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

"The Midway," whence they take the Mountain Trol

mitive address

o the far end of the Valley of Temptation where they spen

alley as "The Midway." Here they saw a large number of pilgrims from the King's Highway who were engaging in o

ith her moral character, did not surrender her chastity, and although she had such continual fellowship with Mr. World she yet held the respect of many other church-members; for it was quite fashionable to belong to the church and still walk in the ways of the world. Satan, under a hellish guise, offe

he mountain elevations for many miles. This imposing sight had awakened the admiration of Mr. World and his friend, and had it not been for the countless attractions of the Midw

nions caught the flashes of variously-colored lights which emanated from every part of the elevated struct

al show of brilliancy, and nothing on the lo

glorious summit?" she inquir

ain. Have you forgotten the obliging attendant who advised us as we stood

te cars, and instead of going directly to the mountain top they were surp

through the dark?" ask

er as she held f

tation called Rest, and a voice announced in distinct tones: "Come, ye troubled or distressed, and ye

sh?" courteously

uble nor in disgrace

ols before we go to the hig

ng, and everything wore a melancholy dress; yet, withal, there was a pleasing charm about the place. Some secret touch in the doleful music, o

red through this sickly region, and had decided to leave the p

CED! THE SHORTEST ROU

s of Satan. The teachers in this infamous place, by a series of graded instructions, suggested to their pupils that suicide was the surest and shortest road to rest. In the darker rooms of the rear I saw, to my horror, a scene that neither Mr. World nor Miss Church-Member was permitted to

first car and were soon speeding on through Dismal Tunnel. It was a welcome moment when the car emerged from the darkness into the light of day and took

hey were hurried away toward a group of immense structures known as the "College of the World's Literature;" and yet with all the imm

"I command you, O Black Interpreter, to tell me of the origin and management of this College of Literature." As I

ry age it has increased to its present proportions. That which you see is but the central point of this great educational enterprise. Its unseen branches

rganism of Blackana quivered with reluctance as if he would not answer. "Refuse me

of all these schools is to counteract and, if possible, to destroy the influence of the teachings of Him who is called Jesus Christ. He was once

er his feet. Satan's words ran wild as he addressed the insulted hosts of Hell on this issue." Knowing t

, thereby transforming himself into the image of Satan. It appear

r teeth? Not satisfied that we grovel on these remains of empire, we are further threatened with being cast miserably under his feet. Whose feet I ask? The feet

hideous with their cries, so accur

nd unitedly on our rustic frontier, and push the conquest on to farther realms. Then all Heav

r at his awful gestures; but conscious that no harm could

lourish in the very soil that Christ would bring to highest cultivation. The germs of our literature, rooted in human soil a

ue. Who then, amongst our enemies, can kill the appetite when once 'tis roused to craving for the carnal? Give me the quill and the coming pen and press, and I can creat

e in glorious triumph to the end of time. On to your tasks, listening multitudes, and he who most successfully countera

h cheering by the mighty host, while the form of Satan vanished; but from his waning shadow