MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER
A TWENTIETH CENTURY ALLEGORY
BY
REV. W. S. HARRIS.
to
Edwin L. Bergstreser
WHOSE TESTED FRIENDSHIP I HAVE
ENJOYED FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS AND
WHOSE KINDLY INFLUENCE HELPED
ME TO PERSEVERE IN WRITING
THIS ALLEGORY
THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY
DEDICATED.
Preface.
After long and careful study we send forth this book to do its work.
We offer no apology for adding one more volume to the endless library
of modern times, constantly increasing at the rate of over one hundred
volumes per week, the great bulk of which is consigned to the debris
of the passing years. We pray that this book may find a field of
usefulness rather than an early grave.
We need not tell of the pleasures and difficulties we experienced in
preparing these twenty-five chapters for the press. Let it be known,
however, that we were seconded and assisted by several able critics
who, each one independently of the others, kindly reviewed the
manuscript. At the suggestions of these critics minor changes were
made in the several manuscript editions. These critics deserve much
credit especially for the literary finish there may be to this book.
The illustrations were drawn by Paul J. Krafft, of New York. They
evince patient study and careful work, and display a creative genius
well suited to the field of allegory.
The leading moral truths are developed in the memorable journey of
Miss Church-Member upon the Broad Highway in company with the polite
and yet fiendish Mr. World. In this lifelike journey the two companions
come in contact with many of Satan’s up-to-date schemes, and witness
his far-extended operations in many a wicked realm. In the descriptions
of all these things we have endeavored to be suggestive rather than
exhaustive, for we have withheld the almost infinite details and brought
to light only a mere synopsis of the panorama as seen from the lofty
summit.
Will not the reader, as he takes one step after another in the progress
of the story, realize more keenly than ever the unspeakable deceptions
of Satan, so bewitchingly robed in the garments of subtle treachery?
The course of Miss Church-Member is a sad comment on the moving masses
who are so thoroughly led captive by the Devil as to imagine that they
are traveling on a more convenient way to Heaven while they are actually
on the Broad Highway to destruction. The logical ending of such a life
is pictured in the remorseful and tragical experiences of Mr. World
and Miss Church-Member in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It is our
prayer that each reader may be saved from such a terminus of life by
journeying on the King’s Highway and taking Christ as his all in all.
Then when he comes to the place made shadowy by the power of sin and
death, he will be surrounded with a light from the sure city of God,
and by a convoy of angels whose music will quell his rising fears and
by whose power he will be transported to his never-ending home.
THE AUTHOR.
Contents
1. The Meeting of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member
2. The By-Path
3. The Devil’s Optical College
4. Satan Interpreting Scripture
5. The Devil’s Pawn Shop
6. Satan’s Law Departments, (Underground)
7. The Hill of Remorse
8. The Valley of Temptation
9. The Tower of Temptation
10. Dark Schemes of Satan
11. Schools of Literature,--First and Second Divisions
12. The Theatre
13. Schools of Literature,--Third Division
14. The Devil’s Temperance College
15. Infernal School System
16. Expert Inventors of the Broad Highway
17. The Wizard City
18. The Festival
19. The Missionary College
20. The Rival Churches
21. From the Valley of Conviction to the Devil’s Auction
22. The Devil’s Hospital
23. Satan’s Secret Service
24. The Last Warning
25. The Valley of the Shadow of Death
List of Illustrations.
1. Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century
2. Miss Church-Member hurries to the rescue of an unfortunate victim
3. “Let us follow this shining path,” hopefully urged Miss
Church-Member
4. Leaving the Optical College
5. A scene in the Devil’s Pawn Shop
6. The Shorter and Broader Way to Heaven
7. The final triumph of right over the black hordes of civil iniquity
8. On the Hill of Remorse
9. The victory of Mrs. Discouraged on the Tower of Temptation
10. The Devil’s substitute for the prayer-meeting
11. A scene in the Devil’s Temperance College
12. The Wizard City
13. The Festival
14. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member entering the Valley of Conviction
15. The Devil’s Auction
16. Miss Church-Member carried to the Devil’s Hospital
17. Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the Black River
18. The glorious end of the righteous
Introduction
BY BISHOP RUDOLPH DUBS, D. D., LL. D.
In response to the earnest request of the author of this book I have
written these introductory words, after a careful, deliberate reading
of the allegory. What I have written expresses my own opinion of the
book, uninfluenced by motives of friendship for the author or any other
consideration.
The book is a powerful allegory, somewhat after the style of Pilgrim’s
Progress, but in no sense is it an imitation of any existing work of
the kind. It is a masterful presentation, wrought out with excellent
judgment and consummate skill.
The creatures of the author’s vivid imagination are perfectly formed
and fittingly clothed, living, moving, feeling, talking, in complete
harmony as the development of the great drama goes on to its
consummation. The author has evidently made a careful and profound
study of the manifold dangers which beset the Christian church and
threaten her spirituality, and consequently her influence and power
in saving the lost and maintaining the gospel standard of life and
godliness in the world.
The encroachments of worldings upon the church are truthfully and
graphically set forth. The manifold forms of temptation and danger are
clearly exposed, and faithful, tender, earnest warnings and admonitions
are set over against them. In depicting the various efforts of Satan
and his agents to lead Christians away from God and duty, the author
shows an extensive knowledge of the devices of the evil one, as well
as a clear insight into the drift and tendency of modern forms of
wickedness.
The final results of compromise with the world are set forth in vivid,
graphic pictures drawn on the dark shadows as with a pencil of fire.
The downward course of the deluded soul is followed, step by step; the
snares and delusions of sin are exposed; the mask of vice is
relentlessly torn away, and church-members can here see what fellowship
with the world really means and whither it leads.
The religious tone of the book throughout is excellent. The delusive
character of sin is plainly pointed out. The devices of Satan are laid
bare with unsparing hand. The abominations of vice are not concealed.
All this is done in language well chosen and unexceptionable. The
Christian life is pictured without cant or exaggeration. The beauty
and blessedness of a devoted life are eloquently portrayed. True
religion with its present comforts and its great rewards is presented
in a most attractive form, and the contrast between the worlding and
the faithful Christian, here and hereafter, is impressively set forth.
With this favorable opinion of the book, to whose edifying pages I
introduce the reader, I deem it proper for me also to recommend it
most heartily as a book worthy of a place on every family table and
in every Sunday-school library. Let young and old read its fascinating
and instructive pages. Let it be circulated by hundreds and thousands
of copies. May the blessing of God attend the book in its mission and
ministry wherever it is read.
RUDOLPH DUBS.
_Chicago, Ill., March, 1901_.
CHAPTER I.
THE MEETING OF MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER
1. The dying of a century compared to the waning of a day.
2. The allegory opens with a panoramic view of human life, as seen
through the open door of the twentieth century, on the Broad Highway
and King’s Highway. Blackana is introduced.
3. Mr. World meets Miss Church-Member at a place called Fellowship.
From here she journeys with him on the Broad Highway where she witnesses
several sad endings of human life.
In the closing hours of a long day I climbed a rugged path to a high
eminence whence I overlooked a beautiful valley and watched, with
increasing delight, the changing hues of earth and sky.
As the shadows of twilight were deepening each moment grew more strange
and mysterious until the waning day seemed to be transformed into the
dying of the century. Then I saw, as “through a glass darkly,” the
whole panorama of human life, with its painful pictures of sadness and
sin, and its blessed scenes of peace and righteousness. I also heard
the unmistakable wails of a suffering humanity and the turmoils of
myriad contentions, all strangely mingling with the songs of glory and
the shouts of spiritual triumph.
In deep silence I continued looking upon these endless confusions of
the church and the world as they still played their perplexing parts
in the fitful drama before me. All of this so preyed upon my mind that
I involuntarily cried out, in the anguish of my soul: “When will
confusion come to an end, and sweet peace cover the earth as the waters
cover the sea?”
“Will you wait for the winds to answer, or shall I?” replied a voice
so passing strange that I was startled.
I turned to see in whose presence I was and, to my horror, I beheld
a dark creature unlike any mortal being. He was without definite form
and not cumbered with any garments. His indescribable face was set
with two bright eyes, softened in expression until a slight halo
revealed to me a countenance half beautiful and half terrible. “Who
are you, and what is your mission?” I finally ventured to ask after
speech had found my lips, for I was altogether ignorant of his nature
or purpose.
“I am Blackana, from the lower world of spirits, and am commanded here
to stay until released.”
[Illustration: Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century.]
“Until released? What power binds you here, and how long will you
abide?” I asked in dread suspense. “I must remain, as your companion
and interpreter, until the vision is past.”
I trembled under these announcements, but I was assured that underneath
me were “the everlasting arms” and, moreover, I heard a still, small
voice whispering within me: “Stand still, O mortal man! Neither Blackana
nor any of his horde shall do thee harm. He hovers before thee at my
bidding, and will leave thee only at my command. Ask him what thou
wilt, and he must answer thee, even to the limit of his knowledge.”
At this juncture, and without a moment’s warning, my vision was enlarged
and an unusual light flashed upon me. Quickly I cast my wondering eyes
all about me and saw that I was standing at the very threshold of a
great door. It was of such imposing dimensions and so magnificently
constructed that only the architects of Heaven could have designed it.
Instinctively I turned to Blackana, whom I could now face without fear:
“Where are we, and what is the meaning of this great door?” And as I
spoke unseen hands swung it open upon its hinges.
“We are standing at the open door of the twentieth century. You may
look out into the coming years as far as you wish,” replied Blackana
in a cold, indifferent manner.
Thrilled by such an unusual sight, and the thought which his
interpretation and words suggested, I marveled at his sullenness, for
Blackana did not so much as lift his head to see the spectacle.
“O, Blackana!” I cried, “why are you so dead to such surroundings?”
“These are mere playthings,” was his gruff reply. “To me the doors of
the centuries, which open and shut on the cycles of time, are as
trifles, neither lessening my misery nor adding to my pleasure.”
During a brief, thoughtful silence I continued looking at him, as a
shudder swept my whole being. I then turned from this creature so
shrouded in mystery and, stepping forward to look through the open
door, I was suddenly overawed at the still greater scenes which spread
in wondrous panorama before my entranced vision.
Under the new light I beheld a marvelous sight, for I could distinctly
see the myriad millions of humanity moving on the paths of life toward
a common goal.
In the bright halo of the scene I saw the beautiful King’s Highway,
on which were marching the hosts of the church militant, led
triumphantly by the Spirit of God to the very gates of the Celestial
City, which, though distant, I could yet see under the dazzling light
radiating from the central throne of glory as from untold suns.
In the darker shadows of this same panorama I saw the Broad Highway
with its thronging multitudes. Some, with deliberate step, scrutinizing
the objects along the way; others, in mad haste, rushing on toward an
awful destruction whose wreck and ruin loomed up dimly in the glare
of an eternal burning.
Among the happy pilgrims of the King’s Highway was one named Miss
Church-Member, who had left the Broad Way of death, and entered, through
Christ, into that marvelous light wherein she was now walking. Her
tread was in sweet harmony with the footsteps of her Master, and her
beautiful face was all aglow with the passion of pure love.
A pilgrim’s robe added beauty to her form; a Bible, carried under her
arm, gave some evidence of her spiritual character; and a religious
emblem, worn over her heart, told that she was a member of some
Christian organization.
Miss Church-Member, in traveling her chosen path, tarried at a place
called Fellowship which occupied a pleasing site close by the King’s
Highway. Here one could readily speak and associate with the travelers
who moved in gay companies along the Broad Highway.
At this visiting place she met a certain Mr. World--a good, jolly
fellow, of corpulent build, who was attired in the fashion of the day,
and bore himself with more than usual jauntiness in the presence of
Miss Church-Member.
After a pleasing conversation, in which Mr. World plied his Satanic
shrewdness and sophistry, he was emboldened to give this brief
invitation: “Will you journey a short distance with me on this Broader
Way that I may prepare myself, with more facility, to accompany you
where you wish, even on a path as narrow as the one you seem to love?”
“Ah, Mr. World,” she said, with a tolerant smile, “do you not know
that you are walking on the way of danger and death? Why would you
have me share your folly? It were a thousand times better for you to
join me at once on a path that leads to everlasting happiness. Here
you can drink the water of life in abundance, and feed upon angels’
food. O, come, Mr. World,” she added as she spoke more earnestly,
“linger no longer, carry out the resolution which you have already
broken repeatedly, and you will never regret so wise an action.” Thus
did Miss Church-Member urge upon him a course which, in her inimitable
missionary spirit, she made really attractive to him. Although he
appreciated her genuine earnestness, yet he could not be induced to
heed her words.
“You have covered the whole field of my intention,” he courteously
replied. “I sincerely wish to mend my ways, but there are certain
things I must first overcome. How much better I could do this if one
like you, in whom I have supreme confidence, would but journey at my
side. Will you not do the work of a good missionary and, like Christ,
adapt yourself to my level, that I may, by your uplifting influence,
be drawn into a nobler life, and even have your companionship as I go
up to the Highway of your King?”
Miss Church-Member, being of a sympathetic nature and of strong
missionary proclivities, refused to heed her many counselors who feared
for her safety, and actually stepped still farther from her wonted
path and journeyed at the side of Mr. World with the desire to compass
his conversion. But her conscience, at first, troubled her and her
feet moved with a suspicious tread.
In this nervous, half confiding and half shrinking mood, she leaned
lightly upon his arm, ever turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her
well-meaning friends who still hoped to dissuade her from this
ill-advised course.
Mr. World was keenly delighted at her concession and loyalty to him.
He seemed to be willing to go to any sacrifice that might add to her
comfort or increase her happiness. His many companions could readily
see that Miss Church-Member felt “out of place.” But she justified her
own course by what she was aiming to do.
He saw that her dress of righteousness was in wide contrast with the
filthy rags that covered his own soul, and so he preferred to look
upon the garments that adorned his outer person, and the gaudy scenes
on either side of the way.
I beheld this wide path along a great length, and I shuddered as I saw
the masses thereon who were engaged in the frivolities of life as found
in the swiftly passing pleasures of sense and sight. The thoughtless
throngs were seemingly unconscious that underneath the whole length
and breadth of the path there were strata of fire, and they were
apparently blind to the sulphurous flames which, here and there, issued
from openings into which many an unsuspecting traveler fell.
Sad to relate, of all the moving multitudes there were but few, indeed,
who took warning and fled toward the King’s Highway. Many, like Miss
Church-Member, were walking on the forbidden path for no other reason
than some weak apology.
“What mean these lurid openings?” nervously asked Miss Church-Member,
for their flames excited her terror. Mr. World replied, with a look
of surprise: “Have you never heard that these are to give light to
pilgrims, such as we? Without them the way would prove very dark and
dreary.”
“What a contrast,” she exclaimed, “between these lights and those that
illumine the King’s Highway! They shine from above, with increasing
splendor, while these cast forth, from below, their uncertain lights.
It seems to me that the farther we go the darker becomes the way, and
its lights the more inconstant,--so fitful is their gruesome glare.”
“Ah! I see what ails you,” responded Mr. World. “Your eyes are at
fault. We will presently meet the expert who will correct your vision
ere your eyes are totally ruined.”
The attention of Miss Church-Member was suddenly attracted by seeing
a man who was just sinking out of sight into the fire of destruction.
As soon as he disappeared the flames burst forth in fury through the
newly-made opening. Instantly a servant of Satan covered the breach
so that observers could no longer hear the wails of the poor man, nor
smell the fumes from the burning strata.
Then did I look and, behold, I saw such places in countless variety,
each attended by a servant of the Black Prince. Each opening made by
an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed so that others, in passing
along, would the more readily be ensnared in one of these fatal
fissures.
Miss Church-Member was more than alarmed at these sad endings of human
life which now came to her attention more vividly than when she traveled
on the King’s Highway.
She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman sinking in utter despair,
and ran to rescue her. But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched
ruin before the hands of Miss Church-Member could give assistance.
“Help! help! I sink I know not whither,” was her wailing cry, as she
was passing out of sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly toward
her would-be rescuer who arrived in time to see the first greedy flames
that issued from the fresh opening.
“Oh, horror!” shrieked Miss Church-Member as she turned toward Mr.
World. “That ought to be enough to keep any one from such a snare of
wickedness and vice.”
[Illustration: Miss Church-member hurries to the rescue of an
unfortunate victim.]
Without a moment’s delay a demon rushed to the fiery opening and covered
it from sight, completing his work so quickly and with such skill that
neither the opening nor the glare of the flames were any longer
perceptible. But Miss Church-Member refused to leave the spot, and
with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a sign of warning so
that other short-sighted, mortals who came that way might read and
heed.
“It would be only a waste of time and energy. I have seen hundreds of
such places where travelers have gone down, even under the sign of the
Cross.”
“Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I should stand here continually
and speak words of personal warning to any one who might seem determined
to walk in such a terrible path as this.” Her finger pointed to the
spot where she had just seen the poor victim fall to rise no more.
“Look yonder,” he hurriedly spoke, as he touched her arm. “Do you see
that woman with her steps in the same direction? Now try your skill,”
he added with more sneer than sympathy in his voice.
She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but quickly went to the woman
and asked her to pause a moment.
“Are you willing to be saved from destruction?” earnestly asked Miss
Church-Member.
“I am safe enough,” was the indifferent reply.
“You are now walking rapidly toward an awful death,” were her further
words of warning.
“What right have you to judge me,” she curtly replied, “since you also
are on this Broad Highway? Have I not heard already the words from
those who also wear the pilgrim’s robe, but who journey on the King’s
Highway? Their words brought conviction to my heart and tears to my
eyes, but your words only stir up my indignation.”
“Why speak so unkindly to a friend? My only intention is to do you
good. I just saw one who came to a horrible end by continuing a little
farther in the same course that you are now pursuing.”
Then did the wicked woman fly into a rage. “You need no more concern
yourself about me. I have two eyes--as many as you have. Look to your
own future, not mine; at your own steps, and not at another’s!”
“Come,” impatiently spoke Mr. World, as he drew her by the arm, “it
is just as I expected; let us get away from this sickly atmosphere.”
But Miss Church-Member lingered only to see the heedless woman step
to the last extreme and sink hopelessly, while her piteous cries for
help came too late for any to rescue her.
[Illustration: “Let us follow this shining path.” hopefully urged Miss
Church-Member. But it is too rough and steep for Mr. World.]