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
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