Mr. World and Miss Church-Member: A Twentieth Century Allegory

entury compared to

as seen through the open door of the twentieth century, on

llowship. From here she journeys with him on the Broad Hig

high eminence whence I overlooked a beautiful valley and watch

w, as "through a glass darkly," the whole panorama of human life, with its painful pictures of sadness and sin, and its blessed scenes of peace and righteousness. I also hea

perplexing parts in the fitful drama before me. All of this so preyed upon my mind that I involuntarily cried out, in t

er, or shall I?" replied a voice so

y garments. His indescribable face was set with two bright eyes, softened in expression until a slight halo revealed to me a countenance half beautiful and half t

world of spirits, and am comman

through the open door o

ll you abide?" I asked in dread suspense. "I must remain, a

l voice whispering within me: "Stand still, O mortal man! Neither Blackana nor any of his horde shall do thee harm. He hovers before thee a

ly I cast my wondering eyes all about me and saw that I was standing at the very threshold of a great door. It was o

ut fear: "Where are we, and what is the meaning of this great d

ury. You may look out into the coming years as far as y

erpretation and words suggested, I marveled at his sullenness, f

, "why are you so dead

of the centuries, which open and shut on the cycles of time, are

urned from this creature so shrouded in mystery and, stepping forward to look through the open door, I was

I could distinctly see the myriad millions of humani

urch militant, led triumphantly by the Spirit of God to the very gates of the Celestial City, which, though di

ome, with deliberate step, scrutinizing the objects along the way; others, in mad haste, rushing on

death, and entered, through Christ, into that marvelous light wherein she was now walking. Her tread was in swe

gave some evidence of her spiritual character; and a religious emblem, worn

which occupied a pleasing site close by the King's Highway. Here one could readily sp

f corpulent build, who was attired in the fashion of the day, and bore him

o give this brief invitation: "Will you journey a short distance with me on this Broader Way that I may prepare m

happiness. Here you can drink the water of life in abundance, and feed upon angels' food. O, come, Mr. World," she added as she spoke more earnestly, "linger no longer, carry out the resolution which you have already broken repeatedly, and you will neve

h better I could do this if one like you, in whom I have supreme confidence, would but journey at my side. Will you not do the work of a good missionary and, like Christ,

who feared for her safety, and actually stepped still farther from her wonted path and journeyed at the side of Mr. World wit

ly upon his arm, ever turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her well-me

sacrifice that might add to her comfort or increase her happiness. His many companions could readily see t

ags that covered his own soul, and so he preferred to look upon the garments

assing pleasures of sense and sight. The thoughtless throngs were seemingly unconscious that underneath the whole length and breadth of the path there were str

ok warning and fled toward the King's Highway. Many, like Miss Church-Member,

her terror. Mr. World replied, with a look of surprise: "Have you never heard that these are

above, with increasing splendor, while these cast forth, from below, their uncertain lights. It seems to me that t

es are at fault. We will presently meet the expert who w

struction. As soon as he disappeared the flames burst forth in fury through the newly-made opening. Instantly a servant of Satan

nt of the Black Prince. Each opening made by an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so tha

ndings of human life which now came to her attention mo

and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretch

out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward her would-be rescuer who

ned toward Mr. World. "That ought to be enough to ke

member hurries to the rescu

that neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and w

ave seen hundreds of such places where travelers

onal warning to any one who might seem determined to walk in such a terrible path as this."

u see that woman with her steps in the same direction? Now try y

titude, but quickly went to the wo

saved from destructio

ch-M

gh," was the in

toward an awful death," were

heard already the words from those who also wear the pilgrim's robe, but who journey on the King's Highway?

ou good. I just saw one who came to a horrible end by continuing

n yourself about me. I have two eyes-as many as you have. Look to y

y from this sickly atmosphere." But Miss Church-Member lingered only to see the heedless woman step to th

follow this shining pat

t is too rough and s