked for some path by which she might go thither4 ,her two wily companions endeavored to allay her fears by offering all manner of cajolements1 none of which either diverted or quieted her mind4 8,o ye friends of mine60 cried ,miss ,church-,member1 8,i can find rest only on yonder ,king's ,highway4 ,can you show me the shortest path leading thereto8 ,i cannot go to the summit of this hill40 ,illustration3 ,on the ,hill of ,remorse4 ,miss ,church-,member cast a longing glance toward the ,king's ,highway1 and looked for some way by which she might go thither4 8,it so happens10 pleasantly replied the ,devil1 8that there is no way of reaching the so-called ,king's ,highway from this part of our route1 but1 if you will have patience1 we will conduct you safely to a point a little farther on where you can conveniently leave this way with all honor to yourself4 ,in the meantime we will give you all the assistance that you may need1 and every convenience that science can afford40 ,miss ,church-,member wept tears of gratitude at this proffered kindness1 and began to feel that this dark intruder was a friend with a rough exterior but a warm and congenial heart4 8,it is quite evident that you have been grossly misrepresented to me10 she faltered as her voice trembled with emotion4 8,i was told that you are the embodiment of envy1 malice1 and hatred1 and vigorously opposed to everything religious40 ,satan looked at her in well-counterfeited amazement4 8,how wrongly ,i am judged by my enemies6 ,how can ,i be opposed to all religion when ,i attend church and prayer-meeting regularly1 and sedulously listen to the sermons and prayers while many sleep who claim to be better than ,i8 ,you will pardon me1 ,miss ,church-,member10 he continued1 8but allow me to bear the light burden you are carrying under your arm1 and let us hasten from this sickly atmosphere to the refreshing air beyond the summit of the hill40 8,you are very kind1 indeed10 she said4 8,please carry these books carefully1 as ,i prize them very highly40 ,as they pushed their way up the hill1 ,i looked at ,blackana who1 with his eyes fixed upon me1 sat as cold and motionless as a statue4 8,tell me10 ,i asked1 8why ,satan has falsified so greatly to ,miss ,church-,member40 ,blackana1 with a show of uneasiness1 answered interrogatively3 8,wherein has he falsified80 8,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 standing8 ,he well knew that there is a way opened by the ,prince of the ,house of ,david4 ,why did he not tell her80 ,blackana again grinned horribly while my indignation waxed stronger4 ,then came his pertinent reply3 8,my master is about his own business2 that is why he is so successful in his work4 ,it is not his business to point people away from his kingdom2 his delight is rather in leading them upon his own ,highway40 8,oh6 for the voice of a thousand trumpets1 that ,i might reach the ear of ,miss ,church-,member1 and break unto her the words of truth and life4 ,see how she walks on between those two fiends1 ever nearing an awful destruction1 yet vainly imagining1 through the deceitfulness of her advisers1 that she is nearing the place where she can1 with greater ease1 leave her present course and join her comrades on the ,shining ,path4 ,oh1 that ,i could send a messenger1 good and swift1 in her pursuit60 8,rest in ease1 anxious mortal2 she will get all necessary advice from her two friends10 replied ,blackana with a sardonic grin4 ,i could no longer look into his face1 for ,i was filled with contempt4 ,i turned my eyes to see poor ,miss ,church-,member still struggling up the ,hill of ,remorse4 ,when the top was finally reached ,i heard ,mr4 ,world congratulating her3 8,well done1 noble woman6 ,you have fought ,remorse until you have mastered it4 ,the pains and pangs incident to this climbing are over1 and if you should come to another hill you will ascend it with more ease4 ,look about you at these cool mountain resorts called ,apathy1 and join me in a needed recreation as we mingle with the merry multitudes amongst these shady bowers40 ,she needed no second invitation1 being glad to seek relief in forgetfulness of her guilt4 ,as they went to their pleasures1 ,satan vanished to give attention to others who were ascending the same ,hill of ,remorse1 some in a sullen mood and some with wails of anguish on their lips4 ,the delightful resorts of ,apathy were now quieting the mind of ,miss ,church-,member1 for the attractions on the mountain top were so numerous and so ingeniously arranged that1 as she gave full attention to them1 she no longer suffered any pangs of remorse4 ,on this plateau1 so full of charms for every sense1 ,i saw bands of music2 gardens of shady retreat where one might while away the weary hours in gentle dalliance2 and cooling fountains throwing forth their busy sprays4 ,artists were painting the scenes of worldly ease1 and poets were writing sweet verses for the singers of the place4 ,miss ,church-,member1 who was a lover of the fine arts1 asked ,mr4 ,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 authors4 ,this was a novel privilege2 so he readily consented and accompanied her into a garden near by4 ,they were greeted by sounds of instrumental music and charming voices raised in song4 ,after these harmonies died away a soloist sang a hymn that had been composed that same day4 ,her voice rendered each word distinctly3 ,remorse is but the foe of all1 ,the rich and poor1 the slave and free ,unfriendly comes its bitter call-- ,perchance it comes this day to thee4 ,then come1 thou troubled seeking peace ,from this unkind1 intruding foe2 ,let anxious cares no more increase2 ,go bury all thy pangs of woe4 ,forget the things that wake thy mind ,to fleeting sorrows of the day2 ,oh6 come and be forever blind ,to all except this ,broader ,way4 ,then followed a fiendish woman1 in guise of a light-crowned angel1 who delivered an address entitled 8,the ,true ,peace of the ,world40 ,while the applause which followed her remarks was dying away1 an authoritative old gentleman arose4 ,after standing a moment in dignified silence1 he continued to carry out the program of the ,devil by speaking on 8,false ,lights from the so-called #8,king's ,highway4'0 ,next a quartette beautifully rendered a love song of the world2 this also had been quite recently composed4 ,sweet world1 so bright and fair1 ,we would thy pleasures share ,while days pass on4 ,thou art our truest friend1 ,on thee our souls depend ,till life is gone4 ,in life's perplexing days1 ,thou wilt1 in every phase1 ,be ever near4 ,while thy sweet1 placid charms ,dispel our dread alarms ,in times of fear4 ,who else can give relief1 ,when bowed in heavy grief8 ,no one like thee4 ,thou sendest rays of light1 ,into our darkest night ,till shadows flee4 ,the melody of this song and the sentiment of its words had a very decisive effect on ,miss ,church-,member4 ,she looked into the eyes of ,mr4 ,world with more than poetry in her glance1 for her heart was now thrilled with the first touches of true love for him4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,valley ,,of ,,temptation4 #a4 ,in this valley the two great ,highways run almost parallel4 #b4 ,the intervening ground is all alive with ,satan's schemes to entice1 entrap and discourage ,christians4 #c4 ,the operation of ,christian forces in this valley4 ,after leaving the ,hill of ,remorse and the pleasure grounds of ,apathy1 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member proceeded on the ,broad ,highway which now gradually sloped toward a deep valley4 8,what is the name of the valley which we are now entering80 inquired ,miss ,church-,member4 8',tis but the ,valley of ,temptation10 he carelessly answered4 8,ah6 ,i have heard of this valley10 she replied4 8,whenever ,i was tempted or tried on the ,king's ,highway some one would caution3 #8,be courageous1 for you must go through the ,valley of ,temptation4' ,i am thankful1 as ,i come to it1 that ,i am on a ,broader ,way40 8,many call this valley #8,entanglement1'0 further continued ,mr4 ,world1 8because of the large numbers who are here caught by the devices all along the way40 ,i saw the whole valley in one view4 ,it was very wide and more than a thousand experiences long and1 from one end to the other1 there were constant scenes of activity4 ,the ,king's ,highway and the ,broad ,highway ran almost parallel throughout the whole length of the valley4 ,the entire space between the two paths was occupied by the agents of ,satan1 and by numerous rescue bands and missionary organizations of the ,king's ,highway ,church4 ,i was informed that no traveler1 who knows the experiences of life1 ever escaped this valley4 ,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 pretence4 ,he has also placed1 in plain view1 countless signs of warning to keep his pilgrims from yielding to temptation1 as it presents itself1 with or without mask2 and they who pass these testing-places in triumph are counted stable in their ways4 ,i saw in the first part of the valley some of ,satan's shrewdest agents at work4 ,they were stationed along the ,narrow ,path at close intervals1 and were endeavoring1 by all kinds of schemes1 to attract the attention of ,christians as they journeyed through the valley4 ,from one point they threw a hook baited with wealth over to the edge of the ,king's ,highway way4 ,i saw an ambitious ,christian1 contrary to the signs of warning and all advice1 eagerly grasp this bait4 ,then did the agents of ,satan pull gently4 ,the man seeing a clue to wealth in his hand would not let it go1 and so was drawn slowly and unconsciously over into the territory of the ,world4 ,he did not see the strand that drew him1 for it was invisible1 nor was he conscious of being thus drawn1 having his mind so fixed upon the object of his earnest pursuit4 ,thus do these agents ply their nefarious skill without ceasing1 and so have drawn large numbers away from their original faith4 ,another agent ,i saw near-by throwing out a hook baited with fame4 ,an ambitious youth let go all he had and seized the baited hook with singular avidity4 ,it inspired him with inward hope1 and he became so engaged in thinking of his golden future that he followed whither the gentle drawing led him1 until he also reached the questionable ground of the ,world4 ,there he became still further entangled until he was utterly under the sway of the tempter4 ,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 ,highway4 ,in bold letters it bore the title1 8,forbidden ,fruit10 and under this title there was an impure picture4 ,many1 in passing by1 who saw the book would have examined it had it not been for their modesty4 ,but one man1 whose curiosity was stronger than his judgment1 took the book and commenced perusing it4 ,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 attention1 and ,satan succeeded in totally winning his heart4 ,i saw another book thrown to the edge of the ,pilgrim's ,path4 ,this was taken by a woman who opened its pages and saw its evil tendencies4 ,although drawn by the invisible chord1 she did not step from the path1 but threw the book as far to one side as she could1 and proceeded on her journey happily singing3 8,yield not to temptation1 ,for yielding is sin4 ,each vict'ry will help you ,some other to win40 ,this only enraged the wily foes1 and they became more determined than ever to continue their work of deception and ruin4 ,from one point or another ,i saw this dreadful work progressing4 ,each station used a different kind of bait1 pleasing or attractive to some passing pilgrims4 ,here the enemy reaps a continual harvest notwithstanding all the preaching1 advice1 and influence brought to bear upon pilgrims to induce them to eschew all attractions not plainly found upon their own pathway4 ,some1 whom ,satan could not attract by a bait1 he would catch with snares1 many of which ,i saw in operation1 each guarded continually by trusted servants of the ,evil ,one4 ,one of the subtlest of these snares consisted of a series of small1 curiously shaped buildings4 ,they stood as near to the ,king's ,highway as ,satan could place them1 while glaring signs informed the pilgrims that they could here obtain knowledge upon any subject4 ,each building was so constructed that1 at the will of a secret operator1 it could be moved noiselessly from its resting place4 ,many an unsuspecting traveler who craved for a solution to some mystery would step into one of these neat rooms1 and meet with a most cordial reception4 ,i saw a man of more than usual intelligence1 who had been faithful to his ,master1 stop and read the sign over these buildings3 8,bureau of ,information3 ,all ,mysteries ,solved40 8,here10 thought he1 8in this humble place ,i can perhaps find some pearls of thought which more inviting waters never yielded to me40 ,he stepped in1 not noticing that he thereby stepped to one side of the way4 8,can ,i have a mystery solved here80 asked the visitor4 8,without doubt1 sir10 was the confident response of a dignified professor who was in attendance4 8,can you tell me the origin of sin80 asked the visitor4 ,just then ,i saw the building commence to move as the professor commenced to explain the difficult question4 ,the professor talked so interestingly to the visitor that he held his attention until the building was moved1 by the secret process1 to the brow of the mountain1 and over to the great building known as the 8,devil's ,theological ,school40 8,perchance1 my words10 said the speaker1 8are insufficient to fully satisfy your mind4 ,go now from the rear door to the ,college where all such perplexing questions are made clear40 ,the visitor seizing1 as he thought1 a golden opportunity1 gladly consented and1 to his great surprise1 found a building of magnificent proportions into which he entered4 ,after listening a very short time to ,satan's teaching on the origin of sin1 he emerged from the school with a heavy bundle of opinions on his back1 and failed to find the ,old ,way4 ,after wandering and stumbling about on this summit of human learning1 he finally found the ,broad ,highway whereon he could carry his vain burden with ease4 ,these bureaus of information have ensnared so many learned men1 including ministers and professors1 that the ,king of ,glory has here placed special signs of warning to all travelers2 these have saved many men from the snare of 8the fowler40 ,i saw three young college students about to enter one of the bureaus4 ,there stood an aged pilgrim near by who shouted3 8,come6 ye young men1 out of the snare of the ,devil1 or ye will be taken captive by him at his will60 ,the voice sounded so friendly that they hesitated long enough to discern that the building did not touch the ,king's ,highway4 ,then they remembered that they had been told long before to go by the ,king's ,highway1 and not to turn to the right hand nor to the left1 nor even to step from the path1 lest they should slip and fall to their hurt4 ,so they passed on about their ,father's business4 ,near the edge of the ,king's ,highway ,i saw another device to catch men unawares4 ,it was invented in the ,wizard ,city and had been successfully used by ,satan for many centuries4 ,it was an artificial woman1 dressed in modest apparel1 and so constructed that the arms were uplifted and the heart plainly visible1 making the curious image just unnatural enough to attract the attention of all pilgrims4 ,over the head of the image these words were written3 8,touch this magic heart for the charms that follow40 ,it was ridiculous to see how many of the young and old1 in passing over this way of life1 stepped from the path and tried the experiment4 ,one man ,i saw who ventured to touch the mystic heart1 and ere his eyes could look into the face of the image its arms embraced him in a tightening grasp4 ,away the image moved with graceful ease into ,elysian bowers of sensual joy4 ,there he remained to breathe its poisoned air and feed upon the husks of such a clime4 ,i also saw a man of riper years who looked curiously at another image similar to the one that had just moved away4 ,at first he was doubtful whether to test it or not1 and as he stood in consideration he raised his eyes and saw these words plainly written over the ,king's ,highway3-,to ,,all ,,descendants ,,of ,,adam3 ,beware1 ,o pilgrim1 of this woman's heart1 ,lest you should from the ,narrow ,way depart2 ,for if you touch a secret chord within1 ,you're borne away to wider fields of sin4 ,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 warning4 ,nevertheless he was urged by curiosity and carnality1 and being hardened by former acts of disobedience and seeing nothing but innocent pleasure before him1 he yielded to his baser desires4 8,o6 rescue me1 ,mr4 ,law1 ,i am in the clutches of this woman10 was his beseeching cry1 not long after4 ,but ,i saw that no one came to his help4 ,there were many such places in this valley where men1 both young and old1 were enticed2 many of whom could not have been caught by the snares of vice at other places along the ,broad ,highway4 ,i saw also1 farther down the valley1 that ,satan used all manner of traps and nets to catch the silly and the foolish4 ,that which attracted my attention the most was a series of stations built close to the ,king's ,highway4 ,at each place ,satan employed a company of expert men who were trained to use a lasso4 ,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 comrades1 thus enabling the lasso of ,pride to get hold of them4 ,some1 by heeding advice1 escaped2 others submitted to the drawing power and landed in the kingdoms of the ,world where they could worship their new god with increasing ardor4 ,there was also a certain young man who doted so much on his own ways that his head rose unusually high4 ,he was1 therefore1 easily caught by a lasso called ,conceit4 ,good friends came to his rescue and told him to realize at once that he was nothing1 and thereby he would suddenly become so small that he would drop completely out of his trouble4 ,but he said that he could not believe a lie1 whereat the lasso tightened still more about his neck1 and he succeeded by still further struggling to remain a very brief time on the ,king's ,highway2 but being in pain1 he soon yielded to the inevitable and went to worship before the shrine of his own god4 ,i also saw that the women of the ,king's ,highway were an exceeding great army1 mighty in battling against the foe1 much to the discomfiture of ,satan and his allies4 ,to counteract the influence of this sex ,satan has plied his ingenuity ever since the beginning4 ,in his ,pharaoh fashion he has so manipulated the customs of the world that woman is trampled under foot in uncivilized lands1 and in lands of light she is ostracized by sections of the ,christian church and despised in the civil realm4 ,and yet1 with a faithful heart1 she suffers this indignity and1 looking up from underneath this weight1 she offers to the powers that crush her down the holiest sacrifice that one can give4 ,o spirit of the age1 like flowers of ,heaven1 ,thy fragrance will not die1 but live eternal2 ,and woman shall1 some holier1 happier day1 ,attain her highest glory in the world4 ,yet notwithstanding all these means wherewith ,satan has made the path of woman so hard to travel1 he has discovered that he can not disgrace her by any means so effectually as through the old temptation4 ,consequently ,satan has kept the seed of the central tree of the garden and still raises1 on the broad uplands of ,hell1 forbidden fruit which1 through engrafting processes1 has come to many varieties4 ,this mysterious product of the tree1 so suited to the natural palate of womankind1 is provided abundantly on each side of the ,king's ,highway along the whole length of the ,valley of ,temptation1 and is offered1 ostensibly1 free of charge4 ,i watched1 with chagrin and horror1 the subtle influences of this fiendish work1 seeing young women and those of riper experience go down alike under this intoxication of ,hell4 ,as ,i looked again at the whole ,valley1 what sad sights of intemperance painfully greeted my eyes6 ,the intervening ground was a veritable bed of iniquity1 for it swarmed with half-clothed inebriates who patronized the miserable and filthy hovels of lowest resort1 while inebriates1 in finer array1 entered the apartments which were decorated and finished in all the beauty that wealth could afford1 and supplied with alcoholic beverages under a fashionable bill of fare4 ,i could see the same ,devil controlling all1 and the same gutter or the same ,hell receiving all who did not yield to the agencies of eternal life4 ,among the many temperance organizations that operated throughout the valley ,i observed a band of women who threatened to overthrow the evil4 ,they had1 by long persistent effort1 discovered the underground connections between the distillery and the saloons1 and therefore they were endeavoring to kill the traffic at the head4 ,this movement at first created laughter in the ranks of the foe1 but the women have continued patiently and have built a thousand batteries from which they hurl projectiles of death into the camp of intemperance4 ,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 impunity4 ,but the bands of women have entered into an eternal agreement1 pledged their faith one to another1 and have been calling upon ,heaven for help2 therefore they declare that no flag will be lowered1 and no gun will be silent until the great wall around the city of their foes shall fall1 either at a long blast of the horn or a continuous volley from their ramparts4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,tower ,,of ,,temptation4 #a4 ,the tower affords the most advantageous view of the world and a most discouraging view of the ,king's ,highway4 #b4 ,the triumphant flight of ,mrs4 ,discouraged from the tower's top to a place on the ,king's ,highway called 8,victory by ,faith40 #c4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member ride from the tower's top in ,satan's new air ship4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member continuing on the ,broad ,highway1 entered the ,valley of ,temptation with all its gaiety and outward happiness4 ,this valley is known by the pilgrims of the ,king's ,highway as the ,devil's ,heaven1 for here the tinsel of the world1 the pomp of society1 and the wealth of material grandeur are manifested in all their glory4 8,an exceedingly pleasant valley10 said ,mr4 ,world as they drew nearer to the scenes of activity on each side of the way4 8,beyond my anticipation1 indeed4 ,our journey is growing more and more delightful10 she joyously replied4 ,as they journeyed on ,miss ,church-,member came into agreeable fellowship with some of her former ,christian associates who1 by looking over into the territory of the ,world1 coveted its ways and were snared by one or another of ,satan's devices to catch the unwary4 ,the larger portion of these new recruits were firmly convinced that they were still traveling on the road to ,heaven1 even though they had fully left the ,narrow ,way4 ,miss ,church-,member congratulated her comrades of earlier years on their happy choice of a wider and more pleasant path1 and they accepted her invitation to spend a season together in the valley4 ,these new associates were welcomed most cordially by ,mr4 ,world who left nothing undone that might add to their comfort or pleasure4 ,the merry company passed down the valley and paused at a magnificent temperance saloon which occupied nearly the whole space between the two ,highways4 ,into this place of attractive rooms ,i saw many enter from the ,king's ,highway1 much to the displeasure of their great ,master4 ,in this infernal guise ,satan seduces many an unsuspecting traveler to take one more step downward toward the lowest service of his kingdom4 ,mr4 ,world courteously offered refreshments and conducted his friends into the 8,ladies ,parlor0 where they drank alleged unfermented wines1 and admired the sculpture and works of art which adorned the place4 ,they were then offered their choice of porter1 sweet cider1 root beer1 hot punch 7special for a cold71 or eggnog for a weak heart4 ,thus each one was enabled to find a beverage directly suited to his need or taste1 for some had contracted a cold1 while others were suffering with cardiac troubles4 ,not far from this respectable place1 and connected secretly therewith1 stood a group of buildings patronized by the lower order of criminals and inebriates4 ,these haunts bore a black reputation4 ,mr4 ,world and his joyous companions1 by reason of their refined natures and good standing in the church1 would not so much as look at such despicable resorts1 but continued their journey until they came to a wider section of the valley where they saw numberless rescue bands at work1 but especially a great army of ,endeavorers presenting a formidable front4 8,whence came this company so great that it cannot be numbered80 asked ,mr4 ,world in a state of nervous agitation4 ,one of the new companions quickly answered3 8,they come from the ,king's ,highway and are trying to capture the kingdom of this world and bring it into subjection to ,god4 ,i know all about them and can testify that they are a mighty and glorious band40 ,the regiments of this great host were marching on1 each soldier equipped with the full panoply of his station4 ,many of the pilgrims on the ,broad ,highway trembled at the presence of so powerful an army4 ,it has caused the enemy much concern how to meet and1 if possible1 conquer this foe4 ,this army of ,endeavorers constantly grows and1 according to the claims of the enemy1 the most successful plans to oppose it are not yet matured4 ,satan has promised his forces that he would utterly rout these daring legions as soon as some new inventions of war can be perfected4 ,the merry companions1 not being moved with anger1 endured the gigantic display of this host without chagrin4 ,mr4 ,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 roughest1 and the ,broad ,highway the smoothest4 ,here was built the most remarkable structure of the valley4 ,a high tower of imposing strength occupied the whole space between the two highways4 ,its foundations were broad and totally covered the ,king's ,highway with a massive arch4 ,this was known amongst ,christians as the ,devil's ,tower1 or ,tower of ,temptation4 ,it was built by ,satan1 and was said to afford the finest view of the world to all who would consent to take a ride upward in its electric carriage4 ,the location of the tower was perfectly adapted to the purpose intended4 ,scarcely any pilgrims en route for ,heaven passed by without taking a view of the sights4 ,before this mountain was built1 a high mountain-cliff1 on one side of the valley1 was used by the agents of darkness for the same purpose4 ,thereon ,david ascended and saw the prosperity of the wicked until envy filled his soul1 and his 8steps had well-nigh slipped40 ,had it not been that by faith he looked to a mountain far away1 and understood the end of the prosperous worldly minded1 he might have there fallen to his death4 ,upon this mountain ,satan took ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them1 and said unto him3 8,all these things will ,i give thee1 if thou wilt fall down and worship me40 ,from this tower ,judas saw the wealth of the world1 and there was begotten within him an inordinate craving for earthly gain which at last dragged him down to a miserable end4 ,as time rolled on1 ,satan erected this magnificent tower higher than the loftiest crag of the mountain4 ,i saw that ,mr4 ,world and his companions were looking at the exterior finish of the tower1 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 tower4 ,they saw that one of the most successful of these schemes was a series of little offices occupied by fortune tellers of reputed ability4 ,in one of these they saw an old woman with a mysterious face4 ,she professed to be able1 by her strange conjuring1 to reveal the future of any life4 ,a certain ,mr4 ,downcast1 who was a church-member and had just come from the top of the tower1 visited this fortune teller1 and by her descriptions of his happy future on the ,broad ,highway he was induced to travel thereon at once4 ,mr4 ,world and his companions decided to get the benefit of the broad view which could be had from the top of the tower4 ,they entered a car at the base and were delighted by the gentle ascent toward the clouds4 ,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 world1 and the roughness and inconvenience of traveling the ,king's ,highway4 ,to each one was also given an ingenious pocket mirror in which could be seen1 at any time1 the inconsistencies of church-members4 ,i saw throngs of people circling the top of the tower1 and many evil agents busily engaged in the interest of their master4 ,there had just come from the ,king's ,highway a group of church-members upon whom the scenery had a doleful effect4 ,some were filled with melancholy1 and some were sullen1 while despondency sent germs of slow death into other minds4 ,these conditions enabled ,satan to destroy more easily all hope within them of ever succeeding on a way that appeared more rugged than ever1 and also made them more desirous to taste the joys of this present life which now lay before them in such a winning way4 ,i then saw one called ,mrs4 ,discouraged who had never before seen so much of the world at once4 ,she stood on the edge of the tower not far from ,mr4 ,world and his companions1 and listened to one of the polite attendants who had given her also a spy glass4 ,mrs4 ,discouraged looked down upon the natural comforts of life which were here seen to best advantage4 ,she saw1 with ease1 the ,broad ,highway presenting a picture of happiness as far as the glass could reach4 ,then did one of the smooth-tongued attendants speak to another group of pilgrims who also had just come from the ,king's ,highway4 8,witness the glory of the ,broad ,highway and see how it goes down this valley ever into finer stretches of country4 ,see on yonder distant elevations that magnificent ,university of the ,world built at an enormous cost and sacrifice for the accommodation of all travelers4 ,each one of you who reaches the lower end of this valley should take the ,mountain ,trolley and spend a season at those schools4 ,they occupy some of the grandest buildings in the world4 ,focus your glasses and behold the great sight40 ,continuing he said3 8,the path you see leading down there1 in this other part of the valley1 is called ,king's ,highway1 very rough indeed1 as you all can see4 ,thereon it is hard to travel and difficult to stand still4 ,it is so narrow that if a traveler should stand still1 he is constantly harassed or pushed about by those who wish to pass on4 ,the other highway furnishes a marked contrast1 for there a person may stand still without annoyance to himself or anyone else4 ,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 on4 ,the one who built this ,wider ,way kept in mind the convenience and comfort of travelers4 8,the so-called ,king's ,highway10 still continued the attendant1 8is beset with many dangers1 and passes through many places similar to the one far down the valley40 ,they all looked through their glasses and saw the ,meshes of ,doubt on each side of the ,narrow ,way4 8,those are the sorts of places10 concluded the speaker1 8that one must constantly pass through in the service of an imaginary king40 ,mrs4 ,discouraged saw all these things and heard all these words4 ,she was so disheartened that she knew not what to do4 8,have ,i served my ,god in vain80 she questioned inwardly4 8,must all my testimonies fall to the earth8 ,surely the way of the world seems to be an easy way1 and more suited to a person in trouble40 ,she suddenly fell on her knees1 as she was wont to do in such emergencies1 and1 behold1 ,i saw her1 on wings of prayer1 fly in triumph from the tower's top1 down the valley1 over the ,meshes of ,doubt1 and land on the ,king's ,highway in a most glorious place called ,victory by ,faith4 ,she thence went on her way rejoicing4 ,illustration3 ,the great victory of ,mrs4 ,discouraged who1 on wings of prayer1 escaped from he ,tower of ,temptation to a place called ,victory by ,faith4 ,then did the attendant on the tower speak of her in ridicule4 8,the poor mortal1 in her insanity1 has descended to a bad level and must1 of necessity1 climb yonder terrible hill which1 as your eyes bear testimony1 is the last part of the ,narrow ,way visible from this tower40 8,she went1 however1 in a miraculous way4 ,those wings were sure and steady1 and ,i was pleased with the swiftness of her flight10 said ,mrs4 ,diligence who was also a pilgrim from the ,king's ,highway4 8,without doubt10 answered the attendant1 8but she went with heavy labor of her wings4 ,had she told me that she wished to take a flight1 ,i could have given her a finer trip in one of the aerial ships lately invented by the experts of the ,wizard ,city4 ,i will summon one4 ,look no more at ,mrs4 ,discouraged with wings1 but fix your eyes toward the east1 and you will soon witness the floating car whereon thousands go out daily from this tower into pleasant places40 ,as he said this he gave a signal1 and soon the strangely shaped airship came in sight1 to the delight of all who saw it4 8,it must be far better10 said one of the spectators1 8to travel in a car like that1 than to be working your wings in the air40 8,a thing of beauty40 8,the greatest invention of the century40 8,it moves as easily as a bird10 were some of the various sentences that were spoken enthusiastically as the object drew nearer4 8,shall we ride in it80 quickly asked ,mr4 ,world as he turned to the little group at his side4 ,the new companions who so recently came from the ,king's ,highway timorously fell back at his abrupt suggestion1 but ,miss ,church-,member offered to accompany him4 ,as the aerial machine was stopping at the tower ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member speedily exchanged words of farewell and prepared for the new ride4 ,they were soon numbered with a host of expectant passengers on board4 ,the lines were loosened and the weird airship cut the wind like a large bird on wing1 and sped away to the pleasure grounds along the ,broad ,highway where most of the passengers1 being blinded by sin1 found such delightsome fellowship that they refused thereafter to travel on any other than the ,wider ,way4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,dark ,,schemes ,,of ,,satan4 #a4 ,the two companions land far down the valley on 8,the ,midway10 whence they take the ,mountain ,trolley and visit the underground ,schools of ,suicide4 #b4 ,satan's primitive address on ,literature4 ,the aerial car carried ,mr4 ,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 sight4 ,they lingered mostly on the wide intervening space between the two paths which was known in this part of the valley as 8,the ,midway40 ,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 ,highway4 ,on this long ,midway humanity swarmed by millions4 ,some1 forgetful of their vows1 or regardless of their honor1 stepped into the lower haunts of vice1 and offered sweet flowers of purity and fragrance in exchange for dry and filthy husks from the floor of the stall4 ,but ,miss ,church-,member1 in keeping with her moral character1 did not surrender her chastity1 and although she had such continual fellowship with ,mr4 ,world she yet held the respect of many other church-members2 for it was quite fashionable to belong to the church and still walk in the ways of the world4 ,satan1 under a hellish guise1 offered to give1 even before death1 handsome rewards to any church-member who succeeds in carrying a certain amount of the world with him on his way to ,heaven1 and multitudes were trying the experiment4 ,some1 in hope of winning larger prizes1 were verily loaded down with the worrying weights of the world4 ,looking away from this immediate vicinity of the valley1 any traveler could see1 far above the surrounding scenes1 the 8,university of the ,world10 whose front buildings crested the mountain elevations for many miles4 ,this imposing sight had awakened the admiration of ,mr4 ,world and his friend1 and had it not been for the countless attractions of the ,midway they would have hurriedly pushed their way to the schools1 immediately after the aerial car had carried them over the proud domes of the ,university and landed them in the vale4 ,during one of the darker periods which now and then cover the whole ,midway with its shadows1 the two companions caught the flashes of variously-colored lights which emanated from every part of the elevated structure1 making the entire mountain appear as if a vast crown of nature were decked with dazzling diamonds rare4 ,miss ,church-,member was excited by this unusual show of brilliancy1 and nothing on the lower level could any longer hold her attention4 8,how can we best rise to that glorious summit80 she inquired with a glow of enthusiasm4 8,ah10 smiled ,mr4 ,world1 8surely we need not think of walking up this mountain4 ,have you forgotten the obliging attendant who advised us as we stood on the beautiful tower8 ,did he not direct us to take the ,mountain ,trolley80 ,without delay they sought the ,midway station1 entered one of the up-to-date cars1 and instead of going directly to the mountain top they were surprised to find that they were being carried into the bowels of the mountain4 8,whence go we dashing through the dark80 asked the terror-stricken ,miss ,church-,member as she held fast to ,mr4 ,world4 ,but ere her escort could answer they came into an immense cavern dimly lighted4 ,the car stopped at a station called ,rest1 and a voice announced in distinct tones3 8,come1 ye troubled or distressed1 and ye who are disgraced6 ,here linger in this underground school and learn of the rest that is for the weary40 8,what is your wish80 courteously asked ,mr4 ,world4 8,i am neither in trouble nor in disgrace4 ,why should ,i tarry80 8,only to see the lower schools before we go to the higher10 was his winning answer4 ,they alighted and walked forth in the dismal light4 ,they could readily discern strangely shaped buildings of a costly type4 ,the air was stifling1 and everything wore a melancholy dress2 yet1 withal1 there was a pleasing charm about the place4 ,some secret touch in the doleful music1 or some bright tinge to the ominous shadows1 awakened a curiosity and a hope in the visitors that prevented them from leaving the cavern at once4 ,in a half-decided mood ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member meandered through this sickly region1 and had decided to leave the place when they saw this illuminated motto over a massive arch3 ,,to ,,all ,,who ,,are ,,disgraced6 ,,the ,,shortest ,,route ,,to ,,rest6 7,,entrance47 ,a genial attendant informed ,mr4 ,world that visitors were welcome1 but ,miss ,church-,member consented to enter only after some hesitancy4 ,it was indeed a dark school1 with long narrow halls where one could only see the darker side of life4 ,everything about the place evidenced the dark designs of ,satan4 ,the teachers in this infamous place1 by a series of graded instructions1 suggested to their pupils that suicide was the surest and shortest road to rest4 ,in the darker rooms of the rear ,i saw1 to my horror1 a scene that neither ,mr4 ,world nor ,miss ,church-,member was permitted to see4 ,it was the daily graduating class of this school of suicide4 ,each member of the class was instructed by what new method he might rend the strand of life with his own hand1 in the desperate and sickening hope of finding rest 8where their worm dieth not1 and the fire is not quenched40 ,i quickly turned from this revolting spectacle1 and saw that ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member had returned to the station called ,rest4 ,they boarded the first car and were soon speeding on through ,dismal ,tunnel4 ,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 schools1 which1 as seen from this side of the mountain1 also presented a picture of imposing magnitude4 ,when the car reached the ,university station ,mr4 ,world and his friend alighted1 and at once entered one of the carriages in waiting4 ,they were hurried away toward a group of immense structures known as the 8,college of the ,world's ,literature20 and yet with all the immensity of its buildings1 it was but a small part of the whole ,university which lay far extended over the distant mountain elevations4 ,as the noiseless carriage sped along ,i turned toward ,blackana1 who1 in strange muteness still tarried at my side4 8,i command you1 ,o ,black ,interpreter1 to tell me of the origin and management of this ,college of ,literature40 ,as ,i spoke he turned his face in a manner that made me tremble4 ,his sepulchral1 husky voice only added to my uneasiness4 8,it originated10 he explained1 8in simpler form1 immediately after ,satan commenced operations on the face of the earth4 ,parallel with the progress of every age it has increased to its present proportions4 ,that which you see is but the central point of this great educational enterprise4 ,its unseen branches extend into every part of the world4 ,the whole system is under the control of ,satan4 ,his most learned disciples have charge of the special departments40 8,and what is the purpose of this limitless scheme80 ,i further queried4 ,the whole organism of ,blackana quivered with reluctance as if he would not answer4 8,refuse me not10 ,i continued1 8you well know that ,i have underneath me the everlasting arms40 ,he was restless for a moment1 angrily rolling his awful eyes4 ,suddenly his attitude changed and he thus calmly answered my question3 8,the purpose of all these schools is to counteract and1 if possible1 to destroy the influence of the teachings of ,him who is called ,jesus ,christ4 ,he was once visible in the flesh and declared that his kingdom was everlasting4 ,of him it was said that he would reign till he put all things under his feet40 ,then did ,blackana add with fiery emphasis3 8,neither my master nor any of his allies will ever be put under his feet4 ,satan's words ran wild as he addressed the insulted hosts of ,hell on this issue40 ,knowing that ,blackana had a perfect memory1 ,i commanded that he should reproduce ,satan's address in my own dialect4 ,like a flash of lightning he flung himself to the winds around me1 thereby transforming himself into the image of ,satan4 ,it appeared as if a thousand spirits in fitful rage were dancing in mid-air4 ,then his voice pealed forth the logic of ,hell as ,satan had spoken it centuries before3 8,have ye heard1 my noble comrades1 how that ,heaven flings insults into our teeth8 ,not satisfied that we grovel on these remains of empire1 we are further threatened with being cast miserably under his feet4 ,whose feet ,i ask8 ,the feet of our direst foe1 whom to worship1 as he desireth1 means serfdom worse than ours4 ,is there one of you who will surrender his native dignity in such a fashion80 ,millions of voices rendered the air hideous with their cries1 so accurately did ,blackana reproduce it all4 8,i knew your sentiments10 continued he1 triumph ringing in his tones4 8,what can we do but stand unitedly on our rustic frontier1 and push the conquest on to farther realms4 ,then all ,heaven will learn that we are made of grit too fine and true to lie beneath the feet of any foe40 ,as ,blackana continued1 ,i was struck with shuddering terror at his awful gestures2 but conscious that no harm could befall me1 ,i continued listening to his flaming oratory4 8,we must arise and seize our opportunities4 ,go forth1 under cover of night1 and sow the seed of our own growing2 this will flourish in the very soil that ,christ would bring to highest cultivation4 ,the germs of our literature1 rooted in human soil and growing secretly beneath the surface1 shall spread throughout the world and come to fruitage in the light of every clime4 8,we must build schools of literature1 inspire the authors of the world with our fine creed1 and thereby spread our doctrines to the myriad readers of every land and tongue4 ,who then1 amongst our enemies1 can kill the appetite when once 'tis roused to craving for the carnal8 ,give me the quill and the coming pen and press1 and ,i can create thought at my bidding and turn the main streams of human endeavor into whatsoever channels ,i choose2 and thus our river shall run full1 while other streams are drying4 8,with such a work how can our cause grow less or we go groveling under any foot8 ,impossible1 my heroes6 for we will live in glorious triumph to the end of time4 ,on to your tasks1 listening multitudes1 and he who most successfully counteracts the so-called #8,truth' shall be a ruler in my kingdom1 and shine more brightly than the radiance of all this region40 ,thus was the speech suddenly ended1 and ,i heard the unearthly reverberations of the fiendish cheering by the mighty host1 while the form of ,satan vanished2 but from his waning shadows ,blackana came forth and in death-like silence again resumed his sullen attitude at my side4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,schools ,,of ,,literature4 ,,first ,,and ,,second ,,divisions4 #a4 ,the schools described4 #b4 ,the literature of the world tainted by the teachers of darkness4 #c4 ,satan's rules for the winning author4 ,the ,college of ,literature1 in three grand divisions1 occupied one of the most attractive sites of all the territory covered by the ,university of the ,world4 ,it was owned and controlled by ,satan1 and was visited by the children of the human family from every portion of the earth4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member came thither in a conveyance4 ,they stood before the massive structure which comprised the first division of the ,college4 ,around them were the living fountains which1 like pearls in billows of green1 played upon the expansive lawn4 ,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 reach4 ,in breathless silence they noted first its size1 then its durability1 and marveled most at the splendid symmetry of the parts1 each blending into a perfect whole4 8,heaven must have inspired so great and beautiful a design10 was the first comment of ,miss ,church-,member4 8,those porticos hanging in mid-air1 those domes and pillars1 dreamlike1 stand before me more like a hundred fabled castles than aught real to sight or touch40 8,indeed the world affords rich and delightful privileges to all who will but walk in her ways10 said ,mr4 ,world just as they arrived at one of the large entrances1 over which these words were written3 ,,depository ,,of ,,the ,,world',s ,,literature1 ,,welcome ,,to ,,all6 ,as ,miss ,church-,member viewed the weighty pillars on each side of the entrance1 she exclaimed3 8,this is indeed a rare opportunity4 ,methinks ,i could revel1 with delight1 forever in fields of literature4 ,come1 ,mr4 ,world1 let us at once pass through the massive doors and learn what we can from so great a source40 ,although the literary tastes of ,mr4 ,world were not strongly developed1 yet he offered no objections to her request4 ,he seemed willing to suffer any inconvenience for her sake so long as she traveled on the ,broad ,highway4 ,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 halls1 and visit the ones that were best suited to their fancies4 ,miss ,church-,member was surprised when she saw the unique arrangement of the interior4 ,there were twenty-eight magnificent halls so constructed that they converged toward a large central office into which ,i saw ,mr4 ,world and his companion enter1 profoundly impressed with the smallness of the single human mind4 ,after answering the stipulated questions1 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 visitors4 ,in the commodious office they learned that each of the twenty-eight halls contained a distinctive line of literature1 systematically arranged in numerous sub-departments2 and that competent librarians superintended the literature of each hall and of each department4 ,miss ,church-,member ascertained also that each hall was centrally supplied with a lecture room having an immense seating capacity1 and that learned professors1 each in their turn1 occupied the platform and constantly gave lectures which were intended to describe and illustrate the class of literature represented in their faculties4 ,after considerable time spent in the office1 they passed through the long and wide circular lobby1 reading the beautifully emblazoned inscriptions over each entrance door1 but they could not immediately decide into which hall they would first enter4 ,at length after a pleasant loitering1 ,mr4 ,world led his charming comrade into the fourth hall1 over whose entrance1 in plain words1 this inscription appeared3 ,,all ,,that ,,was ,,ever ,,written ,,concerning ,,jesus ,,christ4 ,they first chose to enter a sub-department where ancient scrolls1 parchments1 and papyri could be seen in tiresome variety4 ,miss ,church-,member scanned most carefully some of the manuscripts which had never been published4 ,in other sections of the hall there were books and pamphlets of all descriptions1 each one referring to ,jesus ,christ in a favorable or an unfavorable manner4 ,during these visitations the attendants extended unusual courtesies to ,mr4 ,world and his faithful friend1 and also to the endless procession of visitors and students who were constantly moving through these departments4 ,finally the two companions proceeded to the lecture room of this hall and listened to an address entitled3 8,the ,divinity of ,christ10 by one of ,satan's ablest advocates a professor with ecclesiastical titles4 ,his gestures were unique and his style altogether persuasive4 ,i heard his words with great displeasure1 for they taught the philosophy of ,hell1 with ,heaven on the face of it4 8,i must congratulate myself10 commenced he1 8on having the privilege of addressing so intelligent a class of people4 ,i only hope that ,i may be helpful to you in your quest of knowledge4 8,the central theme of this hall is #8,jesus ,christ' and ,i shall now proceed to speak of his so-called #8,divinity4' ,i cannot question that there is a supreme hand in the works of nature1 but after careful research ,i am compelled to doubt the genuineness of the ,divinity which is ascribed to ,christ4 ,true enough1 his childhood was blameless1 and he possessed exceptional wisdom so that many of his countrymen believed him to be more than human4 ,in this manner the idea of his ,divinity originated1 and this fallacy grew as the man grew4 8,he was shrewd1 and possessed a great amount of magnetic force which was trained and used with remarkable skill1 all of which made him pose as a god before a credulous and unsuspecting public4 ,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 ,divine4 8,when ,jesus discerned that his claims were more readily accepted by the poorer and more ignorant class of people1 he lauded them in his teachings1 while the learned and more respectable classes were subjected to his abuse and sarcasm4 8,by his unusual tactics overcame the prejudices of his enemies and1 for a long time1 escaped punishment4 ,but finally he was arrested and convicted and1 notwithstanding his so-called ,divine power1 he came to an inglorious end by death on a cross4 ,his friends1 unable to prevent his cursed death1 quickly formed a plot to perpetuate his doctrines4 ,they carried out their plot by stealthily robbing ,christ's body from the grave and secretly burying it elsewhere1 and then spreading the news that he1 of his own power1 came forth from the grave4 ,to complete the fraud they also claimed1 a little later1 that he had ascended into ,heaven4 ,what was the purpose of all this8 ,it was to prove that ,christ was ,divine and thereby to make his teachings authoritative and eternal4 8,i wish to inform you that the manuscripts and parchments1 in sub- department number six of this hall1 all point to the fact that ,jesus ,christ was born like any other babe and that his father was ,joseph4 ,dishonest1 indeed1 is any one who would rob ,joseph of this honor4 #8,honor to whom honor is due4' ,while ,christ was a great man1 he never had in him the elements of ,divinity4 ,let millions in the world glory in their imaginary theology1 yet that is no reason why scholarly research should be put to naught1 or why it should be sacrificed4 ,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 ,god40 ,the vigorous applause which followed the remarks of this speaker fell with grating horror on my ears4 8,can it be possible10 thought ,i1 8that any one can publicly teach such doctrines of ,hell1 and be thus applauded8 ,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 ,devil80 ,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 and1 with the aid of experts1 examined some of the old manuscripts dating back to the time of ,christ4 ,they left the hall and were next attracted by the words over the entrance of ,hall ,no4 #i appearing thus3 ,,literature ,,on ,,life4 #a4 ,vegetable ,life4 #b4 ,animal ,life4 #c4 ,mental ,life4 #d4 ,spiritual ,life4 ,at the suggestion of ,miss ,church-,member they entered1 and could readily see that the attendants and lecturers of this hall were also of a very high class4 ,one of the speakers elaborated on the theory that life is the result of spontaneous generation4 ,another1 in speaking on spiritual life1 made special reference to the fact that ,jesus ,christ claimed to be the 8,life10 and then proceeded to refute this claim by a series of arguments which were altogether too philosophical to be understood by the two companions4 ,finding no pleasure in this metaphysical atmosphere1 ,mr4 ,world conducted his companion to the adjoining hall devoted to the 8,literature of ,fiction40 ,here they spent a season delightfully1 perusing works of fiction and listening to addresses1 all of which advocated the views of ,satan4 ,i heard one of the lecturers1 in a discussion on 8,the ,license of ,pure ,fiction0 make these dangerous remarks3 8,the highest fiction of the world is that in which human life is pictured in ideal colors1 even though it be done at the expense of truth4 8,there can be no harm if the reader should gain a false view of life4 ,the very charm of such a view will act as a stimulus to a wider experience and to a higher culture4 8,in our real life1 as we come in daily contact with the world1 we see and suffer enough4 ,therefore it cannot be harmful if fiction carries us into strange worlds of morality or into any mythical realm4 ,i give you but the result of long and careful study1 and ,i advise you to read the wildest and most exciting forms of fiction1 and thereby get the healthful and exhilarating effect that comes from total mental absorption4 ,all this will tend to the development of your nature so that you will1 by contrast1 better appreciate the substantial things of life40 ,i saw that ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member next visited the hall devoted to the 8,literature of the ,passions40 ,after they had entered1 ,miss ,church-,member1 at first1 felt embarrassed1 and her sense of modesty would not have allowed her to remain had it not been that her conscience was eased by these conditions3 #a4 ,she saw that among the moving thousands that were present in the massive hall many belonged to the higher classes of society4 #b4 ,she was also informed that not a few of the throng held good membership in various branches of the visible church4 #c4 ,she readily observed that ,mr4 ,world was so much delighted that she offered no protest1 and that he seemed to take an interest in the endless program as carried out in one department or another4 ,in this poisonous hall ,miss ,church-,member stultified herself more than in any other place which she had ever before visited1 and thereby added one more decisive step in her downward course4 ,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 passions4 ,these avowed experts carried on their fiendish work under the cover of a pleasing dignity4 ,after their crafty manner they quoted or read the fine sentences of an author1 preferably those of a sensual cast1 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 employed4 ,thus ,i saw that the leaders of this department were using the choicest and the foulest productions of the pen1 gathered from the authors of all lands1 languages and ages1 and ,miss ,church-,member1 by degrees almost imperceptible1 voluntarily sacrificed her finer moral taste on a popular and polluted altar4 ,to a pure heart there was an unclean cast and a withering effect prevalent throughout all the departments of this hall1 and my heart burned as ,i continued observing how the agents of ,satan plied their subtle influences so as to popularize this cosmopolitan resort4 ,so effectually has ,satan entrenched his views that some of the strong defenders of this hall of literature are connected with the church1 and types of this same teaching have found their way into some of the ,christian schools of the world4 ,after this protracted visit ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member left this hall and continued their studies in hall after hall1 until more than one half of the twenty-eight halls were visited4 ,their next objective point was the second grand division of this ,college devoted to 8,the ,elements of ,success in ,authorship40 ,my heart trembled at what my eyes saw4 ,the great army of writers who studied in this department came from all countries of the earth4 8,can it be true10 thought ,i1 8that so large a portion of our authors get at least a part of their training in the schools of the ,devil80 8,o ,blackana60 ,i sighed1 8how long have these things been80 8,since the beginning of literature10 was his cold and brief reply4 8,always so large a percentage of the world's authors found at that school80 8,it has never been on the decrease10 he continued4 8,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 careers4 ,some who came tarried long2 others1 not satisfied1 foolishly drifted to the schools of the ,king's ,highway which ever carry on their work in opposition to the ,university of the ,world40 ,here also1 in this second grand division1 the subtlest kind of teaching was prevalent4 ,in one sub-division ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member read these general laws written in bold letters where all who desired could read3 ,,rules ,,for ,,the ,,winning ,,author4 #a4 ,give quality rather than quantity4 #b4 ,if you will not compose your best1 compose nothing4 ,the world is heavily overstocked with inferior compositions4 #c4 ,write nothing that will cause regret on your death-bed4 #d4 ,do not follow in the rut4 ,go by some path untraveled before1 over land or sea1 and tell the world of your new discoveries4 #e4 ,to be acceptable1 in the highest sense1 you must teach differently than others1 even though it be at the expense of what is commonly called 8truth40 ,novelty is the winning feature4 #f4 ,in any one composition strive first to arouse the curiosity of your intended readers2 then keep the curiosity suspended and finally give it satisfaction in accordance with the aim in view4 #g4 ,you may be influenced by religion1 but not by religious nonsense4 ,if your writings win1 you are a teacher of millions4 ,so1 in order to reach the public ear1 you may cater to the tastes and wishes of the majority4 #h4 ,if you see some vile conditions of humanity1 send out1 in your writings1 vials of vileness4 8,like cures like40 ,if any part of the church cries1 8poison1 poison60 you may justify yourself by the fact that the so-called 8poison0 in your productions will only neutralize the poison so prevalent in society1 on the same principle that poison is administered to a sickly body in order to effect a cure4 #i4 ,you are always safest when you are true to nature1 even though some sentimental people may charge you with being vulgar4 #aj4 ,words of profanity are not allowable if they are the mere expression of the author1 but any foul or profane expression may be quoted4 ,an author should not be charged with the impropriety of his characters who are merely taken from actual life4 ,the above ten commandments1 if properly interpreted and obeyed1 will surely lead to literary success4 ,then ,mr4 ,world escorted his confiding friend from hall to hall of this second grand division1 and at many intervals they could be seen spending a quiet season on the lawns which surrounded the entire structure4 ,their tastes were now more in harmony than ever1 and their friendship was fast reaching that intimacy where each one was searching for pearls in the deep ocean of the other's love4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,the ,,theatre4 #a4 ,mr4 ,world and his friend tarry at ,satan's ,theatres which lay in seven grades1 one below the other4 #b4 ,a description of the 8,century ,session0 held by the demons having in charge the ,theatre interests of ,satan4 ,the ,college of ,theatres lay between the second and third divisions of the ,schools of ,literature4 ,the numerous structures were built on so large a scale1 and after such winning designs1 that the attention of many travelers was attracted to them and thereby to the performances given within their walls4 ,here could be found some of the graduates of the ,schools of ,literature who were constantly engaged on one or another of the stages4 ,all these theatrical attractions belonged to the first grade and formed a part of a great system of ,theatres which lay in seven grades1 one below the other1 each serving its part to engross the human mind with the carnal and sensual things of life4 ,the performances of the first grade were practically free from the vulgar touches found1 with increasing intensity1 as one goes downward toward the seventh grade which lay beneath the ,midway in the ,valley of ,temptation4 ,in these ,satanic ,theatres of the first grade respectability is maintained purposely so as to ensnare as many professing ,christians as possible1 for there are many in the ranks of the church who are building with nothing but wood1 hay1 and stubble4 ,the scheme works so well that the ,devil is trying to form a 8,stage ,trust10 and get all the talent of the ,king's ,highway to unite4 ,thus ,satan seems to encourage morality in order to carry out his deeply laid schemes of moral pollution4 ,i looked into the inward workings of this terrible system4 ,i saw multitudes descending downward from the first grade1 many of whom ceased not until they had passed through all the seven grades4 ,the scenes and revelations that came to my eyes beggar all description4 ,my heart sickened as ,i beheld the millions wallowing in the mire of fleshly lusts1 apparently living for no higher purpose than to see the latest novelties of expressing lewdness and sensuality4 8,this is brute life1 indeed10 ,i soliloquized1 8for 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 choirs1 or the ecstacies that rise from heart-communion with ,god40 ,i also saw that there were numberless underground connections between the lower ,theatres and the ,schools of ,suicide1 and with the varied haunts of ,prostitution that infested the whole region4 ,this startling fact also forced its way to my attention3--the money flowing from the entire seven grades fell into one treasury1 so that they who moved in the supposed moral atmosphere of the first and second grades were1 nevertheless1 patrons of the whole iniquitous business4 ,at once ,i thought of the churches that were in sympathy1 or league1 with this part of the work along the ,broad ,highway4 ,and ,i inwardly uttered these sad sentences3 8,it is no more a mystery why such churches have lost their holy influence and their warmth of spiritual life1 while worldliness flourishes from the pew to the pulpit40 ,illustration3 ,the ,devil's ,substitute to the ,prayer-,meeting 7,the ,christians left their ,bibles at home47 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member spent several seasons of leisure in the ,theatres of the first and second grades4 ,finally he invited her to accompany him to a ,refined ,vaudeville in the third grade ,theatre district4 ,it happened to be on the same day of the week that she had formerly been accustomed to attend prayer meeting4 ,this fact awakened memories of bygone days1 and brought feelings of sadness to her heart4 ,mr4 ,world1 by an artful diversity of language1 arrested her mind and calmed her conscience as he playfully remarked3 8,this will be a good substitute for the prayer-meeting40 ,i saw the two enter the ,vaudeville with many other church-members that mingled with the jostling crowds4 ,these ,christians left their ,bibles at home1 while some took as a substitute their opera glasses4 ,they can see through these better than they can through their ,bibles4 ,while ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member tarried at the ,theatres1 ,i was permitted to see a conference of the evil spirits that had in charge the ,theatre interests of ,satan4 ,the conference met at the opening of the year #aija what was called 8,the ,century ,session40 ,for the time ,i was lost to all other surroundings1 and ,i could hear all and see all as if ,i occupied the best seat4 ,the unusual parliament seemed to be held underground1 and yet one could enter directly from the surface of the earth4 ,the assemblage was controlled by a highly honored chief1 cool and deliberate in manner4 ,every kind of imp imaginable could be found in the number that constituted the many committees4 ,i witnessed every part of the diabolical proceedings1 and will here disclose a portion of these doubly sealed secrets4 ,after all preliminaries were brushed away1 ,i heard seven ominous clangs1 and silence reigned supreme4 ,the chairman rose to speak4 ,what a mingling of light and darkness6 ,how truly ,satanic his every feature and every move6 ,how earnest his brief address1 every word in the interest of ,satan's blasting work4 8,give heed1 oh1 ye co-workers1 bound under oath to give a true report6 ,our cause has made advances1 and our work calls for the ripest service we can give4 ,the theatre modernized is fast winning the church4 ,all honor1 ye spirits who played your parts so well6 ,the century has just closed1 but not our opportunity4 ,let coming years be one of mightier conquest4 ,down with the narrow truth and morbid righteousness1 and all things else that check our onward marching60 ,for a moment the chairman was silent4 ,then1 as he raised his hand1 ,i heard a hideous clang which proved to be the signal for the report of 8,the-,moral-,effect-of-the-,theatre0 committee4 ,forthwith the whole committee stood en masse before the chairman4 8,our work goes on with speed10 cried the leader of the gang4 8,in every district we are gaining ground40 8,i have watched your progress with joyful pride10 answered the chairman1 as he smiled in hellish glee4 8,but ,i noted the sharp conflicts you had with certain reformers in the churches40 8,some of them we cannot conquer10 despairingly admitted the leader4 8,grieve not over forts you cannot take1 but make good use of those that have surrendered40 8,they are firing our guns splendidly10 quickly intercepted the leader1 as he rose and read the following report3 #a4 8,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 helpful4 #b4 8,we have succeeded in dividing the members of many churches on this question1 and have witnessed1 with pleasure1 the many kinds of quarrels that have resulted therefrom4 #c4 8,we have succeeded in turning the tide of many periodicals1 so that the defense of the ,theatre1 as a moral stimulant1 is more general than ever40 ,as the leader closed his brief report1 the chairman offered his compliments1 and the host cheered with vigor4 ,the committee retired4 ,the chairman again lifted his hand and two clangs were heard4 ,this was the signal for the appearance of the 8,park-,theatre0 committee4 8,good tidings1 or ill80 tersely asked the chairman4 8,good tidings of the first degree10 cheerily replied the leader of the committee as he proceeded to read his document3 #a4 8,we labored1 with all zeal1 to carry out the schemes concocted previously4 #b4 8,we have succeeded in locating a series of free ,theatres at every summer park where we could possibly induce the management to admit them4 #c4 8,these ,theatres1 even though they be of a third or fourth class1 are doing a great service for us by implanting a taste for other grades4 #d4 8,by this happy medium we are winning young people and church-members by the thousand1 for they can attend these ,park exhibitions without being severely criticised4 #e4 8,we are careful to give them enough immoral and sensual bait to draw them further4 7,wild applause47 #f4 8,these innocent ,park ,theatres must not be abandoned1 for they are a sure training school4 ,we hereby pledge ourselves anew to go forth more earnestly to our tasks40 7,furious applause over the whole assembly47 8,have you met with any hindrances to your work80 queried the chairman of the meeting4 8,many indeed4 ,some ,parks refuse our class of ,theatres1 while others are closed to every class4 ,but our committee is determined to push ahead40 8,onward1 ye comrades10 urged the chairman4 8,buy up the stock of every ,park1 if possible1 and furnish recreation for the church4 ,do not become too bold at first in the introduction of lewd and foolish plays1 or you may be fought by the popular churches40 8,hardly possible10 replied the leader4 8,so many in the church are glad to wink at these incongruities1 for they are thereby given a chance to satisfy their carnal appetites without being classed with the regular ,theatre crowd40 8,this is one of our happiest modern hits10 chuckled the chairman1 as the committee turned away1 amidst the mad-like cheering4 ,next ,i saw that the chairman raised his hand1 and at once ,i heard three sharp clangs which were the signal for the 8,church-,choir0 committee4 8,what has the church-choir to do with the ,theatre10 thought ,i1 as ,i saw the obedient host answering to their call4 8,what tidings1 good or ill80 asked the chairman in a tone of confidence4 8,progress slow1 but sure10 briefly answered the leader of the committee as he stepped a little nearer to the chairman to give his report4 8,ours is a difficult task4 ,some choirs are hedged about that we cannot so much as reach them with suggestions4 ,nevertheless1 we have succeeded in many sections1 notably in certain large cities4 ,we report1 with pride1 that some churches have engaged genuine theatrical singers to render special selections during the regular ,sunday services4 ,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 morning8 ,this is winning certain people to the ,theatre1 for in many instances they cannot wait until the next ,sunday2 so they visit several theatres during the week to keep their spiritual strength renewed40 ,then the demons cheered to the echo1 and ,i listened with a sad1 heavy heart4 ,the leader continued3 8,we are also endeavoring to get the regular church-choirs to imitate the popular theatrical stars4 ,of course1 we do not oppose the use of religious words1 if we cannot induce them to sing our selections4 ,we are aiming to create a taste for the up-to-date novelties in music1 in contrast to the old dry singing in certain churches of the ,king's ,highway40 7,prolonged applause47 ,as this tall1 wiry demon continued to unfold his deep-laid plans1 ,i well understood why ,satan has selected the church-choir as an objective point1 and has delegated so large a number of imps to do work in that special direction4 ,i then cried within me3 8,oh1 that these churches would not use their choir-corners as an advertising medium for the ,theatre6 ,and that choirs1 in their musical devotions1 may be led by the ,spirit of ,god rather than by the imps of ,hell60 ,this committee retired with special encomiums4 ,the chairman rose and ,i heard four sonorous clangs which summoned the 8,ministerial0 committee4 ,at once its members1 in their sedate and portly attitudes1 surged down the massive aisles4 ,i shuddered as ,i saw the variety of these mean ,satanic faces1 portraying a depth of vileness1 mingled with shrewd and scholarly insight4 ,with great care ,i studied this pack of ,hell-hounds1 gathered from the ends of the earth1 now standing in sullen mood1 ready to give their report4 8,what tidings1 good or ill80 asked the chairman4 8,the tidings are good10 replied the famous leader4 8,by our efforts we have silenced many a voice which formerly thundered against us4 ,to-day many more ministers are in sympathy with the modern ,theatre of the higher grades1 although not a few of these must hold their views in secret4 ,others speak apologetically1 and still more come out in bold defense of what they term the #8,select ,theatre4'0 8,what do you consider the most hopeful line of your work80 further asked the chairman4 8,our work in the theological schools10 quickly responded the leader4 8,special sections of our committee have labored with stealthy vigor to capture the preacher before he reaches the pulpit4 ,the last years of the century have witnessed phenomenal gains for our cause4 ,by winning the theological student early to our ,theatrical theories we are likely to gain his heart and sympathy in after years4 ,our success along these lines is the most hopeful sign of the times1 and bespeaks the ushering in of more sensible conditions4 7,furious applause47 8,before retiring10 continued the leader1 8let me quote the utterances of a certain broad-minded clergyman3 #8,the clean ,theatre of the twentieth century will be1 and ought to be1 the moral prayer-meeting for ,christians1 while the spiritual prayer-meeting will be held in the church as usual4'0 ,the whole army of devils cheered like madmen4 ,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 ,hell4 ,i could not remain to hear the report of3 8,the ,moral ,play0 committee1 8,the ,variant ,dance0 committee1 8,the ,sacred ,concert0 committee and other committees whose names ,i could not learn4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,schools ,,of ,,literature4 ,,third ,,division #a4 ,seven separate halls described4 #b4 ,the far-reaching schemes of ,satan to pollute the ,press and the ,pen4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member1 after spending several hours at the ,theatres1 moved toward the vast groups of buildings comprising the third division of the ,college of ,literature4 ,the structures lay in a semi-circle facing a magnificent court1 in the center of which there was a park of surpassing loveliness4 ,on an immense arch1 over the center of the park1 these words were hung in shining letters3 ,,third ,,division3 ,,true ,,christianity ,,and ,,literature4 ,as ,mr4 ,world and his charming companion entered this great central court1 they were quite overcome by the size and beauty of the three score halls1 each one widening as its depth increased4 ,some towered one thousand feet in the air while others sent their proud domes1 as it were1 into the clouds4 ,the two companions mingled with the multitudes1 engaged in the common pleasures of this open court1 and watched with poetic delight the sparkling fountains1 while sweet strains of music from scattered orchestras lent their charms to the soul4 ,the shrubbery1 flowers and plants1 as well as the works of sculpture and pictorial art1 all appeared as if angel fingers had been employed in their production and arrangement4 ,the season here spent by ,miss ,church-,member was the happiest that she had yet experienced since she had left the ,king's ,highway4 ,to think that she was now living in the threshold of ,true ,christianity1 in its relation to literature1 was at once novel and refreshing to her mind1 for she now claimed to be a more faithful ,christian than ever before4 ,during their protracted stay at this division they visited the following halls1 each one devoted to a specific purpose3 ,hall ,no4 #c4 8,the ,bible from a ,literary ,standpoint40 ,hall ,no4 #h4 8,the ,best ,literature for a ,sunday ,school ,class40 ,hall ,no4 #i4 8,the ,best ,literature for ,sunday school ,libraries40 ,hall ,no4 #ac4 8,the ,best ,literature for a ,true ,christian to ,read40 ,hall ,no4 #af4 8,literature for a ,christian's #8,grip' when on a ,vacation40 ,hall ,no4 #bg4 8,the ,sunday ,newspaper and ,other ,publications40 ,hall ,no4 #ch4 8,the ,best ,way of ,conducting a ,religious ,newspaper40 ,mr4 ,world spent a day with his appreciative friend under the teaching of ,hall ,no4 #c4 ,the professors were exceptionally brilliant1 and so won the confidence of their many hearers that what they said seemed to have more weight than even the ,bible4 ,they tried to demonstrate that the literary style of the ,bible was far below par4 ,when they entered ,hall ,no4 #h they were surprised to see how large a number of ,sunday school workers and teachers were already there4 ,the meeting that day was held largely in the form of an open parliament1 and a discussion was in progress concerning the use of the ,bible in the class during the study of the lesson4 8,would it not be preferable10 asked an interested visitor1 8to use the ,bible in the class during the study of the lesson1 and use the special helps only for preparation80 8,don't think of it1 don't think of it60 abruptly answered the teacher4 8,it would only be a step backward40 8,it appears to me10 continued the visitor1 8that our young people ought to become more familiar in using and handling the ,bible1 and if it were used in connection with the study of the lesson it would surely prove to be a valuable help1 even beyond what the present system affords40 8,and would you throw aside all the very valuable side lights to the lesson that are being produced in such rich variety and abundance8' hurriedly asked a ,sunday school teacher who was present on a furlough4 8,nay1 nay10 earnestly spoke the visitor1 8let the press go on1 but let not its fruit be substituted for the bread of life4 ,fruit is good1 delicious and healthful1 but we need the staff of life4 ,let the real actual ,bible be handled and used in the teaching of the lesson4 ,then whatever else is wise to use as an auxiliary help may be brought into service4 ,that is my platform1 pure and simple40 ,the leader of the meeting was agitated4 ,he impatiently rose to his feet before the last words had fallen from the visitor's lips4 8,let us use reason10 he said1 with a light vein of sarcasm in his voice4 8,is it not true that the average child sees enough of the ,bible in his home and in the public schools1 and that he greatly relishes a change when he comes to the ,sunday school80 8,that's only too true10 spoke up the worldly element who were there in large numbers4 8,let me assure you10 continued the speaker as he was warming to his theme under false fires of devilish sophistry1 8in the day when the ,bible was used in the ,sunday school classes1 spiritual ignorance abounded more than now40 8,why not be satisfied with rapid advancement1 instead of inviting retrogression in knowledge1 and a double decimation in ,sunday school attendance1 by compelling scholars to go searching through a book as uninteresting and unfathomable to them as the ,bible80 8,one great hindrance to ,sunday school work is its pious and sanctimonious tendency4 ,if the schools of the twentieth century are to be successful1 we must have less of that ,bible stiffness in them1 and still more of an open sociability40 ,the worldly element and some of the ,sunday school teachers were now cheering heartily4 ,but the speaker continued3 8,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 service1 ,i should rather advocate a change in the other direction1 for ,i am even opposed to the tons of cheap literature filled with cloudy opinions that are now being scattered throughout our schools4 ,we need lesson helps that are interspersed with incidents of adventure1 and startling stories that have fire and life in them4 ,let some publisher take the hint4 8,then the boy or girl whose daily reading may consist of that style of writing will find the ,sunday school more congenial to his nature1 and he will go there with a bound4 ,in that manner you are certain to win the boy's heart1 after which you can1 with tact1 send the spiritual truth deeper into his soul4 ,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 is1 taken from the ,bible4 8,if the teacher can succeed in holding his respect for the ,sunday school1 then1 in after years1 when he is more matured and is better able to reason1 you may bring the ,bible itself more directly to his attention1 and you will secure better results than are prevalent to-day in the ,sunday school world40 ,the audience cheered lustily4 ,in this cheering ,mr4 ,world and his companion joined4 ,the visitor1 who was deeply grieved at the warm reception of such destructive doctrines1 arose to speak1 but the intolerant cried out3 8,away with him6 ,we want no more bigotry and one-hundred-years-behind-the time speeches60 ,at the suggestion of the chairman he was hurried from the room to appear before a commission on lunacy4 ,the speech had its desired effect4 ,the great majority of the audience were convinced that the ,bible was not a 8drawing card10 and that it should not be introduced into the class study if it could possibly be avoided4 ,a few pledged that they would do all in their power to effect a revolution in the present system of lesson helps4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member left this hall and entered ,hall ,no4 #i4 ,it was a rare privilege for them to walk through the largest ,sunday school library in the world1 where many committees were at work selecting books for their respective ,sunday schools4 ,satan had so ingeniously managed the composition of these books1 and so artfully arranged them on the endless shelves1 that one could scarcely discern the good parts of a book from the bad1 or determine in which section of the hall the largest percentage of good books could be found4 ,in this way committees almost invariably picked up considerable chaff with the wheat4 ,i looked at ,blackana and sighed3 8,oh6 ,blackana1 how long will these things be8 ,if only a conflagration would reduce the contents of that hall to ashes60 8,ah6 mortal10 he coldly replied1 8these things will never be destroyed1 for the building is fire proof4 ,surely the ,sunday school should get as much of its library as possible from a source so well protected40 8,for what fiendish reason80 ,i asked as ,i was moved with indignation4 8,nothing fiendish about it4 ,satan can furnish books at less cost1 and thereby be of material financial help to the ,sunday school4 ,furthermore1 he is able to furnish a larger variety and a more inviting class of books1 with more spicy fiction1 and less of that deadness so generally characteristic of the books coming from the hand of a narrow-minded ,christian40 8,silence1 thou agent of the ,devil6 ,thou art again dealing in falsehood4 ,when thou speakest to me1 speak truthfully or hold thy tongue in quietness40 ,he rolled his eyes at me1 but spoke no more4 ,in the early hours of the following day ,i saw the same two companions enter ,hall ,no4 #ac devoted to 8,the ,best ,literature for a ,true ,christian to ,read40 ,they moved leisurely from table to table scanning and reading the books and booklets which1 in great variety1 lay before them4 ,weariness urged them to a seat in the lecture department where they were entertained by a scholarly address on 8,choice ,literature for a ,christian40 8,it must not be forgotten40 said the speaker in one part of his address1 8that the mind can be ruined by lack of vigorous exercise4 ,in the physical body the stomach would become weak and sickly were it not compelled1 quite frequently1 to digest strong foods or a great variety of them4 ,so also the mind1 in order to reach its true development1 needs a wide variety of thought-food4 ,not alone that of a sickly-sentimental or sanctimonious kind which in its place is all right1 but such a variety as will best stimulate the mind in a well-rounded1 liberal education4 ,in particular1 a good ,christian should peruse such literature as will inform him thoroughly concerning the enemies of ,christianity4 ,he should not spurn1 but rather study infidelity1 skepticism and every other hostile movement1 so that he may be able the better to appreciate his own position4 ,the ,bible is not so much a book for reading1 as a book of reference1 and therefore a ,christian's loyalty to ,christ must not be measured by his reading and studying the ,bible1 but by his success in locating the enemies of the cross and studying their designs1 looking over their encampments1 and estimating the strength of their weapons4 ,if he becomes thus acquainted with the foe1 he is in better position to order an advance1 or to effect a treaty whereby much strife may be avoided40 ,hall ,no4 #af was next visited4 ,it offered to its patrons a happy time4 ,here the work of the artist was in pleasing evidence4 ,on beautiful walls were pictured retreats of all kinds4 ,the games and sports1 in endless variety1 which make merry the park1 field and glen1 were the subjects of some of the paintings4 ,these were the titles of some of the larger wall paintings3 8,a restful day under the oak40 8,the campers at the midday meal40 8,an hour of idle reading40 8,around the camp-fire at night40 8,at rest beside the bounding brook40 8,along the beach at bathing time40 8,the cottage by the sea40 ,nothing was said about the paintings on the wall2 they were merely suggestive of the refreshment that came after toil4 ,the lecturer of this hall was a jolly man1 an athlete of fine proportions1 whose splendid appearance attracted the attention of the throng of listeners4 8,we are not here to discuss the good or evil which comes from various kinds of recreation1 but to tell you1 from experience1 what kind of reading to take with you when you go on a vacation1 or a pleasure trip4 ,as you are seeking rest for the body so let your religious books have a rest4 ,leave them all at home1 except the ,bible1 and prayer book1--you might take them along to be used in case of sickness or accident4 ,then put in your #8grip' some humorous books1 such as will make you merry4 ,besides these place therein some other very light reading1 such as will rest the mind from the more serious things of life4 8,as a father delighteth to see his children roam and romp in glee over the meadows after the time of faithful toil1 so the ,heavenly ,father delighteth to see his true children lay aside the seriousness of prayer and ,bible study1 and go forth in joyful rest to the seashore1 or to the quiet glen in the fastnesses of the woods4 ,if you follow these directions1 you will get the cream of pleasure and profit1 and return to your secular or religious work with renewed vigor40 ,i saw many ministers1 of the gospel in the audience1 but not all seconded the words of the speaker4 ,mr4 ,world and his confiding companion were surprised after entering ,hall ,no4 #bg to find on exhibition a copy of all the periodical publications of the world4 ,this was a large hall and had sub-divisions1 each devoted to a distinct class of literature4 ,one department contained all non-sectarian religious publications2 another the sectarian2 still a third was devoted to daily newspapers1 partisan and non-partisan2 yet another contained all trade journals2 another all the scientific periodicals1 and thus the plan was continued throughout4 ,this was the busiest place of all1 for some of the periodicals had their offices in this hall1 while others had representatives there1 so that countless thousands thronged the sub-departments daily4 ,each sub-department had its own corps of lecturers4 ,many editors1 before entering into active service1 take the entire series of courses offered by this hall1 and are thus taught to prevaricate1 abbreviate1 and exaggerate1 or do ought else to attain the end in view4 ,i saw ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member pass by one sub-department after another4 ,they were not pleased with the excitement that prevailed4 ,they had intended however to pause at the department devoted especially to the ,sunday newspaper question1 and tarried at the door long enough merely to catch these few words from one of the speakers3 8,i am a member of the church myself1 and bear an honorable name therein2 but ,i am unwilling to be classed with a set of bigots who would rob us of our personal liberties and1 if possible1 place all kinds of restrictive measures about our inalienable rights4 ,i stand for liberty first of all1 and tyranny never4 ,why should one dictate to me what ,i shall read on ,sunday8 ,i look at my ,bible more than one hundred times a year1 and read a ,sunday newspaper only fifty-two times4 ,it was a happy change that started the regular press of the country to yield seven issues a week1 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 intelligence4 8,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 pursuit4 ,happy1 indeed1 would we all be if the---0 ,the two companions passed on and heard no more1 until they left this hall and paid a brief visit to ,hall ,no4 #ch devoted to 8,the ,best ,way of ,conducting a ,religious ,newspaper40 ,there were very few editors present1 but the debate amongst them was vigorous and1 at times1 very contentious1 much to the interest and enjoyment of the spectators4 ,the question being discussed was3 8,how ,can ,we ,best ,increase the ,circulation of the ,church ,paper80 ,after a few exchanges of opinions1 the chairman of the meeting advocated1 with grave dignity1 that all religious newspapers should be more conformed to the tastes and the level of a hungry world4 8,there is too great a contrast10 said he1 8between the mental condition of the laymen and the high1 cold tone of the average religious paper4 ,let the editor of a church paper do as did his ,master ,jesus ,christ1--come down to the level of the world1 where he can reach the heart and the ear of the common people of whom the masses are composed4 ,no paper should be so holy that it cannot adapt itself to the development of the natural as well as the spiritual part of man40 ,these remarks were warmly applauded4 ,next an editor of a religious paper arose1 and spoke with decision3 8,i want to be as liberal and broad-minded as ,god would have me be4 ,i came to this hall with doubtful steps4 ,i cannot say that ,i have profited thereby4 ,my mind is at variance with the chairman of this meeting4 ,he says3 #8,all religious papers should be more conformed to the tastes of the hungry world4' ,let me ask1 with all honesty1 what is the taste of the hungry world8 ,is it not a terribly perverted taste1 a hungering for the black sins of death8 ,i contend that it is the work of a good paper to be a beacon light1 even though it shines from a lofty light-house4 ,it may thereby shine out farther and wider4 ,away with the doctrine of devils that would pervert the truth and send with merciless fling----0 ,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 8disturbing the peace10 which1 the chairman declared1 was due to a diseased state of his mind4 ,miss ,church-,member was freightened from the hall by this episode1 and was followed by her less fearful companion4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,devil',s ,,temperance ,,college4 #a4 ,mr4 ,world and his companion visit this immense college1 with many wings1 all devoted to teaching every phase of the temperance question in accordance with ,satan's views4 #b4 ,a view of the millions who attend this college4 ,automobiles are used by the agents of ,satan to convey students and visitors from one college to another of the great ,university of the ,world4 ,i saw ,miss ,church-,member and her cherished escort leave the ,college of ,literature in one of these up-to-date carriages4 8,shall we tarry at the athletic field80 asked ,mr4 ,world as they came to a famous sporting ground4 8,let us rather hasten to the ,temperance ,college10 she suggested4 ,but her manner indicated that she did not wish to urge him away from the place of his heart's desire4 8,altogether at your pleasure10 he smiled1 as he sank back into the comfortable cushions of the conveyance4 ,they soon reached the desired locality1 saw the moving millions from all portions of the earth1 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 ,college4 ,it covered many acres of ground1 and consisted of many immense buildings1 around which clustered many smaller structures serving for auxiliary purposes4 ,when ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member walked about the college grounds1 and saw more closely the magnitude and beauty of the edifices1 they were so overawed that their tongues offered no comment4 ,they mingled a while with the merry multitude1 and then at one corner of the group entered the gigantic building devoted to the subject of ,temperance and the ,bible4 ,they hoped thereby to get the consensus of opinion on one of the complex questions of the day4 ,at the bureau of information the two companions were directed to the ,public ,hall of ,debate1 which was reached by the aid of one of the numerous electric elevators4 ,the ,great ,hall had an auditorium of one hundred feet in height and a seating capacity fully capable of accommodating the visiting multitudes4 ,the acoustics were so perfect that one1 at the farther end of the room1 could easily hear the speaker on the stage4 ,when ,mr4 ,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 ,highway4 ,the corps of high titled professors who occupied the stage spoke at intervals1 or answered questions which were propounded by persons in the audience4 ,over the stage ,i saw in illuminated letters3 ,,temperance ,,and ,,the ,,bible4 ,an aged man was speaking when the two comrades took seats near the center of the room4 8,we are not here10 explained the venerable man1 8to prove that the ,bible is either false or true4 ,we leave that question for other schools to decide4 ,it is our province to show what the ,bible teaches on this important theme4 ,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 ,scripture40 ,then1 adjusting his green spectacles1 the speaker opened the ,bible and offered to explain1 or to have explained1 any part of it that bore on the subject of 8,temperance from a ,bible ,standpoint40 ,a breathless silence followed until a moderate-drinking church-member arose with ,bible in hand4 8,did ,christians1 during the life of ,christ1 drink wine80 he asked1 in a self-righteous manner4 ,the speaker called upon ,mr4 ,wine ,expert who quickly stepped forward from his chair on the stage4 8,there can be no doubt10 he affirmed1 8but that they drank wine freely4 ,they knew enough in that day not to discard a good thing40 ,hundreds of people sprang to their feet1 but ,mr4 ,venerable ordered that one should speak at a time and that they all should be seated and first listen to the questioner4 8,was that wine the same1 in kind1 that ,noah drank1 as related in ,gen4 #i3ba80 8,identical40 8,and the same that is used to-day in the commercial world80 8,it is the same as the good wine that is used to-day4 ,there are many modern adulterations40 ,the questioner took his seat4 ,a man from ,london then obtained the floor4 ,he also held a ,bible as he spoke4 8,i am a temperance worker in one of the districts of ,london1 and would like to know whether you conclude by your former assertion concerning the early ,christians that the ,bible does not speak against wine drinking80 8,not in a single place4 ,how could it do so consistently80 answered the ,devil's expert4 8,will you please turn to ,prov4 #bj3a4 #8,wine is a mocker1 strong drink is raging3 and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise4' ,how do you harmonize this passage with what you have just asserted80 ,the man from ,london sat down4 8,quite an easy task for one who has given honest study to the question10 said ,mr4 ,wine ,expert4 8,wine is a mocker4 ,just as wisdom mocks at the calamity of those who reject it in ,prov4 #a3bf4 ,so1 wine1 personified in a similar manner1 mocks at the folly of those who refuse it4 7,applause47 ,strong drink is raging4 ,just as in ,jonah #a3ae1 the sea was raging in protest against ,jonah because he refused to preach the truth to the people4 ,so in this passage1 #8strong drink is raging1' because so many church-members and ministers refuse to preach the real truth to the people on the subject of strong drink4 7,prolonged applause47 ,if there were as much said against me falsely1 as has been spoken against strong drink1 ,i would not only rage1 but would go raging and foaming over this stage in protest4 7,tremendous applause and shouting from the people of the world47 ,i tell you more1 my friends1 strong drink will keep on raging as long as old ,voices and #8,the ,new ,voice' of cranks and idiots are heard to squeak out their childish nonsense to an enlightened people40 7,furious applause and demonstrations47 8,the last part of the passage is easily to be understood10 continued the speaker4 8#8,whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise4' ,how could a person be wise who allows himself to be deceived and hoodwinked concerning as good a thing as wine or strong drink80 8,nobody1 we need not fear10 cried out a brewer from one side of the room4 8,there is however a host10 continued ,mr4 ,wine ,expert1 8who are woefully deceived1 and who are endeavoring to force their deceptions upon the state40 8,and ,i am one of them10 shouted a tall man from ,kansas1 ,u4 ,s4 ,a41 as he violently jumped to his feet1 and remained standing4 8,i would suggest10 calmly interrupted the venerable leader1 8that our special photographer take a snap shot of this man4 ,we are always glad to keep a record of such monstrosities4 ,he looks like a fair specimen of a deceived man4 7,laughter47 ,he is lean and bony1 and if any one of you never before saw such a man1 take a full view of him now4 ,suppose you10 he said1 as he continued pointing at the ,kansas man1 8slowly make a full revolution on your feet so that each one can here see all sides of you1--if you have more than one side40 7,great applause amongst the people of the world47 ,the man from ,kansas stood still till the voice of the insulting outcry died away4 8,i can stand abuse2 ,i can stand irony and sarcasm2 but ,i thank ,god that where ,i live ,i need no longer endure the insults of the ,rum ,devil4 7,suppressed applause47 ,if ,mr4 ,venerable thinks ,i am the only man present who comes under his classification of #8deceived persons1' ,i will demonstrate to him his folly1 for there are many thousands here who have not yet bowed the knee to ,baal40 8,out of order60 8,put him out60 8,away with him60 came from the audience4 8,if there is a person here opposed to the ,rum ,traffic1 let him rise10 fearlessly continued the tall man4 ,up sprang a ,w4 ,c4 ,t4 ,u4 leader2 then another person2 then a hundred from ,maine2 yea1 a thousand more until over seven thousand1 from all parts of the world1 stood on their feet4 8,remain standing1 ,i ask you6 ,let not one of you act the coward6 ,there are others here today1 who came in1 as ,i did1 to visit4 ,stand up6 ,show your colors6 ,if you remain seated you will be classed with the enemy4 ,the time to honor your cause is at hand4 ,i ask you seventy thousand church-members present to choose this day whom you will serve40 ,mr4 ,venerable1 who was an experienced man in these uprisings1 whispered to an excited saloon-keeper3 8,let them proceed4 ,a house divided against itself can not stand40 8,i demand order10 shouted a high-license advocate who owned a brewery1 but the agitated fellow was soon calmed by these personal words from the venerable chairman3 8,let these people go4 ,they will soon get into factional contention and thereby break the point of their steel more effectually than we could do it40 8,remain standing1 ye noble band of men and women60 shouted the ,kansas man with increasing earnestness4 8,you1 who are too cowardly or indifferent to rise from your seats1 are throwing your influence this day on the side of the enemy1 thereby casting a reflection on the church of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and--0 ,this was more than a certain minister could bear4 ,so1 before the ,kansas man had finished his last sentence1 he sprang excitedly to his feet and shook his fist defiantly3 8,i want it distinctly understood that ,i am just as good as the man from ,kansas1 and just as much of a temperance man1 but ,i don't believe in this way of showing my colors4 ,i would not be standing now had ,i not been insulted more by that crank of one idea1 standing there1 than by ,mr4 ,wine ,expert who so contemptibly perverted ,scripture40 ,mr4 ,wine ,expert sprang to the edge of the stage to defend his position1 but ,mr4 ,venerable was instantly at his side4 8,come1 come1 don't spoil that fight2 suffer rather than have them combine against you10 were the quiet words of logic that brought him to his seat without uttering a word4 ,then up jumped a few prominent church-members to express their indignation at the adverse criticism of the ,kansas man4 8,those are exactly my sentiments1 and ,i here offer my protest against this manner of procedure10 said one as he looked approvingly at the minister4 8,and so do ,i40 8,i am most emphatically of the same opinion40 8,i stand here1 a true temperance man1 to express my indignation at that ,kansas prodigy10 were some of the expressions which came from temperance men who were not willing to be classed with the seven thousand4 ,then upwards of one hundred women rose to their feet and indignantly rebuked the ,kansas man for his misjudgment in starting this factional display4 ,this provoked some radical leaders of the ,w4 ,c4 ,t4 ,u4 who chanced to be there as detectives or visitors4 ,they also arose in defense of the ,kansas man4 ,i saw the tumult rising4 ,disorder was pre-dominant4 ,hundreds tried to speak at once4 ,saloon-keepers1 brewers1 whiskey politicians1 and the professors on the stage were smiling in ghoulish glee4 ,they enjoyed it more than a prize fight1 and the results were at once more disastrous and more deplorable4 ,as the conflict waxed hotter some men and women were screaming1 and some fainting1 and some resorted to blows4 ,others scrambled to get from the room4 ,the elevators were put in quick service1 and ,i saw ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member1 with thousands of others1 running from the scene of the fight4 8,let us go to another building10 suggested ,miss ,church-,member4 ,a very short time after this ,i saw them enter the largest building of all the ,temperance ,college4 ,it stood centrally amongst the great group1 and was devoted to 8,hygiene and ,temperance40 ,illustration3 ,a ,scene in the ,devils ,temperance ,college ,the fight between the temperence factions was greatly enjoyed by the saloon- keepers1 brewers1 and whisky politicians4 ,after learning that they came as visitors1 a director advised them to pass the many medical wings on separate flats and go to the great auditorium on one of the higher floors4 ,proceeding1 in obedience to the advice given1 they soon beheld a room of greater size and magnificence than the one which they had just left1 and as they were taking seats they fixed their attention on the lecturer who had already been speaking for an hour4 ,he was discoursing on the relation of strong drink to the stomach4 8,it must be remembered10 affirmed he1 8that the stomach was made to serve man4 ,the appetite is the true criterion by which he may know what his body needs4 ,if he feels a thirst for alcoholic drink1 it is akin to a hunger for any special class of foods4 ,he is not to ask his servant1 the stomach1 whether it is willing to do the work of transformation4 ,he is to give it the work to do4 ,the stomach will do it1 unless that particular digestive function is lost4 ,it is claimed by some who know more about ditch-digging than about physiology1 that alcoholic beverages ruin the lining of the stomach1 creating ulcers1 and other disorders4 ,this kind of teaching reminds me of a conundrum4 #8,why is a scientific temperance man like a dead man in his coffin8' ,who can answer it80 8,because each one ought to be buried10 guessed a liquor-merchant from ,paris4 7,laughter47 8,a good guess10 said the speaker1 but you have not yet hit the mark40 8,because needer von dem is vert any ding10 said the proprietor of a beer-saloon from ,germany4 7,increased laughter47 8,you are still away from my idea10 spoke the lecturer4 8,i know it10 said a rum-lawyer4 8,it is because they both lie40 7,applause47 8,that's exactly the truth of the matter4 ,these so-called #8scientific temperance men' are accountable for more lies imposed on a credulous public than can be corrected for many years to come4 ,any sensible man knows that moderate drinking is healthful to the stomach4 ,if a man drinks too much1 he is liable to trouble1 just like a man who eats too much1 or sleeps too much1 or even talks too much about temperance4 7,applause and laughter47 ,i tell you1 my good friends1 a little of that elixir of life is just as good for my stomach as it was for ,timothy's1 and the good man ,paul would say the same thing if he were here to-day4 7,cries from the world of 8that's so60 and 8hurrah for ,paul607 ,i am satisfied to have a great man like ,paul on my side1 even if ,i must know that some of his pigmy disciples are against me40 7,increased applause47 ,this speech was especially enjoyed by ,mr4 ,world who himself was addicted to a moderate use of alcoholic beverages4 ,an announcement came from the platform that in an hour the eminent ,dr4 ,strauss of ,europe would discourse on 8,the ,effect of ,malt ,liquors on the ,heart10 and those who wished to remain might spend the interim in social intercourse4 ,in consequence of this announcement the major part of the audience dispersed in varying groups1 and discussed the merits of the lecture just ended4 ,every creed was there represented by a few or more of its members1 many of whom were favorably and deeply impressed by the argument of the ,devil as it was given in the address4 ,others ,i saw1 not a few1 who laid bare this iniquitous scheme of presenting the untruth1 and declared that they would no more give ear to any teaching that came from that source4 ,this gave rise to endless quibblings and contentions between church-members of the same faith and those of separate creeds4 ,these disputes continued with increasing bitterness until the hour had passed4 ,all eyes were fixed upon the stage as the portly ,dr4 ,strauss arose to speak4 ,his voice at first was slow and deep1 and in all he was the personification of dignity4 ,the first part of his lecture was a very convincing argument in favor of what is called the 8,normal ,use of ,malt ,liquors40 ,he declared that moderate drinking could have no evil effect on the action of the heart1 except in rare cases4 ,to prove his general statement and to win the confidence of his hearers1 he quoted over forty printed and written extracts from eminent physicians of the world4 ,after this general survey of his argument1 he entered into details and illustrated the second division of his lecture by the use of pictorial charts4 ,in this manner the construction and action of the heart were concretely shown4 ,in the third division of the lecture the ,prince of ,darkness showed his skill in manipulating the utterances of the speaker4 ,by a second series of illustrated charts the lecturer intended to show how alcoholic beverages1 in coursing through the human system1 benefited the heart rather than injured it4 ,in trying to establish this point he used the subtlest sophistry of ,satan4 ,through the three divisions of the discourse ,i heard vigorous applause1 and when1 in the smooth language of his final climax1 he uttered the last word and was returning to his seat1 there was a deafening roar from all parts of the vast hall4 ,to the mind of ,miss ,church-,member the argument of ,dr4 ,strauss was unanswerable1 and consequently she was obliged to revise her radical opinions on the temperance question2 and not only she1 but a host of others from the ranks of the ,christian church were influenced similarly4 ,after leaving this hall the happy pair spent a long time in passing through some of the other buildings of the group4 ,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 ,way4 ,during their visit at the ,temperance ,college ,mr4 ,world conducted his ever-faithful friend through some of the fashionable temperance-saloons connected with the institution4 ,miss ,church-,member would not have entered and much less indulged in the questionable beverages1 had she not been so strongly influenced by the prolonged visit at the section of the group devoted to the study of 8,temperate and ,intemperate ,drinks40 ,i was sorely vexed at the operations of this whole college and1 looking at ,blackana1 ,i said impatiently3 8,how can your comrades find delight in such an impish work--covering truth and scattering hellish sophistry abroad80 8,delight80 repeated ,blackana4 8,this world is but the ,devil's ,heaven1 and those in his kingdom find chiefest delight in thorns1 and not in flowers2 in spinning sophistry1 and not in dead things like truth and logic40 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,infernal ,,school ,,system4 #a4 ,a general view of the vast ,university of the ,world with all its subordinate operations4 ,all working in harmony to destroy the good that ,god would do in the world4 ,the ,university of the ,world is so extensive that one could not visit all its parts during the course of a life-time1 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 ,highway4 ,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 view4 ,mr4 ,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 ,observatory4 ,mr4 ,world secured permission1 but his companion1 not having had sufficient experience in the service of ,satan1 was refused a pass4 ,the difficulty was settled by a happy thought4 ,miss ,church-,member suggested that while he should improve the opportunity and rise to see the sights1 she would visit the ,college of ,fashions1 for which privilege she had been yearning4 ,i saw that ,mr4 ,world spent a long time in viewing the endless proportions of the noted ,observatory1 and finally stood on the lofty viewpoint with an interpreter at his side4 ,he was then directed to a seat on a mechanical device that moved in a circle2 and as he sat there he looked through the powerful glasses of the immense telescope4 ,he first beheld the ,schools of the ,fine ,arts1 with their myriad students who swarmed through a group of buildings so large that it covered the first sweep of the telescope4 ,at the next turn of the magic device ,mr4 ,world saw the ,special ,schools of ,mathematics whose prevalent tendency was to destroy faith4 ,here the mind of each student was taught to submit everything to the tests of proof1 so that by the time one's training was finished he would believe only what could be scientifically demonstrated4 ,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 reasoning4 ,thus does ,satan manipulate affairs so that many of the ,christian schools of the earth have imbibed a similar course3--first exalting ,reason1 and doing nothing to correspondingly develop in the student the functions of ,faith4 ,when the telescope again turned ,mr4 ,world saw the ,schools of ,metaphysics where ,satan operated in harmony with the limitless scheme of the whole ,university4 ,next the ,college of ,theology came within the range of vision4 ,here the clergymen of the ,broad ,highway are prepared to teach the doctrines of ,hell under the guise of 8,broad-,minded ,theology40 ,i envied not ,mr4 ,world's position1 for ,i could also see what his wondering eyes beheld4 ,as ,i took a transient view of this vast group of ,theological ,halls1 and saw how many human beings resorted hither for information1 ,i could the better understand why the world is kept so full of perverted truth4 ,there is a daily inflow of ecclesiastics into this ,college1 even such as become dissatisfied with the ,theology as taught on the ,highway of the ,king4 ,at the next turn of the telescope ,mr4 ,world saw the extensive ,business ,college whither so large a number of merchants go to learn how to advertise1 and also how to get rich quickly4 ,one hall alone is set apart for the purpose of teaching a merchant how to practice fraud without injuring his good standing in the church2 another hall teaches how far a business man may venture into prevarication without lying2 while a still larger hall is devoted to the wholesale trade1 and is intended to teach the best methods of adulterating foods while yet allowing them to be sold for genuine goods4 ,mr4 ,world was deeply interested in the view afforded by the next turn of the telescope1 for the magnificent groups of buildings comprising the ,college of ,fashions now lay before his admiring vision4 ,he knew that his beloved friend was somewhere amongst the moving throngs that ever kept the ,college astir4 ,i looked in wonderment upon the far-reaching operations of this ,satanic center4 ,the teachings of this ,college were so far-reaching that the seeds of endless follies were planted in the generations yet unborn4 ,in one of the larger halls of this imposing group ,i saw an endless and popular variety of the gods of ,fashion4 ,they were worshiped by the slavish legions who were willing to sacrifice their all rather than forsake their chosen idols4 ,mr4 ,world plainly saw the connection between this ,college of ,fashions and the ,devil's ,pawn ,shop4 ,the next item in the weird program was the ,devil's ,optical ,college which ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member had visited in the earlier days of their companionship4 ,satan's ,medical ,schools also lay in the same line of vision1 and were intimately connected with the ,devil's ,hospital which had numberless branches in all parts of the world4 ,and next the vast ,college of ,literature flashed before the admiring eyes of ,mr4 ,world4 ,as seen through the telescope this section presented a most beautiful picture4 ,the surface ,schools of ,law next attracted the attention of the spectator who was surprised to get so large a view of these operations4 ,mr4 ,world still moved in the magic circle1 and saw the whole program as revealed at the angle at which the telescope was inclined4 ,when the first circle was completed1 the telescope dropped to a new angle and started on its second revolution1 disclosing to the observer a new world of schools1 all of which were also comprehended in the ,university of the ,world4 ,the ,missionary ,college proved to be an interesting sight1 as did also the ,devil's ,temperance ,college4 ,one of the most surprising sights that greeted ,mr4 ,world in this second revolution was ,satan's ,modern ,college of ,narcotics which is a series of schools built and operated with great care1 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 system4 ,formerly ,satan did this branch of work in one of the wings of the ,temperance ,college1 but on account of the great stress put on this subject by the ,surpassing ,schools of the ,christ1 ,satan has built this modern institution1 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 wolf1 even when each animal is wearing its own hide4 ,the most mysterious schools revealed by this second revolution were called the ,schools of ,emergency4 ,these required the skill of the interpreters to give ,mr4 ,world an idea of their work4 ,this is also a modern idea of the ,evil ,one1 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 system4 ,then did ,mr4 ,world behold a new line of schools in course of erection1 but the interpreter refused to give him satisfaction when he asked the purpose of these new schools4 ,when the great telescope had finished the second revolution1 ,mr4 ,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 ,observatory4 ,startling scenes were now laid bare4 ,the underground schools of this ,great ,university seemed to be greater than the surface operations4 ,mr4 ,world first saw the ,opium ,schools1 built in the form of large dens4 ,after this came the ,schools of ,iniquity1 operated in darkness4 ,here all forms of evil are taught and made to appear justifiable under certain conditions4 ,many of these underground schools could not be clearly seen by ,mr4 ,world1 but ere the telescope completed its third revolution he saw the ,schools of ,suicide more distinctly than during his visit1 and got a glimpse of the limitless ,law ,departments ,underground1 and the terrible pictures of sadness and sin as seen beneath the ,devil's ,hospital4 ,mr4 ,world raised his eyes from the telescope and looked towards the interpreter4 8,what lies beyond those vast elevations80 he asked as he pointed to a rugged mountain range farther down the ,broad ,highway4 8,back of those mountains lies the beautiful ,wizard ,city1 shut in from all the world4 ,ask nothing more about it40 8,but may ,i not enter it80 8,not unless you are fortunate enough to discover one of the paths that lead to the ,summit4 ,from thence one can see the ,city40 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,expert ,,inventors ,,of ,,the ,,broad ,,highway4 #a4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member fail to see the ,ways and ,means ,committee at work4 #b4 ,they are directed to the city where expert inventors are constantly employed in devising weapons and all kinds of devices4 #c4 ,they see a few inventions which are just being perfected to facilitate the services of the churches along the ,king's ,highway4 ,after ,mr4 ,world's remarkable experiences on the ,observatory1 he gladly called for his friend1 ,miss ,church-,member1 who accompanied him on another branch of the ,mountain ,trolley4 ,they alighted at a station called ,progress1 and proceeded on the ,broad ,highway4 ,neither of them became wearied in listening to the experiences of the other during their brief separation4 ,ere long they came to a large hall which was used by the ,ways and ,means ,committee of the ,broad ,highway4 ,they obtained permission to visit the interior of the hall1 hoping thereby to see the famous committee in session4 ,but1 after being escorted from room to room by a guide1 they were informed1 upon reaching the main auditorium1 that the committee was holding a secret session1 and that no visitors would be allowed to enter during that day4 8,how soon will visitors be admitted8' asked ,mr4 ,world1 with a shade of disappointment in his tone4 8,not until the matter now under consideration is settled4 ,it may be two hours1 perhaps two days10 was the indefinite reply4 8,and where can we spend the interim with most profit and interest80 further interrogated ,mr4 ,world4 ,the guide1 looking through a window1 described a path leading to a lofty summit4 8,when you reach that elevation10 explained he1 8you will see1 in the busy vale beyond1 the ,wizard ,city4 8,most of the experiments performed in that wondrous vale are closed forever from the view of mortal man2 but so much of the work as you are allowed to see will interest you for many days40 8,in my opinion such a privilege is greater than the one we are here denied10 smilingly spoke ,miss ,church-,member4 8,true indeed1 my friend1 unless the climbing of the hill should prove to be a more arduous task than you imagine10 cautioned ,mr4 ,world4 8,each of you will be pleasantly surprised10 promptly affirmed the guide1 8for they only can climb to that summit who do so willingly1 and by them it is easily accomplished40 8,is there no shorter way thither than by that winding path80 slowly asked ,mr4 ,world4 8,there is but one shorter route1 and that is underground4 ,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 ,master40 8,ah6 so there is an underground connection between this place and the ,expert ,inventors80 said ,miss ,church-,member in a low tone1 and with a look of suspicion4 8,be not in the least alarmed4 ,the ,ways and ,means ,committee and the ,expert ,inventors work in harmony1 each supplementing the work of the other4 ,it is therefore essential that between them there be as close connection as possible1 not only for convenience of travel1 but for insuring secrecy40 8,then why are the two places so far apart80 queried ,miss ,church-,member4 8,everything is perfectly arranged4 ,if you could see the underground world between the two sites you would readily observe the logical relation of all parts4 ,but the bell rings2 ,i must go10 continued the guide4 8,if you wish further information you may obtain it at the office10 and with a courteous bow he withdrew4 ,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 begun4 ,down in the long and deep sloping vale before them1 shut in from all the world1 lay a large city of fantastic structures4 ,the weird outlines of this marvelous city extended downward into the darkness of the earth1 while the height of its buildings varied from the common even unto the amazing4 ,the form of the city1 and the shape of its buildings1 were the most bizarre features of all4 ,only a few of the edifices bore resemblance to any which the travelers had ever before seen4 ,toward one end of the city they saw a cluster of buildings which1 taken as a whole1 resembled a gigantic tree towering to a great height and covered with strange foliage4 ,illustration3 ,in the 8,wizard ,city0 ,satan devises novelties1 such as 8,angelette0 for choir singing the 8,service ,regulator0 for taking the ,holy ,spirit's place in worship1 etc4 ,at the other end of the city the structures were divided into more than a hundred groups1 resembling somewhat variously-shaped balloons of monstrous size4 ,the sides of the city were constructed somewhat after the manner of immense ,ferris wheels1 of amazing diameter4 ,the compartments therein actually moved up or down according to the range of vision desired by the ,inventors in their experimenting4 ,the central part of the city was the most notable of all4 ,here1 with an average diameter of ten hundred feet1 rose a circular structure tapering irregularly until it settled to a point six thousand feet in the air4 ,around this1 as a center1 ranged terraces1 hanging gardens1 aerial boulevards1 and spiral electric railways4 ,after viewing this wonderful valley for many hours1 the companions took one of the perfected automobiles and covered the long gradual descent to a depth of ten thousand feet perpendicular4 ,as they neared the base1 ,i looked at ,blackana1 and asked3 8,how long have those ,schools of ,invention been in operation80 8,since the creation of man40 8,what is the real purpose of their existence80 8,to invent devices and weapons helpful to our cause in peace or war1 and more particularly to concoct new schemes for the use of the churches along the ,king's ,highway and the ,way of the ,world40 8,oh6 that the earth might see all this foul inwardness1 and discern aright the bland deception with which those subtle plots are executed60 ,a ,satanic smile covered the features of ,blackana as he assured me that the earth does know of these things1 and has known of them for ages1 but is too well pleased with them to offer serious opposition4 ,in disgust ,i turned from ,blackana and saw that ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member had reached the suburbs of the ,wizard ,city where they read this unexpected notice over a large brazen gate3 ,,none ,,admitted ,,except ,,they ,,to ,,whom ,,the ,,porter ,,openeth4 8,ah6 all our toil may be in vain10 sighed ,miss ,church-,member4 ,they stood for a brief time in a quandary1 discussing how one may know whether or not the ,porter will open the gate4 ,finally the stalwart ,porter approached them and spoke3 8,with what motive and for what purpose would ye enter80 ,mr4 ,world1 with native tact1 was ready with an answer3 8,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 ,highway40 ,the ,porter advanced with graceful bearing and bowed to ,miss ,church-,member4 8,perchance10 said he1 8you have come to receive some new ideas for the benefit of the church80 8,you have surmised it10 she blushingly replied4 8,the church to which ,i belong is sadly behind the age in its methods of work4 ,i am hoping that the inventive genius of this city can give me some features new and attractive1 that ,i may1 in my missionary work1 help to introduce them into antiquated churches40 8,yours is a worthy mission10 politely said the ,porter1 8and ,i herewith hand you a card which will admit both of you into the department of the city1 number seven hundred and seventy-seven40 ,instantly the gate flew wide open1 and the happy couple passed through joyfully4 ,they walked by the many fairy-like buildings1 closing their eyes to all the special scenes so that they might give their first attention to the department indicated by the ,porter4 ,with little difficulty they found the place desired1 and handed the card to a curator who conducted them to the general manager4 8,i infer1 by this card10 said the manager1 8that you are hoping to find some new schemes to facilitate the work and service of the church40 8,that is our aim10 answered ,miss ,church-,member4 8,i am glad that you are so ambitious to keep apace with the times4 ,in this marvelous age of mechanism all things are done by devices and machinery1 and the church that would keep step with the spirit of progress must also be run by mechanism4 ,the services of such a congregation should be controlled by a rigid methodical law1 so that everything will move like clock-work4 ,the church of to-day1 in its movement towards form and ceremony1 is approaching the highest laws of universal harmony4 ,this hopeful tendency is most helpful to the soul of man and most pleasing to ,god40 8,just my idea exactly10 chimed in ,mr4 ,world4 8,the churches along the ,king's ,highway are stubbornly fighting these modern improvements4 ,they are very slow in catching up with the spirit of the age4 ,does that not seem true1 ,miss ,church-,member80 8,i must confess ,i see it more clearly now than ever4 ,nature is run by unerring1 unchangeable law2 why should not all spiritual operations come under the same principle8 ,formality1 after all1 is the highest point to be reached40 8,your mind easily grasps the truth1 ,i perceive10 responded the manager4 8,what can bring things into better form than to get as much machinery as possible into church worship8 ,in this building a thousand experts are constantly employed in devising and perfecting mechanical arrangements to facilitate the services of the church4 ,perhaps you would be pleased to see some of the results of our work by passing through some of the sub-departments80 8,for my part10 replied ,miss ,church-,member1 8,i am more than passingly interested in these things1 and if ,mr4 ,world does not object to accompany us1 ,i will be grateful to improve this opportunity to look upon your work40 ,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 singing4 8,as it is your wish10 said the manager 8to see the latest1 we will not tarry at these lesser rooms1 but proceed immediately to the corner of the chief experts where ,i will be pleased to show to you the best novelty on the floor40 ,they walked down the long room1 passing on each side of the aisle one set of busy workers after another4 ,they stopped at one of the far corners and beheld1 in advance1 the latest novelty to be used for singing in church service4 ,it was an artificial woman1 neatly attired and filled with a complicated mechanism so constructed that when certain electric keys were touched by the unseen operator1 articulate sounds like unto a human voice issued forth1 while the expression of the whole face1 and the natural-like heaving of the breast1 all moved in harmony with the artificial sounds4 ,the invention so much resembled a living creature of beauty that ,miss ,church-,member at first thought it was really human4 ,mr4 ,world was so well pleased with the novelty that he unconsciously seated himself upon a couch and looked on in amazement4 ,the beauty of the female form attracted his attention as much as the voice that pealed forth bewitchingly from the lips4 8,the greatest thing in the world60 he said after a period of ecstatic silence4 8,the church that gets such a singer into its choir will have a packed house at every service40 8,i never so much as dreamed of such a thing before4 ,have any of the churches yet tried the experiment80 wonderingly asked ,miss ,church-,member4 8,the time has not yet come10 replied the manager4 8,our experts have been perfecting this fine piece of mechanism for many years1 but it is not yet quite satisfactory4 ,we shall continue until it is well-nigh perfect4 ,in the meantime we are trying to prepare the way so that the people will gladly receive such an addition to their church machinery4 ,it is our intention to be able to supply angelettes1 7for that is the name by which this invention will be known7 of any size1 and with apparel suitable for any special or ordinary occasion of church worship4 ,the angelette is to be so perfected that it will render vocal music without a break4 ,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 and1 moreover1 have none of the evil effects that come from choir quarrels40 8,i can plainly see10 commented ,miss ,church-,member as they moved toward another floor1 8that the church is only in the morning twilight of its progress4 ,the wonders of today will pale into insignificance at the coming of the greater things40 ,they dropped to a lower floor and stepped from the elevator4 8,this floor is devoted to the #8,order of ,church ,service'0 explained the manager4 8,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 ridiculous4 ,some churches1 claiming to be led by the ,spirit1 are constantly out of order4 ,one cannot even imagine what is coming next4 ,that is a foolish1 haphazard way of conducting a religious service4 ,we are doing all we can to correct these errors4 ,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 use40 ,far out in one end of the building ,i saw the three enter a room where men were busily engaged at work4 8,will you kindly show these two visitors the workings of your new invention called the #8,service ,regulator1'0 requested the manager as he looked at the chief inventor4 ,a large curtain was raised and there it hung4 ,no larger than a family clock4 ,the inventor opened a door of the ,regulator1 and carefully explained its works4 ,he called their attention especially to a roll of blackboard canvas that passed from an upper to a lower cylinder when the ,regulator was running4 ,i heard the inventor1 in explaining1 use these words3 8,the minister arranges the program in advance and then marks the whole order of service on the canvas roll1 allowing as much time for each part of the service as he thinks proper4 ,the canvas is then replaced and the ,regulator hung on the wall4 ,when the minute comes to commence services1 the ,regulator is wound with a key and it starts to run4 ,the canvas1 in passing down at a fixed rate1 informs the congregation of every change in the service1 just as it had been previously planned40 8,what think you of it80 asked the manager1 after the partial explanation4 8,i do not believe that the church of the ,king's ,highway to which ,i belong could use it4 ,it would tend only to confusion10 said ,miss ,church-,member4 8,only till they become accustomed to it10 explained the inventor4 8,after a few weeks of use its value would be demonstrated4 ,then the congregation would not part with it under any consideration4 ,you see1 ,miss ,church-,member10 he continued as he offered them easy chairs1 8there would be a definite time to close the service4 ,the ,regulator would move with the precision of a clock1 and nobody would complain about the preacher speaking too long1 for he would stop at a fixed time4 ,it is so arranged that a little bell rings five minutes in advance of the time to stop preaching4 ,it is sometimes a great satisfaction for the hearer to know when the sermon is nearly ended1 and the ,regulator would be a blessed boon to some preachers who find it difficult to stop talking after they get #8warmed up1' as they call it40 8,how beautiful the thought that the bells of the ,regulator would call the congregation to prayer1 and a bell bid the time to change the devotion from prayer to song4 ,you must not forget that this device is intended to educate the minister1 choir1 and congregation to a fine degree of accuracy in all their public devotions4 ,see what opportunity this device offers for the display of ingenuity and tact on the part of a minister6 ,he can1 on the blank spaces1 have a few pictures drawn4 ,these will be interesting to children who cannot comprehend his sermon1 or to an adult who loses the thread of the discourse4 ,does it not seem like a good thing for the church80 he asked1 as he turned his gaze upon ,miss ,church-,member4 8,it seems more and more that way1 and no doubt it will prove helpful if it gets a fair trial4 ,how does it suit your fancy80 she inquired of ,mr4 ,world4 8,it seems to me that all churches who know a good thing when they see it will get it at any cost4 ,it just meets my idea exactly4 ,i like to see things done decently and in order in the church4 ,it always makes me nervous to get into a church where enthusiasm runs away with the meeting4 ,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 brakes4 ,it makes it uncomfortable to stay or to run40 8,have any of the churches introduced this novelty yet80 inquired ,miss ,church-,member4 8,none as yet4 ,we are waiting for certain developments before placing this device on the market4 ,the agents of our ,secret ,service will inform us when the time is ripe40 ,the manager then offered to conduct them to another floor which was devoted to the interests of the ,prayer ,meeting1 but ,miss ,church-,member1 having lost her interest in such kind of services1 expressed a desire to visit some other part of the city4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,wizard ,,city4 #a4 ,the weird city of inventors described4 #b4 ,its ultimate overthrow predicted in a realistic climax4 ,i saw that ,miss ,church-,member was anxious to visit the vast tower in the central part of the city4 ,so ,mr4 ,world1 in deference to her wishes1 and agreeably to his own desires1 escorted her in that direction4 ,standing away at some distance1 they were soon gazing upward at the awe-inspiring spectacle4 ,its grandeur and proportions now appeared to be greatly increased4 ,they could see1 with more distinctness1 circling around the massive wizard cone1 the aerial boulevards1 ever alive with private conveyances1 and the trolley cars each carrying a variety of passengers4 8,will you accompany me on the trolley to the first series of hangings gardens80 cheerily invited ,mr4 ,world4 8,if we are permitted1 and you think it safe to ascend10 she answered in a tremulous voice4 ,he calmed her fears and led her to the central passenger room at the base of the tower4 ,here they saw a system of interior elevators carrying throngs of people to the numerous stations between the base and the highest dizzy view-point4 ,leading off to the right ran the double trolley system1 and to the left the equally wide boulevard1 each on the exterior of the massive tower4 ,i saw the obliging ,mr4 ,world1 with more than usual courtesy1 conduct his friend to a seat on a trolley car bound for the aerial gardens4 ,the ascent was smooth and afforded delightful opportunities to view1 at every desirable angle1 the surrounding city and its suburbs4 8,this is the most exhilarating ride of my life60 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 base4 ,here lay the variety gardens1 suspended from the rigid side of the tower by a feat of architectural engineering surpassing anything in the natural world4 ,around the gardens the boulevards and the trolley lines circled horizontally1 and also passed through some of the huge corridors which1 on this level1 diverge from the interior elevators toward the exterior gardens4 ,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 corridors1 for she knew that more than four thousand feet of the tower's amazing weight rested on these defiant granites4 ,mr4 ,world and his pleasing friend meandered amongst the multitude from one to another of the hanging gardens1 drinking in all the vain glories that this aerial world afforded4 ,at last1 wearied by the endless succession of extraordinary sights1 they stole away to a quiet retreat on the outer edge of a garden farthest from the tower's center4 ,reclining in hammocks1 they conversed of all the greatness of the world4 ,looking upward they saw1 fifteen hundred feet above them1 the next series of hanging gardens2 and during the lull in the music near by1 they caught the strains falling from the upper orchestras like music from ,heaven4 8,will you go with me still higher to taste the sweetness of a more ethereal level80 ,intoxicated with the charms already felt1 ,miss ,church-,member was ready for any height4 ,upward they went on the venturesome trolley1 admiring the phenomenal ride and the scenery it opened to their view in panoramic splendor4 ,their course wound round and round until they came to the horizontal circle twenty-five hundred feet above the base4 ,this was a place of more refinement and beauty4 ,the touch of the finer artists was seen in all the arrangement and style of the terraces and hanging gardens1 but especially in the rich variety of flowers and plants that added their wealth to the novel combinations4 ,mr4 ,world carefully guarded his much esteemed friend during their sight-seeing from garden to garden1 for at times they encountered throngs of people4 ,i saw them eventually seek rest on rustic chairs where their conversation deepened into the relations they sustained one to the other1 succeeded at last by a tender1 thoughtful silence4 ,in the midst of their reveries they noticed a little spider1 swinging on its silken thread1 floating in the air between them4 8,you rude little creature6 ,why do you come1 at such a time1 between my friend and me80 said ,miss ,church-,member in a half humorous mood4 8,it may be for a purpose1 dear4 ,perhaps the little insect poses here to remind us that we can never escape the foe that seeks to separate us40 8,quite an ingenious explanation10 she said with deepening seriousness4 8,but who is that lurking foe who seeks our separation80 8',tis better to learn to know your enemies than to be told of them4 ,hence look through your eyes askance40 ,just at this instant ,miss ,church-,member raised her hand and caught the little intruder1 placing it alive into a locket which she had secretly carried ever since she had visited the ,pawn ,shop4 8,what can be the meaning of that80 queried ,mr4 ,world as he saw1 through the glass of the little lid1 the struggling insect4 8,so may it be to any foe that seeks to separate us10 she explained4 8,then let me carry the locket10 he suggested4 8,you have captured the foe2 allow me to keep him imprisoned40 ,there was a happy exchange of glances as she pressed the little prison into his hand4 8,it is yours forever10 she pledged under the sway of her rising emotions4 ,and he1 accepting it with a warm heart1 spoke thus in glowing words3 8,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 happiness40 8,shall we go still higher80 he soon asked as he fixed his eyes on the dizzy terraces two thousand feet above them4 8,in your presence ,i fear no height10 was her confiding response4 ,the trolley cars ascended no higher1 so they proceeded to the interior elevators4 ,but they were told that no visitors were allowed above that point that privilege being reserved alone for the inventors4 8,are we permitted to visit the interior apartments of this tower1 even below us80 asked ,mr4 ,world wistfully4 8,they are all doubly sealed4 ,no one but an expert inventor1 true and tried in our master's service1 ever passes through these secret chambers40 8,may we know what particular branch of work is done in this tower80 8,it is devoted alone to the invention and testing of weapons of warfare for the armies of our master1 especially for the sharp-shooters stationed along the so-called ,king's ,highway40 ,miss ,church-,member trembled at this announcement and urged ,mr4 ,world to conduct her to the base of the tower that they might visit other parts of the city4 ,as ,i was looking at all these things1 a flash of light1 coming from one side1 blinded my vision1 and as ,i turned ,i saw a heavenly messenger in a blaze of glory4 8,hither1 hither60 beckoned the sweet-faced angel4 ,i was instantly at his side without effort1 except an act of volition4 ,he transported me almost instantaneously to the apex of the great tower in the ,wizard ,city4 ,there ,i stood without fear under the sweet charms of my angel guide who floated gently about me in the air4 8,o mortal man10 calmly spoke the angel1 8thou shalt now be privileged1 for a brief space of time1 to gaze upon this ,wizard ,city as angels do4 ,thy memory shall be strengthened so that thou shalt not forget the vision of these carnal things40 ,then1 in a manner surpassing all things human1 scales fell from my eyes1 and ,i was struck with horror at the awful sight that lay before me4 8,look thou first into the interior of this tower10 bade the angel1 as he pointed downward4 ,all things were open to my view1 and ,i saw many of the bright geniuses of the world in league with the imps of darkness1 all busily engaged in the secret service of ,satan4 ,i saw how ,satan used the ingenuity of man to carry forward his infamous schemes4 ,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 sound1 so that the wounded1 not knowing whence the missiles come1 might imagine that they were smitten of ,god4 ,the angel informed me that every year this fiendish tower puts out into the hands of its agents many new devices1 either for poisoning or wounding the disciples who travel on the ,king's ,highway1 and who by any kind of negligence come within reach of ,satan's forces4 8,seest thou10 continued my guide1 8with what cunning ,satan hath builded this tower8 ,by its exterior beauty he gaineth the confidence of the unwary1 and thus winneth countless thousands to his cause4 ,and seest thou the depth to which it reaches1 not six thousand feet below us1 but ten times six thousand feet1 into the bowels of the earth80 ,then could ,i see1 at a glance1 the whole under-ground dominions stretching their borders far1 wide1 and deep4 ,there was a small empire of groveling imps1 each bent on the work of his particular branch4 8,look thou now into the apartments of those ponderous wheels10 directed my glorious guide4 ,neither metal nor granite obstructed my vision4 ,i saw delicate and complex machinery1 and half-human creatures in league with mortal man1 all bending to their tasks4 8,they all work in league with the ,devil's ,optical ,college4 ,the inventive genius of ,hell hath contrived1 in these graded departments1 all the modern lenses that are so terribly warping the vision of an alarming number in the church and the world4 8,and seest thou10 continued the angel1 as he pointed to a far section of the city1 8those inventors plying their ingenuity in behalf of ,satan's ,medical ,colleges and ,hospitals8 8,and also witness1 in that nearer section1 the viler groups at work inventing snares and traps for ,satan's allies to use in catching ,heaven-bound pilgrims4 8,also behold10 he continued1 turning to another part of the city1 8that special class of geniuses who work for ,satan's general emissaries as they journey far and wide to do exploits4 ,how terribly they influence the weaker servants of our ,king60 ,then ,i stood gazing1 as the angel continued his interpreting1 until ,i had seen the foul workings of this whole city4 ,i was so filled with a mixture of grief and indignation that ,i cried out in painful anguish3 8,why does not ,god send thunderbolts from his eternal throne1 and smite this city to fragments80 ,then the sweet angel calmly answered3 8,not until the worm ceaseth to crawl1 and thistles no more infest the ground4 ,till then the patience of ,god endureth and his sunshine falleth on the temples of ,virtue and of ,vice40 8,and what comes at the end of patience80 8,then shall the taint of sin be purged from the earth1 for every temple and pest-hole of ,satan1 including this whole ,wizard ,city1 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 ruin40 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,the ,,festival4 #a4 ,the whole scheme of merchandising in the church is laid bare as ,satan explains the origin of the word 8,festival40 ,looking once again through the open door1 ,i saw that ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member1 after leaving the ,wizard ,city1 had gained admission to the auditorium where the ,ways and ,means ,committee was in session4 ,miss ,church-,member at once retired to the waiting-room in the rear1 and sat quietly perusing a book while her companion remained in the large hall and listened to the proceedings4 ,an agent of ,satan occupied the chair4 ,he was dressed in pleasing costume1 and controlled the assemblage with parliamentary dignity4 ,when ,mr4 ,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 ,highway4 ,this eligible site had been used for holding church-festivals to raise funds for the maintenance of gospel work4 ,a few wealthy friends of ,satan wanted this location to erect on it a club-house wherein they might revel and carouse as they wished4 ,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 land4 ,the chairman arose1 after listening to the arguments at length1 and addressed the audience with great coolness and deliberation3 8,most worthy members of this committee10 commenced he1 8you have spoken many words of truth this day4 ,your interest in this matter only shows your loyalty to our cause4 #8,club-,house or ,festival8' that is the question4 ,surely we cannot dispense with either1 but rather must we maintain both at any cost4 ,as for this place in question1 ,i am decidedly in favor of holding it for the use of the church4 ,the ,club-,house will find a location elsewhere1 but this ground is so favorably situated for church-merchandising that ,i urge you to hold it for such purposes4 ,have we not seen how eagerly the two classes mingle here8 ,this place1 being so accessible to all parties1 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 affairs4 ,since the church is well supplied with everything it needs except money1 let us do it a favor by rendering some assistance in that direction4 ,then we may reasonably expect that the church will1 in return1 do us a favor by being less hostile to our methods of operation1 which1 as you will admit1 are highly honorable40 ,this speech had the desired effect4 ,a resolution was quickly passed in harmony with the opinion of the chairman4 ,the curiosity of ,mr4 ,world was now satisfied1 for he had seen this famous committee in session4 ,therefore he repaired to the waiting- room1 and while conducting ,miss ,church-,member from the building their attention was arrested by this announcement written in bold letters near the exit3 ,,any ,,one ,,wishing ,,refreshments ,,can ,,find ,,them ,,at ,,the ,,festival ,,on ,,the ,,church ,,grounds4 8,how does that announcement suit you80 interrogated ,mr4 ,world4 8,it comes at an opportune time10 she answered1 her face brightening1 8,i had been hoping that we might soon have lunch40 ,they had gone but a few steps from the door when they heard cheery voices and strains4 ,here the ,church receives money for souls from the ,devil1 while the ,devil gets souls for money from the ,church of music lending attractive life to the festival4 ,urged on by the thought of a pleasant hour1 they quickened their pace unconsciously and were soon within sight of the grounds4 ,i saw the multitude gathering in the grove4 ,the mingling of the church and the world was so complete that one could scarcely tell from which path many had come4 ,illustration3 ,the ,festival4 ,here the ,church receives money for souls from the ,devil1 while the ,devil gets souls for money from the ,church4 ,on this intervening ground everything appealed to the appetite1 and the patrons knew that the more they ate or purchased the greater would be the success of the festival4 ,therefore some ate even unto gluttony for the benefit of the church1 while the agents of ,satan with skillful aim were sending poisoned arrows into the heart of true benevolence1 and also endeavoring to arrest the minds of ,christians so that they might pursue the ,broader ,path after their routine at the festival was ended4 ,thus ,i saw1 falling into the coffers of the church1 filthy lucre not sanctified by prayer or sacrifice1 and from this seed the church hoped to reap a holy harvest4 ,mr4 ,world and his companion spent a delightful season with the company and1 thanks to ,mr4 ,world's plethoric purse1 proved themselves pleasingly generous in their patronage4 ,finally ,miss ,church-,member excused herself from ,mr4 ,world and joined a company of young ladies who were engaged in joyous pleasures4 ,mr4 ,world1 now alone1 was walking leisurely about the grounds when ,satan appeared and sauntered at his side 8,are you not fearful10 asked ,mr4 ,world in the midst of a conversation1 8that many of your subjects will be led into the ,narrow ,path by tarrying at this place and associating with so many ,christians80 8,not in the least10 he replied1 8for at such places as this ,i gain more subjects than ,i lose4 ,so ,i expect to encourage forever sacred-merchandising all along my route4 ,the churches are glad to use this ground even though it belongs to me1 for ,i concede to them all the money4 ,naturally ,i prefer souls to money40 8,how did this word #8festival' originate80 queried ,mr4 ,world after a brief pause in the conversation4 8,with pleasure ,i will explain4 ,once upon a time ,i called together my generals to determine upon new methods of winning converts to our cause1 and promised to confer upon the one who should suggest the best plan1 the honorable title #8,fast ,devil4' 8,a long intermission was granted to give my aids time to use their ingenuity in planning4 ,all ,hell was filled with students1 each one striving to win the title4 8,at a given signal my cohorts re-assembled4 ,thus before me lay a vast army of anxious faces4 ,i gave each one1 who desired1 an opportunity to speak4 ,the sun revolved on his axis seven times ere the argument was finished4 ,during this debate there was comparative peace on earth40 8,pray tell me10 further asked ,mr4 ,world1 8,what was the trend of their suggestions80 8,i could relate it all1 for ,i have every word recorded1 but ,i shall not weary you40 8,but at least give me a general idea40 8,willingly4 ,one of my generals arose and said3 #8,we can change some of our tactics without loss to our cause4 ,the sword and torture only strengthen our enemies4 ,we should resort more to the #8wolf- in-sheep's-clothing method4' 8,he could speak no more4 ,a thundering sound of voices drowned his utterances4 ,thousands of my loyal leaders seconded his plans4 8,at last one of the speakers1 who indeed won the prize1 earnestly proposed a grand scheme1 and the vast multitudes listened with rapt attention4 ,his speech was short but fiery1 and1 rising to the occasion1 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 support4 ,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 pledged4 8,this speech had a marvelous effect1 and there was a deafening roar of voices in the applause which continued for a long space of time4 8,then followed an animated discussion in which a host of trusted leaders engaged4 ,each one commented on the winning speech and offered suggestions how to awaken a trading interest in the church4 ,it was conceded that first of all the church must feel the necessity of resorting to business4 ,accordingly a large committee was appointed to work systematically amongst the churches on earth1 inducing their members to depart from the customs of the early church4 8,this committee did yeoman service and shrewdly prepared the way for the more complete work in harmony with the views of ,fast ,devil4 ,through the ages it succeeded in gradually influencing the church to engage in all manner of performances and trading schemes to gain support4 ,the work of this committee is not yet at an end1 for nearly every week we hear of some innovation which has crept into the church1 or some new form of merchandising into which it has fortunately entered4 8,it is indeed gratifying that the church is casting off her unsightly spiritual robe and putting on the costume of merriment and trade4 ,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 support40 ,as ,satan spoke his last words he bid a brief adieu to ,mr4 ,world and hastened away to the side of a young man who was almost persuaded to yield to some elevating influence4 ,i suddenly looked at ,blackana whose presence ,i had well-nigh forgotten4 8,have you been taking your ease in sleep80 ,i asked as an involuntary shudder shook my frame4 8,i never sleep4 ,suns may wax and wane1 nations rise and fall1 peoples live and die1 but ,i am awake forever40 8,did you hear the conversation between ,satan and ,mr4 ,world80 8,every word of it40 8,were you present when ,satan held that great convocation to devise plans for more efficient work against the church of ,jesus ,christ on earth80 8,i attended every session40 8,and did you hear the speech of ,fast ,devil80 8,i heard every word40 8,and did ,satan give to ,mr4 ,world a true account of the address80 8,he gave only a condensed and garbled rendering of it40 8,then ,i command you1 ,o ,blackana1 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 me4 ,can you remember each thought80 8,i must remember1 for ,i have not the power to forget10 and ,blackana groaned aloud4 8,oh1 that ,i could bury in oblivion the myriad thoughts that sting me with remorse60 ,he paused a moment4 8,am ,i to give you the whole--speech as ,fast ,devil delivered it originally80 8,thought for thought1 and gesture for gesture10 ,i answered with authority4 ,ere the last syllable fell from my lips ,blackana was suddenly transformed into a more terrifying creature than he was himself4 ,i was paralyzed at the sight of the weird monster which ,i learned was the image of ,fast ,devil4 ,there he stood1 tall and erect1 seven times the height of man1 with sinews like iron-rope and with a face defying human description4 ,his eyes were fiery with life1 and determination marked every movement as he stepped forward to speak4 ,notwithstanding my consciousness of being sustained by supernatural power1 ,i trembled as ,blackana reproduced this noted speech of ,fast ,devil3 8,most honored chief and glorious master10 he commenced1 8be thou indulgent as ,i speak to thee and unto these my comrades who lie in anxious posture over this vast expanse of ,hell4 ,i am here to state an issue of which we have heard murmurings for many an age4 ,to prepare for this hour ,i have taxed my ingenuity to its utmost40 ,then with striking gestures of his awful arms he passionately continued3 8,hope is no more crushed within me as ,i view the wide and measureless field of our possibilities1 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 us4 ,what spur need we to move us on but to look up and see the resplendent regions whence we fell1 till hatred starts afresh within our beings and our every passion moves to its control40 ,with an outward swing of his great right arm he asked in strong appealing tones3 8,how can we best succeed against the church in which our enemy glories so unceasingly8 ,what inroads can we make8 ,in what manner shall we advance80 ,he vigorously seized a book4 8,here is a ,bible1 borrowed from a saint4 ,i turned its pages over and over that ,i might learn what pained the heart of ,christ most grievously1 vexing his inmost soul with indignation4 ,what was it80 vociferously interrogated ,fast ,devil as he flung the book to the scorching winds of ,hell4 8',twas that which hindered the cause of ,christ most efficiently--prostituting the house of ,god to worldly purposes4 ,have we forgotten the vehemence with which this arch-enemy drove the money kings from ,his sacred abode1 saying unto them3 #8,my house is a house of prayer1 but ye have made it a den of thieves1' and how we like sneaking cowards crawled away1 and thus our glorious scheme went by default80 ,then ,blackana uttered his final appeal with all the swing of his mighty body and the low vibrant thunder of his voice4 8,back to your forts6 ,oh1 back6 ye dormant hosts around me6 ,not in the strength of arms1 but with the subtlest webs that ,hell can weave1 and with the snares of silent treachery4 ,we need no stronger weapons1 and for our dress we will don sheep's clothing of the finest wool4 ,thus who amongst the church can tell that we are not seeking her highest good8 ,then as we strike at the heart of voluntary offering in the church1 so shall we kill the spirit that gives it birth4 ,the carcass of this dead spirit unburied we shall drag through the church for ages1 and the germs of disease arising therefrom will bring more death into the ranks of our foes than all our weapons of warfare ever did40 ,blackana instantly resumed his former shape1 and 8while ,i was musing the fire burned40 ,i then looked out toward the festival ground and saw that ,satan had returned to ,mr4 ,world and was explaining to him how helpful these festivals were to ,christians4 8,aside from the moral and religious influence10 he remarked1 8how could the church defray her expenses if she did not engage in some innocent forms of merchandising1 or use some novel scheme to decoy money from her admirers4 ,surely there can be no better way10 continued the ,devil with an unholy grin4 8,if the church would maintain her honor before the world1 she must not do differently4 ,i am satisfied if wily thee old way of voluntary giving is more and more discarded by the church40 8,but you began your former recital10 reminded ,mr4 ,world1 8to inform me how the word #8,festival' originated4 ,you have not yet succeeded in making it clear to me40 8,it originated from the phrase of honor which was given the prize- winner1 ,fast ,devil1 but we changed the wording somewhat so that it might not seem obnoxious to the church40 ,then1 by a peculiar method of concrete marking1 ,satan continued3 8,the following is the process of development from the phrase to the word3 #8,fast ,devil2' #8,fest ,evil2' #8,,festival4'0 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,the ,,missionary ,,college4 #a4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member visit the great college and are strongly influenced in favor of ,satan's teachings concerning missionary work4 ,the fellowship of ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member grew increasingly delightful as they journeyed forth from the ,festival4 ,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 path4 ,the merry band of companions soon reached a certain ,missionary ,station which was controlled by pilgrims from the ,king's ,highway4 ,the travelers were all very much amused at seeing tracts and other pieces of literature scattered over the ,highway in front of the station4 8,how much one can get for nothing60 sneeringly remarked ,mr4 ,bigot1 as he pointed to the literature strewn across the way4 8,surely there can be no harm in looking at such pieces of paper10 said ,mrs4 ,lucre-,love as she lifted a booklet from the path and commenced a quiet perusal of it4 8,and what is it all about80 queried another who saw the eyes of ,mrs4 ,lucre-,love fixed intently on the pamphlet4 8,oh1 it is nothing new6 ,only the old monotonous story of the heathen1 followed by the usual appeal for funds4 ,evidently it is some sharper's scheme to rob the people of their money40 ,mr4 ,world was near enough to hear her answer and with evident disgust he asked3 8,where can one get reliable information on this subject1 anyhow80 8,at one of the ,missionary ,colleges1 of course10 answered two or three in unison4 8,yes1 and ,i know from past experience that you will soon be at one4 ,this station and this literature is all the evidence we need10 added ,mrs4 ,lucre-,love4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member thence walked alone and soon beheld the great ,missionary ,college whose higher domes kissed the lower clouds of heaven4 8,surely some great missionary enthusiast must have erected these edifices10 said ,miss ,church-,member as they were turning to enter the section devoted to ,home ,missionary ,work4 ,the entrance ways were so crowded with students and visitors that ,mr4 ,world escorted his companion with difficulty to the plaza toward which the twenty-one halls of this section converged4 ,the view of this part of the ,college from the plaza was at once beautiful and inspiring4 ,hall ,no4 #d was the first place they decided to enter4 ,over the door these words were hung3 ,,home ,,mission ,,work ,,financially ,,considered4 ,having reached the interior1 ,miss ,church-,member1 in particular1 was surprised to see the many busy thousands in the large rooms of the hall1 and to note with what carefulness every item of expense was kept of all the ,home ,mission ,work of the world4 ,then they sought the main lecture-room whose large seating capacity was already well taken with a motley crowd of students and visitors4 ,the lecturer was a woman of shrewd appearance4 ,her face was void of sympathy and her voice somewhat masculine4 ,her address was over one-half finished when the two companions entered1 ,they listened carefully to her words which were in part as follows3 8,we are not to worship money1 yet we are to guard against squandering it4 ,the person who wastes one dollar sets a bad example to others and brings injury to himself4 ,woman is criticized for wastefulness in dress4 ,i stand here to defend her1 not because she is altogether innocent1 but because her accusers are equally guilty in the same and in other directions4 ,the money wasted in ,home ,missionary ,work would feed the starving of all the world4 ,where does this money come from8 ,the greater part of it comes from the purses of those who are burdened with all manner of financial obligations4 ,what right have such people to rob others of their dues in order to support ,home ,mission ,work8 ,o1 that the time may soon come when consistency will be manifested1 and so much money no longer wasted in this sentimental manner60 ,the speaker proceeded1 but the interest of the two listeners was flagging2 so they quietly left the room4 ,they next entered ,hall ,no4 #ag1 devoted to 8,the ,results of ,home ,missionary ,work40 ,but after remaining a very short time ,miss ,church-,member declared that she was interested more directly in ,foreign ,missionary ,work4 ,in deference to her wishes he at once accompanied her to the second section of the ,missionary ,college1 which was much larger than the first4 ,miss ,church-,member led the way into one of the large halls where ,satan1 through his agents1 gave special instruction concerning 8,the ,condition of the ,heathen40 ,they listened to four speakers from whose brief addresses they received food for thought4 ,the first speaker expounded the theory that 8,ignorance is ,bliss10 and declared that the heathen were happy and comfortable in their present condition4 ,the second lecturer argued1 at greater length1 that the heathen were free from all responsibility as long as they were left alone1 and that if ,god held them accountable1 then their vague worship answered for a good conscience1 and therefore they would reach ,heaven by a simpler path4 ,the third speaker declared that the heathen were now as ,god had made them1 and therefore just as they should be4 ,to establish this theory he used garbled arguments of predestination4 ,the fourth assured the audience that the heathen1 in due order1 would rise to loftier conceptions by the same natural processes as the civilized peoples of to-day have risen from their rude primitive conditions4 ,after examining some heathen relics the two companions spent some time near-by in a hall of the same section devoted to 8,the ,effects of the ,gospel on the ,heathen40 ,its teachers were very emphatic in their utterances4 ,they affirmed that the ,gospel did not benefit the heathen1 except that it brought to them civilization with all its attendant responsibilities and vices4 ,one lecturer to whom they listened was very fiery4 ,in a scathing manner the speaker pronounced censure on the ,christian church for her ill-advised policy in ,foreign ,missionary ,work4 ,mr4 ,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 classes4 ,in a few moments they entered the largest edifice of the ,missionary ,college which was erected for the special purpose of teaching 8,the ,comparative ,need of ,home and ,foreign ,missionary ,work40 ,upon entering1 ,miss ,church-,member was surprised at the interior arrangements of the rooms and the exceptional beauty of their finish4 ,after a much needed rest in one of the sub-departments1 they went to one of the higher floors1 hoping to hear another lecture on some missionary theme4 ,mr4 ,world smiled as they entered the room and saw that a woman occupied the platform4 ,in a jovial manner he remarked that 8women must be the best missionary orators40 ,the speaker was keen-eyed and shrewd1 and well knew how to use sophistry in pathos and wit4 ,she expounded to the audience the doctrine of ,satan under whose service she was pledged to loyalty4 8,we are all missionaries10 she commenced1 8and cannot escape the responsibility which is imposed upon us4 ,our duty is imperative4 ,we stand at the open door of opportunity and enter so slowly into the fields of work all around us4 ,when one sees rank bigotry and narrow-mindedness on every hand1 he feels like blushing that he ever sent money to convert the heathen in far-away lands4 ,the heathen at our own doors are more blood-thirsty than the cannibals of distant climes4 ,i appeal to you all1 noble women especially1 to rid your minds of the fallacy of foreign work and do the foreign work at home1 even inside your own doors4 7,applause1 principally among the men1 in which ,mr4 ,world heartily joined47 ,i must confess that1 at one time1 ,i was almost overcome by this craze of evangelizing the world4 ,my delusion went so far that ,i could see visions of ,china1 ,africa1 or the remote islands of the sea1 and even imagine that ,i heard voices calling me thither4 ,one night ,i dreamed a dream1 the kindest of them all4 ,i saw a woman standing on the shore of a river1 her children drowning at her side4 ,but she1 unmindful of her own blood1 was hastening to launch a boat into the stream that she might rescue a sinking dog on the farther shore4 8,ungrateful wretch10 ,i cried aloud on my bed so that ,i was awakened by my own voice4 ,i was so moved by the dream that ,i could sleep no more that night1 but sought for some one to make known unto me the interpretation thereof4 ,i soon learned1 to my personal shame1 that ,i was that woman4 ,i then and there vowed that ,i would no more be guilty of so great a crime4 7,great applause1 with cries of 8noble decision60 8common sense607 ,from that hour ,i assure you that ,i have been trying to evangelize the world--not the one across the river1 7applause7 but the one on this side4 7,applause47 8,i have been working at my own home and find a task almost too great for me to do4 ,if ,i should ever see the day when ,i get through with my own family1 including my husband1 7great applause among the women7 ,i can then commence busying myself with my neighbors' affairs and tell them also how to become perfect4 7,laughter and applause47 8,god never made a greater world than when he instituted the home4 ,the woman who becomes inspired with international evangelization would do well if she would learn how to season victuals and cook them aright 7shouting and applause among the men7 and to give proper care to her home and her children4 ,this is home missionary work40 7,continued applause47 ,the speaker was about to be seated1 but the applause was rising1 so she stepped forward again4 8,if this kind of missionary work be adopted1 then the church will no longer be drained by repeated collections for missionary work1 and that money will flow into better channels and prove an impetus to trade40 ,she stepped quickly from the stage while the final burst of applause rang loud and prolonged4 8,that was the greatest and most sensible missionary speech to which ,i have ever listened in my life10 chuckled ,mr4 ,world as he was moving toward the door with his companion4 ,i learned from ,blackana that this ,missionary ,college of the ,devil has wrought great mischief in the missionary operations of the church1 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 darkness4 ,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 ,time1 looking for the coming of his ,redeemer4 ,from his lips this prayer arose1 like sweet incense to ,heaven3 8,o ,god1 hasten the day when thy church will unite and go forth into all the world to preach the ,gospel1 instead of so large a part of it giving ear to the teaching of ,satan's missionary schools1 thereby delaying the coming of thy dear ,son60 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,the ,,rival ,,churches4 #a4 ,the two companions visit a church on the ,by-,path and are disgusted4 #b4 ,then they are delighted with the services of the ,church of the ,world whose minister they visit4 ,i saw the two happy companions leaving the ,missionary ,college and proceeding on the ,broad ,highway4 ,they were engaged in censuring the church for what they conceived to be its waste of time1 talent1 and mean in trying to convert the heathen4 ,this harmony of opinions was most pleasing to ,mr4 ,world4 ,it was in sweet contrast to what he had previously experienced in his earlier acquaintance with ,miss ,church-,member4 ,her likeness to him and her love for him were becoming more noticeable as their fellowship continued1 for she observed through her faithful lenses that his moral purity and refinement were above par4 ,while they were yet criticising the church1 ,mr4 ,world espied1 not far ahead of them1 another path leading to the right4 8,behold the narrow path yonder10 he exclaimed in a somewhat surprised manner4 8,if it were not for a happy change in you1 ,i would now be subjected to a score of sickly sentiments as to leaving this way and going with you to a harder one4 ,have ,i conjectured rightly80 he asked in a cheerful vein4 8,it is all too true10 she confessed4 8,if people could but see their folly before placing it on exhibition1 what a blessing it would be to all around them60 ,on the ,by-,path stood a small church within easy reach of the ,broad ,highway4 ,as they came nearer to the place of worship they heard music which attracted them to the very door of the church4 8,let us enter10 she suggested4 8,i shall enjoy your pleasure10 he courteously replied4 8,only see to it carefully that your glasses are properly adjusted1 lest some strange glimmerings of light should bring pain or ruin to your eyes40 ,i saw ,miss ,church-,member re-adjusting her lenses while they were entering the church and taking seats in the rear of the room4 ,the minister led the congregation in a fervent prayer which seemed to be altogether too ,puritanical in the estimation of ,mr4 ,world and his friend4 ,the preacher began his sermon4 ,as he proceeded his countenance became more radiant4 ,his clear eyes sparkled aright1 and as he preached ,christ and ,him crucified even his raiment seemed bright and shining4 ,it proved to be a memorable meeting4 ,a few who evidently intended to ridicule were pricked in their hearts and1 much to the disgust of some1 cried out3 8,what must ,i do to be saved80 8,fools who came to scoff remained to pray40 8,this is affectation in the extreme10 whispered ,mr4 ,world scornfully4 8,quite enough of it1 indeed10 she returned4 ,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 worship4 ,still worse than all1 through her warped vision and the aid of her eye-glasses well adjusted1 she was led to discern a wicked motive in the mind of the minister4 ,his utterances also appeared miserably narrow4 ,at the request of ,miss ,church-,member they left the room1 congratulating themselves that they were not compelled to remain longer4 8,all this reminds me of how simple and foolish ,i once was10 she said plaintively as they descended the front steps4 8,is it possible that ,i was ever seriously connected with such a kind of worship8 ,yet ignorance is the mother of endless follies4 ,can we find no better place of worship than this80 8,better by far6 ,i can easily lead you to a church where great varieties of truthful and yet comfortable doctrines are preached1 pleasing to the ear1 and fascinating to the senses4 ,no blunt fellow stands in its pulpit1 but rather a cultured and highly refined gentleman of modern type who delights to keep apace with the customs of the age4 ,if you desire1 ,i will gladly accompany you thither4 ,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 ideas40 ,the face of ,miss ,church-,member brightened1 and she quickly expressed her desire to accompany him to such a church4 ,therefore ,mr4 ,world improved the first opportunity and conducted her to a large and beautiful edifice4 8,here10 he said1 8is the kind of church to which ,i am inclined4 ,i give very liberally to the support of the ,gospel as here preached4 ,i like the broad-mindedness and liberal spirit which is manifested within the domain of this denomination40 8,in what else does this church differ from the one to which ,i belong80 she asked4 8,in this denomination your conscience is not always pricked and you can do many innocent things without being called a sinner4 ,you may also consult your personal feelings relative to church duties4 ,one is not bound down by a galling yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny4 ,best of all1 this is an up-to-date church4 ,you can learn something about science1 philosophy1 and civil government4 ,in your church one must listen to the thread-bare doctrines of the ,bible1 much to his personal discomfort4 ,your minister exercises a censorship over the consciences of his members from which ,i prefer to be excused4 ,in fine1 ,i can say that nothing is developed there but a long face and a sanctimonious soberness40 ,they entered the church1 and were conducted to a front pew4 ,the opening services were enrapturing to ,miss ,church-,member1 and seemed unlike anything she had ever heard4 ,the operatic rendition of the music1 the ritualistic cast of the prayer and the soothing effect of the rhetorical essay which took the place of a sermon1 all exercised a fascinating influence4 ,as the minister neared the close of his essay1 he said3 8,christ intended that man should enjoy liberty in this life1 and that he should educate himself in the best schools of art1 science1 and literature4 ,therefore one has a right to seek1 in this infinitely great world of ours1 for such things as will best educate his natural and spiritual being4 ,if the theatre can supply part of this demand1 let him go1 as a student1 and drink into his soul through the senses of sight and hearing4 ,if the dance can elevate him somewhat in demeanor and classical grace1 let him go there as a student4 ,if some milder types of indulgence can bring him into a more thorough knowledge of the weaknesses of human nature1 let him indulge1 but only as a student with sincerest motives4 ,in general1 ,i would say1 that your conscience is a reasonably safe guide and you cannot go far wrong by obeying its dictates4 ,be a student all the days of your life2 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 wrong40 ,at the conclusion of the services ,i heard the minister announce that the church would hold a 8razzle-dazzle0 party on ,friday evening1 at which he hoped there would be a good attendance1 as the church treasury was in sad need of replenishment4 ,he also announced that all the prayer-meetings would be discontinued for two weeks1 so as to permit a thorough practice for the coming ,cantata4 ,after the dismissal of the congregation the two continued on their journey1 which was ever opening to them new avenues of delight4 ,miss ,church-,member expressed supreme satisfaction regarding the scholarly sermon to which she had listened1 and confessed that she had never heard a preacher in her own church take such advanced positions concerning the nature of human liberty4 ,mr4 ,world felt elated because his companion had found such exquisite delight in the worship of the same church to which he adhered4 ,he also remembered1 with pleasure1 that they had safely passed the little church on the ,by-,way1 which represented the same doctrines as the church to which his now confiding friend belonged4 8,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 degree80 were his suave words of invitation4 8,that would be a natural question to consider after ,i know the rules and regulations of the church to which ,i intend to go40 8,that only indicates your wisdom10 said ,mr4 ,world insinuatingly4 8,since you desire more congenial ,christian fellowship1 why not give your attention to the church toward which ,i lean80 8,an agreeable suggestion10 she said4 8,where can ,i get the desired information80 ,he answered the question by taking her to the home of the minister1 and there introducing the subject4 ,she was very favorably impressed by the courteous reception accorded her by so great and dignified a person4 8,you come seeking knowledge of the church4 ,i assure you1 my young friend1 that ,i will gladly answer any questions4 ,may ,i take the privilege of asking you whether you have ever belonged to any church80 ,she flushed with shame4 8,i will be true and tell you all4 ,i had a great experience some years ago1 when ,i was seeking ,christ4 ,in answer to my earnest petitions1 ,i saw the most welcome beams of light that ever touched my poor soul4 ,i knew ,i was converted to ,christ and continued in his service ever since1 although somewhat differently since ,i came into fellowship with ,mr4 ,world4 ,i joined the church in which ,i was converted and still hold my membership there40 8,how did you get so well acquainted with the happy ,mr4 ,world80 ,miss ,church-,member answered half in quaint humor and half in pathos3 8,i1 at one time1 thought he was a very wicked fellow1 and in a prayerful mood ,i endeavored to rescue him4 ,i knew he would not come by his own effort to my way of thinking1 so ,i entered into an alliance with him for the purpose of quietly leading him unto the ,king's ,highway4 ,i soon saw the bigotry of my former self1 and through the kindness of ,mr4 ,world ,i have already been aided in my vision and improved in dress1 and1 better than all1 ,i have enjoyed the privilege of worshiping my ,god in a more fitting temple1 where true freedom is preached and practiced40 8,then it is your purpose to continue being a ,christian1 although you have left the ,king's ,highway80 asked the delighted clergyman4 8,as long as ,i live ,i will hold to my religion10 she said emphatically4 8,then you are sound indeed both in purpose and doctrine4 ,did you wish to be visibly connected with our church80 8,i wish to know first its rules and conditions of entrance40 ,the minister opened his ,guide ,book and1 duly adjusting his spectacles1 read in a pleasing manner3 8,anyone wishing to unite with this church must comply with the following rules and regulations3 8,,rule ,i4--,he must reach a reasonable degree of respectability1 or endeavor to do so4 8,,rule ,,ii4--,he must not wear clothing so plain as to attract undue attention4 8,,rule ,,iii4--,he must not tolerate or countenance the common nuisances so prevalent in the churches of the ,king's ,highway4 8,,rule ,,iv4--,he must ever manifest a liberal spirit so as to keep in touch with the progress of the world4 8,,rule ,v4--,he may engage in any practice that will give enlightenment on either the dark or the bright side of life4 ,members of this church ought to have a well-rounded education4 8,,rule ,,vi4--,he must never take advantage in buying or selling1 except in such cases like ,jacob's1 where he can bring good to himself or profit to the church4 8,,rule ,,vii4--,he must never give way to his temper1 except in such cases where his personal liberty or his church is attacked4 8,,rule ,,viii4--,he is to cultivate grace and etiquette through whatever channel possible4 8,,rule ,,ix4--,he is to be faithful in attending the services of his own church1 except in cases of sickness or disinclination4 8,,rule ,x4--,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 age4 8,these are our general rules4 ,we have several thousand regulations covering every phase or avenue of life40 8,what ,i have just now heard are certainly not as iron-clad as the rules of my church4 ,nothing is said of conversion1 or spirituality1 or of the ,holy ,spirit1 or of the other ,persons of the ,trinity10 commented ,miss ,church-,member4 8,no1 not of anything that is antiquated or1 in other words1 #8out of date4' ,the main church on earth must deal with practical things40 8,what do you call #8conversion' in your church1 or do you not believe in it80 8,beyond any doubt we believe in conversion4 ,just as soon as a person confesses his faith in our general rules he is converted1 and is at once a good ,christian4 ,the ,bible says that if one will only believe he is safe3 or #8saved already' as the true ,greek rendering has it40 8,then you hold to the ,bible strictly80 8,we are the only church that does really and truly hold to the ,bible4 ,we believe and teach it as it is preserved for the ages in the original ,hebrew and ,greek40 8,but ,i notice that many of your rules seem to be at variance with certain parts of the ,bible10 she boldly declared4 8,true enough1 but those certain parts of the ,bible do not belong to the genuine ,scriptures4 ,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 ,word4 ,let me assure you1 ,miss ,church-,member1 that our discipline was written with great care by eminent scholars of the ,hebrew and ,greek2 therefore how could there have been any error in it80 ,miss ,church-,member was slightly confused1 and evidenced by her manner that she was ready to depart4 8,may ,i ask before you go10 continued the minister1 8whether you are willing to join our church80 8,i have been thinking10 she replied1 8that ,i could do more good in my own church1 not by fighting it1 but by using my influence quietly in trying to get some of its members to be more like ,i am4 ,i have always had a missionary spirit4 ,in that way ,i might satisfy my earlier ambitions and lead some one out of the mist into a better light40 8,a very bright idea10 testified ,mr4 ,world1 advancing with ,miss ,church-,member toward the door4 8,and may you succeed in your plans10 added the minister as they were stepping from the room4 8,there are millions who belong to my church in spirit1 but who hold visible connection with some radical church of the ,king's ,highway4 ,they are doing great service in eradicating old-time methods and planting the banners of a new liberty such as we three enjoy40 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,from ,,the ,,valley ,,of ,,conviction ,,to ,,the ,,devil',s ,,auction4 #a4 ,depression of ,miss ,church-,member #b4 ,the ,merry ,village4 #c4 ,the ,famous ,cross ,roads4 #d4 ,the ,devil's ,auction4 ,as ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member proceeded on their journey they were frightened by a man who1 with his hands uplifted and agony pictured on his face1 came running toward them1 shouting3 8,let good sense control you and go no farther6 ,enchantment1 spirits1 witches1 and unnamed hobgoblins dwell in every part of this hideous valley60 8,oh1 terror6 ,what can this mean80 nervously asked ,mr4 ,world1 as the stranger stood panting for breath4 8,all a mystery6 ,even the air is filled with poison and weird music4 ,i am thankful that ,i have escaped with my life40 8,come1 come1 ,mr4 ,sin-,sick1 tell us more about it4 ,we may thereby profit greatly10 said ,mr4 ,world with more composure4 ,illustration3 ,as ,mr4 ,world and his companion were entering the valley of ,conviction a terrified man came running towards them4 ,he ran away from the preaching of the gospel4 8,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 ,redeemer1 each waving aloft a banner bearing the imprint of a cross4 ,on the cross ,i saw these words3 #8,for ,god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life4' ,when ,i came nearer to the confusion ,i was suddenly seized with a peculiar conviction which brought grief to my soul2 and1 had ,i not made this timely retreat1 ,i might have been brought under the power of those strange creatures4 ,oh1 take heed and go with me some other way40 ,mr4 ,world readily consented1 but ,miss ,church-,member was inclined to continue1 confessing that she had once been a singer in such a valley1 and surely no harm could befall them there4 ,mr4 ,world thought it was the part of wisdom not to oppose her at this time1 although he feared that she might be induced to leave him4 ,he consented to go1 pretending that it made no difference to him which way he traveled2 but1 as they walked on1 the wary fellow was very careful not to step from the ,broad ,path4 ,when they came in sight of the valley ,miss ,church-,member lifted her glasses to test the strength of her eyes4 ,memory brought stinging grief to her heart4 ,she commenced sighing for the old paths and also wept that she had for so long a time abetted her former enemies4 ,her companion became alarmed at the new turn4 8,be not so fool-hardy10 he warned4 8,your eyes are being needlessly ruined4 ,quickly replace those glasses lest you become totally blind40 ,she obeyed promptly and thus the intensity of conviction passed4 ,had her spiritual ears been open1 she might have heard an angel sadly singing3 8,oh1 hear the song of love that fills the air6 ,oh1 heed the voice that pleads in touching prayer6 ,both fall upon your conscience now in vain1 ,through vile deceit your nobler self is slain40 ,in this vale she heard the word of ,god preached powerfully1 and the calling of the ,holy ,spirit in unmistakable sweetness1 but how could it affect one who wore such treacherous glasses and who considered her condition so favorable8 ,she passed through the valley with her faithful friend without being lured from the ,broad ,highway4 ,on the verge of the valley ,i saw a curiously shaped building and read these words over it3 ,,tons ,,of ,,laughter3 ,,cheap ,,admission4 ,a man with a strong voice stood along the path and cried out3 8,whoa6 ,whoa6 ,ye travelers of this way6 ,come hither and drive away your cruel cares4 ,here is the greatest exhibition in the world4 ,smile and walk lightly1 laugh and grow fat60 ,mr4 ,world and his associate1 however1 did not enter this place1 but passed on through the entire ,merry ,village4 ,on each side of the way they saw an endless variety of gaudy advertisements1 each one setting forth some leading feature of some frivolous1 indecent1 or gay performance4 ,miss ,church-,member was not tempted as was her companion to spend time at such places4 ,so he1 in order to hold her company1 sacrificed his desires and passed on without complaint4 ,i now turned and spoke to ,blackana who still mutely sat at his appointed post4 8,tell me the meaning of the ,merry ,village being located so near the ,valley of ,conviction40 ,without the faintest murmur he replied3 8,many of the millions who pass through the valley are strangely affected with a sad countenance and a heavy heart1 which indeed drive them into a frenzy so that they go toward the ,king's ,highway4 ,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 ,highway4 ,you will soon come to the path on which more people go to the narrow1 rugged way than on all other paths combined4 ,were it not for this happy village1 and the places beyond1 many more would drop out of our ranks40 ,i doubted not the words of ,blackana1 and as ,i looked out again upon the ,broad ,highway1 ,i saw that the two companions had just left the ,merry ,village and had come to the well beaten road leading to the right4 ,here stood a preacher who1 in tearful earnestness1 urged all travelers to go the right way4 ,i saw many heeding his words and go running on the new way after throwing away many cumbrous things4 ,at this place ,i saw some parting with their friends4 ,one1 in particular1 ,i noticed who was pleading with another not to go1 and ever clinging to him in bodily strength4 ,many who desired to leave the ,broad ,highway were similarly prevented4 ,in the fork of the road stood a number of large churches in each of which services were held every hour of the day4 ,these were the ,devil's churches1 and were supplied by a courteous and shrewd class of ministers4 ,on the left side of the way was a large garden and a series of groves1 each filled with a merry throng of pleasure-seekers4 ,bands of music made the air resonant1 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 beverage1 and dancing and gambling were the chief delights4 ,the ,broad ,highway was especially wide at this junction4 ,it led onward between the ,devil's churches and the pleasure grounds4 ,the greatest confusion prevailed on this wide area4 ,many missionaries from the ,king's ,highway were busily engaged in speaking to the throngs that had come through the ,valley of ,conviction4 ,there were also many friends of the ,devil1 in vulgar attire1 persuading the multitudes to rest in the joyful grove1 while other agents of ,satan1 in more saintly manner1 urged attendance upon the church services4 ,thus ,i observed the heedless throng from the ,valley of ,conviction being attracted by the music and passing through the pleasure grounds1 while an alarmingly large number attended the churches in the fork of the roads4 ,a few stoics1 without pausing1 passed on along the ,broad ,highway4 ,only a few1 comparatively1 could be persuaded to turn their steps toward the ,king's ,highway4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member stood for a long time watching the ever-changing panorama of the surging crowds4 ,he was desirous of visiting the groves1 but ,miss ,church-,member was too piously inclined4 ,so they were halting between these two desires when a saintly looking person approached them4 8,to what place are you journeying80 the beautiful stranger asked4 8,we are journeying to a place called ,heaven10 promptly answered ,miss ,church-,member4 8,congratulations1 indeed10 spoke the stranger as he smiled4 8,you belong to the better class of travelers4 ,some1 ,i fear1 who go this way will miss ,heaven4 ,they are too much attracted by the frivolities of life and never have a desire to go to church40 8,but we love the church10 spoke up ,mr4 ,world4 8,however we have had little time and no opportunity to enter one for some time40 8,you are welcome to the services in one of yonder buildings10 said the stranger as he pointed toward the group of the ,devil's churches4 8,there you can listen with pleasure and profit to the latest style of preaching1 and the special music will prove entertaining4 ,you should1 without fail1 attend church1 or you will never increase in spiritual knowledge40 ,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 seat4 ,the minister had already begun to speak and was growing eloquent as he warmed to his theme4 ,they listened with absorbing interest to every word that fell from his lips4 8,into this church10 the minister said1 8come the wearied of heart1 troubled perchance with inward fears resulting from the weird occurrences along the pathway through the ,valley of ,conviction4 ,we bid you cast aside your thoughts of trouble and be at peace4 ,there is a calmness you should covet untouched by such conviction4 8,they who sing and preach in that valley are low subjects of ignorance and folly1 and happy for you if you succeed in totally forgetting all you saw or heard while passing through4 ,why should you worry about your condition8 ,are you not good enough8 ,you have come hither from respectable parents1 perhaps received ,christian baptism1 and can easily distinguish between right and wrong4 ,why should cruel daggers now pierce your heart8 ,what you have done or expect to do is surely pleasing to your ,god4 ,if you belong to the church1 you are doubly safe4 ,let time change1 or worlds fall1 the church will stand forever4 ,if you continue faithful here1 you will have a glorious end2 only be not influenced by the contemptible advocates of the ,narrow ,way1 who show their vanity by their professions of superior sanctity4 ,be satisfied with the good1 old1 staid principles of this church1 and be not swept away by every wind of doctrine that is blasting the earth with its sulphurous breath4 ,rejoice in your pilgrimage and let conviction no longer sadden your life40 ,after continuing at some length in this strain1 the minister announced that a quartette would render an appropriate selection just received from the mountain-tops of ,apathy4 ,illustration3 ,the ,devil's ,auction ,here many church members1 and others1 pay their all for a few baubles of worldly pleasure4 ,the congregation seemed to be greatly pleased as these words were sung with a show of sentiment3 8,come1 ye that struggle ,with thoughts of conviction2 ,continue no longer ,such burdens to bear4 ,throw off forever ,this needless affliction2 ,and taste of the pleasures ,that wisdom would share4 8,there's rest for the soul ,in blissful forgetting2 ',tis bought by the prudent ,at moderate cost4 ,then cast to the winds ,thy worry and fretting1 ,and live in the sunshine ,where shadows are lost40 ,at the conclusion of the services ,mr4 ,world conducted his friend from the church1 and as they were moving again toward the surging crowds they heard the voice of an auctioneer4 8,let us tarry a moment10 he urged as he turned his footsteps to that part of the ,broad ,highway known as the ,devil's ,auction4 ,a large company of men1 women1 and children were giving earnest heed to the auction which had been in progress all day4 ,the auctioneer held in his hand a gaudy bauble of worldly pleasure4 ,he cried in the full strength of his voice that such beautiful specimens of pleasure were very rare4 ,at once the bidding for it grew lively4 ,it was soon thrown out to a reckless mortal who seized it with unusual avidity4 ,then a door was opened in the rear1 and lo1 ,i beheld a series of rooms filled with baubles of every conceivable kind1 enough to satisfy all who came for such lightsome things4 ,one of extraordinary beauty was next offered4 8,what do ,i hear for it80 lustily shouted the auctioneer4 ,the whole host bent forward eagerly to get a nearer view of the new attraction4 8,i'll give one hour of time60 said an aged man4 8,an hour of time is bid1 an hour of time6 ,who'll give more80 8,i'll give one day60 joyously bid a thoughtless youth4 ,he received it1 and walked off in high glee4 8,here is another6 ,a novelty just out60 boldly cried the auctioneer4 ,how anxiously all stepped forward1 each one wishing to scrutinize the latest kind of pleasure offered4 ,the highest bidder was a restless youth who offered his all for the coveted prize4 ,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 sold4 ,on the stand stood a glib-tongued fellow who announced that he would first offer for sale the ,right to ,sell ,intoxicating ,drink4 8,how much do ,i hear80 shouted the auctioneer as the cosmopolitan crowd looked on4 8,hundred dollars per annum60 cried the people of one state4 8,one hundred1 one hundred1 going at one hundred60 8,two hundred dollars60 bid the representatives of another state4 8,three hundred dollars60 was another offer that immediately came in4 8,that is far below the value60 shouted the auctioneer4 8,remember1 all this money we get for licensing the saloon will go for charity or to help educate and civilise the people60 ,thousands upon thousands cheered to the echo1 while the wicked auctioneer and his allies were highly pleased at the spectacle4 8,three hundred1 three hundred6 ,altogether too low a sum for so great a privilege60 8,five hundred dollars60 cried the authorities of another state4 8,going at five hundred1 five hundred1 five hundred60 rapidly and hilariously yelled the auctioneer1 and the crowd cheered lustily4 8,still going at five hundred1 five hundred6 ,who'll give six hundred8 ,first1 second1 and last warning1 and sold at five hundred dollars to the state represented by yonder group of delegates60 ,thus the program continued1 and the right to sell liquor under respectability was sold at varying prices4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member left long before the auction was ended4 ,they paused not at the other centers where ,satan's agents were selling their worthless and death-dealing merchandize to the children of men4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,the ,,devil',s ,,hospital4 #a4 ,miss ,church-,member1 suddenly attacked with heart trouble1 is hurried away to the ,hospital4 #b4 ,she receives the attention of ,satan's fiendish surgical operators4 #c4 ,a visit through the various wings of the ,hospital and sub-offices4 ,the horrifying work described4 ,the travelers of the ,broad ,highway pushed onward by millions1 seemingly unconscious of their end4 ,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 journey4 ,in the midst of her favorable circumstances she was nursing the germs of an insidious disease which rendered her heart weaker and weaker4 ,at times short1 but sharp pains were felt2 and more than once her hand flew to her breast in evidence of the inward struggle4 ,her disease reached a climax after she had gone not far beyond the ,valley of ,conviction4 ,she was walking along in a happy mood1 when she suddenly felt a pang in her heart and mentioned the circumstance to ,mr4 ,world who was still her faithful companion4 8,what can it be that has been giving you this trouble for so long a time80 he asked4 8,i know not10 she faintly replied as she stood still and pressed both hands to her heart4 ,thoroughly alarmed1 ,mr4 ,world called for help while he supported her with his arm4 8,it seems strange10 gasped ,miss ,church-,member in a brief interval of relief1 8that1 with all the pure air along this way and the variety of things to engage my attention1 ,i should be seized1 at shortening intervals1 with these cruel and unbearable heart-pangs4 ,oh1 that ,i might be free from this intruder's grasp6 ,what shall ,i do8 ,where shall ,i go8 ,i feel again the edge of the invisible blade60 ,at this she threw her arms upward and1 shrieking in agony1 was about to fall as she was caught by ,mr4 ,world4 8,let us hurry her off to the nearest hospital10 promptly suggested one of the bystanders who had responded to the call for help4 ,an ambulance carried the fainting ,miss ,church-,member to one of ,satan's hospitals near by4 ,illustration3 ,an ambulance carried the fainting ,miss ,church-,member to one of ,satan's hospitals near by4 ,the chief physician ordered the apparently lifeless form to be taken at once to an examination room1 granting ,mr4 ,world the privilege of remaining by the side of his suffering friend4 ,a quick investigation disclosed the fact that ,miss ,church-,member had been overcome by a partial paralysis of the heart1 induced by intense mental anxiety dating from the time when she had passed through the ,valley of ,conviction4 8,not a serious case10 said the suave doctor in reply to a question from the anxious ,mr4 ,world4 8,an operation will take away1 almost entirely1 the cause of this trouble40 8,will you not explain to me the trouble1 and the nature of the operation80 nervously asked ,mr4 ,world4 8,certain nerves which ramify through the human heart have been affected emotionally by the nonsensical teachings of the ,king's ,highway4 ,these teachings are commonly known us #8,narrow-,gauge ,ideas4' ,if these nerves are rendered insensible1 there is scarcely any trouble of that kind again4 ,we can1 by an intricate operation1 paralyze the mother-nerve leading to the heart1 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 lives40 ,while the physician was rapidly speaking these words1 the surgeon had arrived1 and they forthwith proceeded to the operating room4 ,mr4 ,world watched the attendants as they carried ,miss ,church-,member away4 ,he saw her no more that day1 but heard that the operation was successful1 and that the patient was resting quietly4 ,one of the managers of the institution1 knowing that ,mr4 ,world was companionless1 offered to escort him through the various departments of the ,hospital4 ,to this he gave his hearty consent4 ,they first went to the tower which proved to be a magnificent point of view4 ,here he could see far and wide1 for the building itself was situated on elevated ground1 and the tower rose far into the air4 ,on one side of the ,hospital stretched away the ,broad ,highway more pleasing at this point of the route than at many others1 and far away it seemed to lead into pleasant woodland realms4 ,on the other side of the building passed the ,king's ,highway1 which1 at this point1 was exceedingly rough and uninviting to the view4 ,thus ,i saw how the shrewdness of ,hell was exercised in locating hospitals at such places4 8,ignorance is the mother of all that folly10 said ,mr4 ,world with a feeling of self-satisfaction1 8,i see a long line of separate buildings just below us--there along the ,king's ,highway4 ,what purpose do they serve80 8,those are medical offices under the supervision of this hospital- staff4 ,any one traveling on the ,narrow ,path1 and falling sick there1 may enter for help and restoration4 ,if the case be difficult1 or requiring an operation1 or even special nursing1 the patient is brought to the hospital40 8,are you successful in most of your operations1 especially with those patients who come from such a rugged path80 8,fortunately we succeed in effecting a cure in almost every case4 ,we can only deal with those who voluntarily come to our medical staff4 ,many1 in sad need of our help1 pass by all our special offices without ever seeking advice40 8,are your patients foolish enough1 after having been treated1 to go back to that jolting road1 and thus again invite their ills80 8,most of our patients go hence on the more delightful way which you see1 and on which you have come hither40 8,what diseases most commonly affect those who come to your physicians and hospitals for help80 8,let me answer your question by taking you down to those offices4 ,you may there observe for yourself40 ,i saw ,mr4 ,world and his escort enter a physician's office which stood as near the ,king's ,highway as ,satan could build it4 ,the doctor was examining a church deacon who1 by reason of his disease1 found it hard to travel on a way so narrow and rugged4 ,he was given a vial of medicine with specific directions4 ,after the patient had left1 the doctor smiled derisively and pocketed his fee with ghoulish delight4 8,what ailed that man asked80 ,mr4 ,world4 8,can you tell me the cause of his malady80 8,he has been eating and eating sermons1 exhortations1 and pious literature1 and has done scarcely any work for his so-called ,master4 ,eating much and working little generally results in gout or rheumatic diseases4 ,there are large numbers in the church coming here for treatment who are similarly affected4 ,i suppose such ,christians enjoy eating better than they enjoy working40 8,do you prepare them for better service on the ,king's ,highway80 8,never6 ,my business is to give them such medicine as will make all kinds of spiritual food repulsive to them4 ,then1 rather than starve1 they go to the fat lands on the ,broad ,highway for which my medicine prepares them4 ,there they eat of the fruit forbidden by their former ,master1 for it is sweet-tasting withal4 ,some go on in the forbidden kingdoms until death1 and hold an honorable place in their first church4 ,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 own40 ,the electric bell summoned the doctor to the door4 ,he opened it1 and there stood a pilgrim from the ,king's ,highway4 ,she entered and1 fully exhausted1 sank into a chair4 8,what is the difficulty80 asked the physician in a cool manner4 8,something terrible indeed1 or else my comrades accuse me unjustly40 8,with what do they charge you1 ,miss ,goodly-,minded80 he questioned1 as he felt her pulse4 8,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 church4 ,they say ,i am not fit to travel this way1 and therefore ,i have found it very difficult to get over some of the obstacles4 ,weariness and fatigue have almost dragged me to the earth4 ,my persecution will prove to be my death unless you can give me some medicine to relieve me40 8,let me see your tongue10 the physician requested4 ,this done1 he continued3 8,ah6 ,i can easily see1 by your coated tongue1 that you have already eaten more good things than you could digest4 ,if there is any error1 it is because you have already gone to church too much4 ,i have medicine to cure you40 ,at that he walked into another room and opened a secret door4 ,i saw him pour a liquid from a large bottle labeled1 8,satan's ,malaria ,cure40 ,it contained a mixture of unbelief1 ridicule1 and self-righteousness4 ,he filled a small vial with sugar pellets and saturated them with the mixture from the large bottle4 8,take four globules every hour10 he directed1 as he gave her the medicine1 8and ,i would further advise that you travel for your health40 8,what climate would be most helpful to me80 she asked1 for she was a lady of considerable means and could go where she wished4 8,a colder climate where you will be free from the noonday sun1 and breathe in a new atmosphere4 ,this medicine will do the rest40 ,she passed out of the door just as a feeble man was entering4 ,he was an old pilgrim and evidently suffering much4 ,the doctor seized him by the hand with a strange vigor not even understood by ,mr4 ,world4 8,so you are under the power of #8,la ,grippe1'0 saluted the doctor4 8,under the power of something1 ,i am sure1 for everything is wrong with me1 and everything seems wrong to me10 was the slow answer4 ,the doctor soon diagnosed his case1 and gave him powders with directions4 8,it did not take you very long to attend to him10 said ,mr4 ,world1 after the aged man left the office4 8,i deal with so many of that class that ,i keep the medicine ready4 ,la ,grippe is a splendid thing for my trade4 ,it is affecting more pilgrims just now than any other disease4 ,some churches are more than decimated by the ravages of this plague40 ,the manager then conducted ,mr4 ,world into another office where the doctor was just giving medical attention to a young lady who was suffering with spiritual quinsy4 ,it was so severe that she could not testify for ,christ1 and she wilfully passed by the 8,great ,physician0 who could have healed her blessedly4 ,she also passed by all the angels of mercy who throng the ,king's ,highway4 ,she turned a deaf ear to all the singers who sang1 8,then why will ye die80 ,finally she was heavily pressed by her disease and1 seeing a physician's office which she could enter without climbing a step1 she went in and chose rather to be treated by a doctor of the ,devil1 as if dead to all the offers of mercy which she had rejected4 ,she accepted his treatment without question1 and even felt at ease in conscience1 thinking that the easy1 bland method of this physician was in every way preferable to the searching methods adopted by the ,healer ,divine4 ,she regained her voice1 but it lost that sweet accent of heaven which once had characterized it4 ,it was now difficult and embarrassing for her to pronounce the name of ,jesus4 ,all this proved painful and intolerable1 so she took a by-path to the left called 8,unchastity0 where she found a whole vocabulary of speech more suited to her utterance4 ,she spent the rest of her days in the habitations of immorality along the ,broad ,highway1 unmindful of the tears and kindly solicitude of her entreating friends4 ,into the third medical wing the two went only to see the fiendish program carried on there as in the other offices4 ,the first patient they saw was a young man who1 through the misguidance of a weakling1 was persuaded to enter the office4 ,this physician1 with a smile on his face1 but vile purpose in his heart1 administered wilfully the very medicine that gave a transient gratification to the patient's craving for narcotics1 and which would finally cause the appetite to break out anew into an inward burning and gnawing1 swinging a master's sash over him4 ,the physician told him that his taste was inherited1 and it would consequently require much patience ere he could be cured4 ,he gave him the devilish medicine1 and urged him to continue using it until the bottle was drained to its dregs4 ,at first it gave the promised relief1 but the young man1 now more deeply contaminated by this concoction of ,hell1 raged in wilder passion than ever1 and verily ran to his utmost on the ,by-,path of intemperance until the flower of his youth and manhood was blasted to the blackest1 and his sense of honor lost in the hovels of vice and corruption which1 in great variety1 stood along the ,broad ,highway4 ,the book-keepers of ,hell placed an additional mark to the credit of this doctor1 while the church looked on the young man's fall somewhat indifferently1 having been hardened by the frequency of similar occurrences4 ,at the request of ,mr4 ,world the manager conducted him back to the hospital building and proceeded to show the various departments to him4 ,there was some commotion in one of the operating rooms just as ,mr4 ,world entered4 ,it proved to be the preliminary work necessary for dressing a severe scalp wound4 ,it happened that a certain woman1 named ,mrs4 ,criticiser1 who belonged to an active church1 attempted to injure a good and holy man by hurling stones at him4 ,she noticed that the little stones did him no harm1 so she seized one of larger size and hurled it at him with great force4 ,he1 being a pure man1 and standing on a rock1 was not even touched by the missile4 ,but it struck the great rock on which he was standing1 rebounded with unexpected force1 and struck the head of ,mrs4 ,criticiser with stunning effect4 ,it was seen that the stone had made an ugly gash on her head1 more severe and painful than she intended to inflict on the good ,mr4 ,class ,leader4 ,her friends1 being acquainted with the ,devil's ,hospital1 naturally carried her there for necessary attention4 ,mr4 ,world saw ,mrs4 ,criticiser brought into the room in a semi-conscious condition and watched the whole operation4 ,the surgeon declared that a scar would be carried on her head all through life4 ,indeed there is no balm in ,hell to cure the wounded head or heart so as not to leave a scar4 ,had she gone to the 8,great ,physician10 and asked ,him aright to apply the 8,balm of ,gilead10 her head would have been healed aright4 ,the manager then escorted ,mr4 ,world into one of the wards which was crowded to overflowing4 ,they tarried at the bedside of a man whose left arm and right leg were bandaged4 ,there lay the poor fellow awaiting the slow processes of healing for his fractured bones4 ,it was on this wise that this man1 a certain ,mr4 ,treacherous1 came to this sorry plight4 ,he was an ambitious member of the church1 and aimed to be elected to an office therein4 ,his admirers were too few1 so the majority vote was given for another1 named ,mr4 ,wisdom4 ,this so aroused the jealousy of ,mr4 ,treacherous that he was moved to seek amends for what he considered a stinging and crushing defeat4 8,this will ,i do10 said he1 8,i will dig a deep ditch across ,mr4 ,wisdom's path of success1 and will shrewdly cover it from view1 and as he chances along that way1 in the course of his service1 he will surely fall into this ditch to his hurt4 ,then will ,i glory in his downfall1 so that the stings of this1 my defeat1 will not prick me so sharply40 ,so ,mr4 ,treacherous1 in the blackness of the night1 digged the ditch and covered it ingeniously4 ,then he waited day after day to hear of ,mr4 ,wisdom's injury or death1 that he might have cause for rejoicing4 ,now ,mr4 ,treacherous1 since his defeat1 was so heavily weighed down with envy and a desire for revenge that he could not sleep soundly1 and was wont to walk about the house in a somnambulistic manner4 ,one night1 under the influence of one of these strange spells1 he went from the house and walked over the path that led to the ditch4 ,to his great dismay and double disgrace he waked not until his body struck the bottom of the ditch4 ,he was bruised and some of his bones were broken4 ,thus he lay there in agony and cried all night long for help4 ,ere the morning broke he wished a thousand times that he had not dug the ditch so deep1 or rather1 had not dug it at all4 ,a band of searchers found him and1 lifting him from his disgrace1 they hurried him to this hospital1 for he was not minded to humble himself still more by going to another place where ,mr4 ,wisdom and his kind found relief in time of trouble4 ,it is likely that ,mr4 ,treacherous will never be able to walk again as perfectly as he did before1 for it is the reputation of surgeons and physicians of this hospital1 in dealing with cases of such extreme folly1 that they so manipulate an operation as to render the patient incapable of complete recovery4 ,mr4 ,world and his congenial escort moved on from patient to patient1 passing many hundreds who had met with accidents on the ,broad ,highway4 ,many had been wounded by the 8sword of the ,spirit0 and were now hoping to be cured by the processes here in vogue4 ,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 bear4 ,mr4 ,world inquired concerning her1 and was told that she was one ,miss ,busy-,body1 a member in good standing of a radical church4 ,she came to her grief in this strange manner3 she had a special aptitude for sweeping before other people's doors1 and could always find dirt1 even if she could not find anything better4 ,she had been told repeatedly to sweep before her own door1 but she did not heed this wise counsel1 for she often said that there was no dirt visible about her own home4 ,one day she went forth as usually1 broom in hand1 and swept the dirt from other doors than her own1 much to the annoyance and provocation of her neighbors1 for she always raised the dust incontinently4 ,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 door1 her foot slipped on the greasy step1 and she fell1 breaking her collar bone1 two of her ribs1 and otherwise injuring herself4 ,the manager told ,mr4 ,world that many such cases came to them for help every day--some from the ,king's ,highway and still more from the ,broad ,highway4 ,they soon came to the bedside of one named ,mr4 ,jealousy who occupied a private room4 ,he was somewhat convalescent when ,mr4 ,world saw him4 ,mr4 ,jealousy at one time was an active member of the church1 but he undertook to stab ,mr4 ,stability in the back4 ,but ,mr4 ,stability had a good back-bone so strong that no knife that ,mr4 ,jealousy could handle was able to penetrate it4 ,one time in desperation ,mr4 ,jealousy flung himself violently upon his imaginary foe4 ,but his blade broke1 and he himself fell upon it1 cutting a terrible gash in his side4 ,he was taken to this hospital for help4 ,thus did ,mr4 ,jealousy bring upon himself the disfavor of his church and he was forthwith expelled1 for he refused to give the required promise of reformation4 ,mr4 ,world and the manager now came to a large door4 8,in this room10 said the manager1 8we keep all our cancer patients4 ,we have a large number of them and1 since they require special treatment1 we keep them separate to facilitate the work of the physicians and nurses40 ,i saw them enter the room1 and heard the words of surprise that fell from the lips of ,mr4 ,world as he saw the magnitude of this department4 8,these are they10 explained the chief of the division1 8who came here through #8profane and vain babblings4'0 ,mr4 ,world then passed through the leprosy ward where he saw quite a few who were once cleansed by the ,divine ,healer1 but who1 failing to give thanks for their recovery1 suffered fatal relapse and were now in the last stages of this dread disease4 ,this place was so loathsome to him that he was hastened into the ,general ,department where he saw all manner of patients1 each in his particular dilemma4 ,a great number of this section were suffering from disordered livers1 and of these not a few came from the church4 ,one such1 who was a wealthy man1 had so far protruded his disagreeableness upon the community that the church officials voluntarily gave him medicine for his liver4 ,this was of no avail4 ,he still grew more irritable and complained about the preacher1 the sexton1 the choir1 and even his own wife4 ,the weather never suited him1 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 pilgrimage4 ,while suffering from one of his morbid spells1 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 ,hospital4 ,these doctors dosed him until they persuaded him to submit to an operation1 and the wicked surgeon knew how to render him still more liable to trouble after his imaginary restoration toward which he was looking when ,mr4 ,world saw him4 ,when he leaves this ,hospital he can never be cured from the fiercer subsequent attacks unless he be born again1 and such an event ,satan knows is very unlikely to occur4 ,mr4 ,world1 in passing1 spoke to quite a few who were suffering from spiritual dyspepsia1 consumption1 and a great number of other ailments which had developed into chronic form1 or had made necessary the surgeon's cruel knife1 and then1 turning to his obliging friend1 asked if he could not now see ,miss ,church-,member4 ,he was taken into a special department arranged for those who were convalescent4 ,when she saw her faithful and loving friend1 ,miss ,church-,member smiled for the first time since the operation4 ,the pleasant interview soon ended at the behest of the nurse1 and ,mr4 ,world was asked if he wished to enter the secret departments underground4 ,this question aroused his curiosity and led to a lengthy conversation after which he expressed a desire to visit the secret chambers4 ,he was conducted into a dark office and asked to sign a pledge that lay on a desk4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,satan',s ,,secret ,,service4 #a4 ,while ,miss ,church-,member is convalescent1 ,mr4 ,world alone visits the underground apartments where secret sins are taught4 #b4 ,the last horrible stages of vice represented4 ,i saw ,mr4 ,world standing in a shadowy room and reading the conditions of entering 8,satan's ,secret ,service40 ,he was soon surprised by hearing a voice from a gloomy corner3 8,you cannot gain entrance to these secret abodes unless you sign that pledge40 8,the meaning of the pledge is not clear to me4 ,who will explain it80 asked ,mr4 ,world somewhat tremulously4 8,you can read between those lines all you wish4 ,those sentences must be their own interpreters1 and you must choose to sign or withdraw from this room1 just as you prefer10 came the firm answer from the dark corner4 ,before ,mr4 ,world could decide what particular course to take1 a hand gently touched his shoulder4 ,he turned to see who stood in the rear4 8,o1 ,mr4 ,world1 thou needst not fear to sign the pledge and enter the secret service of our great and glorious master10 were the words that greeted him in a friendly tone4 8,who art thou1 and how camest thou here80 asked ,mr4 ,world in suspense4 8,i came here from #8going to and fro in the earth1 and from walking up and down in it4'0 ,then1 without uttering another word1 the strange visitor lifted the pledge from the desk and read it audibly3 8,into these darker chambers let me go1 ,i promise to conceal its scenes of woe1 ,and solemnly declare1 as here ,i stand1 ,that ,i will aid this secret working band40 8,what can there be about that pledge not suited to your wish8 ,it means that you are to have your eyes opened to behold new things1 and also to learn the secret laws of life1 healthful to your marrow and your bones40 ,mr4 ,world hesitated no longer4 ,he signed the document forthwith1 and a pass-word was whispered into his ear4 ,suddenly a door opened at one end of the room1 through which ,mr4 ,world walked into a large cavern which was illuminated only by faint glimmerings of light4 ,he could discern faintly that many creatures were there whose uncanny noises1 freighted with oaths and blasphemies1 sent their sulphurous fumes around4 ,although ,mr4 ,world was accustomed to foul scenes and profanity1 yet he was sickened at this deeper touch of ,hell4 8,where am ,i and how came ,i here80 he cried out excitedly4 ,a woman came quickly in response to his outcry4 8,you are in a place of liberty and personal license10 she answered4 8,here you are free from the annoyances of narrow-minded pilgrims from the ,king's ,highway1 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 mind40 ,now ,mr4 ,world was a somewhat judicious man1 and although he would not sanction what he called church fanaticism1 yet he had some self-respect1 and had never allowed himself to reach the slum-level of society4 8,here ,i cannot and will not stay4 ,are there no other apartments to which ,i can go80 he asked1 as the woman offered him a glass of wine1 and in a sensual way entreated him to remain4 ,mr4 ,world was a lover of wine1 but was suspicious of the place1 and so he moved to go and found great difficulty in getting to another door1 which1 at last1 he reached only by determination1 and1 giving a pass-word1 he went into the first regular department of ,satan's ,secret ,service4 ,this place1 which was secretly connected with the ,wizard ,city1 was one of ,satan's centers from which originated schemes and devices to commit and practice embryonic murder4 ,i saw in this dark cavern the sons and daughters of earth1 high and low1 noble and ignoble1 and my heart bled within at what ,i further witnessed4 ,mr4 ,world passed through from one section to another1 studying carefully the secret processes in vogue1 while illustrations1 drawn by the artists of the ,devil1 instead of sending the blush of shame to his cheek1 only fed his inner curiosity and verily aroused his baser passions4 ,having finished1 he gave the pass-word and was admitted to a sub-department called ,foeticide4 ,this section1 and the one he had just left1 were located directly under the physicians' offices along the ,king's ,highway4 ,it could be seen that there was direct connection between these offices and the horrible subterraneous apartments through which ,mr4 ,world was now passing4 ,so many unnatural and horrible things were practiced in this sub- department that ,mr4 ,world was shocked beyond measure1 for he had never dreamed of the extent of the malpractice to which his eyes here bore testimony4 ,all these things1 while at first revolting1 were only hardening his own heart to such an extent that1 before he had passed through the last wing of the department1 and heard the apologetic words of those who were in charge1 he concluded that these agencies conduced to much good4 8,oh60 thought ,i1 8how the light of ,hell casts a strange coloring over the things of earth1 thereby creating false theories of mortal life40 ,by means of the pass-word ,mr4 ,world was enabled to visit the next department where he witnessed sights more revolting than in any place previously entered4 ,here groveled the youth under the power of so-called stimulating medicaments4 ,mr4 ,world1 with all his wickedness1 was chilled with horror at these underground spectacles4 ,noticing his evident disgust1 one came to him and offered soothing explanations to which he listened very attentively4 8,this is a blessed place10 spoke the newcomer4 8,we1 who are skilled in crime1 give the youthful an expert training in the ways of pollution and kindred types of immorality4 ,it is far better to teach the young to sin aright and with least damage to themselves1 than to place them under all restraint and see them fall more wretchedly than these40 ,with all the moral turpitude of ,mr4 ,world he was scarcely ready1 at first hearing1 to accept this grinding sophistry of ,hell4 8,are you quite sure1 my friend1 doubted ,mr4 ,world1 that you are speaking words of soberness to me8 ,do you feel proud of the results of the work here accomplished80 8,proud indeed1 for our master has given us encomiums for the splendid work accomplished4 ,you see1 ,mr4 ,world1 it is a settled fact that young people will sin1 notwithstanding all the influence exerted to the contrary4 ,such as we can persuade we take under our direction1 and try1 as soon as possible1 to harden them in personal crime4 ,our physicians have special medicines to inflame their propensities1 so that they may1 by continual burning1 consume themselves and spare the youth from otherwise being tormented day and night in these flames of passion4 ,are you so dull1 ,mr4 ,world1 that you cannot grasp such self-evident truth80 8,it seems now somewhat clearer to my mind1 but still my eyes behold such horrid scenes around me40 8,i cannot question that10 continued the smooth-tongued agent of darkness1 8yet what you see are but the lower stages4 ,if you could look beyond these dark corridors and see the types of womanhood which grow out of this under-soil1 you would no longer breathe in doubt or look with shuddering frame on scenes around you4 ,all good things come forth through putrefaction4 ,then why should you despise the putrefaction8 ,be content1 ,mr4 ,world1 and as you walk along the path of life1 remember this great ,college underground1 and recommend its salient features to the rising generation4 ,you have signed the pledge and promised to aid this secret working band4 ,so do it with a vim1 keeping in view the blossoms and the fruit of after-growth40 ,mr4 ,world was completely won by this false and devilish reasoning1 and looked on the whole program of shame quite philosophically4 ,he took full cognizance of the far-reaching effects of this section and1 after an interview with one of the head physicians1 he proceeded to visit the next section4 ,but what he saw there will not be told4 ,no pen can describe and no tongue relate the loathsome filth of this last stage of immorality4 ,an awful stench filled the air arising from medicines of last resort and from the putrefying flesh that clothed the living skeletons4 ,it was by mistake that ,mr4 ,world got into this place4 ,the door opened to admit a few 8,unfortunates10 as they were called by the attendants1 and ,mr4 ,world1 standing near by1 entered without permission4 ,he was no sooner inside the door than he was frantically seized by a sunken-eyed creature4 8,o man of health1 deliver me from this inner eating and from the grave that opens to me its mouldy mouth60 was the heart-rending cry that grated on the ears of ,mr4 ,world4 ,another1 hearing this pleading cry1 came rushing toward the same spot and sobbed piteously3 8,oh6 ,mr4 ,world1 have pity on me6 ,i had help when ,i had means and vitality4 ,oh6 give me some relief now40 ,mr4 ,world was so terror-stricken that he could not speak1 but struggled with all his might to escape from the place4 ,he gained double strength1 but of no use4 ,these two men imagined that they had a claim on him by reason of his name1 and therefore held on with tightening grasp4 ,for a moment ,mr4 ,world ceased his struggling and looked at his two pitiable beseechers4 8,i can give you nothing4 ,why torment me thus80 he tremblingly gasped with abated breath4 8,in our better days we gave all we had to the world and now we need help4 ,surely you can give it40 ,they became furious and ranted the more at the thought of their past folly4 8,why come to me8 ,go to ,mr4 ,flesh1 or ask the ,devil for help10 pleaded ,mr4 ,world4 8,we have served the ,world1 the ,flesh1 and the ,devil4 ,all have failed us miserably4 ,to whom else can we go but to anyone within our reach8 ,oh6 forsake us not in this awful plight60 ,poor ,mr4 ,world1 unable longer to bear the sickening and threatening attack1 sank to the filth-covered floor and groaned aloud4 ,at once a fierce and powerful being came to the rescue and1 flinging the two unfortunates aside1 lifted ,mr4 ,world to his feet and looked down upon him with his awful eyes4 ,mr4 ,intemperance lay crouching near the side of ,mr4 ,lust1 each smarting under the pain of his fall4 8,how came you to this place80 sternly asked the monster4 8,by walking in at the door10 answered the terrified ,mr4 ,world4 8,without permission80 he further asked4 8,there was no one there to ask1 and ,i1 being out sight-seeing1 thought ,i might also enter in here40 ,the monster seized ,mr4 ,world by the arms and looked at him in a still more frightful manner4 8,you are not yet ready to come into this region1 and if you will solemnly pledge me that you will never reveal what you have seen here1 ,i will conduct you safely to the door2 if not1 you must remain here without a ray of hope until death gives relief40 ,mr4 ,world humbled himself and gave double assurance of secrecy4 ,then the grim creature conducted him a little to one side and bade him look down into a deep and dark yawning chasm4 8,down there10 commenced the ,old ,monster1 8runs the ,black ,river deep and wide4 ,the stream1 coming from its distant source1 drains the filthy realm of human society1 and not far hence it enters into the boundless ocean of eternal death4 ,the wild sounds which you hear are the unseen dashings of its never-ceasing waves1 and the moans of those who have fallen victims to its merciless currents40 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,the ,,last ,,warning4 #a4 ,miss ,church-,member is now induced to frequent the haunts of vice in the 8,wicked ,valley40 #b4 ,the blessed work of ,warning as given by rescue bands from the ,king's ,highway4 #c4 ,the heedless throngs passing by4 #d4 ,the experiences at this place of ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member4 ,there was a joyful meeting in the reception room of the ,hospital when ,mr4 ,world1 returning from his underground experiences1 met his beloved friend ,miss ,church-,member who had recovered sufficiently to resume the journey4 ,in joyful spirits they sauntered forth on the wide and pleasant path1 away from the ,hospital and toward their imaginary ,heaven4 ,miss ,church-,member's face was more cheerful and her footsteps more buoyant than at any time since she left the ,valley of ,conviction4 ,mr4 ,world1 observing her favorable condition1 complimented her with these words3 8,blessed be the memory of that ,hospital1 for ,i can see that your face is no more covered with the cloud of care that once robbed you of so many joys4 ,the unkind intruder has drifted away1 and now the light radiates from your every feature4 ,it is also plainly evident that you are no more tormented by a troubled conscience40 8,i am glad that my sufferings have not been in vain10 she modestly declared4 8,may the new light which you so readily notice in my face add to the pleasantness of our journey and the profit of our lives40 ,their conversation grew more and more pleasant as they passed through a long stretch of woodland4 ,they could see beyond1 them1 and in the rear1 the legions that were traveling the same path and in the same direction4 ,emerging from the woodland they saw that their path came again in close proximity to the ,king's ,highway4 ,the intervening space between the two paths1 called the ,wicked ,valley1 was all astir with every form of evil as practiced in the world of sin4 ,in this vale nearly every traveler on the ,broad ,highway tarries awhile1 and many are lured away from the ,highway of the ,king here to mingle with the servants of ,mammon4 ,mr4 ,world and his friend paused opposite a cluster of magnificent buildings with frontage toward the ,heavenly ,way4 ,some were used by vulgar theatricals2 some devoted to the sensual dance2 some were occupied by the ,devil's maid-servants in prostitution1 and many others were used as haunts of intemperance and personal pollution4 ,all along the road to perdition at thousands of places stand such clusters of buildings1 each under the command of one of ,satan's most efficient leaders4 8,here10 said ,mr4 ,world1 8let us take a long rest4 ,if you have your glasses properly adjusted you can see new beauty behind magnificent walls40 ,she looked at first doubtfully4 8,ah6 ,i never frequented such places before4 ,i would not as much as look at them40 8,i doubt not your word1 ,miss ,church-,member1 but remember you are growing older and wiser4 ,you are no more a narrow-minded creature influenced by prejudice and sophistry40 ,she was now in a condition to imagine that much of her earlier instruction was erroneous4 ,she had not forgotten the teaching of the sermon in ,mr4 ,world's church4 ,subsequently she reasoned that the only way to learn the taste of forbidden fruit was to eat of it4 8,i will enter these buildings as a student10 she soliloquized4 8,i will be cautious4 ,surely ,i have sufficiently clear judgment to discern between good and evil40 ,the crafty ,mr4 ,world1 having won her confidence1 escorted her all through the ,wicked ,valley4 ,by a continual palliation she yielded one point after another until her virtue was sacrificed on a cursed altar4 ,satan assisted her in solving many perplexing problems when she reeled in the realm of doubt4 ,at the conclusion of their protracted visit ,i heard the wicked ,mr4 ,world say to his beloved friend3 8,your eyes are completely cured4 ,you may now with safety lay aside the glasses4 ,i hope you will never have occasion to use them again40 ,of the multitudes that tarried here from the ,narrow ,way very few went out at the front door4 ,having stultified themselves1 they passed from the rooms at the rear1 and thenceforth traveled on the other path more suited to their changed natures4 ,the two congenial companions1 proceeding on their way1 soon overtook a company of church-members4 ,in the social intercourse which ensued each one resented the criticisms of those who refused to leave the ,old ,path4 8,verily10 said one1 8,i now enjoy more liberty4 ,i believe the road to ,heaven should be as broad-gauged as possible40 8,certainly it should10 said another4 8,those who want to climb hills and continually suffer inconveniences may do so4 ,as for me1 ,i want to reach ,heaven on the easiest road4 ,i believe this course leads to ,paradise just as directly as the other40 ,these utterances were highly complimented by ,mr4 ,world1 and he said that he was to be congratulated on meeting and associating with such congenial people4 8,on the way on which we are now traveling one can reach his reward as certainly and as speedily as on any other route4 ,in addition1 one can here enjoy natural and graceful pleasures which of course are not tolerated under the eyes of selfish and narrow-minded bigots40 ,i saw ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member1 now more intimate than ever1 pass on alone1 ever walking more hastily4 ,satan had told them1 during their stay in the ,wicked ,valley1 that the faster they journeyed the sooner and the more certainly would they reach their reward4 ,not far from the ,wicked ,valley there is a section called the ,place of ,warning4 ,it has been maintained for thousands of years by virtuous workers from the ,king's ,highway4 ,it is the last warning-station that travelers pass before reaching the ,valley of the ,shadow of ,death1 and here with tearful earnestness do the ,shining ,pilgrims of the cross speak their words of last caution1 sing their sweet hymns of warning1 and put forth every other loving endeavor in the hope of snatching some from the thoughtless throngs that go rushing by toward the ,dark ,valley4 ,i listened and heard a voice from the ,place of ,warning speak to a motley crowd that were passing4 8,whither go ye1 whither go ye80 8,we go to a better place called ,heaven10 answered one of the company4 8,then come hither and go on the ,path of ,life4 ,the way on which ye are now traveling leadeth unto everlasting death40 8,aha6 ,aha6 ,aha60 cried they all4 8,we are well informed about the way and need no foreign voice to give direction40 ,then came the solemn hymn of warning in words so tender and clear that each one could hear every sentence3 8,there's a sad day coming1 ,a sad day coming4 ,there's a sad coming by and by2 ,when the sinner shall hear his doom3 #8,depart1 ,i know you not4' ,are you ready for that day to come80 ,,chorus3 8,are you ready8 ,are you ready8 ,are you ready for the judgment day80 ,the words had not yet died on the air when a young man ran hastily from the company toward the ,way of ,life4 ,his companions then gave vent to their ridicule1 some even going after him and endeavoring to pull him back1 but without avail4 ,some sang an idle song to drown the hymn of warning that still rang in their ears4 ,others engaged in boisterous conversation1 and still others mocked with foul profanity4 ,they passed on1 and as far as ,i could see them they were pushing on to the ,valley of ,death4 ,i saw another man who was heavily burdened with pieces of timber on which was written3 8,faults of ,church-,members40 ,he also came to the ,place of ,warning4 8,throw off the cumbersome weight you are carrying on your back1 and travel on the way where your burden will be light10 came a friendly voice from the ,rescue ,station4 8,i am not so foolish as to throw away my only hope10 he answered with unthankfulness in his tone4 8#8,your only hope1'0 repeated the voice of warning1 8how can you explain such foolish words80 8,with passing ease4 ,i will soon come to the ,river of ,death and with these boards ,i can make myself a raft whereon ,i can pass over safely40 ,then spoke the voice of warning clearer than before3 8,o1 foolish man6 ,knowest thou not that the ,river of ,death1 toward which thou art rapidly moving1 cannot be crossed in a bark so frail8 ,i have seen millions who tried in vain to ride its angry currents1 but they sank beneath its dark waters4 ,come1 ,o mortal man1 if thou hast nothing better on which to depend1 listen to the voice of wisdom and come1 without delay1 to the ,path of ,glory40 ,but the man passed on4 ,i watched him till he reached the river1 and saw him go from the shore in his self-constructed raft4 8,i sink6 ,i sink6 ,save me60 he1 cried in utmost agony of terror as his little raft whirled about1 leaving the poor self-deceived fellow to the mercy of the waves4 ,i saw others as they passed the ,place of ,warning4 ,thousands and tens of thousands1 some now totally deaf to every voice of warning1 some with cotton-filled ears1 and others with instruments of music with which they drowned the calls of warning4 ,many more passed by who carried little balloons of self-righteousness with which they expected to rise above the murky ,river of ,death4 ,a young woman1 who moved more cautiously1 stopped at the ,place of ,warning and listened attentively4 ,directly a voice spoke to her3 8,not far hence1 ,o mortal woman1 there is a wide river4 ,it surges on forever4 ,no one who goes this way can escape its waters4 ,listen now to the voice of ,wisdom4 ,leave this blood-marked way of misery and woe1 and come to these happier dominions where #8her ways are ways of pleasantness1 and all her paths are peace4'0 8,surely ,i will not be lost10 she replied4 8,i am depending on the mercy of ,god who is too kind to be unjust4 ,i will come out all right in the end40 8,take heed1 my friend10 pleaded the warning voice4 8,you are hoping for mercy at the dividing line between time and eternity4 ,better forget not what the ,scripture saith4 #8,he that is unjust1 let him be unjust still3 and he which is filthy let him be filthy still4' ,so thou canst not wilfully neglect so great salvation and hope that ,god will cover at last all thy folly4 #8,now is the accepted time2 behold1 now is the day of salvation4' #8,to-day1 if ye hear his voice1 harden not your hearts'0 8,you have said nothing new to me4 ,they are the old thread-bare passages that ,i have heard from my youth up1 and ,i am minded to accept a broader view of these statements than you seem to take of them40 ,at this she tossed her head haughtily and continued her journey1 resolving more firmly than ever that she would not spend eternity outside the ,gates of ,heaven4 ,when she came to the ,dark ,valley and to the angry swelling currents1 her pitiful prayer broke out from the long-covered depth of her soul4 8,mercy1 ,o mercy1 to a wretch like me60 ,but no hand came to her rescue4 ,i saw ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member as they approached the ,place of ,warning4 ,they heard the sweet music1 rendered so excellently1 but gave no attention to the sentiment expressed by the words4 ,they listened only to the harmony of sounds4 8,o1 ,miss ,church-,member60 pleaded a voice1 8you who were once so earnestly engaged on the ,king's ,highway1 will you not1 before you reach the ,river of ,death1 forsake your perilous course and walk on the path of life eternal80 ,these words1 which would have once brought conviction to her heart1 only brought vanity to her head4 8#8,judge not1 that ye be not judged1' and go speak to the lost1 not to me so well equipped to meet the direst foe4 ,turn your words to those on the other path1 who go hobbling along in misery1 not fit to live or die40 8,come1 come60 put in ,mr4 ,world1 8your pearls before swine are only trampled under foot4 ,forget not so quickly the teachings of our ,lord40 ,as they passed on1 in a self-righteous manner1 she cheerily looked into his face and said3 8,it was kind in you to come so promptly to my rescue4 ,i might have prattled there a whole day and yet not have shown them half their folly40 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,the ,,valley ,,of ,,the ,,shadow ,,of ,,death4 #a4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member getting farther from the light4 #b4 ,they drift into the deepening shadows where the path could be traveled only one way4 #c4 ,the terrible experience of the two companions contending with the imps of the dark valley4 #d4 ,their sad and tragic end as they catch a glimpse of what they might have been4 ,after leaving the place of the ,last ,warning1 the ,broad ,highway grew darker and darker as it steadily diverged from the ,king's ,highway4 ,the little light that ,satan's pilgrims do enjoy is borrowed from 8the path of the just that shineth more and more unto the perfect day40 ,mr4 ,world saw the deepening shadows and endeavored to be as cheerful as usually1 hoping thereby to prevent any alarm in the mind of his faithful friend4 ,the path1 though wide1 was now steeply descending1 and travelers often slipped on the steeper inclines4 ,i saw that the two companions descended with difficulty1 cautiously watching every footstop1 lest they1 like many others1 should fall to their hurt4 ,they now gave but little attention to the things along the way1 and when they did pause for rest on the easier grades1 they found the meadows more barren and everything more dark and dank4 ,miss ,church-,member had been painfully conscious of these unhappy contrasts1 and asked repeatedly the meaning of all that her eyes beheld and her heart realized1 but ,mr4 ,world1 true to his nature1 partly allayed her fears with words of hope and glowing promises4 ,but ,i heard her again ask with a quivering voice3 8,where is the light that so lately lent its blessed cheer1 and whither go we stumbling downward in the dark80 8,we only go in the darkest hour that comes before the dawn10 he said with a firm voice but a trembling heart4 8,be hopeful1 my dear1 ,i will not forsake you40 ,her heart was not calmed1 for she could see his distress which he had hoped to conceal1 and no one could minimize the surrounding scenes which now seemed like omens of death4 ,they stood still1 and learned1 upon inquiry1 that they were standing in the ,shadows of ,premonition4 ,mr4 ,world could no longer endure the strain4 ,his bold attitude gave way to his rising fears1 for he saw that his wasted life was ending with no opportunity of redeeming its days4 ,his whole body quivered as they walked still farther in a desperate effort to find relief4 ,miss ,church-,member was almost overcome as she continued looking upon the ominous darkness around4 ,she soon realized that her only refuge whom she had seized by the arm proved miserably weak in this hour of great need4 8,oh6 ,mr4 ,world10 she cried1 in utmost agony of mind1 8where have you led me8 ,save me ere ,i perish60 ,he spoke not1 but with his aspen fingers he pointed backward toward the sloping ,highway4 ,then with all eagerness they endeavored to retrace their steps1 but somehow they could do no more than stumble and fall1 and when they were making their most desperate effort to return they heard a voice from someone invisible4 ,this voice announced to them that here the path could be traveled only one way4 ,the same voice urged them to push through the shadows and face their end like heroes4 ,at this their hope died within them1 and they had no more courage to struggle up the hill4 ,they stood again in their wretched dilemma and heard the sound of distant waters1 doleful to their ears1 and from this they could distinguish the bitter wails of those who also found that they could not return4 ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member cast their eyes heavenward and discerned that they were standing in a very deep valley4 ,they saw the dim outlines of all their past evil life4 ,their deeds stretched away at interminable length1 and in the aggregate they were piled1 like ledge upon ledge1 until they verily shut out the mercy of a just ,god4 ,here they stood in the first shadow of their self-constructed ,hell4 8,oh1 what a valley60 shrieked ,miss ,church-,member1 as her consciousness now revealed to her more in one second than all the fanciful dreams of a life-time evolved4 ,and ,mr4 ,world was undone4 ,he knew not which way to turn4 ,he was speechless as he saw so clearly the worthless product of his life's work almost overarching him4 ,finally ,mr4 ,world cried out excitedly3 8,if we cannot go back1 neither will we go forward60 ,then a grim monster spoke in a slow1 dead tone3 8,no one remaineth here2 away1 away from this place60 ,miss ,church-,member was terrorized at the presence of so cold a creature and frantically cried out3 8,i cannot and will not endure it6 ,can ,i not go back to the ,voice of ,warning80 8,back8 ,never6 ,no one who comes thus far ever goes back4 ,during the earthly life of one called ,jesus there was but one snatched from these lowlands1 and he was the thief on the cross40 8,if there was chance for a thief1 there might be hope for me10 she sighed as her wretched face brightened4 8,hope for you80 repeated the cold-hearted monster4 8,none whatever1 and for none of your kind who come thus far4 ,pass on1 make room for the thousands coming this way1 the sound of whose tread you already hear40 ,looking at ,mr4 ,world she pitifully sobbed3 8,why do you not help me8 ,you have brought me here2 plead my cause40 8,alas1 ,i cannot even plead my own60 ,he could say no more1 for he took a longing glance backward1 over the hills of time1 where he could truly see1 for the first time1 the horrible depth of his folly4 ,then came the monstrous creature again and sternly commanded them3 8,tarry no more on this side of the river's brink40 ,illustration3 ,struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the ,black ,river in the ,valley of the ,shadow of ,death4 ,they tasted the bitter fruits of opportunities lost1 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 deeds4 ,i then heard the discordant and agonizing wails of poor ,miss ,church-,member and her wretched companion2 but the sounds fell harmoniously on the ears of ,satan who listened to them chiming with the music of ,hell1 in its deathlike rhythm1 as it reverberated forever from the depth beyond them1 and from the throngs passing by4 ,miss ,church-,member could no longer hold fast to ,mr4 ,world4 ,it took both arms to contend with the real and imaginary imps who stood grinning at her folly1 and grievously tormented her from all sides4 8,o mercy6 mercy6 ,where am ,i80 she shrieked4 8,how can you be so heartless1 ,mr4 ,world8 ,why not rid me of these fiends80 8,cry to me no more60 he groaned out in anguish4 8,i am also overwhelmed with foes and fears that verily drag me down with infernal and relentless grasp40 ,this only deepened her pathetic cry1 for she saw that she was lost forever1 and realized anew that ,mr4 ,world was unable to give help1 contrary to all his promises of the past4 ,then did1 they look forth1 and beheld afar off the ,valley of the ,shadow of ,death through which the ,king's ,highway passed4 ,they saw that its foot-sore pilgrims leaned upon a rod and staff1 and that they were supported by the pierced hands of a ,friend that sticketh closer than a brother4 ,neither did the pilgrims fear any evil nor tremble at any foe1 for ,christ was their all in all1 and his lovely light lit the whole valley until it was all aglow with heavenly radiance4 ,this vision revealed to ,mr4 ,world and ,miss ,church-,member the place where they might have been1 and pierced their hearts as with a thousand daggers4 ,they soon stood on the verge of the ,awful ,river which was filled with the filth and slimy putrefaction of the world1 the fungus growth of society1 and the scum of all nationalities4 ,from these currents came unearthly sounds1 doleful lamentations1 melancholy and hopeless4 ,not far down the stream they saw the fitful light of an eternal burning whose ghastly glare lit the water crests of the ,black ,river4 ,i saw a relentless monster1 in deep silence1 stretching forth his bony arm1 and with his icy fingers he pushed the two companions from the brink of the river1 thus bringing them face to face with the last enemy whose sharp sting they felt as they were being overwhelmed by the merciless waves4 ,illustration3 ,when they who journey on the ,king's ,highway reach the ,river of ,death1 they are met by a convoy of angels and borne aloft to the gates of the ,celestial ,city4 ,their heart-rending cries for mercy brought no relief4 ,they had sinned against all light1 and had even spurned the last kindly warning4 ,the ,door of ,hope was shut forever4 ,as they were sinking to rise no more they caught another vision of the ,shining ,pilgrims of the ,king's ,highway1 and saw that when they reached the brink of the ,river of ,death they were met by a convoy of angels1 on whose snowy pinions they were borne aloft to the very gates of the ,celestial ,city which apparently stood on white clouds4 ,,the ,,end