"What do you call 'conversion' in your church, or do you not believe in it?"

"Beyond any doubt we believe in conversion. Just as soon as a person confesses his faith in our general rules he is converted, and is at once a good Christian. The Bible says that if one will only believe he is safe: or 'saved already' as the true Greek rendering has it."

"Then you hold to the Bible strictly?"

"We are the only church that does really and truly hold to the Bible.

We believe and teach it as it is preserved for the ages in the original Hebrew and Greek."

"But I notice that many of your rules seem to be at variance with certain parts of the Bible," she boldly declared.

"True enough, but those certain parts of the Bible do not belong to the genuine Scriptures. Whatever you find in the Bible contrary to our rules and regulations you can safely conclude is an interpolation and does not form a part of the inspired Word. Let me a.s.sure you, Miss Church-Member, that our discipline was written with great care by eminent scholars of the Hebrew and Greek; therefore how could there have been any error in it?"

Miss Church-Member was slightly confused, and evidenced by her manner that she was ready to depart.

"May I ask before you go," continued the minister, "whether you are willing to join our church?"

"I have been thinking," she replied, "that I could do more good in my own church, not by fighting it, but by using _my_ influence quietly in trying to get some of its members to be more like I am. I have always had a missionary spirit. In that way I might satisfy my earlier ambitions and lead some one out of the mist into a better light."

"A very bright idea," testified Mr. World, advancing with Miss Church-Member toward the door.

"And may you succeed in your plans," added the minister as they were stepping from the room. "There are millions who belong to my church in spirit, but who hold visible connection with some radical church of the King's Highway. They are doing great service in eradicating old-time methods and planting the banners of a new liberty such as we three enjoy."

CHAPTER XXI.

FROM THE VALLEY OF CONVICTION TO THE DEVIL'S AUCTION.

1. Depression of Miss Church-Member

2. The Merry Village.

3. The Famous Cross Roads.

4. The Devil's Auction.

As Mr. World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on their journey they were frightened by a man who, with his hands uplifted and agony pictured on his face, came running toward them, shouting: "Let good sense control you and go no farther! Enchantment, spirits, witches, and unnamed hobgoblins dwell in every part of this hideous valley!"

"Oh, terror! What can this mean?" nervously asked Mr. World, as the stranger stood panting for breath.

"All a mystery! Even the air is filled with poison and weird music.

I am thankful that I have escaped with my life."

"Come, come, Mr. Sin-Sick, tell us more about it. We may thereby profit greatly," said Mr. World with more composure.

[Ill.u.s.tration: As Mr. World and his companion were entering the valley of Conviction a terrified man came running towards them. He ran away from the preaching of the gospel.]

"I had just been traveling farther down the valley of Thoughtfulness and Conviction when I heard mult.i.tudes shouting praises to One whom they called their Redeemer, each waving aloft a banner bearing the imprint of a cross. On the cross I saw these words: 'For G.o.d so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' When I came nearer to the confusion I was suddenly seized with a peculiar conviction which brought grief to my soul; and, had I not made this timely retreat, I might have been brought under the power of those strange creatures.

Oh, take heed and go with me some other way."

Mr. World readily consented, but Miss Church-Member was inclined to continue, confessing that she had once been a singer in such a valley, and surely no harm could befall them there. Mr. World thought it was the part of wisdom not to oppose her at this time, although he feared that she might be induced to leave him. He consented to go, pretending that it made no difference to him which way he traveled; but, as they walked on, the wary fellow was very careful not to step from the Broad Path.

When they came in sight of the valley Miss Church-Member lifted her gla.s.ses to test the strength of her eyes. Memory brought stinging grief to her heart. She commenced sighing for the old paths and also wept that she had for so long a time abetted her former enemies.

Her companion became alarmed at the new turn. "Be not so fool-hardy,"

he warned. "Your eyes are being needlessly ruined. Quickly replace those gla.s.ses lest you become totally blind."

She obeyed promptly and thus the intensity of conviction pa.s.sed. Had her spiritual ears been open, she might have heard an angel sadly singing:

"Oh, hear the song of love that fills the air!

Oh, heed the voice that pleads in touching prayer!

Both fall upon your conscience now in vain, Through vile deceit your n.o.bler self is slain."

In this vale she heard the word of G.o.d preached powerfully, and the calling of the Holy Spirit in unmistakable sweetness, but how could it affect one who wore such treacherous gla.s.ses and who considered her condition so favorable?

She pa.s.sed through the valley with her faithful friend without being lured from the Broad Highway.

On the verge of the valley I saw a curiously shaped building and read these words over it:

TONS OF LAUGHTER: CHEAP ADMISSION.

A man with a strong voice stood along the path and cried out: "Whoa!

Whoa! Ye travelers of this way! Come hither and drive away your cruel cares. Here is the greatest exhibition in the world. Smile and walk lightly, laugh and grow fat!"

Mr. World and his a.s.sociate, however, did not enter this place, but pa.s.sed on through the entire Merry Village. On each side of the way they saw an endless variety of gaudy advertis.e.m.e.nts, each one setting forth some leading feature of some frivolous, indecent, or gay performance.

Miss Church-Member was not tempted as was her companion to spend time at such places. So he, in order to hold her company, sacrificed his desires and pa.s.sed on without complaint.

I now turned and spoke to Blackana who still mutely sat at his appointed post. "Tell me the meaning of the Merry Village being located so near the Valley of Conviction."

Without the faintest murmur he replied: "Many of the millions who pa.s.s through the valley are strangely affected with a sad countenance and a heavy heart, which indeed drive them into a frenzy so that they go toward the King's Highway. Satan intends by the attractions of the Merry Village to divert the thought of all such travelers and hold them in the bounds of the Broad Highway. You will soon come to the path on which more people go to the narrow, rugged way than on all other paths combined. Were it not for this happy village, and the places beyond, many more would drop out of our ranks."

I doubted not the words of Blackana, and as I looked out again upon the Broad Highway, I saw that the two companions had just left the Merry Village and had come to the well beaten road leading to the right.

Here stood a preacher who, in tearful earnestness, urged all travelers to go the right way. I saw many heeding his words and go running on the new way after throwing away many c.u.mbrous things.

At this place I saw some parting with their friends. One, in particular, I noticed who was pleading with another not to go, and ever clinging to him in bodily strength. Many who desired to leave the Broad Highway were similarly prevented.

In the fork of the road stood a number of large churches in each of which services were held every hour of the day. These were the Devil's churches, and were supplied by a courteous and shrewd cla.s.s of ministers. On the left side of the way was a large garden and a series of groves, each filled with a merry throng of pleasure-seekers. Bands of music made the air resonant, and every device known to the world of sport could be found in full fling in these varied resorts where intoxicating drink was the main beverage, and dancing and gambling were the chief delights.

The Broad Highway was especially wide at this junction. It led onward between the Devil's churches and the pleasure grounds.

The greatest confusion prevailed on this wide area. Many missionaries from the King's Highway were busily engaged in speaking to the throngs that had come through the Valley of Conviction.

There were also many friends of the Devil, in vulgar attire, persuading the mult.i.tudes to rest in the joyful grove, while other agents of Satan, in more saintly manner, urged attendance upon the church services.