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

geous view of the world and a most di

ged from the tower's top to a place on th

-Member ride from the tower'

ty and outward happiness. This valley is known by the pilgrims of the King's Highway as the Devil's Heaven, for here

Mr. World as they drew nearer to the sc

ur journey is growing more and mor

the territory of the World, coveted its ways and were snared by one or another of Satan's devices to catch the unwary. The larger portion of

n their happy choice of a wider and more pleasant path, and they

dially by Mr. World who left nothing undone

h occupied nearly the whole space between the two Highways. Into this place of attractive r

the "Ladies Parlor" where they drank alleged unfermented wines, and admired the sculpture and works of art which adorned the place. They were then offered their choice of porter, sweet cider, root beer, hot punch (

ewith, stood a group of buildings patronized by the lower order

uch as look at such despicable resorts, but continued their journey until they came to a wider section of the valley wh

ny so great that it can

state of nerv

great host were marching on, each soldier equipped with the full panoply of his station. Many of the pilgrims on the Broad Highway trembled at the presence of so powerful an army. It has caused the enemy much concern how to meet and, if possible, conquer this foe. This a

d with anger, endured the gigantic d

he Tobacco Station until they reached the centre of the valley where th

mposing strength occupied the whole space between the two highways. Its found

ion. It was built by Satan, and was said to afford the finest view of the w

e purpose intended. Scarcely any pilgrims en route fo

n-cliff, on one side of the valley, was used b

"steps had well-nigh slipped." Had it not been that by faith he looked to a mountain far away, a

the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and said unto him: "Al

re was begotten within him an inordinate craving for earth

his companions were looking at the exterior finish of the tower, after which they stepped to the base and spent some time in wat

ied by fortune tellers of reputed ability. In one of these they saw an old woman with a myster

op of the tower, visited this fortune teller, and by her descriptions of his

view which could be had from the top of the tower. They entered a car

ch they could see more distinctly the beauty and greatness of the world, and the roughness and inconvenience of traveling the King's Hi

of the tower, and many evil agents busily

hom the scenery had a doleful effect. Some were filled with melancholy, and

ceeding on a way that appeared more rugged than ever, and also made them more desirous

d at once. She stood on the edge of the tower not far from Mr. World and his compani

were here seen to best advantage. She saw, with ease, the Broad Highw

nts speak to another group of pilgrims who

niversity of the World built at an enormous cost and sacrifice for the accommodation of all travelers. Each one of you who reaches the lower end of this valley should

narrow that if a traveler should stand still, he is constantly harassed or pushed about by those who wish to pass on. The other highway furnishes a marked contrast, for there a person may stand still without annoyance to hi

ers, and passes through many places similar to the one far down the valley." They all l

he speaker, "that one must constantly pass t

nd heard all these words. She was so di

ll my testimonies fall to the earth? Surely the way of the world

gs of prayer, fly in triumph from the tower's top, down the valley, over the Meshes of Doubt, and land on

ed who, on wings of prayer, escaped from he Tower

nity, has descended to a bad level and must, of necessity, climb yonder terrible hill which

d steady, and I was pleased with the swiftness of her flight," sa

n her a finer trip in one of the aerial ships lately invented by the experts of the Wizard City. I will summon one. Look no more at Mrs. Discouraged with

on the strangely shaped airship came in

pectators, "to travel in a car like that,

It moves as easily as a bird," were some of the various sentenc

asked Mr. World as he turned

's Highway timorously fell back at his abrupt suggest

r. World and Miss Church-Member speedily exchange

ind like a large bird on wing, and sped away to the pleasure grounds along the Broad Highway where most of the passengers, be