The modern devil, his play between the false and the good

Front matter

Class BV 4-S I5 Book i_Li

COPYRIGHT DEPOSnV

The Modern T^rr^V—FRDXTT-I'TECE. Copyright, 1903, by W. W. Houston

Dedication

To all brave and courageous souls, who, by godly life and devoted service, are seeking to destroy the works of the Devil, and bring to mankind the gospel of the divine life, this volume is affectionately dedicated by

The Author.

"The good hook of the hour, then,— I do not speak of the bad ones— is simply the useful or pleasant talk of some person whom you cannot othenvise converse with, printed for you. Very useful often, telling you what you need to knoiv; very pleasant often, as a sensible friend's present talk would be/'

Preface

Men don't believe in the Devil now, as their

fathers used to do; They've forced the door of the broadest creed

to let His Majesty through. • There isn't a print of his cloven foot or a fiery

dart from his broiv To be found in earth or air to-day, for the

ivorld has voted so.

Who dogs the steps of the toiling saint and

digs the pits for his feet?

Who soivs the tares in the fields of time

Wherever God soivs his ivheatf The Devil is voted not to be, and, of course,

the thing is true; But ivho is doing the hind of work the Devil

alone can do?

We are told that he does not go about as a roaring lion noiv ;

But ivhom shall ive hold responsible for the everlasting row

PREFACE

To he heard in home, in ehiirch and state, to

the earth's remotest hound, ^

If tlie Devil hi) a unanimous vote is noichere to he found f

Won't somehody step to the front forthwith

and make their how and show Hon- the frauds and crimes of a single day

spring upf We ivant to know.

The DevU was fairly voted out, and, of course,

the DeviVs gone; But simple people irould like to know ivho

carries the husiness on.

A Word from the Publishers

To-day, men seem to be drifting, in many ways, away from the teachings of Jesns. The Story of the Cross does not thrill them now. They camp on debatable ground; follow debatable occupations; live debatable lives. There is a message for them in these pages.

From "time to time, one happens upon a book which has been written because the author had no choice but to write it. So it is with this scathing arraignment of modern conditions in the Home, the Church, the State, and Society. Our author had no rest, day or night, so soon as the book was complete in his mind, until he sat down to write it, and then he wrote at white heat.

For years he has been brooding over these and cognate subjects, while studying an old book— a simple, unpretending old book— in which are printed stories by men who saw and heard things, and then told them to others. He, too, has seen and heard things, and his message to the world is in this volume.

Four of these men were plain and unlettered, but they had

xi xii

A WORD FROM THE PUBLISHERS known and loved One ^^who lifted with His pierced hands empires off their hinges, turned the stream of centuries out of its channel, and still governs the ages." Their stories have changed the face of the world. Another was a man whose hands grew hard in making tents of goats' hair; whose limbs and body bore marks of prison chains and rods and scourges. From his writings, men and women have gained inspiration and a hope of Eternal Life.

It is not easy to think of any book published for many years that is likely to make a greater sensation than this work. Its author is withholding nothing of the large measure of knowledge he has received from the teachings of the Master. He is sharing it with the world, and when Time has done its winnowing', it shall be seen that the world is richer and sweeter for his work.

The author is not a conscious theologian, but his is the theology of civilization, or, rather, the sort of theology that concerns every human being. He does not discuss latter-day religions— the religious vagaries of the day— but, from his high point of view, shows that the world is presided over by goodness; that there are veritable ideas and standards of morality; that the world is, as a whole, steadily growing better; and, best of all, perhaps, that it is worth while to struggle for its continuous betterment.

The Publishers.

Chapter I

A Guardian Angel Meets the Antagonist of Souls — A Vast Company Cross the Bridge — The Pilgrims' Song — The Angel Chorus — Satan Appears Again — The Angel Denounces Him — The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail — The Angel Passes to Her Ministry — A Society Function — Miss Sincere is Led into Temptation — Modern Delilahs and Samsons — Mr. Hypocrite's Creed and Aims — A Sense of Condemnation— A Soul is Won from Sin — What Will It Matter? 29

Chapter II

A Prayer for an Enlarged Vision — The Path to the Cross — Satan's Hordes Destroy It — Satan and Mr. Hypocrite Meet — A Mist Hides the Hill-top — Satan Secretes Himself — Mr. Hypocrite Meets Determination — The Pilgrims' Song Again — The Pilgrims Sink in the Mire — The Angel Appears — The Glass of Faith — Every Day is a Fresh Beginning — Up-todate Religious Literature — Mr. Hypocrite and Miss Sincere — Miss Sincere's Faith is Shaken — The Angel Exposes Mr. Hypocrite — Miss Sincere Turns to the Bible — Satan Instructs His Workers — Satan Congratulates Mr. Hypocrite — Onward, Christian Soldiers, 43

xiii xiv

Chapter III

Evangelist Comes from the Eastern Hills — He Accepts Hospitality — He Tells His Mission — Satan in His Council-chamber — Satan Calls Upon Mr. Hj^pocrite — Prayer Heals the Sick — Hypocrite and Miss Sincere Discuss the Situation — Evangelist and the Faithful Few — Satan's Latest Plan — He Counsels Hypocrite — A Day of Victory — Evangelist Scores Hypocrite — The Seventy Return With Joy, 60

Chapter IV

Each Church Has Its Judas — Satan Sets More Snares — Minister Good is Attacked from Behind — Hypocrite and His Fellow-plotters Meet — Miss Sincere Appeals to the Angel — Evangelist Scores Hypocrite Again — Satan and His Helpers Discuss the Matter — The Angel Comforts Minister

Good, 80

Chapter V

Avarice Breaks All of the Commandments — The Thirst for Riches a Disease of the Times — The Lessons and Obligations of Wealth — The Tempter and the Tempted — Hypocrite Has a Troublesome Dream — Satan Hears Good News — Evangelist and the Minister Discuss Municipal Government — Hypocrite is " Taken Care of" — Hypocrite "In the Hands of His Friends " — Man-of-the-World Writes a Letter — The Angel Reveals a

Plot to EvangeHst, 103

Chapter VI

Whole-soul and Determination Seek the Hills — The Charmed Path — Self-love Appears — Deception Comes on the Scene —Man-of-the World and Hypocrite Take Their Ease— The Story of Miser— The House of Selfishness is Doomed — The Hills of Delusion — Determination Defies the Devil — There is a Grander Life — Evangelist Leads a Pilgrimage — The Seed Called Heart's Desire — The Barren Hills — Satan Curses His Tools, 131

XV

Chapter VII

The City of Sin— A Great Light Falls Upon It— The Pleasant Beginnings of Vice — The Angel Pleads for the City — Determination Proposes to Reform the City — Satan's Army of Quiet Workers — The Angel Goes with Miss Sincere — The Path of the Primrose — Hypocrite Treads upon Thorns —The Pit of Death— A Note of Warning, 153

Chapter VIII

The Price of a Vote — Satan's Skillful Disguise — His School of Modern Methods — In Satan's Schoolrooms — The Darkened Windows — Modern Business Methods — The Hill of Prospect — Satan's Liberality to His Tools — The Real Things of Life— Mr. Man-of-the-World is Duped— The Downfall of Artful — The Good Angel Saves Him, 174

Chapter IX

Satan's Plan Miscarries — He Flies Into a Rage — He Overhears Evangelist Denounce Him — The Communion Under the Cedar— Satan Visits Hypocrite — Miss Sincere and Her Mission— Hypocrite Banters Satan — Satan Plots Against the Ministers — Man-of-the-World Joins in the Plot — A Day of Recreation — The "League" Offers a Bribe — Evangelist Denounces the Plot— Who Pays the Bills ? 195

Chapter X

The Stagnant Pool— The Dream Interpreted — The Foolish Trio — The City by the Sea — Satan Very Busy — Man-of-the-World Entertains — The "Boardwalk" — Religion is Left at Home — A John the Baptist is Needed— The Rev. Mr. Please-all— Satan in the Best of Spirits— The Prayer-meeting on the Beach — The Rescue of a Magdalen, 215 xvi

Chapter XI

Satan Sets Up False Signals — He Visits His Workshop — He Makes the Ink with which Bad Books and Pictures are Printed — The Home of Lies — Lies Made to Order — The Murder of the Innocents — Race Suicide is Fostered — Three Successful Fiends — The Purity League — The Devil's Rapid-fire Guns — The Angel Points Out His Slimy Track — Modern Showbills—The Angel Slays a Company of Fiends, 236

Chapter XII

Satan Keeps a List of the Churches — He Knows the Weak Ones — His Untiring Plots — He Has His Dupes Among Church Officers — He Attends a Church Meeting, but is Detected There — His Plan Fails — He Sends for Heresy — Satan Issues His Orders — The Bible is to be Attacked — ■ The Church Machinery is to be Disabled — He Introduces Professor Philosophy—Man's Knowledge is Cold Ashes— The Old Book, 262

Chapter XIII

The Green Liquor of Envy — Jealousy is its Twin Poison — Satan Mixes the Ingredients Himself — Narrow Escape of the Widow Faith — Satan's Serpents Use Their Cruel Fangs — Evangelist Has a Timely Message for the Children — The Angel Again Defeats Satan's Plans — Satan Sends for Faultfinder — Love the Antidote of all Venom — Determination Captures and Destroys the Poison — Satan's Fury at .His Loss, .... 282

Chapter XIV

Satan's Grim Castle — How the Arrows are Made — How the Arrows are Used — The Venom of Cruel Words — Bitterness in Church Societies — The Crime of Reckless Speech — Faultfinder and His Band — Satan Makes a Tour of Inspection — Paying Off Old Scores — Satan is Disgusted — Three Gates of Gold — Hypocrite and Man-of-the- World Discuss Matters — Satan Falls Into a Rage — Miss Sincere and Mrs. Hypocrite, 307 xvii

Chapter XV

Satan and Belial Confer — A Letter from Faultfinder — Divorce is Popular — Its Moral Side — Private Marriage Bureaus — Platonic Friendships — Anything to Destroy the Home — The Angel Enters the Castle — She Overhears Satan's Plans — Moral and Political decay — The Hidden Cage— God's Law Regarding Divorce — Belial and Faultfinder Attack a Home — Hypocrite's Wedding Anniversary — The Divorce Mills — They are Destroyed — The Lord Laughs at Satan, 332

Chapter XVI

Glory in the Highest — Thou Shalt Have no Other Gods — The Pulpit and the Pew — Satan's New Pitfalls — A Jealous God — The Christian Goes on Singing — The Church of the Holy Passion — Rev. Mr. Please-all — The Juggernaut of Fashion — Church Festivals — The Cross is Kept in the Background — Sunday Amusements — The Bars of Zion are Let Down — The Path of the Wicked — Evangelist Scores the City— The False Gods- Deception Invents Excuses for Christians — Him Have I Pierced, . . 356

Chapter XVII

The Sea of Social Swirl — The Merciless Tides and Their Victims — Pleasure and Death Hand in Hand — Presumption and Ignorance are Lost — Satan Laughs at His Victims — The Hosts of Heaven Gather— Man-of-the- World in the Whirlpool of Wine — Determination Rescues Him — Evangelist Points Him to the Cross — The Dangers of the Wine-cup — Satan's Gilded Traps for Youth — The Secret Path to the Whirlwool — The Angel Gives Determination the Light of Truth — He Turns it on Saloons and Gambling Den — The Banquet of the Select, .... 382

CHAPTER XVIII His Majesty's Charity Fund

Hypocrite and Evangelist Discourse on tlie Love of Money— The Dream of the Vault — Some Riches Come from the Devil — The Gray xviii

COXTEXTS

Prophet and Minister Good Discuss Philanthropy— Man-of-the- World Endows a Museum of Art — Satan and Deception Plot to Regain Control of Hypocrite — Evangelist Warns Hypocrite — Hypocrite's Confession — The Crusade for Consecrated Wealth — Covering up Great Thefts by Generosity — The Thralldom of Greed, 405

Chapter XIX

Hypocrite Meets His Greatest Sorrow — Evangelist Comforts the Stricken Man — Satan Torments Hypocrite — The Angel Comforts Him — " Get Thee Behind Me, Satan — The Enemy of Souls is Abashed — The Unseen Battlefield — Each Pilgrim Has His Scars — Man-of-the- World and Rev. Mr. Please-all Laugh at Hypocrite's Conversion — Satan Sneers at the " Unique Disciple'" — The Crack in Satan's Castle Walls — Man-of-the-

World Loses His Weahh, 428

Chapter XX

The Cry from Earth to Heaven — Angelic Ministrants — A Great Stir in Satan's Castle — The Challenge — The Breath of Selfishness — Fires of Compassion Are Kindled — The Demons Defy Jehovah — Their Horrible Death — God's Purpose Always Prevails — The Angel's Touch — The Archfiend Blasphemes — The " Bureau of Lies" is Damaged — Satan Exhorts His Hosts — Consecrated Wealth — Hypocrite Consecrates His Life to the Master— The Tree of Pity— Its Story— Satan Cannot Blast It— The Almighty Goeth By — Satan in Dismay, 446

CHAPTER XXI Max-of-the- World Uxder the Light

The Once Prosperous Mr. Man-of-the- World Soliloquizes — The Pinch of Poverty — Evangelist Shows Man-of-the- World Thre^ Lights — Past. Present, and Future — The Gate of opportunity — The King's Highway — The Tree of Pity Again — The Road of Sacrifice — Satan Hears Man-of-the- World Pray — Hypocrite is a Comforter — The Window of Revelation — The Marys of the Xew Era — A Magdalen is Saved — The Present Alone is Ours— The Law of Christian Brotherhood — Another Season at Longshore — Mr. Please-all Takes up His Cross, 467 xix

CHAPTER XXII Saved as by Fire

The Passion of the Pit — Evangelist's Message Falls upon Dull Ears — The Devoted Band Leave the City — A Strange Light Appears — The Day of the Millennium — The Refining Fire Falls upon the City of Worldliness — The Curse of Iniquity is Removed — Xone to Molest — Satan is Foiled by Grace — He Defies God — The Avenging Angel Overpowers Satan — Satan is Thrown into a Pit — Prophecy is Fulfilled — The Gladness of the World — Satan's Castle in Ruins, 484

CHAPTER XXIII The Opening of thr Heavenly Gates

The Light Breaks — The Heavy Cross Seems Small — Minister Good Passes to Higher Service — Easter Morning — The Redeemed City — The Motionless Past — The Oblivion of God's Mercy — The Angel Brings Good Tidings — Christ Shall Come — A Watch-tower Arises — The Advancing Age — Regions of Serene Grace — At the Home of Widow Faith — The Glorified Christ Comes — The Company in White Robes — The City of Peace, 500

^^A proverb or parable, being once unfolded, by reason of its affinity with the fancy, the more siveetly insinuates itself into that, and is from thence with the greater advantage transmitted to the understanding . In this state ive are not able to behold truth in its oivn native beauty and luster; but while ive are veiled with mortality, truth must veil itself, too, that it may the more freely converse with us/'

— John Smith, of Cambridge.

Illustrations

PAGE ^

" ' Get thee behind me, thou Evil One.' " Frontispiece.

' ' Miss Sincere was utterly out of sj^mpathy with her surroundings, " . 37

"An army of laborers destroying the way to the Cross," 56 "

' ' A man of kindly demeanor and patriarchal appearance,' ' 73

" ' I see nothing to do but to get rid of him,' said Hypocrite," .... 92

"Grind, grind, grind at the ' Mill of Fortune,' " 109

" ' What can he do?' replied Mrs. Hypocrite," 128 '

"An imposing edifice in the midst of a handsome park," 145 "

" 'The three laughed and hurried on," 164

" ' Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting, " . . . . 169 ^ " ' Fifty thousand dollars for one vote !" exclaimed Minister Good," . 180 "The home of the Adversary crowned the summit of a ragged cliff," . 185

' ' The procession arrived at the ' Pavilion of Pleasure,' " 204

" Thousands spent their time on the ' Boardwalk,' " 221 ~

" The Archfiend stepped into the ' Home of Lies,' " 240 ^

" ' Halt !' the Angel cried. ' Ye cannot pass !"' 257

"Then a dozen others were on their feet at once," 276

" No hands but his own can mix the death-dealing potions," .... 283

"The entire band of fiends rushed back to the castle," 290

"Vile and grotesque beasts lifted their slimy heads," 297

" Miss Sincere in the midst of her bitterest enemies," 316

" ' I saw Belial and Fault-finder approach a home,' " 333

xxi xxii ILLUSTRATIONS

' ' ' The court has decided to grant a liill of divorcement,' " 352 ■

" ' Knees are calloused from the worship of other gods,' " 369

" ' Tis Man-of-the- World !' Determination cried. ' He calls for help !' " 388

"Tireless fiends sorted and labeled bribes/' 421

"With face buried in the pillow, he wept bitterly," 440

" But now an host of shining guards surrounded it." 457

" ' I behold the Cross !' cried Man-of-the-AVorld," ' 476

" The fire of His refining burst upon the City of Worldliness," . . . 493 " ' For a thousand years thou shalt await the day of thy doom,' " . . 497 " The lowly home where the glorified Christ had deigned to conie.'^ . 512 " ' I saw that His hands were uplifted in benediction,' " 516

Principal Characters in the Allegory

SATAN — The archfiend, the enemy of man.

A GUARDIAN ANGEL— On busmess for the King of Heaven. MISS SINCERE — A rich young woman, devoted to church work. MR. HYPOCRITE— Mayor of the City of Worldliness. EVANGELIST— A servant of God.

MR. MAN-OF-THE-WORLD— Political boss of the City of AA^orldliness.

REV. MR. GOOD— Pastor of the " Church of the Disciples."

REV. MR. PLEASE- ALL -Pastor of the " Church of the Redeemer."

DETERMINATION— A leader of pilgrims.

WHOLE-SOUL — A fellow-worker with Determination.

LIGHT HEART ^

PRESUMPTION > An empty-headed trio.

INCREDULOUS J

MISS FAITHFUL— A friend of Miss Sincere.

MRS. HYPOCRITE— Wife of ^Ir. Hypocrite.

MRS. MAN-OF-THE-WORLD— Wife of Mr. Man-of-the-World.

WIDOW FAITH— An earnest worker in the church.

MRS. GOOD -Wife of Rev. Mr. Good.

DECEPTION ^

BELIAL ! , , , ,

^ . _ Y Satan's most trusted helpers.

FAULTFINDER

HERESY

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^^We view moral truths through the veil of allegories and parables, like so many pictures through a transparent glass ichich covers, but does not hide them. Some of the most important spiritucd sentiments are made easy to us by the most familiar sensible images. Thus does the truth, like the great Author of it, stand confessed in a visible shape, receive as it ivere a body, and become, if I may use the expression, incarnate.^'

— Jekemiah Seed.

xxiv

Introduction

Tlie author of this volume is a writer who has won hosts of friends and admirers by his excellent work, especially by his poems, which are widely read. After reading his gentle verse one would scarcely think of him in connection with a subject so matter-of-fact, and withal requiring so robust treatment, as the title of this book suggests. But poets have the gift of seeing deeply into things, and it is not incongruous to think of Mr. Chambers, even in his quiet and serene life, as capable of seeing a good deal of the evil there is in the world.

That there is such evil no one will deny. The devil is not dead, nor has he withdrawn from activity in the affairs of the world. We are not to suppose that the title, ^'THE MODERN DEVIL," given to the Prince of Evil, implies that the devil who is in the field now is a new one as to his personality; the thought is that he is modernized as to his methods of activity. He is thoroughly up-to-date. He does not belong to that class of conservatives who believe that the old order never should be changed, that things should be done in the twentieth century

XXV

XXVI

INTRODUCTION precisely as they were in the nineteenth, that innovations are essentially heresies. He believes in progress, in doing old work in new ways, in nsing new methods in these new years. So the modern devil of this volume is the familiar devil of history, who keeps in touch with the times.

The book is a most serious one, treating its subject as one of grave importance. We dare not shut our eyes to the evil that is in the world. Nor may we keep ourselves out of the battle. We must be unquestionably on the right side in the conflict, and must strike valiant blows for the truth and for God, if we would not be disloyal to our Christian manhood and to Him whose we are and whom we serve.

J. R. MILLER, D. D.,

Editor of "Forward."

Chapter I

"O may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again ' In minds made better by their presence : live In pulses stirred to generosity, In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn For miserable aims that end with self.

In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge man's search To vaster issues."

— George Eliot.

IT was near tlie close of a day spent amid the evils of the world, that I walked in the fields, seeking rest from care and its attendant worry and fear. At length, I came to a place where the soft air invited to rest and peace. Sleep, Death's

twin, fell upon me like a benediction, and in that sleep I dreamed.

Let me. with halting words, tell the strange and wonderful vision which came to me there.

I seemed to stand beside the bridge which separates Earth from the world invisible. Its majestic span stretched far across the abyss and lost itself in the shadows of the farther side.

A GUARDIAN AXGEL FACES THE AXTAGOXIST OF SOULS

As in my dream I gazed along the bridge, my eyes beheld an angel of majestic form, clothed in glittering apparel, and with a face more beautiful than I had ever seen. Then, in the light which streamed from this radiant fonn. I saw. lost in the deep shadows which lay beyond, a second presence as dark and menacing as the first was bright and glowing. Sinister and threatening, it seemed a veritable son of gloom, framed in darkness, and a shudder ran through me as I knew it for Satan, the Adversaiy, the Antagonist of Souls.

^^Who ari thou, and what is thy errand here?'' demanded the Angel in clear, stem tones, as she stood erect and fearless before the shadowy teiTor. From the darkness there came in reply a voice at whose depth my whole frame shuddered.

^'Onct I was known in Heaven as the Angel of Light," it said. ^'Here, on Earth, men call me Satan. Dost thou know me now? Whatever thy puri30se may be. I am here to be thy adversaiy. for the Earth is mine, and men are my slaves and subjects."

As I gazed, the darkness vanished and I saw the two standing in the shadow of a little knoll laced by shrubbery, behind which were hills and trees. A wind came through the tops of the trees and bent them and let in from al30ve a light which bathed both and cast its sheen along the grass touching their ver\^ feet. Then a great awe stole over me, and my breath came slowly as I opened my mind and gave my sonl again to see and hear.

'''Get thee behind me, thon Evil One I Our paths must lie separate!" came from the lips of the Angel.

"Separate!" responded Satan, with a sinister laugh. "Thou hast not learned thy lesson well. Our paths shall lie together, and thou canst not escape my companionship. Shall I tell thee whither thy footsteps tend? It is towards the Hill-lands of Faith."

"Such is my destination. Son of the Pit. But thy days are numbered, for the Lord of Heaven and Earth has decreed thy destmction and that thy dire purpose shall in no way prosper. It is mine to be the guardian angel of the good; it is mine to help them in their troubles, and to answer in the name of the King for all the promises he has made concerning those who walk in His ways."

Shadows fell around me. and the Shining One and the Tempter vanished from my sight. I was alone with a new sense of tears and joy in things earthly.

A VAST COMPANY CROSS THE BRIDGE

A faint light now shone upon the bridge, and dimly I saw what seemed an endless multitude crossing its span and losing itself in the shadows which lay beyond. Ministering angels peopled this shadowy realm and their low-breathed sighs of pity for the woes of liuman hearts liad baptized this, the very threshold of their ministry, ''The Bridge of Sighs."

''Whence journey this vast throng?" I cried aloud, for I scarcely realized the realm in which my life now seemed to have a part; and a voice, coming I knew not whence, replied:

"These are the souls of those whose term on Earth has ended, and who are crossing the bridge under the escort of spirit guides. ' '

"Why do they wear robes of white!" I asked.

"That is the mark of the kingdom to which they now belong. The All-father, having wrought their deliverance, has given to each this emblem; to them has come victor}^ Having laid down the burden of life, they are going to receive the crown," was the reply.

Leaning forward, I peered into the distance to see who composed this multitude, but was powerless to behold aught save the moving procession and in its midst the Shining One, for it was she who had answered me.

"Kind Angel," I asked, "who compose this throng?"

"Seest thou not?" she replied.

"Yes," I answered, "but not clearly."

"The aged, and those of middle years, and even little children are there," was the reply: "and to many of them the touch of the world was unkind, ' ' she added.

' ' Whence came they ? "

"They have been gathered from all lands and all peoples." As she spoke I heard a sudden burst of jubilant song, and listened to learn its source and theme.

^^Tliis is the Pilgrims' song," said the Angel.

To those of Earth the volume of this mighty chorus was lost, but to me, in my vision, it rolled on and on, and thrilled and throbbed with hallowed melody, and then died away in silence and was lost in the immeasurable distance beyond. Echo and re-echo vibrated in harmony, and as I listened to catch the song, the Angel repeated to me the words of praise.

THE pilgrims' SONG

^Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.' "

''The Angel Chorus are answering," said the ministering spirit. ''Hark!"

Such music as the world has not heard since Christ was bom in Bethlehem, now greeted my ears. It came from the vast distance beyond the abyss, as from an abode of heavenly delight; a pealing antiphon from a myriad of holy voices.

THE ANGEL CHORUS

'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.'

' These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'

SATAN APPEARS AGAIN

As I listened with straining ears, the flood of song sank, and a shadow fell over bridge and shore, bnt ere it closed around me, the form of Satan appeared again, and with his the dim figures of other demons met my eyes. They spoke in low tones, but my ears were opened to hear their words.

''The task before me is no light one," said Satan with a gleam of evil in his eyes. "The messenger from above is strong with the power of the Most High, and her work will be difficult to overcome. She is here to rescue one whom I would give much to win. We shall have to be as wise as serpents and wear a guise as fair as her own, if we would succeed."

As he spoke I saw the Guardian Angel take a roll from her girdle, from which she read:

" ' To open their eyes, and to tuna them from darkness to

light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. ' ' '