or 
 
 
 BV 4515 
 
 .H37 1904 
 
 
 Harris, 
 
 William Shuler, 
 
 1861 
 
 Sermons 
 
 by the devil 
 
 
'% 
 
 Udl:,. 
 
 
 
 FULUY RELAVeO by 
 
 T 
 
 REV. W. S. HARRIS 
 
 Author of "Mr. World and Miss Church-Member." "Life in a Thou- 
 sand Worlds," "Modem Fables and Parables." etc., etc. 
 
 Illustrated by 
 
 Paul %xvif£i m\h ii%r0 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 MENNONITE PUBLISHING CO. 
 ELKHART, INDIANA 
 
 Sold by Subscription Only 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1904, by 
 
 Luther Minter, 
 
 In the OfiBce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C, U. S, A. 
 
 Entered according to Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great 
 
 Britain and Ireland, in the year 1904, at the Office of the 
 
 Registrar of Copyright at Stationers' Hall. 
 
To my many friends who by their 
 kindly criticisms pro and con have 
 made it easier for me to write, and 
 who have urged me to the comple- 
 tion of this volume, this book is sin- 
 cerely dedicated. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The part that Satan plays in the drama of a hu- 
 man life is often larger than a person will admit. 
 Each one of us is not only acting, but we are con- 
 stantly acted upon by one or the other of two great 
 influences. The Good Spirit endeavors to lead us 
 to the skies, and its angels are ever willing to 
 minister to our real needs. The Evil Spirit, either 
 openly or under cover, seeks to destroy our mind 
 with the.imtruth by preaching to us his black ser- 
 mons of death. Some of these sermons are short, 
 others are longer, and at times they are delivered 
 to us in the language of an angel with all the dig- 
 nity that good scholarship might command. 
 
 This volume was commenced with the purpose 
 of tearing off his Satanic mask so that people 
 might see more clearly the real source of thesa 
 dark sermons. There are many people who, after 
 yielding to temptation, will declare that they have 
 acted independent of any evil influence. Satan is 
 pleased to see a person rest in the shadow of such 
 a delusion, but it is better for each one of us to 
 know that either the good or evil spirit is seeking 
 to be the guest of our thoughts, and it depends 
 upon our attitude who will be entertained. 
 
'4 PKEFACE. 
 
 The most deceived man of all is he whose mind 
 is influenced by the Evil Spirit and yet he believes 
 that he is besought by the Good Spirit. We hope 
 to reach some of such persons whose eyes are color 
 blind and whose ears are so impaired that they 
 alone cannot distinguish between the voices that 
 are calling them downward and those that are call- 
 ing them upward. 
 
 We aimed to keep the book clean throughout, 
 even though we tried to bring out the real charac- 
 ter of the unclean Spirit. We have advanced only 
 such arguments of Satan as he uses continually in 
 his practical dealings with people. We were par- 
 ticular that none of the chapters should be a source 
 of temptation, but that they might give Satan his 
 proper setting more clearly in the minds of the 
 reader, and thereby destroy the edge of his sword 
 as much as possible. 
 
 To the art work of this book the most careful 
 attention has been given, both by the author and 
 the famous artist, Paul Krafft, of New York. 
 Neither work nor money was spared to produce 
 the most accurate drawings so as to assist the mind 
 in grasping the truths of the book. And now, that 
 the volume is completed, it is the fond hope of the 
 writer that it may not fall short of its purpose. 
 
Preface. s 
 
 The author sought the aid of Divine wisdom in 
 producing this book, and he now depends upon the 
 same power to carry it into the channels of His 
 own choosing. 
 
 The Author. 
 May 12, 1904. 
 
# 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 In some instances when the author of a book is 
 unknown it is custoniary to secure some noted per- 
 son to write the Introduction. It is unnecessary, 
 however, in the presentation of this book to the 
 public, inasmuch as its able author is so well 
 known. Those who have read his former works 
 are numbered by the hundreds of thousands. 
 When 'an author's writings have been received 
 with such a welcome and endorsed with such a 
 phenomenal sale, not only in his own country, but 
 also in other lands, it is unnecessary to introduce 
 him and his works, as his name is already in the 
 hearts of the people. 
 
 We want to say that this book, entitled ** Sermons 
 by the Devil," is original and unique from cover 
 to cover, and that the author spent much time and 
 thought in its preparation. We believe that it is 
 the crowning work of his life. 
 
 The illustrations have been drawn by the genius, 
 Paul Krafft, and they are the best of his efforts. 
 Each picture is a careful study and is perfected 
 with much painstaking work. We hare saved 
 neither time nor expense to make this one of the 
 
ft INTRODUCTION. 
 
 best books ever put before the people for the low 
 price we are asking for it. 
 
 We hope that this work will be received with 
 welcome in millions of homes and that its good 
 mission will not be misunderstood. The book will 
 surely do much good, and any one helping to dis- 
 tribute it will be sowing seed that will bear a rich 
 harvest long after his earthly life is ended. In 
 these times of wickedness and greed there is great 
 need of a spiritual awakening, and a book of this 
 character is well calculated to reach the desired 
 object. It is our hope that all this and even more 
 will be accomplished through the influence of this 
 book. 
 
 The Publishers. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Satan's Sermon on Suicide, 17 
 
 Sermons on the River of Life, 25 
 
 A Serpent Sermon by Satan, 35 
 
 Satan's Business Advice, 40 
 
 The Death of a Saloon-Keeper, 45 
 
 A Sermon by Satan to a Dying Christian, ... 53 
 
 Satan Preaches to a Society Woman, 57 
 
 Preaching Behind Curtains, 60 
 
 Views of Satan on Lying, 65 
 
 Little Sermons by Satan to Persuade People 
 
 to Reject the Great Invitation, 73 
 
 Satan's Musical Sermon, 87 
 
 Satan on Child Training, 91 
 
 Satan on Christian Zeal, 96 
 
 Harmlessness of Sin, 100 
 
 The Lord's Supper, 104 
 
 Family Worship, 110 
 
 Satan and Purity, 118 
 
 The Journey of Miss Pilgrim, 123 
 
 A Time When Satan Failed,, 143 
 
 How To Conduct Revival Meetings, 148 
 
 A Tobacco Sermon by Satan, 157 
 
 The Devil's Free Lunch Counter, 165 
 
10 CONTENTS. 
 
 How to Keep People from Going to Church, 168 
 
 Satan and Sensuality, 180 
 
 The Bondage of Sin, 187 
 
 The Saloon Devil and Uncle Sam, 191 
 
 Let Us Alone, 198 
 
 The Hobby Factory, 208 
 
 Preaching at the Bridge, 215 
 
 Where the Devil Need Not Preach, 225 
 
 Till All Comes Right, 228 
 
 Two Kinds of Riches, 230 
 
 Satan on Atheism, 234 
 
 Heaven and Hell, 244 
 
 Sermons on Preaching, 247 
 
 Sermons on Prayer by Satan and Members of 
 
 His Cabinet, 260 
 
 Satan's Sermon on Jonah, 270 
 
 Satan *s Views on Swearing, 278 
 
 Seven Sermons by Members of the Devil's 
 
 Cabinet, , 282 
 
 The Devil's Last Song, 303 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
(fetfS^^r 
 
HALF TONE. 
 
 Attempt at Suicide on the Bridge, 23 
 
 The River of Life, 25 
 
 The Saloon-Keeper's Death-bed Experience 
 
 with Satan and His Imps, 51 
 
 The Death of the Christian, 52 
 
 The Cripple's Entrance to the Rich Man's 
 
 Palace, 85 
 
 Satan in Artful Disguise, leading a Host on 
 
 the Monotonous Rounds of Sin, 86 
 
 Satan's Unsuccessful Attempt on the Path of 
 
 Purity, 121 
 
 Miss Pilgrim's Encounter with Satan in a 
 
 Hobgoblin Form, 122 
 
 Miss Pilgrim Entering the Gate of Heaven, 141 
 The Farmer at the Decisive Point Turning a 
 Deaf Ear to Satan and Heeding the Advice 
 
 of the Angel of Light, 142 
 
 Satan on the Path of Sensuality,, 185 
 
 The Rich Young Man Blindly Clinging to His 
 
 Burdens, 186 
 
 Satan's Orchestra at the Bridge of Destruc- 
 tion, 223 
 
 Satan Enjoying His Ease in the Spiritually 
 Sleeping Church, 224 
 
14 
 
 HALF TONE. 
 
 The Operatic Scene of the Seven Great Devils 
 
 in their Famous Speeches, 301 
 
 Satan Bound at Last in the Bottomless Pit, 302 
 
 B 
 
PEN DRAWINGS. 
 
 The Rich Man's Messenger Meeting the Beg- 
 gar, 74 
 
 The Widow Invited to the Supper in the 
 
 King's Palace, 76 
 
 The Woman Who Heeded the Advice of Her 
 
 Three Neighbors, 78 
 
 The Young Man's Excuse, 80 
 
 The Three Stages of Prostitution, 117 
 
 Moral Training and Satan's Free Lunches of 
 
 Advice, 164 
 
 Uncle Sam Protecting the Saloon, 190 
 
 Christ Commanding the Devil to Come Out 
 
 of the Man, 200 
 
 The Devil White-washing Sinners, = . . 289 
 
^*- 
 
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 Satan was making earnest efforts to persuade a 
 certain man to commit suicide. He tempted him at 
 midnight as far as the center of the bridge, and as 
 the man hesitated to spring into the water, Satan 
 continued speaking: 
 
 "I congratulate you as you stand here on the 
 very edge of genuine happiness. If you have suf- 
 ficient courage, you will soon enter into perfect 
 peace. Look down upon the sweet waters, and see 
 how they invite you to the most peaceful kind of a 
 death. They promise to cover all your cares and 
 troubles, and put you to sleep on the bosom of the 
 deep. ' ' 
 
 A good angel interrupted these temptations of 
 Satan: 
 
 "Spring not from this bridge, for such an act 
 will bring no relief to your poor soul. It would 
 be the opening of the door through which you 
 would enter to exi)erience deeper sorrows and grief 
 more terrible. Listen no longer to the voice that 
 points you toward the panfi^s of death." 
 
 2 
 
18 SATAN'S SERMON TO A SUICIDE. 
 
 The words of the angel touched the heart of the 
 man and they seemed to draw him away, but Satan 
 again quickly spoke : 
 
 "Don't be a coward. Have you not found that 
 the best joys of this life are worthless, and that 
 your troubles are so great that you can no longer 
 bear them I Why be so foolish as to continue under 
 this load, to live on in misery and wretchedness? 
 You have gone thus far towards peace, and now 
 one plunge from the bridge will end all your woes. ' ' 
 
 Again the angel insisted : 
 
 *'Nay! nay! be not so foolhardy. Before you 
 lies not only the dark waters, but the judgment bar 
 of God. If you listen and heed the voice of Satan, 
 you are responsible for the result of listening. You 
 cannot plead any excuse for self-murder, inasmuch 
 as God has sent me, as one of his angels, to warn 
 you while the warmth of life is yet yours. Return 
 to your tasks ; face your situation ; forsake sin and 
 take God into your life, then your troubles will no 
 longer seem unsurmountable. By God's help, you 
 will be given the best solution of the problem that 
 vexes you, and your life will yet be crowned with 
 honor and glory. Let God drop life's curtain, but 
 do not draw it yourself. ' ' 
 
 These kindly words had a great influence on the 
 heart of this man. Once more he was about to turn 
 
SATAN'S SERMON TO A SUICIDE. 19 
 
 and walk toward the city, but the enemy with bold 
 audacity, again continued his sermon : 
 
 * ^ What can you see ahead of you as you lift your 
 eyes? Have you not tried the theatre, and what 
 joy can that give? Have you not tried the ways of 
 prostitution, and what lasting comfort have you 
 found? Have you not tasted of the wine glass, and 
 found no satisfying portion? In brief, is it not true 
 that everything has failed to give you the peace 
 for which you have been vainly sighing? You must 
 not be deceived by false voices that call you to 
 imaginary peace. Religion is a failure, and you 
 need not think of depending upon the church or 
 Sunday School for any real comfort. The world 
 would be far better off if there were no churches. 
 The only work they do is to annoy the consciences 
 of people while they live, and in many instances, 
 cast a heavy gloom over them in death." The 
 Devil paused just a moment and then in a softer 
 voice continued : ' ' Since all of your prospects are 
 like bubbles, why not leap instantly into the waters, 
 whose velvety touches shall smooth down all your 
 cares and bury you in peace forever ! There is no 
 grave like that of the water. Look now upon its 
 smiling face and remember that all those silent 
 moonlight beckonings are inviting you to the deep- 
 est and most sublime comfort. Hesitate no more. 
 
20 SATAN'S SERMON TO A SUICIDE. 
 
 Why not carry your whole purpose to a finish? 
 There could be nothing sweeter than to fall from 
 this bridge. The rest will all follow like the even- 
 ing follows noon, or like the bright stars follow the 
 heat of a closing day. ' ' 
 
 At this the man actually leaned over and was 
 looking thoughtfully into the waters below him. 
 Then the good angel lovingly entreated him once 
 more: 
 
 ' ' Think of your mother and your friends. Look 
 at the disgrace you will leave behind you. Remem- 
 ber, God, who made the waters, made them not to 
 comfort a dying man. There is no peace to be 
 found in such a manner of ending life. Empty 
 your mind of these vain delusions which I assure 
 you are but temptations from the Devil. If you 
 heed his voice you will find, when it is too late, 
 that you will be in the power of the very wretch 
 who now seeks your ruin." 
 
 Then did the Devil whisper a few long sentences 
 so low that no one could hear but the listener. It 
 was a terrible temptation playing upon the man in 
 his weakness. It was his purpose to heed the voice 
 of the good angel, but he somehow felt that he was 
 being drawn away from the light that was trying 
 to enter his soul, and so, in the desperation that 
 was born of this thought, he seized his enemy as if 
 
SATAN'S SERMON TO A SUICIDE. gi 
 
 in bodily conflict, and taking advantage of the ad- 
 vice previously given to him by the angel, he called 
 upon God for help. After a sharp decisive strug- 
 gle Satan was pushed off of the bridge, but it seem- 
 ed as if he did not fall into the water. The man 
 quickly turned for he felt a saving hand upon him, 
 and to his happiness he found that the angel had 
 not let go of him during all the conflict. Never did 
 any creature seem so beautiful as the angel apx)ear- 
 ed to him at that moment. He had conquered in 
 the conflict, and next he breathed out his petition on 
 the midnight air that God might help him through 
 the troubles that had almost overwhelmed him. 
 His prayer was answered and over the wrecks of a 
 wasted life he reared a building of character and 
 wealth that he humbly dedicated to the unseen God. 
 It is sad to relate that not all of the sons and 
 daughters of the human race conquer Satan when 
 they are subjected to the terrible temptations of 
 self destruction. 
 
Every inward voice or suggestion 
 that urges a man to self-destruction 
 is bora of Satan. Look at the picture 
 and see how the Black Demon points 
 downward. He is urging the man to 
 find comfort in suicide. That is the 
 best recipe that Satan and infidelity 
 can offer to a person who is over- 
 whelmed with trouble. Let such a one 
 turn a deaf ear to Satan's temptation 
 and listen to the Angel of Light who 
 will point him to the Son of Eighte- 
 ousness by day and the Star of Hope 
 by night. 
 
 22 
 
Then the Devil whispered a few loxg sextexces, urging the 
 
 MAN TO COMMIT SUICIDE, AND THE GOOD ANGEL ONCE MORE 
 ENDEAVORED TO DRAW THE MAN AWAY. 
 
1~ OS 
 
 ^ c 
 
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 ^m 
 
 a; > a 
 
 '■i -« g 
 a w ^ 
 
 as 
 - o 
 
 \1 ^ 
 3 « 
 
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 ^rmnttH 
 
 0Utl|e J^^^J^ 
 
 Hvitx of Htfi? j» 
 
 The river of life rises at the gate of Heaven and 
 empties into the ocean of Death. At the age of ac- 
 countability each individual is launched into the 
 stream about midway, and he must either drift with 
 the current downward or work against it upward. 
 The river flows with different degrees of rapidity 
 as you go from the shore toward its center. The 
 chief end of human life is for one to struggle 
 against the natural currents and push his way far- 
 ther and farther up the stream toward Heaven and 
 Success. 
 
 It is very easy to move with the current. Idle- 
 ness is a drifting toward death. There are many 
 things along the banks of this river to attract at- 
 tention, so that by looking intently toward the 
 shore, no one will realize that he is surely drifting 
 toward the black waters of Destruction. It is the 
 purpose of Satan to engage one's thought in any 
 manner whatever so as to keep his hands from ply- 
 ing the oars against the stream. 
 
 Happy the person who refuses to give his time 
 
26 SERMONS ON THE RIVER OF LIFE. 
 
 and his thought to the lightsome attractions a.long 
 the way, or to the inward temptations that are di- 
 rectly prompted by Satan. It must be remembered 
 that if anything good is to be obtained in this life, 
 one cannot get it without an effort. There are 
 plenty of good things up the river. The farther 
 you travel upward, the more beautiful are the 
 flowers along the banks, and the more wholesome 
 fruits can be plucked from the branches overhang- 
 ing the stream. Also in those higher places, there 
 are cool and shady inlets where one may rest in 
 peace on the pure waters, in the beauty of the fresh 
 and balmy air. 
 
 But strange to say, there are comparatively few 
 who are willing to make a sacrifice in order to 
 reach these happy places farther up the stream. 
 Some pride themselves by saying that they are as 
 good as certain other people, but it happens that 
 those other people are slowly drifting down stream. 
 One should not find satisfaction in making the 
 same progress that somebody else is making who is 
 drifting down toward the ocean of Death. 
 
 Far down this stream, the waters become dark 
 and filthy and the climate is sickening, but they 
 who are drifting past tlie lowlands become accus- 
 tomed to the climate and really do not seem to 
 know that they are moving in such an unwholesome 
 atmosphere. 
 
SERMONS ON THE RIVER OF LIFE. 37 
 
 In the light of these truths, one can readily see 
 how easy it is to sin, even though its consequences 
 are hard to bear. Sinning need be nothing more 
 than drifting down stream into the poisoned at- 
 mosphere where all kinds of impurities exist. The 
 end of such a course is spiritual death and all of 
 its attached penalties. 
 
 It is possible to obtain good things in our natural 
 life by inheritance or in some other way that costs 
 us no labor, but on the mighty river of life you 
 must not think that you can go up stream by luck. 
 It is your duty to pull the oars against the current, 
 and if your arms are weak, you will get all needed 
 strength. ^' Man's extremity is God's opportun- 
 ity." If you have a poor boat or a poor pair of 
 oars, Heaven asks no more of you than the best 
 you can do, after which, strange to say, your cum- 
 bersome bark will make remarkable progress up 
 stream. 
 
 It may be true that some will pass you even up 
 the stream, but do not become faint-hearted. Not 
 always those who travel with rapid spurts make the 
 most progress in the end. Some who bend their en- 
 ergies with all diligence for a season, are suddenly 
 attracted and give their attention to some object of 
 peculiar interest, and lo, their boat goes drifting 
 again down stream. 
 
28 SERMONS ON THE RIVER OF LIFE. 
 
 The humble, faithful worker in his effort to 
 travel up stream will naturally meet with many op- 
 positions, but if he is persistent and surrender to 
 no temptation, he will surely come to the place 
 where rowing is less difficult and where the imme- 
 diate banks will give him better subjects for re- 
 flection. By and by he will be called from the 
 stream of life to take up his residence in the Celes- 
 tial City. 
 
 As you study the condition of life on this won- 
 derful river it is hard to believe that there could be 
 anybody whose main object would be to urge peo- 
 ple to travel down stream. This is the work that 
 Satan is doing with all his power. He is constant- 
 ly advancing false arguments to persuade all 
 classes of people to take life easy as far as spiritual 
 matters are concerned. The companies who are 
 traveling down stream will aggregate into the mil- 
 lions. 
 
 It is a common sight to see the 
 
 A HORRIBLE 
 
 SERMON 
 
 PREACHED 
 
 TO A 
 
 YOUNG MAN 
 
 Devil flattering a young man who 
 finds that the natural current is too 
 slow for him. Satan tells such a man 
 to ply his oars down stream, and one 
 is horrified to see with what rapidity 
 the young man is rushing ahead toward his de- 
 struction. In his madness he acts as if he wishes 
 
SERMONS ON THE KIVEE OF LIFE. 29 
 
 to see the whole program of sin as soon as possi- 
 ble. What does he care for warning voices'? He 
 sings a jolly song and shuts his ears to every loving 
 cry as he feasts his sensual eyes upon the moral 
 impurities along the way. The Devil laughs at 
 him while others weep. 
 
 And then perchance, as he dashes ahead in his 
 reckless course, his hooked boat will take hold of 
 another and drag its occupant on towards the same 
 destruction. If his comrade is not willing to take 
 his same pace down stream, he will either urge 
 him against his will, or will cast him off as one who 
 is tied to his mother's apron strings. Such a reck- 
 less youth will always find women who will equal 
 him in his terrible career downward. Amongst this 
 blind class of people there are not a few who be- 
 come so hardened in sin that they deliberately 
 throw their oars away, thus throwing away their 
 best chance of traveling against the current. Such 
 a person is just as foolish as a bird who would cut 
 off its wings because it felt tired after taking a 
 long flight. 
 
 I saw one young man in his extremity who not 
 only threw away his oars, but pounded at the very 
 bottom of his boat until it sprang a leak so that he 
 was drawn down to a watery grave. 
 
30 
 
 SERMONS ON THE RIVER OF LIFE. 
 
 A DEATHLY 
 SERMON 
 
 PREACHED 
 
 BY 
 
 ACTIONS 
 
 I saw on this samo river of life an- 
 other boat carrying a few pleasure 
 seekers. Those on board had their 
 minds so wrapt up in the enjoyments 
 of this life that they paid no attention 
 to the more serious duties of reaching 
 success. Satan gladly improved the opportunity 
 of occupying a seat on this same boat and steering 
 it. He knew just where to steer the boat so that 
 they would be farther away from the missionary 
 voices that were ever calling in order to save souls 
 from a downward life of sin. There was a Hellish 
 smile that played upon the face of the grim mon- 
 ster as he noticed the thoughtlessness and frivolity 
 of those on board. Satan offers to steer any craft 
 free of charge, but the price is often so great that 
 one becomes bankrupt when he tries to settle the 
 bill. The deception of Satan is unspt>akable and he 
 is mean enough to get others to point the finger 
 of scorn at a person who may be struggling hard 
 against the current in order to reach Heaven and 
 
 success. 
 
 A GLIMPSE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ANGEL 
 
 AND THE 
 
 CROWN 
 
 I was indeed glad that I was priv- 
 ileged to see on this same river one of 
 the nobler characters who occupied a 
 Immble boat. He was striving with 
 all reasonable effort to push his boat 
 up stream^ and in this noble work he 
 
SERMONS ON THE RIVER OF LIFE. 31 
 
 was opposed by the imps of Hell and by a number 
 of companions who called him foolish for not tak- 
 ing in the sights farther down the stream. His 
 purpose was fixed, and no one could swerve him 
 from his course even though a score or more tried 
 to shipwreck the young man. His heart was thrill- 
 ed with joy because he was in touch with the wish 
 of the infinite mind. And more than that there was 
 an angel who was sent to crown him with one of 
 those kind of crowns that all good people get before 
 they reach Heaven. One is not compelled to wait 
 until he ^-caches the gate of Heaven before his joy 
 begins. As mentioned before, there are unspeak- 
 able pleasures along the stream of life to those who 
 continue ever upward, and the angels are always 
 interested in the progress such a one is making. 
 
 The names of the two oars are Faith and Works. 
 If these are both worked together, eifective work 
 can be done. No one can make any progress up 
 stream if he fails to use either one of these oars. 
 There are quite a few pilgrims who are led to think 
 that faith is of more consequence than works and 
 others who believe that works is more important 
 than faith. Such people make very blundering 
 progress by working one oar more than the other. 
 They go swinging around in circles and strike 
 against shore at the wrong places. Thus in this 
 
SATAN'S 
 
 SERNON 
 
 ON 
 
 FAITH AND 
 
 WORKS 
 
 33 SERMONS ON THE EJVEH OF LIFE. 
 
 roundabout manner the chances are that the cur- 
 rent will somewhat carry them downward, to say 
 notliing of the spectacle they present to those who 
 are looking on. 
 
 I heard the Devil preaching a little 
 sermon to an earnest Christian whose 
 mind was biased toward faith. He 
 told the Christian that faith was 
 everything, and that works count for 
 nothing as far as spiritual progress 
 is concerned. ''It all depends upon what a man 
 believes and not so much what he does, whether he 
 will ever reach Heaven. ' ' That does not mean that 
 a man can commit evil deeds with impunity and not 
 suffer for it, but it simply teaches that the heart 
 must be right in its belief and that that alone will 
 count for righteousness. If you would be a power 
 in the world let me urge you to accept and teach 
 this doctrine most gladly, so that others who are 
 in the dark, and who are constantly worrying about 
 their works may be brought into the full light. 
 
 The very same day that I heard the Devil preach- 
 ing this little sermon on the great importance of 
 faith, I heard him preach another little sermon in 
 which he put works on top. He was speaking to a 
 good woman who was making fair progress against 
 the current. In some way he attracted her atten- 
 
SERMONS ON THE lUVER OF LIFE. 33 
 
 tion long enough to plant his evil thoughts into her 
 mind. 
 
 *'My dear Christian friend," he urged, ''it is 
 almost impossible for a person to know what is the 
 true nature of faith, and this being true, I would 
 urge you to cease worrying over this subject, and 
 see to it that you do good works. If you give 
 proper attention to the latter, then happiness and 
 progress will smile upon you more than ever. 
 After all the most important thing in life is good 
 works. Follow this advice and be happy. ' ' 
 
 The woman who always had some difficulty in 
 understanding faith was very glad to hear this doc- 
 trine again brought to her attention even though 
 she had often heard it before. She was anxious to 
 follow this new advice and consequently she com- 
 menced to work the oar called Works. You well 
 know what happened, and as the boat swung in a 
 circle she made herself believe that this was an im- 
 proved way of making progress. She tried to ex- 
 ercise pity toward those who were wise enough 
 to make use of both oars. It then occurred to my 
 mind that the worst conceit in the world is that 
 which makes a person believe that his religious 
 ideas are better than those of any other people who 
 are trying to do right. 
 
 It would be a long story if we were to tell the 
 
34 SEllMOKg ON RlVEll OF LlFl!. 
 
 principal happenings on this famous river. Your 
 heart would be filled with rapturous delight if we 
 were to describe the manner in which the travelers 
 are received after they have reached the end of 
 their upward journey. Heaven and Success are 
 awaiting many more who are pushing up stream. 
 This is the bright part of the whole scene. 
 
 But it would be impossible for us to describe the 
 extremely horrible condition of things as yow go 
 to the lower end of the stream, neither could we re- 
 late the untold horrors of the ocean of spiritual 
 death which is a receptacle of all the filth and slime 
 of sin and sinners. 
 
 Each human being is somewhere on this river, 
 either drifting downward toward the one extreme 
 or rowing upward toward the gates of the Eternal 
 City. Such a tiling as remaining stationary on this 
 river is unthinkable, although many who imagine 
 that they are continuing about the same, do not 
 realize that they are actually floating downward. 
 
Preached along the pathway of life to those who 
 give heed. 
 
 Along the pathway of life there are scattered a 
 large number of beautiful buildings with costly 
 furnishings. These are supplied with little pet 
 snakes of sin, which can be had, free of charge, by 
 all who are willing to accept them. 
 
 Certain snakes are kept on exhibition, and as 
 they lie in their beautiful glass cases, they present 
 a handsome ai^pearance. They have neat ribbon 
 bows tied around their necks, and certain sides of 
 the boxes are lined with satin. In front of one of 
 these buildings I heard a man calling out : 
 
 ' ' Come this way ! come this way ! all ye who hear 
 my voice. We have on exhibition some beautiful 
 bosom pets. If you take one now, while it is young 
 and small, you can train it to your liking, and I 
 will assure you that you will not only have a novel 
 pet, but that you will be safe from its poison for- 
 ever. ' ' 
 
 A certain young man, who was passing near by, 
 
Small sins grow like small serpents, and if not cx)NQtrEBED, 
 
 WILL TAKE TUEIB VICTIMS DOWN TO DEATH. 
 
A SERPENT SERMON. 37 
 
 was attracted to the place, and with suspicion, he 
 glanced at the curious little pets. 
 
 ' * Are these not deadly snakes that you offer 1 ' ' 
 
 "Ha! ha!" laughed the Evil One, ''that is what 
 some people call them, but I assure you that you 
 need not fear them. If you take to your bosom one 
 of these beautiful so-called deadly pets, you will 
 not only be free from danger but it will give new 
 warmth to your heart as you hold it there. ' ' 
 
 *'I don't like the appearance of the pets," com- 
 mented the young man. 
 
 ' ' Perhaps the appearance of some may shock you 
 a little at first, but if you will look over the whole 
 assortment, you will find one that will suit your 
 fancy altogether. ' ' 
 
 Then the wicked fiend spoke very fluently about 
 the effect that these little charmers had on the pres- 
 ent life. Hia words were making a favorable im- 
 pression on the young man, who considered himself 
 proof against all forms of temptation. Strange to 
 say, the very snake that had impressed him so hor- 
 ribly a short time before, now fascinated him al- 
 together. He stood as if channed by the little ser- 
 pent that the black agent held coiled in his hand. 
 
 "This is my choice," said the young man who 
 willingly agreed to pay the price, which was noth- 
 
38 A SERPENT SEIIMON. 
 
 ing more than his promise to give it a place above 
 his heart. 
 
 The young man carried the little serpent in his 
 breast and allowed it to feed upon his heart's blood. 
 The snake grew so slowly tha-t the owner did not 
 realize with what increasing danger it was sapping 
 his life's energies. He was unconsciously nursing 
 an enemy, and thereby inviting his own ruin and 
 death. The serpent had now grown large enough 
 that it could playfully wrap itself around the arm 
 or waist of the young man. 
 
 In the course of time the foolish young man saw 
 very clearly that if he would not conquer the ser- 
 pent that the serpent would conquer him. So he 
 resolved to shake the serpent off or kill it in the at- 
 tempt. He never realized until then how it had 
 fastened itself upon his veiy vitals, and that he was 
 powerless in his own strength to overcome the en- 
 emy. A long and terrible battle was fought. The 
 serpent swung itself mightily in the great battle and 
 the young man, in desperation, seized it and tried 
 to crush it with his hands or stamp it with his feet. 
 The serpent was more than a match for the youth, 
 who called out mightily for help, and in response to 
 his pleadings a good angel came to him and said : 
 
 ''Let Christ into your heart and he will destroy 
 the deadly serpent of sin and will make you free 
 again. ' ' 
 
A SERPENT SEEMON. 39 
 
 To these welcome words the young man gave 
 heed and was ahnost persuaded to accept Christ 
 when Satan, robed like an angel, stole to his side 
 and whispered : 
 
 "Don't be foolish, young man. You must not 
 expect to find help from some outside power, you 
 are fully able to help yourself. Since you are 
 blessed with a strong mind of your own, why go 
 begging like a little child for help? Is it not more 
 honorable to die like a hero fighting your own bat- 
 tle, than to be a weakling or a coward?" 
 
 ''But I will be forever lost, if I don't get rid of 
 this sin. I cannot conquer it myself, for I have al- 
 ready spent all my eneiigy in trjdng to do so." 
 
 Then Satan tempted him another way by appeal- 
 ing to his pride, and after that by trying to frighten 
 him. But all these proved futile, and the young 
 man turned to the better angel and to Christ who is 
 able to deliver. His repentance and confession 
 brought down the power that destroyed the serpent, 
 and the young man r.ejoiced greatly in his freedom. 
 
'^DWC^ 
 
 fairs as to make it pay. 
 
 *'If a man enter upon 
 some kind of business to 
 gain a livelihood for him- 
 self and family, it is his 
 duty to so conduct his af- 
 A business man has the 
 
 right to perform certain tricks which in them- 
 selves are perfectly proper, even though the world 
 or the church may condemn them. People who are 
 not in business do not fully understand how many 
 intricate problems there are to solve and how 
 many little trials there are to bear." 
 
 * ' To state the whole matter briefly, I would say 
 that a soft, tender conscience and a wide-awake 
 business man make poor companions. If you wish 
 to succeed in business you must observe the fol- 
 lowing rules : 
 I. ' ' Learn to prevaricate without lying. ' ' 
 ''Prevarication is pleasing to the people and 
 without it you will have a disappointed class of 
 
SATAN'S BUSINESS ADVICE. 41 
 
 customers. It is certain that people expect you to 
 shade the truth a little, or they would not ask such 
 foolish questions most every time they come to pur- 
 chase. If you are selling an article worth one dol- 
 lar, the customer is pleased if you tell him that it is 
 worth two dollars. He is not particular whether 
 you are telling the truth or not. All he cares about 
 is that he can tell his friends that he is wearing an 
 article worth two dollars." 
 
 2. ** Become expert in the use of 'bluff.' " 
 
 '■ '■ Bluff is the most modem way of lying without 
 violating the law. In purchasing goods you can so 
 talk that the manufacturer will believe that you 
 can buy cheaper elsewhere. If you put these bluffs 
 at him in a modern style, it may compel him to 
 yield, and perchance you may clear several dollars 
 in your deal. ' ' 
 
 3. ''You must learn to make heavy profits wher- 
 ever you can. ' ' 
 
 "Your policy should be to get for an article 
 what you can and not what is right. You will find 
 that before you are through with your business ca- 
 reer that you need all the margins that it is possible 
 for you to make. You should, as quickly as pos- 
 sible, have a reserve fund so as to be prepared for 
 any emergency." 
 
42 SATAN'S BUSINESS ADVICE. 
 
 4. '*You must learn the art of adulteration and 
 make use of this knowledge to best advantage. ' ' 
 
 5. **In order to avoid competition, form a mo- 
 nopoly if possible. ' ' 
 
 ''This is the great secret of large business suc- 
 cess. You could not expect to become a power in 
 the business world so long as you are hampered 
 with a lot of small trade centers, each one doing a 
 business similar to your own. The motto of the 
 age is : Combine interests, either drown out or buy 
 out the small firms, and get a full control of the line 
 of business which you represent. Do not allow the 
 cries of a weak reformer or a nervous public to 
 make you believe that this is wrong. You must 
 stick to the policy that anything is right that you 
 can do and escape from the civil law. ' ' 
 
 
 When one studies the methods of Satan in the 
 business world he is strongly impressed with the 
 numberless ways in which dishonesty and decep- 
 tion are practiced under a cloak of lighteousness. 
 Satan says with a show of boldness that ' ' A tender 
 conscience and a wide-awake business man make 
 poor companions." This is a false statement and 
 is only believed by the man or woman whose con- 
 
A REPLY TO SATAN'S BUSINESS ADVICE. 43 
 
 science has already been warped. In business or in 
 any other vocation the only way to reach real suc- 
 cess is by the way of honesty. It is true that a ras- 
 cal may endure for a season, and heap unto himself 
 great wealth and thus appear to enjoy the highest 
 success in life, but all this will prove in the end a 
 curse to him. 
 
 The majority of those who fail in business are 
 not the conscientious men, but those who have had 
 their ears open, more or less, to Satan's business 
 advice. We have a sure word of prophecy that 
 rings out the following note: ''As the partridge 
 sitteth on her eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he 
 that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave 
 them in the midst of his days, and at liis end shall 
 be a fool." Jer. 17-11. 
 
 Satan gives a few rules which he claims must be 
 observed if one would wish to reach success in bus- 
 iness. The first one is "Learn to prevaricate with- 
 out lying." This is only another way of saying, 
 learn to tell a falsehood without lying. The only 
 safe way in business is to tell the truth. By doing 
 so, you may occasionally lose a sale or a customer 
 but your loss will be your gain. Your truthful 
 qualities will lift you gradually to a substantial 
 throne of honor. 
 
 "Bluff" is the refuge of the hypocrite. There 
 are times when one has a right to pass off a pleas- 
 antry or an innocent joke, but whenever anything 
 of this kind is used to cover real facts in a business 
 deal, then it changes to the color of a lie. 
 
44 A EEPLY TO SATAN'S BUSINESS ADVICE. 
 
 In the third advice given by Satan there is a pe- 
 culiar mingling of truth and error and it is in such 
 kinds of arguments that Satan ripens the mind for 
 greater error. It is not always right to get what 
 you can for a commodity. There is a difference be- 
 tween might and right and there are thousands 
 who take advantage of situations especially in mo- 
 nopolizing, and by getting what they can they get 
 considerably more than what is right or just. There 
 is no rule in business so precious as the Golden 
 Eule. 
 
 One need not resort to unlawful adulteration or 
 to any other type of illegal or unrighteous actions. 
 This is the Devil's pathway of success down to 
 eternal destruction. If you are honest and right- 
 eous to your full ability, you will enjoy the peace 
 of a clear conscience through all your business 
 years, and in the evening of life you will have pre- 
 cious meditations and the sweetest reflections. And 
 most glorious of all when your eyes close to this 
 life, Eternity will dawn with a full radiance of im- 
 mortal glory and you will be receiving your re- 
 ward forever. 
 
NOTE: The following incident is taken from actual life. It 
 is no imaginary sketch or fanciful picture. The author is 
 not sure whether it was a case of delirium tremens or not. 
 
 Satan appeared to a saloon-keeper who was ly- 
 ing in great stress upon his deathbed, and spoke 
 to him as follows : 
 
 ''Let me give you one more sermon, old fellow, 
 before you reach your reward. You have done a 
 noble service. You have served me well, and sure- 
 ly I will not forsake you in this hour of death. You 
 need not become frightened at my presence. Come ! 
 come ! stop your agitations, ' ' continued the Devil, 
 ''you need not be alarmed." 
 
 "Oh horrors! oh horrors!" shrieked the poor 
 man, "would to God that I could have a new lease 
 of life! How can I go out into this darkness 
 alone ? ' ' 
 
 ' ' I will be with you to hold your hand, and lead 
 you to your reward," assured the Devil. 
 
 Then the poor wretcli tried to concentrate his 
 
46 DEATH OF A SALOOA-KEEPER. 
 
 thoughts on noble things, but his sins arose before 
 him like mountains, and he could review their ter- 
 rors before his eyes. 
 
 ''0! what shall I do with my sins; my awful 
 sins; my many, many sins?" he groaned aloud. 
 
 ' * Trouble yourself not, forget about them and be 
 at peace," came the voice of Satan, whose real form 
 was now gradually unfolding itself to the dying 
 man, at which the saloon-keeper shrank back upon 
 his pillow and lifted his bony fingers in terror. 
 
 ''Keep back! keep back! come no nearer," con- 
 tinued his heart-breaking appeals. Satan and his 
 imps continued to advance and they all tried to look 
 as beautiful as possible. But they could no longer 
 mask themselves. The struggling man tried to find 
 rest by fastening his eyes elsewhere. But the ter- 
 rible visage of Satan was so appalling, that he 
 could not take his eyes therefrom. 
 
 Death drew still nearer and the struggle of the 
 unfortunate man became more intense. He made 
 one last effort to seek refuge somewhere, but just 
 at that moment, each one of the little company of 
 imps presented his claim. This so distracted the 
 mind of the man that his actions were similar to a 
 raving maniac. 
 
 ''I claim your love," demanded the first imp. 
 
 *'And I claim your time," demanded another, 
 
DEATH OF A SALOON-KEEPER. 47 
 
 whose grinning countenance was most terrible to 
 behold. 
 
 ''I demand your attention," spoke a third in a 
 tone most grinding and severe. 
 
 ' ' I demand your talents throughout all eternity, ' ' 
 spoke the most horrible imiD of all the company. 
 
 "And I demand your sacrifices to be given will- 
 ingly in the kingdom to come, ' ' cried out another. 
 
 And still another in mockery said : "I demand 
 your service, ' ' but before the imp had finished his 
 words, Satan himself cried out, ''I demand your 
 soul, y9ur life, your all. ' ' At this saying the imps 
 formed a cordon around the bed, and the miserable 
 man crouched anew at their uncanny movements. 
 
 lie had been sick for many weeks and refused 
 nearly all food. He had so fallen away in flesh that 
 scarcely anything but skin lay over his bones. His 
 eyes were sunken and he presented an awful ap- 
 pearance as he was struggling in a terrible effort 
 to escape from the cordon of imps. 
 
 He sprang back against the head-board of the 
 bed, lifting his bony fingers like claws, as he 
 screamed out: ''Take them away! take them 
 away!" His cries were so horrible that no one 
 could remain in the room with him, even his wife 
 was compelled to leave and not one of his old chums 
 could stand so terrible a picture of death. Some 
 
48 DEATH OF A SALOON-KEEPER. 
 
 one hastened to the home of a minister in the mid- 
 night hour, and urged him to come up at once to 
 the hotel, and pray with the dying man. The min- 
 ister hastily dressed and with Bible in hand, soon 
 entered the hotel and noticed the terror-stricken 
 people all around, who begged him to go into the 
 next room and do what he could for the poor man. 
 The situation tested the courage of the minister, 
 for as he approached the room, he heard the un- 
 earthly shrieks of the dying man, and upon opening 
 the door, found that all had deserted the room. He 
 prayed for courage, and thus strengthened he walk- 
 ed with a steady tread up to the bedside of the man, 
 and opened his Bible before him. Suddenly there 
 was a calm, and for the first time in many hours, 
 the poor wretch sank down upon his pillow in quiet- 
 ness. 
 
 At this sudden turn, some ventured into the 
 room and all stood as still as death, and the dying 
 man lay motionless, as the minister read from the 
 word of God and spoke to him. It seemed that 
 even the devils dared not advance farther while the 
 Word of God was being uttered in their hearing. 
 
 The minister, after a long conference, found that 
 nothing more could be done and was compelled to 
 go. After he had left the room, tlie same terrible 
 scenes followed. The poor wretch continuously 
 
DEATH OF A SALOON-KEEPER. 49 
 
 cried out in anguish and in the pathos of appeal- 
 ing: ''Take them away! keep them back!" No 
 one could check the march of the very devils that 
 were advancing to claim their own, and not being 
 able to remain in the room they all forsook him 
 again. 
 
 All this terrible tragedy continued until the poor 
 body of the dying man left go of its spirit, which 
 seemed lo satisfy this pack of demons, like a piece 
 of flesh quiets a pack of pursuing wolves. 
 
If a person is prepared to meet 
 death he can pass out of this life in 
 mighty triumph, but what can be 
 more terrible than the death of the 
 wicked? To such death comes in its 
 worst features. Some may not die 
 with shrieks of terror on their lips, 
 but their inward pangs cannot be de- 
 scribed. The picture on the opposite 
 page does not exaggerate the horri- 
 ble experiences of some who have re- 
 jected God through life. The Evil 
 Spirits can be seen best when the cur- 
 tain of mortality is falling. The only 
 way to a happy death is by a righte- 
 ous life. 
 
 60 
 
"The saloon-keeper shrank back upon his pillow and lifted 
 
 HIS bony fingers in terror. X X X Satan and his 
 
 imps continue to advance, and they all tried to look 
 
 AS beautiful as possible." 
 
'The sweet angels carried him in abounding triumph above 
 
 THE enemy's reach. WHERE HIS LIBERATED SOUL COULD HEAR 
 THE MUSIC OK THE SPHERES AND THE CHOIRS INVISIBLE." 
 
tafmm 
 
 
 — 
 
 iging Olljrtfittan 
 
 - 
 
 Satan knows that it pays to preach a sermon to 
 one. He clings to the proverb: ''Handpicked 
 fruit is the choicest. ' ' He crowded his way to the 
 side of a dying man, and tried to interject his 
 deathly sentences. 
 
 ''At last the long-looked-for event is at hand. 
 You are now entering the dark shadows of death, 
 and will find that your Christian faith is worthless 
 in this hour of your greatest need. Religion may 
 be good enough to live by, but it is a poor staff 
 upon which to lean at such a time as this. Death 
 and religion can no more mix than oil and water. 
 The imaginary power of Christ to save you, may 
 be a comfort to you in the ordinary days of life, but 
 in the presence of so stem a reality as death, it is 
 of no avail. Therefore you have prayed and 
 served in vain, and I urge you to forsake God as 
 you feel the effects of this terrible darkness creep- 
 ing upon you. ' ' 
 
 ''Paul may have cried out, '0 death, where is 
 
54 SEUMON TO A DYl.NCJ CHlllSTIAN. 
 
 thy sting.' Any man could talk that way when 
 he was so far away from death as Paul was. Let 
 me assure you that there is a sting to death, so 
 sharp that no one can eVade its pangs. The rich- 
 est of all the earth, with the poorest, have alike 
 shared its stings. If the graves could open their 
 mouths, they would speak dark words to you more 
 convincing than any of the arguments that I could 
 put forth. ' ' 
 
 Then the dying man, feeling the dark breath of 
 temptation upon him, shouted out in clear words : 
 ''Stand back, ye demons of darkness. Make room 
 for the coming King and his angels." But Satan 
 refused to move an inch. He stood defiantly and 
 with a show of boldness spake again : 
 
 '*I have a claim upon you, and you must not 
 think that you can push me away so lightly. What 
 care I for a convoy of angels or your so-called 
 Master. All such nonsense is only an outgrowth 
 of your diseased imagination. Listen to me and 
 stop this wild dreaming and these foolish actions. 
 Why stand on such a flimsy foundation when you 
 are in need of a rock? Once more I urge you to 
 forsake your God, your Christ, your Bible and 
 your experience, and I will reward you a thousand 
 times more by and by. ' ' 
 
SERMON TO A DYING CHRISTIAN. 55 
 
 Then, from one unseen, came the words softly 
 but in tones of deep assurance : 
 
 ''Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 
 shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art 
 with me, they rod and thy staff they comfort me. ' ' 
 
 The dying man was strengthened by these sweet 
 sentences, and without fear he commanded the 
 tempter: "Away from me, you deceiver, I will 
 trimiiph through the blood of the Lamb and in the 
 name of Him who holds the keys of Death and 
 Hell." 
 
 "I will not away until my claim is settled," 
 stoutly declared the enemy. 
 
 "Again I say stand back. You are a Devil, a 
 robber, a liar, full of all subtlety. If you will not 
 go at my words, I now command you to leave me 
 in the name of Jesus Christ my Redeemer. ' ' 
 
 At this Satan drew his foul length to one side 
 only to make room for a hideous monster called 
 Death, who by its awful presence, hoped to at- 
 tract the attention of the dying man from his 
 faith. 
 
 "AVhat terrible creature is this?" gasped the 
 dying man in his weakening breath. 
 
 "This is death itself," answered Satan in 
 threatening tones, "and be assured that nothing 
 like the faith of religion can overcome its pres- 
 
5G SEllMON TO A DYING CHRISTIAN. 
 
 ence. I command you once more to forsake your 
 religion and your God and trust yourself to me." 
 
 Then did the dying man lift his eyes of faith 
 steadfastly above, just as death would have sent its 
 sharp sting into his soul. Happy was the man to 
 find that he was covered with a shield that not only 
 kept away the stings, but also hid the form of the 
 terrible monster. Then came a flood of light from 
 the celestial world, which revealed to him a new 
 vision of his blessed Redeemer who had conquered 
 Death, Hell and the Grave. 
 
 This same Redeemer with his outstretched 
 hand touched the dying saint upon the head, and 
 filled him with glory unspeakable. As the Chris- 
 tian breathed his last breath, he felt a dull thud 
 of the enemy's attack, but it struck no more than 
 the shield behind which he was safe forever. 
 Christ caught him away from the darksome shad- 
 ows, and the sweet angels carried him in abound- 
 ing triumph above the enemy's reach where his 
 liberated soul could hear the music of the spheres 
 and the choirs invisible. 
 
%T^/^ fue^^"^ 
 
 TO:*- 
 
 Subject: The disg^race of having children. 
 
 ''Wliat a blessed creature you are 
 that fortune has smiled upon you so 
 graciously. In the possession of so much wealth 
 you have the noblest thing in life, for it is 
 the means whereby everything else can be se- 
 cured, and is indeed the secret of all true happi- 
 ness. Money is power, and the absence of it causes 
 dependence, misery and a long list of humiliating 
 conditions. ' ' 
 
 ''But of what use is your wealth if you do not 
 allow it to bring you the greatest amount of hap- 
 piness % If you would be true to society, and most 
 sensible to yourself, you will see to it that in all 
 your married life you will not be cursed with 
 children. Let others, who are less fortunate than 
 you, bear such burdens. You need all your time 
 to fulfill your engagements, which are more nu- 
 merous and more important by reason of your 
 wealth. Disregard all this foolish talk about the 
 
58 PKEACHING TO A SOCIETY WOMAN. 
 
 inevitable yearning for motherhood, and hold 
 your grand receptions and take your seasonable 
 excursions and be ready at all times to enjoy the 
 high and medium art of the stage. ' ' 
 
 ''Why should your diamonds and your silks be 
 idle for many months just for the pui*pose of hav- 
 ing a child of your own, especially in these days 
 when beautiful poodle dogs can be had for a mere 
 song. Such creatures will not compel you to re- 
 main at home when you have a desire to go any- 
 where. ' ' 
 
 "If, in the hour of your wealaiess, you should 
 crave for a cooing smile from a child of your own, 
 or should wish, to enjoy the thrill of two baby eyes 
 looking into your own, you must remember that 
 these are blind calls of nature to which your sensi- 
 tive heart need not give heed. You must learn as 
 early in life as possible to be your own mistress 
 and let judgment instead of sentiment control 
 you. ' ' 
 
 "You can comfort yourself with the thought that 
 the God of earth and Heaven has destined you to 
 fill one of the noblest places in the society of earth. 
 The real truth of the whole matter is this: the 
 bearing of children is an eternal disgrace, but in 
 order to comfort the women who impose upon 
 themselves this condition^ the poets and philoso- 
 
PREACHING TO A SOCIETY WOMAN. 59 
 
 phers have lauded the mother with her children. 
 Surely you need not share in the disgrace since 
 you are enlightened, and since you have abund- 
 ant wealth to keep you employed profitably all the 
 time. ' ' 
 
 SOME THINGS SATAN FORGOT TO PUT INTO THIS 
 
 SERMON. 
 
 1. He forgot to tell this woman that the history 
 of all ages proves that the disgrace rests upon the 
 one in wedlock who refuses motherhood. 
 
 2. He forgot to tell her that if she heeded his 
 doctrine 4ier life would drift into an emptiness 
 which nothing in the world could fill. 
 
 3. He also forgot to mention that all her wealth 
 could not satisfy the instincts of human nature. 
 The mother and the babe form a perfect pair, and 
 estch. one needs the other to reach the highest hap- 
 piness. 
 
eacAwfr ^^wdiur/aw, 
 
 At last the Devil has succeeded 
 in establishing certain churches, 
 wherein his up-to-date business 
 methods are employed. He claims that the 
 church that offers religion at the lowest prices, 
 and throws out the best inducements other- 
 wise, will be patronized the most. Some churches 
 agree to let people have religion for $10 a year, 
 more or less. In these kinds of churches a person 
 can do as he pleases, providing he is a little dis- 
 creet about it. The Devil does not always advise 
 a man to push his sin into daylight. He rather 
 tells him to keep in the dark, and to be careful and 
 pay his instalments to the church regularly. 
 
 As you look into some of the worldly churches 
 and see what splendid offers they are making, you 
 are not surprised that Satan is getting a foothold 
 to an alarming extent. Wlierever he is allowed, 
 he stands behind the curtains, giving his inspira- 
 tion and advice to all who will give heed. True 
 enough there is a competition in church enter- 
 
' PREACHING BEHIND CURTAINS. 61 
 
 prises that is born of Heaven, but also, without 
 a doubt, there is a rivalry that is prompted by the 
 Devil. 
 
 The outgrowth of this unholy rivalry is seen far 
 and wide. Much energy is expended so that one 
 church may have more prestige than another. To 
 accomplish this end, the church is guilty of count- 
 less follies and indiscretions, all practiced in the 
 name of religion. Under such conditions Satan 
 has more than little reason to rejoice. 
 
 Among the church organizations above referred 
 to, the competition is somewhat after the fashion 
 of business houses along the streets of a city. If 
 your mind is unbiased and your eyes sharp 
 enough, you can read many of the signs that these 
 churches fling to the breeze. They are written in 
 a beautiful and unassuming manner, but after 
 they are faithfully interpreted into common Eng- 
 lish, some of them read as follows : 
 
 Repentance Very Cheap. 
 
 We Will Give You the Latest Kind; 
 
 Better Than Any. Other Church Offers 
 
 Apply at the Parsonage 
 
 Faith at Half-Price To-day. 
 A Few Remnants of the Old Style Left 
 
g2 PREACHING BEHIND CURTAINS. 
 
 Which We Offer Free, 
 As We Wish to Make Room for 
 The New Styles Just Imported. 
 
 We Have the Finest Church. 
 
 You Will Be 
 
 Just in it 
 
 If You Unite With Us. 
 
 Confession of Christ. 
 
 We Can Point Out to You 
 
 Some New and Easy Ways 
 
 of Satisfying 
 
 The Demands of Christ 
 
 Without Humiliation to Yourself. 
 
 Religion on Easy Terms. 
 
 The Whole Consignment Delivered at Once, 
 
 To be Paid for 
 
 By Monthly Instalments. 
 No Other Church Offers an Equal Bargain, 
 
 We Have the Widest Doors. 
 You Can Easily Enter Our Church 
 With the World Under One Arm 
 
 and Christ Under the Other, 
 
PEEACHING BEHIND CUKTAINS. S3 
 
 We Are Most Liberal on Baptism. 
 
 With or Without Water Will Do. 
 
 Walking Through the Rain Will Answer. 
 
 As a person sees the inducements offered by the 
 church, he begins to understand why some 
 churches are doing so little thorough work for the 
 Master. Some churches by their actions, seem to 
 advertise thus: 
 
 We Have the Finest Pews, 
 
 Cushioned Seats, 
 
 Easy Backs and 
 Comfortable in Every Way. 
 
 We Have a Sivell Preacher, 
 
 One Who Observes the Styles. 
 
 His Education is ''Out of Sight,'* 
 
 His Maimer is Graceful. 
 
 There is No Other Like Him. 
 
 Our Choir is the Finest in the City; 
 
 The Soprano is a Star, 
 
 The Alto Sings Like an Angel, 
 
 The Organist is an Expert Manipulator 
 
64 PEEACHING BEHIND CUKTAINS. 
 
 The Devil has succeeded in getting some seem- 
 ingly good people to advertise their own goodness 
 somewhat after the following manner: 
 
 We Are Holy. 
 Better Than Other People. 
 
 What We Do is Right. 
 If You Don't Do As We Do, 
 
 Then You Are Wrong. 
 
 I Wear Plain Clothing— 
 
 Much Plainer Than You Wear. 
 
 My Clothing is Pleasing to God. 
 
 If Your Clothing 
 
 Is Not Like My Clothing 
 
 Then You Had Better Make 
 
 a Change. 
 
 I Understand the Bible Very Well- 
 Better Than You Do. 
 If Your Opinions Are Different 
 From Mine, 
 Then You Are Wrong. 
 
>0tm 
 
 +♦] 
 
 **\ 
 ++1 
 
 ++! 
 
 ^an^ 
 
 It^his 0f ^atan gj^^^g 
 
 Expressed to a Church-Member who wished to know 
 if a lie was ever justifiable. 
 
 '*To tell the truth on the subject of lying is 
 harder to do than some people imagine, just be- 
 cause certain persons believe a lie should not be 
 told under any circumstances. If this last view- 
 were correct, then we would have an easy solution 
 of a difficult problem. But when one is anxious 
 to give the whole truth on this subject, he will look 
 at it from a sensible standpoint, notwithstanding 
 how much labor of thought must thereby be ex- 
 pended. ' ' 
 
 ' ' There are certain times in life when it is right 
 to tell a lie. I will therefore satisfy your wishes 
 by giving a few instances when a lie is justifiable. ' ' 
 
 1. ''When a lie is a harmless one." 
 
 ''There are many times when you can tell a lie 
 that will do a great amount of good and will do 
 no harm to the one you tell it. Anybody ought to 
 know that under such circumstances it would not 
 be wrong to lie. If we had more lying of this kind 
 
GG VIEWS OF SATAN ON LYING. 
 
 there would be more people made happy. How 
 foolish a person is to think that he must tell the 
 truth even when it results in a great amount of 
 suffering, envy or disgrace. Of course, if the lie 
 is calculated to do an injury to your neighbor, 
 then that gives a new color to the whole situation, 
 and you should hesitate at such a time. ' ' 
 
 2. "You have a right to tell a lie if you aim 
 thereby to do good to the church or somebody 
 else. ' ' 
 
 "To speak the truth at all times will only mean 
 that you will be in trouble over half the time. But 
 to tell a lie so that good may be done by it will keep 
 things running smoothly and peace will prevail. 
 In telling a lie be sure to cover your tracks as you 
 go so that your Ire will be hidden. If your false- 
 hood should be discovered it will tend to weaken 
 your influence with those whom you know. Re- 
 member it is not the lying that hurts a person, it 
 is only when the lie is found out. My advice to 
 you is to go ahead and make all the plans you can 
 for the furthering of anything good in the church 
 or outside of the church, and when you find that 
 you cannot carry out your plans in an easy natural 
 way of truth, then manufacture some lie by which 
 you can push your scheme through. In this way 
 you can do a great amount of good, and you must 
 
VIEWS OF SATAN ON LYING. 67 
 
 give the lie the credit for helping you to success. 
 I think you will have no difficulty in seeing this 
 point, and hope you will experience no trouble in 
 following this advice." 
 
 3. *'It is certainly proper to tell a lie if you wish 
 to save somebody from a shock or spare him from 
 mental anxiety or pain." 
 
 *'You will be surprised to know how many peo- 
 ple there are who are so squeezed up in a straight 
 jacket that their consciences trouble them if they 
 tell a lie even as an act of mercy. I met a man a 
 short time ago who was sent to break the news to 
 a poor mother that her husband was killed. 
 When he first reached her, he spoke of her husband 
 as being taken ill very suddenly and that he would 
 be brought home. After the poor woman was 
 nerved to this sad report, he told her still further 
 that he feared that he would not be alive until he 
 would reach home. Thus by gradual steps he pre- 
 pared her mind for the arrival of her dead com- 
 panion. After the man had done his work and re- 
 turned to his home, his conscience upbraided him 
 because he had at first misrepresented the situa- 
 tion to the widow. ' ' 
 
 "I will let you form your own conclusion con- 
 cerning this case. Now if it is right to cover up 
 the truth in such an instance, is it not also right 
 
68 VIEWS OF SATAN ON LYING. 
 
 to tell a lie under similar circumstances I Suppose 
 a cliurcli-member hears a damaging rumor against 
 herself which is being circulated over the whole 
 community. I would consider it the act of an 
 angel if somebody would tell her that the rumor 
 is without any foundation whatever, and that it 
 was never started as it is now being circulated. 
 Suppose a husband has been unfaithful to his wife, 
 would it not be perfectly proper for some one to 
 tell a lie by saying that she was laboring under a 
 misapprehension? Would it not be a great com- 
 fort to her if you could make her believe that she 
 was wrong in her suspicions? So I could go on 
 and give you many instances in which it would be 
 proper to tell a lie. Let me once more urge an im- 
 portant point. Be sure, when you tell a lie, that 
 you are reasonably safe from being detected." 
 
 4. ''It is proper to tell a lie when you hoj:>e to 
 be charitable to somebody. The Bible is so full of 
 teaching on charity that you will be glad for an 
 opportunity to practice it in this manner." 
 
 ''If a person has a fault, and some one asks you 
 about that person, would it not be kind in you to 
 cover up the fault? If a person has an ugly dis- 
 position, would it not be kindness on your part to 
 conceal this characteristic? Suppose a person is 
 cursed with a bad temper, would it not be an act 
 
VIEWS OF SATAN ON LYING. gg 
 
 of charity if you were to speak kindly of his weak- 
 ness to some one else? Always make some kind 
 of an apology for the sins and weaknesses of oth- 
 ers, so that the burdens of the weak will be light- 
 ened. As you walk along the pathway of life, you 
 will find many opportunities of this kind to im- 
 prove. How could you fulfill scripture more than 
 if you practice after this advice. This kind of 
 charity you can practice, and how can you do it 
 without the convenient use of a little falsehood 
 now and then." 
 
 5. ''You certainly have a right to tell a lie to a 
 person who asks you about things that he should 
 not know, or about something that is not his busi- 
 ness to know." 
 
 ' ' What better treatment can you give a man with 
 such a nose, than to grease it with the oil of de- 
 ception? The more lies you can tell such a man 
 the quicker he will awake and see that he is a fool. 
 About the worst thing you can give to a nosy man 
 is your valuable time. If you wish to tell such 
 men everything they want to know, you can let 
 your business drop and take care of such fellows 
 the rest of your days. A good lie fitly spoken is 
 like a cool breeze on a hot day. If you become ex- 
 pert in the use of lies you can deliver them evenly 
 balanced. A lie will help you out of many a tight 
 
 (5) 
 
^0 VIEWS OF SAT AX ON LYING. 
 
 place and will put happiness right in your path- 
 way many a time when otherwise you would find 
 thorns to prick you." 
 
 ' ' There are many other instances in which a lie 
 is justifiable but I must leave all this to your own 
 good judgment. I will give you a safe rule which 
 you can follow: 'Whenever you feel like telling 
 a lie and your conscience does not smite you, then 
 you can feel sure that a lie is in place and you need 
 not hesitate to tell it. If you should get into 
 trouble sometime by telling a falsehood, you must 
 not be too quick to blame all your trouble on the 
 falsehood. You must remember that if you had 
 not told the lie, that you might have gotten into 
 greater trouble. That is the real oil of comfort 
 vvhich you must pour upon your wounded heart, 
 when you are sorrowing over the lies which you 
 have told.' " 
 
 **I wish you abundant success in life, and do not 
 forget that by telling the truth at the right time 
 and a lie at the right time, that you will learn the 
 real secret of a successful career, either in the pro- 
 fessions, in business, or in any one of the other 
 avenues of life." 
 
VIEWS OF SATAN ON LYING. 71 
 
 
 ** Satan is true to himself in trying to teach that 
 it is right to tell a lie. You would hardly expect 
 him to express himself differently when he has 
 been in this business ever since he fell from Heav- 
 en. He lied to Eve in the garden of Eden ; to Cain 
 who slew his brother; and to the long line of pa- 
 triarchs and prophets. He has become so pro- 
 ficient in this kind of business that he is called the 
 'Father of Liars.' In the preceding remarks the 
 Devil says that, 'It is not the lying that hurts a 
 person but only when the lie is found out. ' What 
 can be more false than such a statement? When a 
 person wilfully tells a lie, even though the lie may 
 never be found out, its horrible scar is left upon 
 the soul and will work injury sometime or some- 
 where, somewhat after the manner that poison in 
 the blood will come to the surface in one way or 
 another. ' ' 
 
 * ' Satan also teaches that a person who tells the 
 truth all the time will be in trouble over half the 
 time. But he forgets to say that if a person should 
 get into trouble by telling the truth, that he has a 
 clear conscience and is not afraid to face anybody. 
 Indeed the very opposite of what he teaches is true. 
 A person tvho tells a lie a part of the time is in 
 
72 VIEWS OF SATAN ON LYING. 
 
 trouble all the time. It will not be long until good 
 people will loose respect for him, and also his own 
 heart will be filled with a meanness that will black- 
 en all the blessings of life." 
 
 ''There may be certain extreme cases, such as 
 the one concerning the dead husband to which Sa- 
 tan makes reference, where misrepresentation may 
 be an act of mercy. But always in such cases tho 
 misrepresentation is just for a moment, to be fol- 
 lowed by the real truth. A person is in a tight 
 strait for an argument when he must use such a 
 circumstance to try to prove that lying is justifi- 
 able." 
 
 ' ' The other instances cited by Satan are all born 
 of Hell, and the man who will permit his conscience 
 to be turned to the channel of lying with a good 
 object in view, will finally become so steeped in his 
 inward iniquity that he can commit grosser 
 crimes without impunity. The Bible is clear on 
 the subject of lying. It is there expressly forbid- 
 den and even if you should be called upon to suffer 
 pain for truth's sake, you can feel assured that in 
 the end your triumph will be the more glorious. 
 Words uttered in truth are fitly spoken, and are 
 like ' Apples of gold in pitchers of silver. ' ' ' 
 
wmmamtimmmmiit^t0^mmm^mM0m0im^tmsatamamm0m0'mm 
 
 I 
 
 by ^atan 
 
 t0 pprfiuatif l^tXiT^U 
 (6rf at Snhttatuin 
 
 A certain rich man lived in a magnificent man- 
 sion on a hill near a great city. He had power to 
 work all manner of miracles and to fulfill any of 
 his purposes. With a kind heart he prepared a 
 great supper and sent special messengers into all 
 parts of the city to invite the poor, the crippled, 
 the blind and anyone else who could be persuaded 
 to come. In obedience to the order, one of the mes- 
 sengers went toward the city, and as he came nigh 
 to it, he met a beggar who had no home, and seem- 
 ingly no friends. 
 
 ''I have good news to tell you," said the mes- 
 senger. 
 
 "It will be the first good news I have heard in 
 many a day, say on, ' ' replied the beggar. 
 
 "I have come to tell you that you are invited to 
 a great supper, at the rich man's house on the 
 hill." 
 
 "You're only fooling me," returned the beggar 
 with a look of interest in his eye. 
 
"He met a beoqab who had no home, and seemingly no 
 
 FBIENDS." 
 
THE GREAT INVITATION. 75 
 
 *'I am telling you nothing but the truth. I was 
 sent out for the special purpose of inviting such 
 as you are. 
 
 ** There is something out of gear. You don't 
 'spose that such a critter as I am would be wanted 
 in a king's palace." 
 
 ''Surely I am not mistaken. If you are willing 
 to go, you may enjoy the feast, and in addition re- 
 ceive many blessings from the rich man." 
 
 "How could I have the face to go? Don't you 
 know that I have a black name, and have commit- 
 ted all manner of sins. I might as well say that I 
 am living in the lowest comer of society, and am 
 nothing but scum, with rags on the edge of it. You 
 can't expect me to go." 
 
 The messenger then offered one persuasion after 
 another but all were of no avail. 
 
 Note: This beggar is a type of the sinner who 
 thinks he is too wicked to go to Christ. Satan and 
 many of his human agents make him believe that 
 there is no hope for a great sinner like he is. 
 
 Another messenger, with staff in hand, walked 
 down an alley and rapped at the door of a very 
 humble cottage. He was admitted by the inmate, 
 a poor widow, who had struggled against the hard 
 turns of fate for many a year. She had arisen 
 from her grinding, to greet the messenger. 
 
The messenger invited the poor widow to the great supper in 
 THE King's palace. 
 
THE GREAT INVITATION. 77 
 
 **I have joyful news to relate. You are invited 
 to the king's palace on the hill, to partake of a 
 great supper, which is now prepared." 
 
 ''My friend, you have stopped at the wrong 
 door, or perhaps you are looking for another per- 
 son who bears my name. ' ' 
 
 ''Surely I am not mistaken," insisted the mes- 
 senger. "You are included amongst the number 
 to whom I was sent with the invitation." 
 
 ' ' Can you not see, ' ' still further replied the wid- 
 ow, "that I live in a broken-down house, and this, 
 my best apparel, would not be acceptable in the 
 eyes of a king. I should feel very much out of 
 place if I would even try to accept the invitation. ' ' 
 
 Then did the messenger inform the poor widow 
 that tHe king wished her to come just as she was, 
 and that she would receive not only good things 
 from the table, but beautiful raiment, and a clean 
 heart. 
 
 The widow was moved to tears by this large of- 
 fer. She spoke deep words of appreciation as she 
 thought of her unworthiness of so great an honor. 
 After a brief pause she encouraged the messenger 
 by her acceptance of his invitation. 
 
 ' ' I have decided to go, and you may look for me 
 before the day is ended." 
 
 The messenger departed with a glad heart, after 
 
"Don't you go/' said some of the neighbors. "You will oia.T 
 
 MAKE A fool OF YOUBSELF. 
 
THE GREAT INVITATION. 79 
 
 which the widow hurried to tell her neighbors of 
 the great honor bestowed upon her, and of her in- 
 tention to accept it. 
 
 Some of her friends rejoiced and urged her to 
 go, while others made light of the whole affair, 
 telling her that no one but a fool would think of 
 doing what she was contemplating. Then she re- 
 turned to her home with a sad heart and sat 
 brooding over the discouraging words of her 
 neighbors. In this maimer she passed the hours 
 and missed the great supper. 
 
 Note: .This woman is a type of those sinners 
 who are willing to accept salvation, but who are 
 discouraged by companions and friends. 
 
 Another messenger, who was traveling through 
 the city, met a wicked young man, and told him 
 that he was invited to a feast at the rich man's 
 house on the hill. 
 
 **What care I for a feast," said the young man. 
 "So far in life I have had all I wish. If I were in 
 need, I might accept this invitation, but indeed I 
 have as good a feast as I want." 
 
 "Don't talk so foolhardy," said the messenger. 
 "Your present feast is composed of poisonous 
 foods, while that to which I invite you is life-giv- 
 ing and soul-healing." 
 
 "You may mean it all well, but I prefer the bill- 
 
'The young man hauohth-y tossed his h«ad and passid oh." 
 
THE GREAT INVITATION. gl 
 
 of -fare down here in the city, above that which can 
 be found on the hill." So saying, the young man 
 haughtily tossed his head and passed on. 
 
 Note: This young man is a type of the sinner 
 who thinks he is having a better time in ungodli- 
 ness than he could have by walking in the ways 
 of truth. 
 
 One of the other messengers stopped at the 
 home of a cripple, and upon entering, he informed 
 the unfortunate man that he was invited to a 
 splendid feast at the rich man's house on the hill. 
 
 ' ' I know whom you mean, ' ' said the cripple. ' ' I 
 had often hoped that I might some day stand in 
 the palace of the king, but by reason of my aflSic- 
 tion I can never expect to travel so far." 
 
 *'Is it your wish to go?" earnestly inquired the 
 messenger. 
 
 ''It is my whole heart's wish," replied the 
 cripple. 
 
 ''Then you shall reach the king's palace," as- 
 sured the messenger. 
 
 "How can it be true that the rich man desires 
 me to come as helpless as I am?" quickly asked 
 the cripple. 
 
 "There is no mistake about it." 
 
 "But how can I reach the palace on the hill?" 
 
 "I will now give you all needed assistance." 
 
82 THE GREAT INVITATION. 
 
 At this the cripple's eye brightened, and after 
 giving a second consent, the strong arms of the 
 good messenger were employed in assisting the 
 weak cripple through the streets of the city, and 
 up toward the beautiful mansion. As they were 
 passing through the gate towards the door of the 
 palace, the rich man saw the cripple and hastened 
 to greet him. At the foot of the beautiful steps took 
 place the royal welcome, and a wonderful change 
 in the cripple. He was made whole in an instant 
 and he leaped joyously around the rich man's pal- 
 ace. Furthermore he was clothed with new gar- 
 ments, and with a most happy heart, he entered 
 and partook of the feast. 
 
 Note: This cripple is a type of the sinner in 
 bondage who joyfully receives the tidings of sal- 
 vation, and gladly accepts the assistance that is 
 offered by God's people. 
 
 The messengers went to all parts of the city and 
 extended the invitation to everyone, although very 
 few accepted. Each person who rejected gave one 
 excuse or another. Others were so busily engaged 
 with the pressing cares of life, that they gave no 
 heed to the blessed invitation. But after they, who 
 had accepted the invitation, had reached the king's 
 palace, they had a most glorious time. 
 
 The King of Heaven extends an invitation to 
 
THE GREAT INVITATION. 33 
 
 all people in the world to-day, inviting them to the 
 gospel feast, which is richly supplied with the 
 bread of life and the fruits of salvation. How have 
 you acted toward this blessed invitation! 
 
The rich man's house on the hill 
 beautifully represents the Heavenly- 
 Father's house. No matter how ter- 
 ribly one is crippled with sin or 
 groaning under the yoke of Satan, if 
 such a one will go to the Heavenly 
 Father he will be cured of all his 
 spiritual ailments and relieved of the 
 galling yoke. And moreover he will 
 be clothed with the beautiful gar- 
 ments of salvation. The one who 
 helps a single soul to such a happy 
 state will be blessed with joy un- 
 speakable, and shall finally share in 
 all the glories of the Heavenly man- 
 sions. 
 
 M 
 
The missionary led the cripple to the steps of the palace 
 where he was made whole^ axd afterward clothed with 
 
 NEW GAR:\rEXTS. 
 
-j«€*^- 
 
 jv^go^y 
 
 Satan, in artful disguise, is evek levding a host ox the 
 
 MONOTONOUS ROI'NDS OF SIN. He SINCS IX HIS DECEPTIVE 
 
 song that they who follow him will find the 
 Living Spkixg. but the hoxes aloxg the way tell 
 
 MOKE truly what THEIR EXD WILL I5E. 
 
I 
 
 ^mn& f 
 
 ntnttn 
 
 As I looked out over the great highway of hu- 
 man life, I beheld an immense concourse of people 
 who were passing along a smooth broadway, guid- 
 ed by one who appeared to be a rcfyal leader, but 
 who in reality was Satan himself. The famous 
 leader wa^ so artfully disguised that very few per- 
 sons were able to detect his real nature. As Satan 
 moved on at the head of this vast procession, he 
 kept time with his musical instrument as he sang 
 the following song: 
 
 "Come join our ranks as on we go, 
 To seek the living spring ; 
 Where naught but healing waters flow, 
 Come, join our ranks and sing.'* 
 
 * * 'Twill not be long ere you shall see 
 The fountain bubbling bright; 
 And he who quaffs its waters free, 
 Will revel in delight. ' * 
 
 (6) 
 
88 SATAN'S MUSICAL SERMON. 
 
 On either side of the wide path that ran in the 
 form of a great circle, could be seen the bones and 
 skulls of the millions who had already fallen from 
 the ranks and perished by the wayside. This aw- 
 ful picture had but little effect upon the singers 
 who ever continued in their monotonous rounds 
 like willing slaves, or like sheep being led uncon- 
 sciously to the slaughter. 
 
 It was nothing uncommon to hear a person call- 
 ing from the wayside : * ^ I thirst, where can I find 
 the water of lifel" And then to hear some one 
 reply : 
 
 ' ' Come with us for we are also seeking and hope 
 to find the spring that will quench our thirst. ' ' In 
 all probability the anxious creature would join 
 the company in full hope of finding the spring. 
 Each one of the large company had gone through 
 the same experience as this earnest inquirer, and 
 they are now all moving onward, blind leaders of 
 the blind. 
 
 By way of truth it must be said that now and 
 then some of these pilgrims lend a listening ear to 
 the voices of love that are ever calling to those who 
 travel in the monotonous rounds of sin, and by 
 thus heeding the voice of warning they run to the 
 shining path ''That shineth more and more unto 
 the perfect day," and where one can partake 
 
SATAN'S MUSICAL SERMON. gg 
 
 of the water of life as often and as freely as he 
 wishes. 
 
 Those who follow Satan in this monotonous 
 round are not only from the low walks of life, but 
 you will find men and women of refinement and 
 who possibly bear a good name in the community 
 in which they live. Some of these followers are 
 men of wealth and social influence; others are 
 from the slum level of society, and still others are 
 from the great host of the middle class of people. 
 Here their elbows jostle one against another in the 
 same giddy rounds of sin, each one ever trying to 
 satisfy his thirst, and yet with each repeated round 
 he finds his thirst more craving than before. 
 
 Here we see a picture of social inequality in 
 natural life and of common equality in the service 
 of Satan. They all meet the demands of the same 
 leader, and are bound together by the same ties of 
 infernal kinship. 
 
 What power can break the charm that Satan 
 thus holds over these followers? The deceived 
 hosts are walking as if in their sleep, and the large 
 majority of them do not fully realize their con- 
 dition until the roar of the great Niagara of death 
 reaches their ears. Then some struggle in terror 
 to escape the inevitable, but when i)ersons are so 
 near to the falls, it is next to impossible to rescue 
 them. 
 
90 SATAN'S MUSICAL SERMON. 
 
 By a little reflection one can easily see the empti- 
 ness of sin. The man who steps to the music of 
 the Devil is indeed walking on the old, old path of 
 sin all the time. He imagines that he is seeing the 
 most up-to-date things as he walks after this decep- 
 tive leader. But let it be known that sin has noth- 
 ing new to offer to its followers. It presents the 
 same old sins that have been used by Satan from 
 the beginning of the world. Talk about a theatre 
 giving the same show for several hundred nights 
 in one city, that is nothing compared to the pro- 
 gram that the Devil offers to many a man, which 
 is virtually the same, for over two score years. 
 The only thing that appears new is the dress in 
 which the sins are masked. The naked sin itself, 
 if it could be photographed, would look alike in 
 every century of human progress. 
 
 By the use of music, deception, masks, tempta- 
 tions, lies, intimidation, the Devil expects to carry 
 on his campaign of continuing his foolish, yet ter- 
 rible march on the highway of sinful circles. No 
 doubt there will always be some, and altogether too 
 many, who will follow him, but let those whose 
 eyes are open to see the folly of the whole situation 
 step from the sickening ranks, and take a firm foot- 
 hold on the path of peace and righteousness, where 
 the truest kind of progress can be made. 
 
■J^^^^mH/ * ' There is certainly a wrong 
 opinion prevailing among some 
 people regarding the early train- 
 ing of a child. Even though the 
 world is several thousand years old, yet people will 
 not lear;i by the follies of the past. A child is the 
 greatest bundle of possibilities in the world, and 
 we cannot expect the best results to follow if the 
 mind of the child is spoilt during the first seven 
 years of its existence." 
 
 ''If you notice the policy which is pursued by 
 some parents and guardians, you would infer that 
 the child must be filled with all kinds of moral lec- 
 tures and religious nonsense, until he groans under 
 the terrible weight. To compel a child against it 
 will to go to Sunday School or church before it is 
 seven years old, is about the best way to ruin its 
 mind for life. ' ' 
 
 ''One of the first requisites of a good mental 
 training is to teach self-dependence, and, as quick- 
 ly as possible, get the individual to see things for 
 
02 SATAN ON CHILD TRAINING. 
 
 himself. If it be your fond desire to have the child 
 go to religious services, let the influence of a good 
 example draw him, and not the severity of the rod 
 or the sharp lectures from the lips." 
 
 ''Allow a child to enjoy its natural liberty so 
 that its expansion may be full and free. There is 
 plenty of time for the weightier things, if the 
 child 's life is spared. The first seven years should 
 be free from toil and restraint of any kind, except 
 what the child may choose. In this manner the 
 child will soon regard work as a pleasure. Think 
 of the terrible effect it must have on a child's 
 mind to put it into early slavery under a rod of 
 fear. In this manner it is taught that life is a bur- 
 den and that liberty,if it is to be enjoyed, must be 
 a stolen pleasure." 
 
 ''It would be better to keep a child out of Sun- 
 day School until he is seven years of age, and then 
 allow him to go if he chooses. Constantly tell him, 
 by your actions and your words, that religion is 
 not intended to give a man greater liberty than he 
 would otherwise enjoy, but on the contrary it often 
 tends to narrow a man down to a set of hard rules. 
 If religion were properly taught, it would have a 
 wholesome effect upon the human race, but taught 
 as it is in many places, it throws a dark gloom over 
 what ought to be the brightest walks of life." 
 
SATAN ON CHILD TEAINING. 93 
 
 *' Regarding the home instruction, a parent 
 ought to be especially careful to impress upon the 
 mind of a child nothing concerning the unseen 
 world. Take the first seven years to teach a child 
 concerning the things which he can see, hear and 
 touch. Let him become thoroughly acquainted 
 with the world of sense and sight before you at- 
 tempt to launch him into that mystical realm of the 
 unseen. You must not attempt too much during 
 one period of life. Attend to one thing well and 
 see to it that genuine development is reached. If 
 this advice is adopted you will find, at the end of 
 seven years, a child with a fine body, healthy in 
 all of its parts which will be a mighty foundation 
 upon which a wise instructor can nobly build." 
 
 ''The great majority of people in this age of the 
 world are determined to follow in the rut, and be- 
 cause their predecessors practiced the cramming 
 method in the education of children, so they im- 
 agine that they must do likewise. What the world 
 needs at this time is a number of reformers who 
 will have the boldness and courage to teach the 
 benefits of the method I have just advanced. Then, 
 under the new teaching, the body will not be sacri- 
 ficed for the sake of the mind, but the mind will be- 
 gin to expand in the proper realm at the proper 
 time. Then we shall see the beginning of the 
 
{)4 SATAN ON CHILD tRAINlN<^. 
 
 brightest era since the creation of the world. 
 Until then let each one strive to fulfill the law as 
 here advanced, and the great reward is sure to 
 come. 
 
 German on (Sraimng QUjllhrrn 
 
 If the Devil would tell the truth, he would teach 
 much differently on this subject than he has ex- 
 pressed in this preceding sermon. Satan knows 
 that the first seven years of a child's life is very 
 important in the shaping of its character. He also 
 knows that if a child is not placed under control 
 during this first period, that it will be almost im- 
 possible to control it afterward. 
 
 The teaching of Satan regarding the develop- 
 ment of the body to the exclusion of the spiritual 
 training during the first years of a child's life, is 
 senseless and not worthy of attention. We believe 
 that the body should be developed without impair- 
 ing the mental faculties, and also that the soul 
 should have a healthy growth without interfering 
 with the natural body. There is no better time in 
 life to leave deep impressions on a child's mind, 
 than during the first part of its existence. Then 
 you can teach it concerning the existence of a su- 
 preme being, and of the immortal life. 
 
SaTAN on child tRAlNlNO. ^5 
 
 No child should be allowed to do as it pleases 
 unless it pleases to do right. A boy or girl must 
 early learn to be submissive to the will of another. 
 If this is not learned its life will be more danger- 
 ous than a ship without an anchor on a stormy sea. 
 Satan knows very well that if a child is not sub- 
 missive to its parents, or to the true God, that he 
 himself will gain control over its life. 
 
 Satan uses some beautiful expressions to show 
 the outcome of his teachings, if they were ob- 
 served. All this promise of a happy end is a wick- 
 ed phantom, and is as untrue as Satan himself. He 
 borrowed a picture of the Millenial Dawn and used 
 it totally out of its connection. 
 
 The most distressing feature of the situation is 
 this : there are many people who follow the teach- 
 ings of Satan in full or in part. We hope that they 
 will turn a deaf ear to the enemy and give their 
 children the training that will bring the highest 
 possible results. 
 
[ 
 
 ^ntm "" ^^"'"'" 
 
 2^al ^ ^ ^ 
 
 A short sermon addressed to church-members, 
 who are determined to travel the path of the just 
 that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 
 
 ^' Since you have surrendered yourself to God 
 you have reached the highest possible condition of 
 the spiritual life. What a pleasure it must be for 
 you to stand on the mountain top where you can 
 catch the Heavenly gales. Now you can enjoy the 
 happy experience of being perfect, in which state 
 you will have nothing more to strive after. Your 
 main duty hereafter will be to see that decency and 
 order prevail in the church. Do not allow your- 
 self to be ruled by some dyspeptic preacher, who 
 may urge you to continue struggling toward high- 
 er ground, fighting unreal foes until you breathe 
 your last breath. Why not be satisfied with your 
 glorious attainments, and take a rest? That is 
 what God wishes for you in the lovely passage: 
 'There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of 
 God.' If you were a creature of the world, then 
 
SATAN ON CHRISTIAN ZEAL. ^7 
 
 you should not rest, but keep on struggling until 
 you surrender to God. If you are a good Chris- 
 tian, you need not be afraid of temptations or any- 
 thing of that kind. Suppose you should happen 
 to yield to sin for a season, it could not have any 
 bad effect upon you for God will keep you pure. 
 Always remember that the Lord keeps his chil- 
 dren in the hollow of his hand, and that nothing 
 can harm them there. ' ' 
 
 *'You may sin whenever you aim to do right 
 through it. Your intentions will save you much 
 more surely than your deeds. 'For as a man 
 thinketh in his heart, so is he. ' What has the out- 
 ward deeds to do with a man's destiny, so long as 
 he believes right in his heart!" 
 
 ''You can see this truth demonstrated in the 
 lives of all the great men of the Bible. If God had 
 judged Daniel, Solomon and Peter by their out- 
 ward deeds, not one of them would have reached 
 Heaven. God, in his mercy, looked upon their 
 hearts, and so they were enabled to stand in their 
 evil day." 
 
 "Your greatest battle must be fought with those 
 who misjudge you. Perhaps it may be a preacher 
 or a Christian who makes a loud profession, and 
 who is far beneath you in purity of character. 
 ^Let none of these things move you.' Be like 
 
^8 SATAN ON CHRISTIAN ZEAL. 
 
 Paul;— stand firm on the rock, no matter who as- 
 saults you. 'Let your light so shine before men 
 that they may see your good works and glorify 
 your father which is in Heaven. ' In time you will 
 outlive the envy of your contemporaries, and the 
 censure of your foes." 
 
 Jj (tammtntB an tijp J^nrpgning ^trman )Jj ! 
 
 One would hardly believe that any professing 
 Christian would give heed to such ideas as Satan 
 advances in the foregoing sermon. The Devil 
 holds more than a dozen different views on one 
 subject, each one to suit a different class of char- 
 acters in life with which he may happen to deal. 
 Yet there are thousands of church-members who 
 give heed to his deathly doctrines, and although 
 they are sinning without repentance, they make 
 themselves believe that they have a clear consci- 
 ence. How shrewdly Satan quotes scripture out of 
 its real connection, and makes it convey a very 
 false meaning. How easy it is for a Christian to 
 fold his arms and do nothing. It is well for all 
 persons who are tempted to a life of Christian ease 
 to read the immortal lines of the poet : 
 
SATAN ON CHRISTIAN ZEAL. 99 
 
 "Must I be carried to the skies. 
 
 On flowery beds of ease, 
 While others fought to win the prize, 
 And sailed through bloody seas?" 
 
 Or read from the greatest of all books: 
 ' ' Woe to them that are at ease in Zion. ' * 
 Let no one believe that indifference does not 
 breed death. It must be avoided like a deadly ser- 
 pent, for it eateth as doth a canker. The motto of 
 the Christian ever should be to reach higher 
 ground, and he should not be led to think that he 
 will ever reach such a state in this life, from which 
 he cannot make advancement. 
 
Once upon a time, Satan addressed an audience 
 of worldly-minded Christians. He had prepared 
 himself with objects by which to make a deeper im- 
 pression of what he wished to teach. In one hand 
 he held a branch of a f mit tree, that had been part- 
 ly eaten by worms, but which contained good clus- 
 ters of fruit. In the other hand, he held a beauti- 
 ful branch on which the mark of the worm pest 
 could not be seen, but this branch had no fruit. 
 
 ' * I appear to you this day to teach you the truth 
 regarding the results of sin. You have heard it 
 said that all sin is harmful. But I have come to 
 tell you differently. A little sin becomes stimu- 
 lating and works to a good end. Look at this fruit- 
 bearing branch which I hold in my hand. It has 
 
HAEMLESSNESS OF SIN. IQI 
 
 been attacked by little worms until their marks of 
 destniction are plainly visible all over it. Yet this 
 has only stimulated the life of the branch, so that 
 it has borne fruit abundantly. The best fruit in 
 life is borne in sin, therefore I would urge you not 
 to be afraid of certain small sins. You can see 
 that the other branch has been free from the ene- 
 my's blight, and yet it has borne nothing but 
 leaves. ' ' 
 
 ' ' This fruitless branch is a fair sample of those 
 people who want to be so pious and goody goody 
 in life. They make a beautiful showing, but bear 
 no fruit. As you walk along the pathway of life, 
 you will notice that the best results come, not only 
 from pure illumination, but by the mingling of the 
 lower light with the higher. It is a case of two op- 
 posites flashing together to form the vital spark. 
 Only as the soul is touched by sin can it reach its 
 highest level. This does not necessarily mean that 
 sin must predominate. One must learn how to live 
 and serve a noble purpose, and at the same time 
 entertain a little sin in his heart. I trust that you 
 will leave this room to-day with broader views of 
 life, and that you will not despise all sin because 
 certain ones have such a black color." 
 
102 HARMLESSJyESS OF SIN. 
 
 A %r|)Ig to ButmB (Talk on 
 
 tl|0 ^sirmUBsmBB of ^n 
 
 Since sin entered into the world its nature has 
 not changed. Its tendency is always toward de- 
 struction and death, and it pollutes the soul just 
 as the decayed part of an apple infects the whole 
 of it. The Bible uses the strongest language to de- 
 scribe the terribleness of sin and its consequences. 
 No poet or prose writer has ever been able to un- 
 fold the withering effects of sin which act upon 
 the soul like poison upon the body. 
 
 Satan may point to the fruitless branch, and, by 
 telling a lie, tiy to teach that lack of fruit is due 
 to the healthy condition of the tree, but such de- 
 ception will not go very far with sensible people. 
 Every person knows that the first requisite to 
 fruit-bearing is a good condition of the trunk and 
 branches of the tree. If a worm-eaten branch 
 bears fruit, the fruit grows in spite of the worms 
 and not because of them. Satan is true enough 
 when he insinuates that the worm bears the same 
 relation to the tree that sin does to the character 
 of a person. Follow out this fact and see the 
 blighting effects of waste and ruin on one tree af- 
 ter another. Many valuable trees commence to die 
 
HARMLESSNESS OF SIN. 103 
 
 just because the worms are eating the life out of 
 them, and if their course is not checked certain 
 death will come to the trees. So in a similar man- 
 ner will sin work its ruin, if it is allowed to operate 
 upon a single soul. A small portion of it is of the 
 same quality as the large consignments. It all 
 comes from the same black bottle of death, and if 
 Satan were truthful he could unfold a tale of hor- 
 rors concerning the effects of sin that would shud- 
 der any human being. 
 
 (7) 
 
& H ^upp^r 
 
 t" 
 
 Sermon delivered to an inquiring mind that had 
 been staggering under doubt for a long time. Sa- 
 tan appeared and addressed his subject as follows : 
 
 *'I am happy to see you this morning so profit- 
 ably engaged in reading the Bible. This is an evi- 
 dence of your sincerity, and a proof that you will 
 have a greater interest in what I am about to utter. 
 I feel that it is my duty to tell you some of the lat- 
 est truths on the subject of the Lord's Supper. If 
 you will give me your closest attention so as to 
 fully understand me, I am certain that you will re- 
 ceive much good, for there is no doubt about the 
 correctness of my views according to common 
 sense and the Bible. You need not expect me to 
 give you the same old antiquated doctrines that 
 have warped the spiritual eyesight of Christian's* 
 for nineteen hundred years, but I purpose to give 
 you some truths thoroughly up-to-date. Let me 
 first tell you something about the 
 
THE LORD'S SUPPER. 105 
 
 Ea 
 
 f Stitf m^ Eort.-H Bumr S 
 
 ''There is no mystery about this inasmuch as 
 Christ cleariy stated his purpose. ' This do in re- 
 membrance of me.' Some men perpetuate their 
 memory by building institutions of learning, oth- 
 ers by endowing hospitals and establishing li- 
 braries, and still others by their illustrious deeds 
 in peace or in war. But Christ, more wise than 
 all his followers, simply commanded that men 
 should gajther together and honor him by a simple 
 and inexpensive service." 
 
 ''At the time when the Lord's Supper was insti- 
 tuted no one dreamed that the command of Christ 
 referred to any one except his immediate disciples. 
 To them this rite was obligatory. It would be 
 most interesting history to explain how the custom 
 of drinking wine and eating bread as an act of wor- 
 ship was continued beyond the apostolic age, but 
 let us waste no time in stumbling over the rocky 
 paths of early church history; we must face the 
 situation as it is in this present age. ' ' 
 
 "As you take a close observation of the follow- 
 ers of Christ, you will see that they are divided 
 into several classes. One class observes this so- 
 called ordinance in a purely formal manner, and 
 for no other reason than that they have seen others 
 
106 THE LORD'S SUPPER. 
 
 observing it as far back as they can remember. 
 Another class of Christians, as they look at this 
 subject, are fully awake to the customs of the ages, 
 but they are still more alive to the Bible itself. 
 How refreshing it is to find a Christian who is able 
 and willing to take a broad view of each doctrine 
 in the Bible! Has it ever occurred to your mind 
 that the real truth of scripture is contrary to any 
 service that has the appearance of the so-called 
 Lord's Supper? But you must remember that it 
 requires a truly enlightened mind and a courage- 
 ous heart to accept and practice such up-to-date 
 truth." 
 
 * * It is not necessary to enter into a lengthy dis- 
 cussion concerning this question. Allow me simply 
 to say that Christ spoke to his disciples only, and 
 was making arrangements for their social union. 
 This was perfectly proper and it served to bind 
 these immediate followers into one humble frater- 
 nity. It is true that they gathered together and 
 ate bread from one loaf and drank wine from one 
 cup and otherwise entered into worship and honor- 
 ed the memory of the suffering and death of their 
 Master. All this was in strict obedience to the 
 spoken command of their recently living Lord." 
 
 "Now let me repeat that there is not a single 
 passage in the whole Bible that commands the per- 
 
THE LORD'S SUPPER. 107 
 
 petual observation of this ordinance. Then why 
 should you linger in doubt and thus torment your 
 mind on this misunderstood question? Come out 
 into the clear light and enjoy the greater liberty 
 which is promised to all those who prefer to fol- 
 low the Bible rather than the whims and fancies 
 of its blind devotees." 
 
 ' ' Next let me consider the attitude of Christians 
 to-day toward this subject. It may not be a sin to 
 observe this antiquated custom, but it is certainly 
 not required. Let each one be bold enough to come 
 out on the side of truth, and although the great 
 majority may be slow in changing yet let those 
 who are more enlightened and more truth-loving, 
 step out first. Under any circumstances you must 
 be charitable toward those who insist upon ob- 
 serving the Lord's Supper. Always remember 
 that many have been so trained from their youth 
 up, and if they were to cease observing this rite 
 it would only make them feel miserable." 
 
 ' ' I would also give you some advice that will be 
 of good service to you as you come in contact with 
 those who believe and practice this doctrine. First 
 of all discourage as much as possible the exercis- 
 ing of any emotional spirit. It is bad enough to 
 become enthusiastic over the best part of religion, 
 but it is much worse to show the color of emotion 
 
108 THE LORD'S SUPPER. 
 
 over the imaginary features of the faith. Away 
 with all fanaticism. The Lord's Supper will never 
 die out as long as it is made the occasion of melt- 
 ing hearts into one spirit of rejoicing, or of tears." 
 
 '^If a church or people insist upon a frequent 
 observance of this so-called ordinance, use your 
 strongest influence to make it the most formal and 
 dignified of all the forms of worship. If there is 
 any place where a man or woman needs a cool 
 head it is in religion. If he is not calm and steady, 
 he is liable to flounder like the unhappy and un- 
 fortunate fish out of its natural element." 
 
 *'I will further advise you to be bold in your 
 teaching on the kind of emblems to be used in the 
 celebration of the Lord's Supper. Spend your in- 
 fluence to get the church to use the most harmless 
 ingredients. Either common sense or a liberal 
 education will teach that the emblems of the Eu- 
 charist can be changed to suit the climate and also 
 the custom of the people. There is no necessity of 
 clinging to bread and wine, ae if nothing else could 
 be figurative of Calvary's tragic scenes. If you 
 were in China, what would be more appropriate 
 than rice and water? In Germany what would be 
 more fitting than pretzels and beerf In America 
 crackers and grapes would be very suitable em- 
 blems. ' ' 
 
THE LORD'S SUPPER. 109 
 
 After Satan had finished his sermon, he left to 
 plant his seeds of error in some other heart. 
 
 Bamt uliiiitga tl)at g'atan 3Failrli to Mstdion in 
 tl|f JForfgoing ^rrmon 
 
 1. He neglected to say with certainty that Christ 
 being the Son of God, was the center of all author- 
 ity. 
 
 2. He also placed a false and selfish construc- 
 tion on the words: ''-This do in remembrance of 
 me. ' ' 
 
 3. It is certain that the command to observe the 
 Lord's Supper pointed away to the churches of all 
 ages, because the observance continued from the 
 first apostles to all Christians at once. This would 
 not have been probable if the sacred supper were 
 intended only for the apostles. 
 
 Also if we localize the command concerning the 
 Lord's Supper, so must we localize the sermon on 
 the mount and the greater part of the New Testa- 
 ment. 
 
 4. Concerning the emblems ; Satan forgot to say 
 that Christ selected these, and it is not left to the 
 whims and fancies of the people of any nation or 
 any climate to select as they may choose. Satan 
 well knows that if he could persuade people to 
 change tEe emblems at will, that he has won a very 
 decisive victory against the Lord's Supper. 
 
t|s) 
 
 A mtobrm 6rrnum by ^atan oh 
 li;r ^aaliaiintBa of HtH^iaua ^tr- 
 bitta in tijt l^oin^. SrlQirrrb tn a 
 <Si)riatian 3atiftr anh ^brrlfrarb 
 by a dmnpanii of lEbil ^pitita. 
 
 **I have come to you on this occasion to enlight- 
 en your mind regarding the custom of family wor- 
 ship. After careful consideration of the subject 
 I am firmly convinced that family worship is the 
 most useless of all the forms of religious service. 
 A family should not be selfish in its devotion, when 
 an opportunity is at hand to attend public services. 
 The practice of family worship may have been all 
 right in an age when there were few churches or 
 at the present time in communities where people 
 live in isolated homes. But, where churches are 
 within reach of the families I can see that more 
 harm than good is accomplished by holding home 
 worship of any kind." 
 
FAMILY WORSHIP. HI 
 
 ''One of the main reasons why family worship 
 is useless, is not alone because of an abundant sup- 
 ply of churches, but because of the great variety 
 of services that are held in them on the Sabbath 
 day and throughout the week. It is much better to 
 be faithful to some of these general meetings of the 
 church, than to sp^end so much of your valuable 
 time in the home worship that must of necessity 
 become monotonous." 
 
 ''This is a sharp age of competition, and when 
 a man. awakes from his sleep with fresh energy, 
 it is his duty to go into the regular work of the 
 day with all the push possible. He owes his best 
 working hours to the support of his family, and to 
 the duty which he must perform to his fellow 
 creatures. It may be all right for a lazy man or a 
 man who has no work to do, to stay at home in the 
 morning and hold family services of ten minutes or 
 more. ' ' 
 
 "Then in the next place, where is there any ne- 
 cessity for family worship? People are not bad 
 because they don't know any better. The family 
 worship does not add anything to the instruction 
 imparted in the church, and therefore it is useless. 
 People are smarter in these days than they were 
 in the older times, consequently they need not con- 
 sult headquarters so often. In the age of perse- 
 
112 FAMILY WORSHIP. 
 
 cution, it must be admitted, that family worship 
 was a great comfort, and it proved to be a strong 
 staff in the time when sharp trials had to be borlie. 
 But now, when people are more charitable, and 
 when liberty of conscience is established, there is 
 no further need to maintain the home worship. 
 Let each one do his praying privately. It will be 
 a great accomplishment if even that much is 
 done. ' ' 
 
 *' Church members ought to Imow how many 
 children are influenced against religion by com- 
 pelling them to gather in worship once or twice a 
 day with a father and mother whose home life has 
 no doubt been more or less stormy. In many in- 
 stances the mother has told the children white and 
 black lies and then gets down to pray before them, 
 or perhaps the father has been living somewhat 
 inconsistently and the children hear him act the 
 part of a saint in his morning or evening prayer. ' ' 
 
 Then Satan whispered to his imps unheard by 
 the man: '*It does not take very long for the 
 children to see that religious devotion and a 
 crooked life can be hitched together. Then when 
 the children grow older they will perhaps have an 
 impression that any kind of a life will do to be a 
 Christian. ' ' Satan turning again to the man, con- 
 tinued : 
 
FAMILY WORSHIP, 113 
 
 *'The average parent at best is very poorly- 
 qualified to impart religious instruction. This is 
 one of the greatest reasons why there should be 
 no attempt made to hold religious services in the 
 home, or to impart any kind of scriptural instruc- 
 tion there. All such work should be left to those 
 who are more competent. The children will then 
 get less instruction, but it will go much farther in 
 its good results." 
 
 ''The best kind of family worship is that in 
 which the father and mother and the children show 
 the proper kind of love and respect for one an- 
 other and in all things, as much as possible, follow 
 the dictates of a good conscience. ' ' 
 
 ''If I had my own way, I would break down all 
 the family altars in the land. If I could not per- 
 suade the children to go to church, I would not 
 compel them, but I would wait until they were old 
 enough to see the benefit of it. In that way the 
 child would be religious of his own free choice, and 
 that would count for more good than for him to be 
 a Christian by compulsion." 
 
 This address was very much appreciated by the 
 company of imps who heard it, for some of them 
 were running short of ammunition. Certain ones 
 of the chief spirits present declared that the speech 
 
114 FAMILY WORSHIP. 
 
 was thoroughly up-to-date, and that it would be 
 used with good effect to pull down some of the 
 family altars. 
 
 A B^plg to ^atan 
 on K^amtlg Morfiljtji 
 
 It is easily understood why Satan is so strongly 
 opposed to family worship. Anything of this 
 kind, which is so pleasing to God, and so profitable 
 to the members of the family, is certainly very 
 damaging to the kingdom of Satan. If Satan could 
 destroy religion in the home, he would then laugh 
 to see the last flickering of the religious fires in 
 the world. 
 
 Satan and his followers argue that there is no 
 necessity for family worship on account of the 
 many services held in the churches. They might 
 as well argue that there is no necessity for the little 
 rills of water that run into the spring inasmuch 
 as there is so much water in the spring. The 
 spring would soon dry up if its feeders were once 
 closed, so would the life of church services become 
 dead and formal if the Christian life of the indi- 
 vidual in the home would come to an end. 
 
 Satan also argues that a busy man has no time to 
 hold family worship. This would be true if fam- 
 ily worship were worthless, but when we consider 
 
FAMILY WORSHIP. 115 
 
 what effect it has on the members of the home, we 
 can form a clearer idea of its great value. It 
 binds the hearts of the parents closer together and 
 they feel that God has a part in the rearing of the 
 children. Also the children have a greater respect 
 for the heads of the home, and on their young 
 minds are fixed eternal impressions for good. 
 The power and influence of religious services in 
 the home reach far beyond the limit of the family 
 circle, which could be proved by a long list of inci- 
 dents. 
 
 Satan also argues in the preceding sermon that 
 there is' no necessity for family worship because 
 the church furnishes ample instruction. We cer- 
 tainly rejoice in the fact that the church furnishes 
 so much good instruction, and this is a splendid 
 help to the upbuilding of religious thought and 
 character. Any wise parent should know how to 
 make the best use of this church help. But the 
 best fruit is produced by personal care, by a lov- 
 ing interest on the part of the parents in the home. 
 The world can never tell the amount of good that 
 has been accomplished around the family altar, in 
 conjunction with which all other good influences 
 will harmonize into the perfecting of the individ- 
 ual life and character. 
 
 We hope the time will never come when Satan's 
 
116 FAMILY WORSHIP. 
 
 ambition will be realized. We believe that he 
 would rejoice very much if every family altar 
 could be broken down. It should therefore be a 
 pleasure to everybody to uphold the holy influence 
 of the home altar, and thereby do something for 
 the betterment of mankind and toward the over- 
 throw of the kingdom of darkness. 
 
The three stages of Pbostitxtiion. 
 
Preached by Satan to a Young Lady at one of the 
 By-ways of Life. 
 
 A certain young lady who was traveling along 
 the pathway of Purity, felt the pulse of temptation 
 at a certain place where steps of Prostitution led 
 downward to one side of the path. As if held by 
 some strange magic, she paused, scanned the steps 
 and was inclined to descend, yet her better judg- 
 ment forbade her. Then the invisible Satan spoke 
 to her mind through that wireless telegraphy long 
 ago known to the spirits : 
 
 ''You have come to an important 
 
 SATAN'S 
 
 BLACK 
 
 DECEPTION 
 
 turn in your experiences. If you de- 
 scend these steps you will taste of 
 life's fruit for the first time. Na- 
 ture has called you to walk downward here, and 
 after you have passed over these steps you will 
 gain the new knowledge, which will open your eyes 
 to the broadest views of life. True enough the ad- 
 vice of your mother and father forbid you to pur- 
 
BATAN AND PURITY. j^^ 
 
 sue such a course, but it is well known that loving 
 parents, in their zeal to do good, go to wide ex- 
 tremes in advising their children. Your mother 
 knows that you are entitled, by the grant of nature, 
 to the blessed fruit that can only be found on the 
 lower level. ' ' 
 
 The young lady answered in her own soul : 
 ''I cannot go by the way of these steps. The 
 time has not yet arrived for me to seek or enjoy 
 such privileges which are contr-ary to the customs 
 of goad society, and at variance with the laws of 
 God." 
 
 ''Nonsense! nonsensej" came the 
 
 THE 
 
 TERRIBLE 
 
 SERMON 
 
 CONTINUES 
 
 suggestion from Satan. ''The time 
 to eat fruit is when you have an ap- 
 petite for it, and the most charming 
 appetite is the first. Some of the 
 wisest of the world have improved the golden op- 
 portunity, and descended these steps at your very 
 age of life. Why should you hesitate! Virtue, if 
 once lost, can easily be regained, and it is a thou- 
 sand times better to experience the sweet influence 
 on this lower level, than to deny yourself day by 
 day on the vain assumption that purity must be 
 maintained at any cost. ' ' 
 
 The young lady felt in her st)ul that this teach- 
 ing came from the enemy, then she passed through 
 
 (8) 
 
120 SATAN AND PURITY. 
 
 a mighty struggle with both the flesh and the 
 Devil. She was conquering in the trying ordeal, 
 and contrary to the wishes of Satan, she breathed 
 her prayer to God for deliverance. The heroine 
 broke away from the spell that seemingly bound 
 her, and refused to listen any longer to the voice 
 of temptation that would have blasted the flower of 
 her purity, and without mercy send the cursed 
 pangs of sin and regret into her soul. 
 
 As she passed on, the comfort of victory welled 
 up within her, and her joy was unspeakable. 
 
Satan used all kinds of arguments to persuade this young 
 
 LADY to descend TO THE LOWER LEVEL OF PROSTITUTION. BUT 
 SHE WON THE VICTORY ANT) CONTINUED ON THE PaTH OF 
 
 Purity. 
 
Satan ix the forji of a hobgohlin, undertook to fkigiiten Miss 
 Pilgrim, who, quick as a flash, thrtst her sworo toward 
 
 HIM. He escaped injury by THlU)WIN(i HIMSELF BACK- 
 WARD. 
 
[Mj:»JooR^iEy or 
 
 Ht^fm^a^^ 
 
 Buritt^ Wc\\s\\ i$>tttan "^t- 
 
 A young lady whose ambitions were pure pray- 
 ed for a good equipment instead of riches. In an- 
 swer to her prayer she received a splendid outfit 
 from the armory of God. On her head was a per- 
 fect helmet of salvation; her heart was protected 
 by a shining breast-plate of righteousness, and her 
 loins were girded about with truth. Also her feet 
 were shod with the preparation of the gospel of 
 peace, and in her left hand was a most beautiful 
 shield of faith, while in her right hand she held a 
 two-edged sword. When she had received this 
 powerful outfit for attack and defence, she was ex- 
 horted to pray with all supplication and watch 
 with all perseverance. 
 
 How beautiful she looked as she walked forth 
 
124 THE JOUKNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 
 
 upon the way of life, ready to meet any foe and 
 even prepared to conquer in any strife. But better 
 than all, she was prepared to enjoy the scenery 
 along the way, and to hold peaceful fellowship 
 with the unseen God. 
 
 Now behold the evil one sought to overcome this 
 fair young Pilgrim. He knew that it would be of 
 no use to preach infidelity to her, as she was thor- 
 oughly informed in Bible truths. He closely fol- 
 lowed her for many a day ever watching for some 
 opportunity whereby he might win a victory oyer 
 her. 
 
 As this young Pilgrim journeyed on, she found 
 that the way was becoming more and more delight- 
 ful to her, for it is true that they who travel dili- 
 gently on the good path enjoy the greatest amount 
 of happiness. One day as she was making splendid 
 progress she came to a place where Satan, in the 
 form of a terrible Hobgoblin, under- 
 took to frighten her. He came upon 
 her without notice, suddenly rushing 
 down to the edge of the path on 
 
 A MEAN 
 
 ATTACK 
 
 BY SATAN 
 
 which she was traveling and shouting with all 
 terror : 
 
 ** Throw down that sword and shield or I will 
 tear the heart out of you. ' ' 
 
 Quick as a flash, the young pilgrim nerved her- 
 
THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 135 
 
 self for an attack, and in swift defence she raised 
 her shining shield and thrust her sword toward 
 him as she uttered these words : 
 
 '*In the name and by the help of the living God, 
 I will keep my shield, my sword and my heart. ' ' 
 
 Had the monster not thrown himself backward, 
 he would have suifered sharp pain from the sword 
 of Miss Pilgrim. Her boldness totally baflQed him, 
 inasmuch as he did not raise his bludgeon which 
 he liad left fall during her attack. He well knew 
 that he could wage no successful battle with her 
 as long, as she remained on the path of righteous- 
 ness. So he changed his tactics and suddenly made 
 himself more beautiful, and with pleasing address 
 he tried to decoy her to one side, but she was 
 shrewd enough not to step on forbidden ground. 
 After a series of vile but futile efforts the trans- 
 formed Hobgoblin gathered himself together and 
 disappeared. 
 
 When this mean attack by Satan was ended. 
 Miss Pilgrim rejoiced with joy unspeakable and 
 full of glory. She praised God for the strength 
 with which she was blessed to conquer so com- 
 pletely. Then she sung some of the good songs 
 of Zion, and drank anew of the water of life, and 
 ate a goodly portion of a spiritual feast which had 
 been provided for her. After this she found that 
 
12g THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 
 
 her path led through a pleasant woodland, where 
 flowers grew on either side of the way, and where 
 sweet birds sang most charmingly. She testified 
 to many of her friends that this was the most de- 
 lightful spot which she had yet reached since she 
 put on the whole armor of God. 
 
 Miss Pilgrim found no lack of company, and the 
 fellowship of saints was so enjoyable to her that 
 she prayed more earnestly than ever for those who 
 were deceived so much that they imagined the com- 
 pany of the Broad Highway to be more congenial 
 than any other. 
 
 Now it happened that Miss Pilgrim, in her jour- 
 ney entered into a peculiar country where temp- 
 tations abound. Although she knew the character 
 of Satan and his manner of working, yet she was 
 not aware that he was following her so closely. 
 The Evil One noticed a suitable place ahead to 
 which he hastened, so as to reach it before Miss 
 Pilgrim. When she approached him she noticed 
 an angel-like form, but upon closer inspection she 
 was positive that it was the enemy in 
 disguise. 
 
 ' ' Pause a moment, ' ' said the angel- 
 like creature, ''allow me to ask you 
 how much you will take for the hel- 
 
 A LITTLE 
 DECEPTIVE 
 
 SERMON 
 BY SATAN 
 
 met which you have on your head?'* 
 
THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 127 
 
 **I will not part with it under any circum- 
 stances," she answered with determination. 
 
 "I will give you a crown of pure gold in ex- 
 change, if you will surrender it," calmly offered 
 the Tempter. 
 
 * * Of what use is a crown to me now ? I look for 
 a crown at the end of my race. This is the day of 
 helmet wearing, because I cannot tell what mo- 
 ment some fiery darts may be hurled at me." 
 
 "Ha! ha!" laughted the Tempter, **I can see 
 that you have been deceived. You have fought 
 your battles well and it will hardly happen that 
 you Will need the helmet any more this side of 
 Heaven's gate. On account of your faithfulness, 
 I have been sent to crown you. Why should you 
 hesitate to accept your reward which will be a 
 thousand times more beautiful than the rough hel- 
 met now on your head, and more than that, this 
 crown will be more suited to your grace of body, 
 and your peculiar charms. ' * 
 
 The young lady scanned for a moment the bright 
 object in the hand of the angel-like creature, and 
 then said that she had received explicit orders not 
 to surrender her helmet until she had reached the 
 very gate of Heaven. ''Then," she said, "I will 
 lay my armor down, and not before that time. * * 
 
 Then the enemy, with artful conversation, com- 
 
128 THE JOUENEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 
 
 tinued his temptations, and the young pilgrim 
 firmly resisted them all. After a short season had 
 passed, she poised her sword steadily and demand- 
 ed that she be disturbed no longer. She escaped 
 without a battle, and went on her way rejoicing. 
 
 After the lapse of a few days, when she had quite 
 forgotten her last temptation, she was again trav- 
 eling alone in her usual manner, when she met an- 
 other peculiar object that looked more like an an- 
 gel than a devil. 
 
 ' * Hold on, my young friend ! ' ' cried out a voice, 
 **I am so glad that you came along just at this 
 time. I am in great need of a shield 
 
 A SERMON 
 BORN 
 
 WITH 
 A LIB 
 
 as I must travel a path where fiery 
 darts are hurled. If you will do me 
 the great favor of loaning your 
 shield to me I will return it in good 
 order and will be under infinite obligations to 
 you. ' ' 
 
 This tender, pathetic appeal touched the heart of 
 Miss Pilgrim more than any other form of tempta- 
 tion which she had yet encountered, but she quick- 
 ly remembered what had been said to her: ''Let 
 no man take thy shield," and looking toward the 
 Tempter's face, she answered: 
 
 * * This shield is not my own. I am forbidden to 
 part with it under a severe penalty." 
 
THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 129 
 
 "Surely no harm can come to you, for your jour- 
 ney is over a smooth country where no foes 
 abound. Before you will need it, I will return it 
 again into your hands. ' ' 
 
 It happened that the young soldier thoughtless- 
 ly dropped her shield a little during this conversa- 
 tion, and the Tempter being convinced that he 
 could not persuade her to surrender it, made an 
 ugly attack upon her with a handful of fiery darts, 
 some of which flew over the top of her shield and 
 struck her helmet. 
 
 '*Ah!" she quickly cried, "how thankful I am 
 that I did not give my helmet for the crown." 
 After this she made a bold attack upon the foul de- 
 mon, who, observing that his fiery darts had done 
 her no harm, quickly made good his escape. 
 
 Miss Pilgrim, as she continued on the King's 
 Highway, came to a place where she heard strange 
 music from some unknown source. Being a lover 
 of music she paused to listen, and as she listened, 
 she was quite captured by the beautiful strains, 
 and she found herself being drawn toward the 
 place whence came such unusual melodies. Miss 
 Pilgrim was so enraptured that she 
 did not think that she was treading 
 on dangerous ground, nor were her 
 suspicions aroused until she fell 
 through a layer of dead twigs and 
 
 A SERMON 
 
 IN 
 
 MUSIC 
 
130 THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 
 
 leaves into a pit. It was a miracle that she was 
 not bruised by her fall. Before she had time to 
 examine the pit she was confronted by a polite gen- 
 tleman, who seemed to approach her through an 
 underground passage. 
 
 ' ' Happy to see you. ' ' 
 
 Miss Pilgrim made no reply. As yet she had 
 no time to collect her thoughts. 
 
 "How came you into this place!" 
 
 "I fell into it by accident," explained Miss Pil- 
 grim as her fears were increasing. 
 
 ''And shall I help you out?" 
 
 "If you please, sir." 
 
 ' ' Follow me and I will take you to a place where 
 there are steps leading to the sunlight. ' ' 
 
 Miss Pilgrim commenced to pray for direction 
 and seeing no possible way to get out by the way 
 she came in, she was compelled to follow her 
 would-be rescuer. She was fully conscious of his 
 evil designs, and being caught so innocently, she 
 was determined to make the best possible escape 
 from her sudden captivity. 
 
 Mr. Polite conducted Miss Pilgrim through a 
 winding underground channel and came to a room 
 dimly lighted. Here he paused and turning to her 
 he calmly requested: 
 
 "Lay down your weapons and enjoy a rest." 
 
THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRBf. 131 
 
 * ' That would be signing my death-warrant, * ' she 
 answered with decision. 
 
 At this Mr. Polite turned the key, thereby lock 
 ing the only door to the room. Miss Pilgrim now 
 took a bold stand and drew her sword. 
 
 ''My God is able to deliver me from your foul 
 hands. I charge you to open that door, or take 
 the edge of this blade." 
 
 "Be not so enraged, my friend, I closed that 
 door only to keep out a set of mean fellows who 
 would have forcibly torn your weapons and your 
 honor from you." 
 
 Then quick as a flash, Mr. Polite opened the door 
 and rushed out, closing and locking the door after 
 him. 
 
 Left to herself Miss Pilgrim spent her time in 
 prayer. She was confronted by an angel who told 
 her to wait for the time of her deliverance, and 
 meanwhile trust in God. In a short time the keeper 
 of the place entered, and told her that she would 
 be liberally compensated at the end of her period 
 of service. 
 
 ' ' My period of service is already at an end. You 
 shall not have my free will in sin a single mo- 
 ment," firmly and defiantly declared Miss Pil- 
 grim. 
 
 The keeper approached her in silence and Miss 
 
132 THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 
 
 Pilgrim suspecting his motive, drew her sword in 
 defence : 
 
 ''I warn you not to touch me while I wield this 
 sword, ' ' cautioned Miss Pilgrim with a firm voice. 
 
 The keeper suddenly halted and being enraged, 
 he addressed the brave heroine : 
 
 ' ' How dare you flaunt a sword in my face ? ' * 
 
 ''Only in the name of Him whom I serve. I 
 warn you again to lay no hand upon me. ' ' 
 
 ' ' Do you not know, my young girl, that your life 
 is in my hands? If I so choose I can put an end 
 to you this very day. ' ' 
 
 * ' You speak a falsehood. You cannot put an end 
 to me. You could easily tear this body of mine 
 apart, or burn it, but you must not think that you 
 could put an end to me. If you drag me down to 
 death by sheer force, you will thereby give me a 
 short route to Heaven. I will live forever after my 
 body is cold in death. ' ' 
 
 "Ah, you are quite a preacher!" jestingly said 
 the keeper. "You ought to be in the pulpit, not 
 down here in a place like this." 
 
 The keeper tarried no longer but hurriedly left 
 the room locking the door after him. 
 
 Miss Pilgrim continued in earnest prayer for de- 
 liverance from the foul place where she was held 
 captive. Her prayer was one of submission, for 
 
THE JOURNEY OP MISS PILGRIM. 1^3 
 
 she expressed her willingness to die if need be 
 rather than surrender her faith. 
 
 A short time thereafter there appeared a gentle- 
 man of splendid physique and bearing a pleasant 
 countenance. After he had entered the room he 
 addressed Miss Pilgrim in a fascinating manner: 
 
 '*I am indeed glad to meet you, my friend, I 
 have come to spend a social hour with you. ' ' 
 
 *'If you wish to hold conversation with me you 
 must wait until I am free from this place. I am 
 now in bondage." 
 
 **Are you not at liberty to do as you please?" 
 
 *'I am a slave in bondage. I have no control 
 over that door through which you have entered. I 
 will have nothing to do with any man while I am 
 in this low den. Once more I say that I will gladly 
 speak with you if you see to it that I escape. ' ' 
 
 The winning man plied all his ingenuity to per- 
 suade the beautiful Miss Pilgrim to a violation of 
 her honor, but she fought to the sword's point un- 
 til the visitor, defeated and ashamed, left the room. 
 After this manner Miss Pilgrim conducted herself 
 until she was enabled to escape. She went forth 
 most gladly into the welcome light of the King's 
 Highway, and keenly remembered the music that 
 pulled her feet from the proper path. She cau- 
 tioned herself anew not to give heed to anything 
 
134 THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 
 
 whatever that would tempt her from the path of 
 life whereon she was traveling. 
 
 The King's Highway never appeared to her so 
 handsome as now. The dark shadows of the den 
 deepened her appreciation of the blessed light that 
 Heaven was bestowing on her as she continued on 
 her journey. Her eyes feasted anew on the unsur- 
 passed scenery, and her prayers of gratitude as- 
 cended to Heaven with more fervor than ever. 
 
 Not long after this when Miss Pilgrim was med- 
 itating along the way, there was a dark being call- 
 ed Fear that rushed toward her like a cyclone, and 
 instantly hurled many fiery darts, but they struck 
 her shield and fell broken at her feet. Miss Pil- 
 grim addressed this creature with great courage. 
 Her experience with the Hobgoblin helped her 
 greatly to meet this new foe. 
 
 ''Away! away! you fearful creature. Neither 
 you nor your darts can break in upon me, for I am 
 imder eternal protection as long as I retain these 
 weapons." 
 
 The demon of Fear, finding that he could make 
 no impression on Miss Pilgrim, drew himself to 
 one side and the heroine sang more joyously than 
 ever as she passed on. 
 
 Miss Pilgrim was now to meet one of her hard- 
 est temptations, because of the deceitful manner in 
 
THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 135 
 
 which it came. As she was walking along, a beau- 
 tiful young lady, of about her same age, stepped 
 up along side of her from the rear, and without 
 giving Miss Pilgrim time to observe the path 
 whereon she had traveled, entered into conversa- 
 tion with her. 
 
 ''Happy I am that I have found d 
 
 A SERMON 
 OF BLACK 
 DESIGNS 
 
 companion so near my own age. I 
 hope that we may be congenial to 
 each other, so that we can travel this 
 path together with mutual profit.'* 
 
 ''Who are you, and whence came youT' asked 
 Miss Pilgrim. 
 
 "I am a friend of yours from the same city 
 whence you came, and I am traveling to the same 
 Heaven to which you are going," came the re- 
 sponse of the New-Comer. 
 
 "You have a strange outfit. How could you 
 have traveled so far on this road without being 
 harmed? Where are your equipments!" 
 
 "I keep them all concealed," came the reply, 
 whereat the new companion revealed a sword from 
 the loose folds of her garments, ' ' See ! here is my 
 sword. Let us exchange just for courtesy's sake." 
 
 ' ' If you have used your sword so well up to this 
 time, and I have used mine so well, it would be bet- 
 ter for us to let well enough alone. ' ' 
 
136 THE Journey of miss pilgrim. 
 
 "You might as well be sociable and make the 
 exchange," continued the New-Comer. ''It may be 
 that each of us can do still better with a new 
 sword." Miss Pilgrim was almost in the act of 
 complying with the evil request, when an inward 
 voice gave her counsel: ''Beware, lest any man 
 take thy sword." The inward voice troubled her 
 so much that she stoutly refused to think any fur- 
 ther of making the exchange. The New-Comer, 
 being angry at the failure to gain her point, kept 
 watching for a good chance whereby she might rob 
 Miss Pilgrim of her sword. 
 
 At a moment when Miss Pilgrim was unguarded 
 the New-Comer seized her in a foul grasp, and was 
 in the act of throwing her to the ground when she 
 offered a stout resistance. Then followed a brief 
 wrestling match in which no mercy was shown on 
 either side. For a moment it appeared that Miss 
 Pilgrim was overpowered, when she saw an oppor- 
 tunity and with her strong right arm she tore the 
 very garments from the back of her assailant, and 
 to her horror she discovered that the one who 
 seemed to be Miss New-Comer was now revealed 
 in his true light in devilish masculine attire. Miss 
 Pilgrim having her loins girded with truth and 
 having on the breastplate of righteousness, felt no 
 harm from all the terrific blows, which the demon 
 continued to deliver. In the midst of the hot af- 
 
THE JOURNEY OF MISS PILGIClM. 137 
 
 fray Miss Pilgrim succeeded in striking one fatal 
 blow with her sword. A sudden change took place, 
 for the gasping, writhing form of her contemptible 
 foe lay beneath her begging for mercy. 
 
 "You miserable wretch," cried Miss Pilgrim, 
 "you deceiver, you liar; had you taken my sword, 
 you would have laid me low. You deserve death, 
 and if you were mortal I would put an end to you 
 at once. How dare you defy one who is clad in 
 the panoply of Almighty God? Taste this sharp 
 edge once more," she shouted as she again thrust 
 the two-edged blade through him. 
 
 A low groan and the victory was complete. Af- 
 ter this terrible encounter Miss Pilgrim continued 
 her journey more triumphant than ever. She soon 
 overtook a friend who was sore depressed on ac- 
 count of the many troubles and persecutions 
 through which he had passed. Mr. Depressed 
 looked upon the cheerful face of Miss Pilgrim and 
 inwardly prayed that he might learn the secret of 
 her happiness. Miss Pilgrim, after her natural 
 manner, commenced speaking words of cheer to 
 her friend, who received them with a kindly spirit. 
 
 A conversation ensued in which Mr. Depressed 
 related some of his recent experiences and then 
 with an envious tone he asked the following ques- 
 tion: 
 
 "Why is it, my friend, that you have such an 
 
 (9) 
 
138 THE JOURNlR: OF MISS PILGRIM. 
 
 easy time of it? Trouble seems to vanish at your 
 appearance, and it seems that good luck is always 
 standing around in your way. ' ' 
 
 *'I fear that you are looking at me in a wrong 
 light," smilingly replied Miss Pilgrim. ''It has 
 not been long since I passed through a deadly 
 struggle and I have had many such experiences 
 since I set out toward the gate of Heaven. ' ' 
 
 ''Then why is it that you are not cast down?" 
 
 "Because I am obedient to the orders of my 
 king. Under no circumstances will I surrender 
 any part of my equipment. Thus determined I 
 conquer every foe in the name of the living God. 
 Surely I have all reason to rejoice when victory 
 is mine." 
 
 "Have you given me the full secret of your 
 peace and happiness?" further asked Mr. De- 
 pressed. 
 
 ' ' The companions I have also help me to be hap- 
 py and cheerful. I have the company of sweet 
 angels who minister unto me day and night. If 
 you could see them as they hover around me at 
 times, your face would shine with a new light and 
 your life would also be lived in the charmed cir- 
 cle." 
 
 " 'Charmed circle,' " repeated Mr. Depressed. 
 "Please give me more light on this." 
 
 ** There is a charmed circle in life in which any 
 
THE JOUENEY OF MISS PILGRIM. 139 
 
 one may live who wishes. No matter where they 
 go the charm need not be broken, and rich sup- 
 plies of blessings can always be had. 
 
 ''Let me urge you to get into this circle and 
 thereby learn the secret of a happy life: If you 
 welcome the angels of mercy, comfort, peace, faith, 
 hope, love and purity and a host of others, they 
 will surround you and your life will be spent in 
 the charmed circle. ' ' 
 
 Miss Pilgrim had no time to tarry longer. She 
 hastened away to fill certain engagements. The in- 
 fluence of her few words upon Mr. Depressed had 
 a wonderful effect, and one by one he welcomed the 
 angels until he also realized the great happiness 
 of living in the charmed circle. 
 
 The journey of Miss Pilgrim was long and in- 
 teresting. It would take a whole book to tell the 
 many experiences through which she passed be- 
 fore she came in sight of the gate of Heaven. She 
 was a valiant soldier to the last and as she reached 
 the gates of light she was covered with many a 
 scar but was still in possession of her whole ar- 
 mor. A beautiful angel conducted her until the 
 gates of Heaven swung ajar. Her entrance 
 through the shining portals was most glorious and 
 triumphant. A choir of angels sang her welcome 
 home. After this the gate of Heaven closed and 
 it was not seen what else occurred to her. 
 
The hardships and trials of this 
 mortal life will dwindle into insig- 
 nificance when the day of victory 
 comes. All the heavy burdens of the 
 Christian will lose their weight in the 
 light of Heaven's gate. Miss Pilgrim 
 was a noble character who won her 
 way by faith through all the sharp 
 conflicts of life. How her heart was 
 thrilled with joy as she saw the 
 gates of Heaven open to her at the 
 end of her journey. The angels that 
 came to welcome her sang their 
 sweetest celestial melodies. Such a 
 glorious end will be experienced by 
 each one who puts on the whole armor 
 of God and goes forth with courage 
 in the battle of right against wrong 
 and of sin against darkness. 
 
 140 
 
'y/ s 
 
 a beautiful axgel coxducted miss pllgrui uxtil the gates of 
 
 Heaven swung ajar. Her entrance through the shining 
 
 portals was almost glorious and triumphant. a 
 
 choir of angels sang her welcome ko.me. 
 
^si^i^TL.:'^ik^ 
 
 M^.^^ 
 
 ^ Q 
 
 
 
Ma 
 
 The following narrative is taken from real life. 
 The occurrence happened in a farming district in 
 one of the populous counties of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Two men owned adjoining farms and they lived 
 as neighbors for many years. During the first 
 part of this period the relations between the two 
 men and- their families were pleasant, but unfor- 
 tunately a bitter enmity arose between the two 
 farmers, which continued from year to year until 
 the situation became desperate. 
 
 During the period of this bitterness neither 
 farmer L. nor farmer B. made the necessary ad- 
 vancements to settle the brewing difficulty. And so 
 the feud continued to grow stronger and stronger 
 until farmer B. secretly and quietly resolved to 
 revenge his neighbor. All this was unknown to 
 farmer L., who never went so far as to plan re- 
 venge. 
 
 One night, when the moon was peeping out be- 
 tween drifting clouds, farmer L. retired early, but 
 for some reason his sleep had partly gone from 
 
144 A TIME WHEN SATAN FAILED. 
 
 him. In the deep hours of the night he arose from 
 his bed and walked to the second story rear porch 
 of his home, whence he glanced out upon the ever- 
 changing scene in the Heavens. A moment later 
 he dropped his eyes for a cursory glance across 
 the indistinct fields, and to his surprise, he saw his 
 neighbor B. walking slowly toward his barn. And 
 just as plainly as he saw his neighbor he saw two 
 companions with him, one seemed to be dressed in 
 white garments and the other clothed in black. 
 These two strange companions were unknown to 
 farmer L. as he stood intently gazing upon the trio 
 where he thought that he could not be seen by 
 them. No one, under such circumstances, would 
 turn away with indifference and enter the house, 
 so he remained to watch what might be the out- 
 come of the strange affair. 
 
 The trio slowly advanced and were seemingly 
 engaged in a deep, quiet conversation. Farmer B., 
 who walked in the middle, was earnestly besieged 
 by his two companions. Each one seemed to be en- 
 deavoring to make the strongest impression upon 
 him. In this strange manner the men continued 
 until they came to the fence not far from the barn. 
 Here they paused and apparently the conversation 
 continued. Farmer L. was greatly perplexed at 
 the strange occurrence, and was not able to ad- 
 
A TIME WHEN SATAN FAILED. 145 
 
 vance any explanation that would satisfy his own 
 mind. All he could do was to continue watching 
 and waiting for developments. 
 
 In a short time, which seemed more like an hour 
 than a few moments, the black companion slowly 
 left the fence and walked alone across the field in 
 a different direction from which the three had 
 come. A moment later farmer B. started home- 
 ward accompanied by the white companion. Far- 
 mer L. watched the two until they were out of 
 sight, and he tarried for several hours to see 
 whether or not they would return. But nothing 
 greeted his gaze except the faithful moon, drifting 
 clouds and a night scene of the earth before him. 
 Finally he returnd to his couch and rested as best 
 he could until daybreak, after which he arose and 
 ate scantily of breakfast. He could not shake off 
 the impressions of the preceding night, and after 
 a few hours of restlessness, he decided to go over 
 and speak to farmer B. about what he had seen 
 under the light of the quarter moon. 
 
 Farmer B. received his neighbor and story with 
 much surprise at first, and after a few moments he 
 wept bitterly, and confessed to neighbor L. that in 
 the wickedness of his heart, he had planned to set 
 his barn on fire the night before. He declared that 
 he kept his intentions a secret from everybody, 
 
146 A TIME WHEN SATAN f^AJX^D. 
 
 even his own wife. Farmer B. then related how he 
 proceeded across the field and was unable to go far- 
 ther than the fence near the bam. Farmer L. then 
 made inquiry concerning the two strange com- 
 panions. 
 
 ''What two companions," asked farmer B. 
 
 "The two men who were walking with you 
 across the field." 
 
 "Do you mean last night!" 
 
 "Certainly." 
 
 "Have I not told you that I revealed my plans 
 to nobody and that I went alone?" 
 
 "But I tell you in all honor that I saw two crea- 
 tures with you. One was dressed in white and the 
 other in black. You walked between them, and 
 they seemed to engage your whole attention. ' ' 
 
 "Very strange! very strange!" said farmer B. 
 "I surely know of no one who accompanied me." 
 
 Then farmer L. related again the whole story 
 slowly and clearly, giving all the details. Every- 
 thing corresponded exactly with the confession 
 and memory of farmer B. except the part relating 
 to the two companions. He admitted, however, 
 that he was in a great war with his thoughts. At 
 one moment some influence seemed to urge him to 
 set the barn on fire, then suddenly he seemed to 
 feel as if he ought to return home and not play the 
 
A TIME WHEN SATAN PAILED. 147- 
 
 part of a mean incendiary. Between these two 
 forces lie claimed that he pushed his way until he 
 reached the memorable fence. Here he paused and 
 entertained for the last time the idea of setting the 
 barn on fire. He yielded to the nobler impulse and 
 returned to his home. 
 
 Farmer B. was intensely thankful that he had 
 yielded to the better impulse, and asked the pardon 
 of his neighbor for the sin of even entertaining 
 such an evil plot against him. The pardon was 
 graciously granted, after which the two farmers 
 were convinced that the companions of the night 
 previous., were two representatives from the spirit 
 world, one a good angel of mercy, and the other 
 a wicked demon. 
 
||nhi to Qlon&urt 
 
 A Special Sermon by Satan to Church-Members in all 
 parts of the Christian World. 
 
 '^1 am glad for the opportnnity of telling you 
 some up-to-date-tnitlis regarding revival meet- 
 ings. The history of the ages has proved that 
 some of the methods of conducting revivals are 
 not only weak but out of harmony with good taste. 
 Enthusiasm has damaged the church through many 
 of the world's ages, for you can safely conclude 
 that when fanaticism runs away with any congre- 
 gation, it is doomed to degenerate. The emotional 
 spirit is more manifest among the less intelligent 
 people, therefore we must not be too severe in crit- 
 icising our fathers and mothers who, under Wesley 
 and Whitfield, grew very demonstrative. It was 
 very common in those days to hear people calling 
 aloud for mercy and shouting, or shedding bitter 
 tears of penitence. But thanks to a better age, we 
 are not so much afflicted with such scenes, except 
 in certain obscure comers. The church will reach 
 
HOW TO CONDUCT REVIVAL MEETINGS. 149 
 
 the zenith of its glory only as it throws aside the 
 sensational features of its worship." 
 
 ''We should hail with delight the dawning of a 
 better era when revivals will be conducted in a 
 manner more pleasing to the cultured tastes of 
 men. We need but look around us to see how rap- 
 idly these improved conditions are being adopted. 
 Some churches are determined not to keep in step 
 with progress, but there is hope that a new genera- 
 tion will be more refined. ' ' 
 
 ''It is therefore the duty of every progressive 
 church-member to discourage any of those old-time 
 methods that put the church to ridicule before the 
 best thinking people of the world. I feel it to be 
 my duty to lay before you my opinion as to what 
 is essential to promote an up-to-date revival." 
 
 1. "If you wish to promote a revival secure the 
 best possible music. ' ' 
 
 ' ' A small orchestra will be a good hit providing 
 it render some drawing selections each evening. If 
 you should incur some extra expense on account of 
 the music, you can well afford to pay it, as it will 
 prove a good investment. You can draw more 
 people into the church with an orchestra than you 
 can with anything else. The main point is to get 
 the people out, no matter what means is used." 
 
 2. "Do not put much stress on preaching." 
 
150 HOW TO CONDUCT REVIVAL MEETINGS. 
 
 *'Many a revival has been killed just because the 
 minister insisted on preaching salvation each 
 night. This is an old notion and should be put 
 into the background. A modern revival of religion 
 needs but little gospel. We might as well say, the 
 less the better. If there is to be any preaching ll 
 ought to be of a mild type, and not the kind that 
 will sound the fire alarm of destruction. How can 
 you expect to do good if you make your hearers 
 nervous ? The very class of people whom you are 
 trying to reach are liable to stay away if you will 
 insist on plain preaching. ' ' 
 
 3. ''If possible make the impression that the 
 church is an agreeable place. ' ' 
 
 ' ' The world has a gloomy idea of the church just 
 because of the manner in which its meetings are 
 conducted. After the people have once started to 
 come to your church, then you must be careful not 
 to introduce anything unpleasant into the services. 
 This is where the ingenuity of a good pastor is 
 manifest. It is his duty to provide pleasant enter- 
 tainment until the visitors are filled with the idea 
 that the church is a social place, and not a grave- 
 yard lot. It is hardly necessary to suggest what 
 kind of meetings should be held in order to please 
 people. If the minister has not yet learned the se- 
 cret of this art, he is unfit to be the ruling genius 
 over a congregation." 
 
HOW TO CONDUCT REVIVAL MEETINGS. 151 
 
 4. ''After you have shown the people the agree- 
 ableness of the church, then persuade them to 
 join." 
 
 ' ' Do not ask them to humiliate themselves before 
 the whole congregation. You ought to be glad if 
 they are willing to join just as they are. It is your 
 work to mould them into a better life by the good 
 influence that you should ever throw around them 
 after they have joined. Accept people in their sin- 
 ful condition and show them by degrees the advan- 
 tages of a Christian life, and ere long, they will be 
 filled with a desire to be a Christian. Let me warn 
 you not to be too strict during the first few years 
 of their membership. In all your corrective meas- 
 ures act with great caution." 
 
 5. *'Do not insist on church vows at first." 
 ''Here is where a great majority of churches 
 
 make their mistake. They compel a person to 
 stand before the altar and make a lot of binding 
 promises which they can never fulfill. The result 
 of this is very damaging to the beginner. The bet- 
 ter way is to take a person into church-member- 
 ship as quietly as possible, and after he has devel- 
 oped into greater strength, then you can have some 
 kind of a consecration service in which he may 
 make certain obligations. By that time he will not 
 be so much embarrassed." 
 
153 HOW TO CONDUCT REVIVAL MEETINGS. 
 
 6. ''Never use the altar in revival services." 
 ''You need not take the altar out of the church, 
 you can keep it there for an ornament or for com- 
 munion service. It will also serve as a foundation 
 on which to place a platform for cantatas and 
 other special services of the church. ' ' 
 
 "I have given you a few suggestions for con- 
 ducting an up-to-date revival meeting. And I 
 know of no better advice except to hold no special 
 revival services whatever. According to my hon- 
 est opinion the best kind of a revival would consist 
 in a special week of prayer, in which each member 
 of the church should pray privately four or five 
 evenings during the week. This method would 
 quicken the religious life of the individual, and 
 would result in much more fruit for righteousness 
 than the usual practice of gathering together con- 
 tinuously evening after evening in the church. This 
 public gathering invites too many temptations that 
 only weaken the life of the church. It is proved to 
 do more harm than good, inasmuch as some of the 
 weak Christians have become discouraged upon 
 seeing the manner in which others are able to take 
 part, and also many become prejudiced against re- 
 ligion altogether by seeing the hypocrites, very 
 often, take a prominent part in the meetings. Also 
 many young people take advantage of such meet- 
 
HOW TO CONDUCT REVIVAL MEETINGS. 153 
 
 ings and as a result there is an undue mingling of 
 the sexes." 
 
 .^5f»&frmn«bs&atemZS* 
 
 The purpose of Satan is to overthrow the genu- 
 ine kind of revival meetings, which have been the 
 secret of the great religious movements of the 
 world. The church of God has been revived in 
 every age of the world, and during the special sea- 
 sons, when the fires of religious zeal were burning, 
 the hearts of the unregenerate have been melted so 
 that they were compelled to yield to the mighty in- 
 fluence of the Holy Spirit. When the church once 
 casts aside the zeal which is born by Holy Ghost 
 inspiration, then it will gradually dry up to noth- 
 ing and cease to be a power in the world, but we do 
 not fear that such a condition will ever come to the 
 whole church. There will always be a part of the 
 visible church that will honor its Master enough to 
 keep the fires burning on the altar, notwithstand- 
 ing the low methods used by Satan to extinguish 
 totally the sacred flames. 
 
 The several points of advice given by Satan to 
 promote a good revival are only in keeping with 
 his destructive policy. They are all recipes of 
 
154 HOW TO CONDUCT REVIVAL MEETINGS. 
 
 death, although some truth is shrewdly mixed with 
 his false statements. Satan reveals his meanest 
 trait by wilfully mixing truth and error so as to 
 make the untruth appear like the truth. 
 
 Music has its proper place in a revival meeting 
 but when you depend upon that to hold people you 
 cannot do genuine work. If a church is to be a so- 
 cial club then why not advertise it as such, and 
 cease operating under a Holy Cross and a Sacred 
 Banner. 
 
 It would be expected that Satan is opposed to 
 much preaching. Anybody ought to be opposed to 
 long profound sermons during a revival meeting, 
 but that does not argue that all preaching should 
 be abandoned just because certain ministers follow 
 in the wrong rut. We pity the revival meeting in 
 which the gospel is not presented. Satan has ac- 
 tually impressed many members of the church with 
 the idea that preaching should be reduced to a 
 minimum during revival services. It may be that 
 some people are getting tired of the gospel and 
 would rather introduce something in its place. 
 There is nothing to take the place of gospel preach- 
 ing, although many ministers are tiresome, but it 
 is due to their individual weaknesses. The gospel 
 itself is never weak and it can be presented with in- 
 terest during the whole lifetime of a Christian. We 
 
HOW TO CONDUCT KEVIVAL MEETINGS. J 55 
 
 certainly differ from the statement presented by 
 Satan that the preaching should be mild. The 
 preaching should be faithful and fiery; earnest 
 and candid from beginning to end. If it is a fear- 
 less exposition of the whole truth, the spirit of 
 God has promised to send it home to the hearts of 
 the people. Human fear and apology in a sermon 
 has the same effect as throwing water on a good 
 fire. 
 
 The Devil is very charitable in opening the doors 
 of the church to receive all classes of sinners. He 
 realizes what effect this would have on the church. 
 In a short time the world and the church would be 
 one and no one would know what to call the com- 
 bination, inasmuch as the church would be lost in 
 the confusion and babble of the masses. If you 
 cannot persuade a man to accept Christ before he 
 joins church, you have but little chance of doing it 
 afterward. Let the church, as much as possible, 
 be separate from the world. Its great purpose 
 ought to be to maintain purity and lift the fallen 
 to a better life. With all the effort that can be put 
 forth the church will still be compelled to carry as 
 QQUch dead tinjber as it can possibly pull along. 
 
 We expect that Satan will continue his deathly 
 sermons until the gospel age will be at an end. No 
 doubt there will always be those who will lend an 
 
 (10) 
 
156 HOW TO CONDUCT REVIVAL MEETINGS. 
 
 ear to his black doctrines. But let it be under- 
 stood, by all who purpose to work for Christ, that 
 the only method by which the world can be reach- 
 ed will be by the lifting up of Christ to the world, 
 whereby he may draw all men unto Him. The 
 special revival services will not lose their power if 
 those who conduct them will hold to the main feat- 
 ures of the olden time. 
 
 1. An earnest prayer leading up to and during 
 the services. 
 
 2. An humble dependence on the Holy Spirit. 
 
 3. A consecrated effort on the part of every 
 Christian. 
 

 Satan Advances Some Peculiar Arguments on the Use 
 of the Popular Weed. 
 
 ** There would be no need of discussing the sub- 
 ject of tobacco were it not for those who are trying 
 to cla^s the use of tobacco among the evils of hu- 
 man society. One cannot remain silent when a 
 harmless practice is abused by those who know 
 least about it. Men and women who know the value 
 of the great weed are ever ready to sing its praises. 
 It is amusing to see men or women raise up their 
 arms in horror at an innocent thing like tobacco, 
 while at the same time they wink their eyes at some 
 of the great sins, that are eating away the founda- 
 tions of home and happiness. ' ' 
 
 '^The narrow-minded critics never look to see 
 the blessings that come to the human family from 
 the use of tobacco. Such people would be surpris- 
 ed if they knew how many millions of people alive 
 to-day would contribute to the erection of a grand 
 monument in honor of any man of whom it could 
 
158 A TOBACCO SERMON BY SATAN. 
 
 be said that he first gave this innocent weed to the 
 world. ' ' 
 
 ''I want to say for the comfort of all who have 
 learned to appreciate the benefits of tobacco : Do 
 not be alarmed, you will never be robbed of this 
 choice blessing. There will always be enough sen- 
 sible people in the world to uphold a good thing. 
 If you are numbered with the army of tobacco 
 users, you need not be ashamed of your company. 
 It is not only the largest army but it is composed 
 of the most illustrious sons of the human family, 
 from the honest mechanic to the king on his 
 throne. ' ' 
 
 "You may wonder how any one could be op- 
 posed to a practice so beneficial. Allow me to give 
 you a few of the reasons : 
 
 1. ''Because tobacco happens to be of a dark 
 instead of a light color. If its color were light like 
 chewing-gum, it would be considered fit for angels 
 to use." 
 
 2. ''Because it has an unpleasant odor to some. 
 Why should that be an objection? There are many 
 other things that have unpleasant odors that are 
 considered very good. There are some kinds of 
 cheese that are bought on account of their bad 
 smell, and the stronger their odor the more they 
 are worth. There are certain kinds of foods that 
 
A TOBACCO SERMON BY SATAN. 159 
 
 have unpleasant odors to some people, and yet that 
 does not argue that the food is unfit to eat. The 
 reason why tobacco has an unpleasant odor to 
 some people is because they are dainty in their 
 tastes, or not fully developed in their physical 
 senses. A man or woman of a mature experiences 
 well knows how to appreciate the pleasant odor of 
 tobacco. ' ' 
 
 3. ''It is claimed that the use of tobacco is a 
 filthy habit, but filth is a flexible word. If we were 
 to take a mouthful of our food after it is masticat- 
 ed, it would present anything but a pleasant ap- 
 pearance. We are in the habit of swallowing food 
 after we chew it. Thus it happens that one never 
 sees how much filth enters into his stomach. Cer- 
 tainly much more than should ever reach there. 
 The man who uses tobacco is wise enough not to 
 swallow the rich brown liquid, but to expel it from 
 his body, and because of this wisdom he is charged 
 with being filthy. Would it not be an act of im- 
 prudence if a man should swallow all this liquid? 
 I have no apology to make for the man who al- 
 lows his mouth, his mustache and clothing to be 
 stained with tobacco juice. That is an evidence of 
 a man's untidiness, and why should you place the 
 blame on the tobacco! You mark my word that 
 any person who becomes unclean with tobacco, is 
 
leO A TOBACCO SERMON BY SATAN. 
 
 also undean in many of his other habits. Because 
 a person is unclean with a good thing, does not 
 argue that the article itself is unfit for use." 
 
 4. ''It is further claimed that tobacco is an ex- 
 pensive luxury. This phase of the question is 
 hardly worth considering. Anything valuable 
 costs money, and of all the good things in the 
 world, tobacco is one of the cheaj^at. A man can 
 get more solid comfort out of one dollar's worth 
 of tobacco than he can by expending the same 
 amount of money for anything else in the world, 
 even in a lodge or a church. ' ' 
 
 '"There are many other foolish reasons given 
 against the use of tobacco, but it is only a waste 
 of time to consider them. Tobacco has come to 
 stay. It is entrenched forever in the affections of 
 the human race, and it is hardly necessary to pro- 
 duce arguments in favor of it, as it wins its own 
 way. It supplies its own demand and nothing else 
 in the world can take its place. It has cheered 
 many a lonely pilgrim in his journey by day and 
 by night ; it has brought comfort to many a heart 
 in trouble ; it has sent sweet peace into the bosom 
 of the wretch, when nothing else could drown his 
 care, and it has instilled quietness into weak nerves 
 that would otherwise have become prostrated or 
 shattered." 
 
A TOBACCO SERMON BY SATAN. 161 
 
 Not long ago I heard a popular member of the 
 church say that he got more good out of tobacco 
 than out of the prayer meeting. The church and 
 the world would be better if we heard more such 
 words. The best church member is the man who 
 knows how to get the good out of this weed. In 
 his work he is more cool-headed; in his spirit 
 more charitable and in his mind more logical. If 
 I had an option on several men, that would be the 
 kind of a man I would choose to serve me in any 
 cause. 
 
 A y^tia (EDmmrntB an ti^t Qlobarro Btmwn 
 
 It is easily known why Satan makes such a 
 strong defense of the tobacco habit. It is his 
 great century stepping stone from the mild use of 
 narcotics to the open door of intemperance. One 
 does not like to be too severe in placing a whole- 
 sale condemnation upon every person who uses 
 tobacco. The warfare has not been waged in this 
 direction long enough to open the eyes of all good 
 people. The day is not far distant when the mask 
 will be torn off of the Devil and the use of tobacco 
 will be considered in its true light. No words need 
 be lost to prove that the habit is a filthy one, cor- 
 
162 A TOBACCO SERMON BY SATAN. 
 
 rupting both body and soul. The use of tobacco 
 is also weakening. Countless thousands have been 
 wrecked under the terrible blight of this weed, 
 and countless thousands more have had the keen- 
 est edge of their nervous powers worn off. One 
 can never tell how much stronger or healthier he 
 might have been in life, had he never been addict- 
 ed to the use of this weed. 
 
 Perhaps the weakest argument used by Satan 
 is the comfort argument, which indeed ought not 
 to be called an argument. It is not a very high 
 type of manhood that must look for comfort in a 
 cigar, a pipe or a plug of tobacco. If tobacco 
 gives comfort it is just because the absence of it 
 would make a person irritable. It satisfies the 
 craving which it creates, and then because the per- 
 son is satisfied he gives the tobacco the credit of 
 being a comforter. Of what avail is tobacco when 
 great troubles sweep over the soul ? At such times 
 we must rely upon the sure help of the Heavenly 
 Comforter, or be left to the suffering of a cold 
 world. 
 
 The expense of tobacco is worthy of serious con- 
 sideration. It is a well known fact that during a 
 panic when people are star\'ing, that fathers of 
 families will take their last money to buy tobacco 
 rather than bread or dothing for their children. 
 
A TOBACCO SERMON BY SATAN. I63 
 
 This onl/ proves that tobacco holds a controlling 
 hand over the will of the individual, proving that 
 the use of tobacco so weakens a man that he is un- 
 able to exercise his will power as he should. A 
 man should not become a slave to anything in this 
 life, therefore it is better to master the tobacco 
 than to have the tobacco master you. 
 
i«W««i 
 
 m^ ifbtrfi f/z.fr'^ 
 
 Of all the lunch counters controlled by Satan 
 none are more shrewdly managed than his free 
 lunch counters at the Theological Seminary. He 
 offers to give free of charge any kind of lunch of 
 which the students wish to partake. He lectures 
 in his peculiar way, telling the students that if 
 they pay the price for Bible and Moral knowledge 
 he will supply anything on the counter free of 
 charge. 
 
 Just because one can get these free things so 
 easily the counter is well patronized. There is a 
 dish called Conceit that is relished by the average 
 student. Some eat more than their natural share 
 and consequently become top heavy. The Devil 
 will give anybody as much conceit as he wants for 
 nothing. There is another dish called Doubt which 
 is equally relished by some of the students. Some- 
 times when the Devil is very busy, he gets some 
 of the Seminary professors to help him in dealing 
 Doubt to the students. Satan is highly pleased to 
 see such distinguished gentlemen working at the 
 
"^ 
 
 ■l .47 A 
 
 \ Wv. ^^^"^- " "fl 
 
 ^ 
 
 The Devil's Fbee Lttnch CouNTEat. 
 
16G THE DEVIL'S FKEE LUNCH COUNTER. 
 
 free lunch counter. Some have gone so far as to 
 give the students more Doubt than anything else 
 and consequently the student's growth is very un- 
 profitable. 
 
 It would be impossible to name all the differ- 
 ent kinds of dishes that can be found on this pe- 
 culiar counter. We find one kind of food is 
 Worldly Ambitions, another is Despair, while 
 others are intended for the lower instincts of man. 
 
 Altogether too many give heed to the pleasing 
 words of the Devil who is ever preaching his little 
 sermons behind the counter, and it takes a person 
 of strong purpose who is able to reach beyond 
 the counter to grasp the better things that are hid- 
 den. The situation at the present time compels a 
 young man to climb over temptation if he wishes 
 to get anything good. He must reach over the 
 easily accessible dishes containing Pride, Ego- 
 tism, Hatred, Jealousy and the rest of the im- 
 mense bill-of-fare provided by Satan to all seek- 
 ers after truth and righteousness. 
 
 We are happy to say that Satan does not control 
 the keys of the closets. These doors will fly open 
 to any earnest mind who is intent upon finding the 
 truth. If Satan had the power he would lock every 
 door that opens to pure knowledge so tightly that 
 neither man nor God could open it. 
 
THE DEVII/S FKEE LUNCH COUNTER. 167 
 
 The free lunch counter loses its attraction to 
 all young men whose aims are lofty and whose 
 purposes and convictions are pure. We are glad 
 to relate that there are throngs of such students 
 at the Theological Seminary who are working to 
 overcome the influence of the free lunch counter. 
 This condition gives hope for the future and 
 promises to put to shame the pessimist who is 
 prophesying that everything is going bad. Where 
 such students are in abundance the Devil is com- 
 plaining of dull business. 
 
 We are strong in our convictions that the com- 
 ing age will be one in which the present optimist, 
 who rides in his beautiful chariot, will have the 
 opportunity of seeing the fulfillment of his past 
 dreams and the realization of all the blessings 
 long foretold. 
 
iErnm (Som^ j^ 
 
 t0 Hn^ ^Mpl^ 
 
 to (Eljurrly j* ^ 
 
 Address Delivered Before a Meeting of Evil Spirits. 
 
 Once upon a time, the dark spirits in one of 
 their meetings listened to a speech entitled : * ' How 
 to Keep People From Going to Church." We 
 need not mention how the meeting opened or the 
 preliminary business that was transacted before 
 the subject was considered. Suffice to say that at 
 the appointed hour, a tall, shrewd agent of the 
 Devil stood before a mixed company of evil spirits 
 and delivered the following address : 
 
 ^'It is indeed profitable that we consider such a 
 timely subject. By a mutual exchange of opinions 
 we become richer in our general stock of wisdom, 
 therefore it is good for our cause that we meet in 
 gatherings of this kind. How much we were 
 profited by the very able remarks we heard at our 
 last meeting. Since that time we have been more 
 successful in planting the seeds of Infidelity in the 
 minds of church members. ' ' 
 
 **If I could hope to do even a tithe as much 
 good for our cause by my present effort, I should 
 feel well repaid for the work it cost to gather 
 
HOW T0 KEEP PEOPLE FROM CHURCH. 159 
 
 these thoughts and suggestions which I am about 
 to give you. In regard to church attendance I 
 would say that we can never expect to gain de- 
 cided progress so long as there is a large number 
 of church-going j^ersons. If we could x>ersuade 
 people to remain away from the places of worship, 
 it would only be a matter of a few years until the 
 popular craze of church work would be at a very 
 low ebb, and its end would then be in sight." 
 
 ' ' Thus I have shown you the importance of this 
 subject before I present the subject itself to you. 
 We have cause to congratulate ourselves on the 
 great success of our work, and if you will give 
 close attention, I will do my little part to throw 
 out some useful hints along the line of my subject. 
 If I were endeavoring to influence a soul against 
 church attendance, I would work along one or 
 more of the following lines, which I will now 
 briefly indicate: 
 
 1. Kill the influence of the Minister, if possible. 
 
 "This is one of the easiest ways to keep people 
 from religious services. If you can get church 
 members to lose confidence in their preacher, then, 
 even if they should stumble into church, it is not 
 likely that they will get any good from what they 
 hear. When you undertake to kill the minister's 
 influence, you have a right to use any method, 
 
170 SOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM CHURCH. 
 
 whether it is foul or fair. All that you must keep 
 in view is to blacken the preacher's character or 
 get the people to question his ability. If you are 
 a little careful you can easily determine which 
 persons of the congregation will assist you in cir- 
 culating wild rumors or spreading some damag- 
 ing falsehood. If you follow along this line with 
 vigor, you will not only gain a point with many of 
 the people, but you may also get the preacher to 
 believe that it is time for him to resign from the 
 ministry. ' ' 
 
 2. Get them to overwork on Saturday. 
 
 *'One very effectual way to get people to stay 
 away from church on Sunday is to get them to 
 overwork themselves on Saturday. Persons of 
 ordinary strength can be easily caught in this 
 trick. Urge them to work on Saturday until very 
 late at night, so that when they retire, they are 
 completely exliausted. Then in all likelihood when 
 they arise on Sunday morning, they will have a 
 severe headache, or be under the spell of a languid 
 feeling, that even if they do get to church it will 
 not amount to much. ' ' 
 
 3. Sunday visiting. 
 
 ''Encourage Sunday excursions and the enter- 
 tainment of visitors on Sunday, especially during 
 the time covering church hours. '* 
 
HOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FKOM CHUKCH. 171 
 
 ' ' I have noticed in my own experience that some 
 good Christian people who are bold enough to go 
 through fire for their God, are easily caught if 
 some smiling friend comes from a distance just 
 before church time and refuses to go along to 
 meeting. Then again, if we can succeed in getting 
 people to entertain company on Sunday, they will 
 naturally go to much extra work and thereby 
 break the Sabbath day, and this is also a good 
 thing for us." At this juncture, one of the listen- 
 ers interrupted the speaker with the question : 
 
 *'Do you think it is wrong, Mr. Essayist, even 
 from ar Christian standpoint, for one to entertain 
 company on Sunday?" 
 
 ''According to Christianity it is not wrong of 
 itself, if first of all attention is given to public 
 worship and private devotion." 
 
 ' ' But what I wish to know is this : Are we gain- 
 ing any point if we get a person to stay away from 
 church after he has done all that he could do to 
 persuade the visitors to accompany him. Is it not 
 a case of compulsion on the part of the Christian 
 to remain at home under such circumstances'?" 
 
 ''It appears very much that way, and for that 
 reason I have remarked that it is one of the 
 shrewdest schemes that we can work. A person 
 may not be guilty of sin in each case, but one thing 
 
 (") 
 
172 HOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM CHURCH. 
 
 is sure, when he stays at home, that means one 
 more absentee from the church on that day. Even 
 che most sanctified Christian is put to his wit's 
 end, for he does not wish to walk off to church 
 and leave his company at home, nor does he wish 
 to order the company out of the house. It cer- 
 tainly places a person in a trap from which it is 
 hard to escape. Now it is your duty to set the 
 trap as often as you possibly can." 
 
 *'I see the point," said the questioner, ^'and I 
 shall make more effort hereafter along this line. 
 It's not hard to put a notion in some worldly 
 minded person to go and visit a Christian on Sun- 
 day morning, and then refuse to go along to 
 church with him." 
 
 ''Ah!" said the essayist with a smile, "you are 
 getting at the point now, and I hope all of you will 
 catch the inspiration of these ideas and work 
 along this line for all you are worth." 
 
 4. Weather conditions. 
 
 "Make good use of the weather conditions to 
 keep people away from church." 
 
 (A) Stormy weather. 
 
 " If it should be stormy, you have an easy argu- 
 ment, only be sure to advance it, for }t often hap- 
 pens that unless you use your influence some 
 Christians will go to church through any kind of 
 
HOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM CHURCH. 173 
 
 weather. If you are shrewd you can keep many 
 people away from church by suggesting to their 
 minds the dangers of breathing the damp air and 
 the risk that they take of catching cold. If they 
 have no rubbers to cover their shoes, use that as 
 an argument, and if they happen to have rubbers, 
 try and find some fault with them. If there are 
 no holes in them, try and make the owners believe 
 that the rubbers leak somewhere." 
 
 ''Then perhaps you can make a point with the 
 lunbrella argument. If they should happen to 
 have a whole umbrella try and make them believe 
 that it IS too windy to carry it, or that it is out of 
 shape. You understand me, bring up anything 
 imaginable, just so you can influence the person 
 to stay away from church. Let me give you a little 
 of my own experience." 
 
 * ' I undertook, not long ago, "to persuade a per- 
 son to remain away from church in London. Af- 
 ter I had gone to much trouble to get within hear- 
 ing distance, I played upon the man's mind, but 
 I found that he was a stubborn case. He was set 
 upon going to church at all hazards. I used a 
 common argument but that had no effect. The 
 rain was falling quite briskly, and finally I sug- 
 gested to him that his umbrella was not large 
 enough to keep the rain from the lower part of his 
 
174 HOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM CHURCH. 
 
 pantaloons, and, by the way, he had just bought 
 a new pair the day before. This was the opening 
 wedge and I actually won my point. ' ' 
 
 ' * This is merely an illustration and it is to teach 
 you how to work one point after another without 
 giving up too easily. You can see that people do 
 not imagine that it is our voice speaking to them. 
 These suggestions from us are not called tempta- 
 tions ; they just look upon them as thoughts aris- 
 ing in their minds." 
 
 (B) Fair weather. 
 
 '*If it should be very nice weather, then use 
 your influence to get people to take a walk in the 
 bracing air, during the time they are supposed to 
 be in church. Just tell them quietly that they have 
 been confined enough through the week, and if 
 they should get a little of God's fresh air it would 
 be more sensible than to go into a room filled with 
 people, and breathe the foul air, to say nothing 
 of listening to a long monotonous sermon. In this 
 age of wonderful mechanism, do not neglect to 
 persuade people to use the bicycle or automobile 
 for Sunday riding in fine weather." 
 
 ''Be bold in your suggestions. A cowardly 
 heart never wins a great scheme. Stick to a per- 
 son on Sunday morning until you have engaged 
 his mind with one idea after another. Perhaps 
 
HOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM CHURCH. 175 
 
 with a multitude of suggestions you will strike 
 one weak spot in a person's nature, and that will 
 be enough. It pays to work hard to influence a 
 soul to do wrong. We can see the fruits of it in 
 the weakening of the church. ' ' 
 
 (C) Hot and cold weather. 
 
 *'If you are a little shrewd, you will have a 
 wonderful help in the extremes of the weather. A 
 person is never so easily overcome with our ar- 
 guments, as when he has been whipped with the 
 boiling sun until the perspiration flows freely. 
 Hot weather seems to force people into our line 
 and the same is true of cold weather. The oppor- 
 tunities of victory are many, and if you are half in 
 earnest you can keep most people away from 
 church on one pretext or another." 
 
 ''Let me give you an instance of one of my sub- 
 ordinates. He undertook to keep a woman away 
 from church on a hot summer evening. But no, 
 she was determined to go. So my friend quietly 
 whispered in the secret of her heart: 'Don't you 
 know you are liable to faint on such a hot evening 
 if you are closely packed in a pew and cannot have 
 freedom of motion?' " 
 
 "It seems that she had not thought of that be- 
 fore and she had a i)eculiar feeling right after the 
 suggestion was given. This was enough, and as 
 
176 HOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM CHURCH. 
 
 simple as it was, she stayed at home that evening. 
 There is no €xed law on this point: You must 
 simply learn to make use of the circumstances at 
 hand." 
 
 5. Take advantage of social conditions. 
 
 **It is true that in each congregation, some peo- 
 ple belong to the poorer class. Now you can work 
 a pretty scheme by telling the poor people that 
 they are not wanted in that church, especially be- 
 cause their clothing is sadly out of style. Then go 
 to the rich people and tell them that it is beneath 
 their dignity to go to church where so much poor 
 trash is found. This plan works well in congre- 
 gations where the society feeling is well develop- 
 ed." 
 
 6. Health conditions. 
 
 ''We must not be asleep in this fast age of sci- 
 entific advancement. Let us make use of every 
 possible bit of knowledge to advance our cause. 
 Since the discoveries by a man called Pasteur, the 
 people have had their eyes opened to the wonder- 
 ful world of bacteria and animalculae. You can 
 make a very decided impression on the minds of 
 the cultured people by reminding them of the ter- 
 rible danger to which they are exposed in a poor- 
 ly ventilated church, as most churches are. De- 
 scribe the germs of disease floating around in the 
 
MOW TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM CHURCH. 177 
 
 air, and in mad glee rushing down the throat, one 
 million at every breath. Be sure to tell them that 
 if there is one consumptive in the church, that 
 they are liable to carry home with them a few 
 million living microscopic animals." A certain 
 evil spirit then ventured a question: 
 
 ''What should we tell such persons if they 
 should turn upon us and bring up the theatre and 
 other public gatherings of the world?" 
 
 **Just tell them that these public halls are ven- 
 tilated according to science, and that the average 
 churchr sexton knows nothing about science. The 
 less you argue that point the better. If you get 
 hold of a stubborn case, then try to shift the ar- 
 gument to some other point." 
 
 7. Use the arrows of gossip. 
 
 *'I have known cases where everything else 
 failed to keep persons away from church until they 
 were shot by the arrows of gossip. My essay 
 would be incomplete if I should not consider this 
 point. It is very easy to hire some woman or 
 some man to go to a person and tell him that a 
 certain good Christian in the church passed some 
 insinuating remark against him. Also be sure to 
 let the impression that their going to church is a 
 stumbling block to somebody else. This is a 
 strong point and has been proved to have a sledge- 
 
178 HOW TO KEEP PEOPI-E FROM CHURCS. 
 
 hammer e:ffect upon some of the staunchest Chris- 
 tians. You can make certain persons believe that 
 they are suffering for Jesus' sake by remaining 
 at home. If you do succeed in getting them to 
 stay at home, be sure to follow them up, and you 
 may succeed in getting them to stay at home quite 
 a number of Sundays. Then when you have them 
 on slippery paths, you can make them fall with 
 more ease." 
 
 8. Stir up controversy whenever possible. 
 
 ''Stir up a fight whenever you can. Create jeal- 
 ousies and develop a spiteful and revengeful na- 
 ture. In this manner you can drive out more re- 
 ligion in one day than a person can pray into his 
 heart in a whole week. Now listen to me carefully 
 for some of you do not seem to realize which are 
 the strongest weapons of your warfare. Work 
 hard to create dissensions, as it takes very little 
 to get some church members to fight. They wUl 
 often fight with one another over something worth 
 less than a bone. Afterward some of them will 
 very likely remain away from church altogether. ' ' 
 
 "When you do get a good fight started, hiss 
 them on. Don't worry about how many feathers 
 are pulled or how fast the hair flies. The more the 
 better. You just stand back and clap your hands 
 and cheer them all you can. It is always more en- 
 
Sow TO KEEP PEOPLE FKOM CHURCH. 17§ 
 
 joyable to see a set of professing Christians quar- 
 rel, than to see a good bulldog fight. ' ' 
 
 At this point the essayist came to an abrupt 
 ending. The auditors who had cheered enthusi- 
 astically during the reading of the essay were also 
 cheering lustily at the last sentence, and as soon 
 as they realized that the essay was finished, they 
 redoubled their cheers. The hosts of Hell will al- 
 ways give applause to anything that is damaging 
 to the church of Christ or any of its members. 
 
__ /* ^ 
 
 One day we met a man who had listened to many 
 a sermon by Satan on the subject of the lower pas- 
 sions. He had been told that it was good for a 
 man to be like the beast in his body, and in his 
 mind to rise beyond the things that are earthly. 
 This teaching pleased the man, and consequently 
 he tried to develop both sides of his nature so as 
 to be well-balanced. The result was just the same 
 as if you would throw a weight over the wings of 
 a bird and then expect to see it j3y away toward the 
 blue of Heaven. The man had been told in one 
 of Satan's sermons that nature called only for that 
 which should be granted, and therefore that he 
 should not deny himself by a constant restraint. 
 It would be a long story if we were to tell what 
 arguments Satan used to persuade this man to 
 live the life of a libertine. He was confused by one 
 fallacy after another, until the finer sense of his 
 moral taste was perverted. 
 
 Speaking in general it is sadly true that Satan 
 takes advantage of human inclinations, and 
 
SAtAN ON SENSUALITY. 181 
 
 strikes his telling blows at the weakest part of 
 man's nature. As a result of this condition we 
 find that there are many willing disciples who 
 gladly render obedience to Satan's black sermons 
 of Sensuality and Adultery. These sermons that 
 seem to have a wizard influence are whispered in 
 the ear of the soul, and blast the flower of purity 
 more than cruel frost would blast a rose. 
 
 How sublime is the word of God in its portrayal 
 of human nature. It mentions the flesh as one of 
 the chiefest enemies, and teaches that he who con- 
 quers this foe is a real hero, and that he will re- 
 ceive a more glorious reward than kings bestow 
 upon their favorites. 
 
 Look at one of the illustrious characters of the 
 New Testament. He forged his way to the front 
 through visible and invisible foes that threatened 
 to overcome him. Paul proved his strength by 
 his steadiness even when the thorn in the flesh was 
 pricking out his patience. He lifts up his praises 
 to God for this bitter means whereby he was en- 
 abled to scale mighty heights in his experience. 
 The peculiar type of this conflict brought into ex- 
 ercise the strongest parts of his nature. The 
 power by which he won this victory was the very 
 force that made him master of his times. 
 
 If Satan were honest he would confess that 
 
182 SAT^AN ON SENSUALITY. 
 
 since he did not create man, therefore he does not 
 know what is essential to his highest development. 
 But God, who not only formed but sustains the 
 human framework with its conscious soul con- 
 nected, knows that the pathway to real achieve- 
 ment is rough, and covered with many a thorn. 
 The man who is master of the flesh is a world-con- 
 queror, and some day he will be luler over an em- 
 pire more vast than any that earth ever knew. 
 
 Satan is not satisfied if a person takes one or 
 two lessons in crime, or if he travel on the soul- 
 deadening path of Sensuality, but he is constantly 
 endeavoring to persuade people to travel on one 
 or another of the degrading by-paths that lead off 
 from Sensuality. One of the most famous of 
 these by-paths is the one called Adultery. Satan 
 or one of his agents is ever standing at the junc- 
 tion of these two roads and putting forth every 
 effort to induce those who have gone into Sensu- 
 ality to travel off into Adultery. 
 
 As you look at the picture you can see how 
 careful Satan is to place the traps of Adultery be- 
 hind a cliff of rocks, so that they who travel on the 
 path of Sensuality cannot see the destruction into 
 which they are so liable to fall. The temptations 
 of the enemy are manifold to persuade i)eoplo 
 .into this calamity, and if one sets his foot upon 
 
SATAN ON SENSUALITY. jgj 
 
 the path of Adultery there are always grinning 
 imps enough, as you see in the picture hiding be- 
 hind the rocks, to pull the trap door, so that he 
 may suddenly stumble into the abyss of ruin. 
 
 It should be clearly understood that the Devil 
 is the sole owner of the many paths that lead off 
 from Sensuality. He has one path called Forni- 
 cation, upon which many are induced to travel. 
 To such he offers a beverage of obscenity which 
 so deadens their sensibility that they stumble on 
 in crime with a thoughtlessness that is appalling. 
 
 Another by-path of Sensuality is called Concu- 
 piscence, which leads off into a vile park. There 
 are other by-paths to correspond to every shade 
 of sensual sin. Thousands of demons are em- 
 ployed all along this black district, sapping the 
 life-blood of the millions, and destroying the souls 
 of all who aUow themselves to become slaves of 
 the lower nature, by following the dictates of 
 fleshy lusts. 
 
 We would sound a word of warning: Do not 
 travel on the general path of Sensuality, which is 
 in the territory of the Devil. If you keep off of 
 this path you will not be led into any one of the 
 terrible places such as are indicated in the picture 
 heretofore mentioned. 
 
 The only reward that Satan offers to any one 
 
184 SATAN ON SENSUALITY. 
 
 who enters upon Adultery is pollution and defile- 
 ment in sugar-coated form. This, when taken, is 
 so blackening that its stain cannot be erased from 
 the soul by any power except Almighty God, and 
 then only at the earnest supplication of the one 
 defiled. 
 
One cannot tra\ el the By-Path of Adultery withol't falling 
 
 INTO ONE OR another OF THE TRAPS OF SaTAN. 
 
THK kind ok LIHIORTY THAT SOME YOUNG MEN ARK ENJOYING. 
 
 "Ah,"' rei'liei) the rich young jian, "I will not be held 
 
 DOWN I5Y A SET OF CHURCH RXTLES. I AM BOUND TO BE A 
 
 FREE MAN." 
 
A very pious clergyman, while on liis way to 
 church one day, met a friend who was under the 
 bondage of sin. The minister was very much in- 
 terested in the young man's welfare, and he paus- 
 ed upon the highway and spoke to him kindly con- 
 cerning the terrible consequences of sin. The 
 young man was rich and handsome and, by reason 
 of his standing in society, he had thus far main- 
 tained a neat appearance. 
 
 The handsome young man did not realize how 
 far he had gone in sin nor to what extent he was 
 bound by dissipation. He was flattered so much 
 by his friends, and he seemed to have such a gay 
 time, that he was led to imagine that he was en- 
 joying the greatest amount of liberty possible. 
 
 ''Will you accompany me to yonder churchl'* 
 requested the minister. 
 
 ''For what reason?" tersely asked the gentle- 
 man. 
 
 "For your own good and the good of others 
 over whom you may have an influence/* 
 
188 THE BONDAGE OF SIN. 
 
 "Wculd you insinuate that I am not good?'* 
 
 ''I am insinuating nothing. I had only politely 
 asked you to go with me to church." 
 
 ''Perhaps you think I ought to join church?" 
 interrogated the young man with an air of dignity. 
 
 ' * I am certain that you would be better and hap- 
 pier in time and in eternity if you were to forsake 
 your sins and unite with the church." 
 
 "Ah!" replied the rich young man, ''I will not 
 be held down by a set of church rules or by the 
 bondage of a Christian life. I am bound to be a 
 free man." 
 
 " 'Bound down,' my friend, do you not realize 
 that you are already bound a hundred times more 
 than you could ever be bound by any church 1 Per- 
 haps you do not realize that you are already under 
 a terrible weight of intemperance, but because of 
 your physical strength you are, as yet, bearing it 
 with ease. But mark my words, that burden will 
 crush you to death if you do not shake it off." 
 
 "Hold on, parson!" interjected the courteous 
 gentleman, "you are becoming rather personal. 
 If I were a hothead like some men I should reply 
 to you with warmth in my words." 
 
 "I hope I have not misjudged you," continued 
 the minister, "I had hoped that you would ap- 
 preciate the plain words of truth, from one who is 
 
THE BONDAGE OF SiN. ^g^ 
 
 ever your true friend. I know I am talking to a 
 gentlemanly man, therefore I pray tliat you will 
 give heed to my warning this day. ' ' 
 
 * ' But why do you speak with such alarm in your 
 words?" 
 
 *'Just because I can clearly see that you are al- 
 ready under bonds, which if you do not shake off 
 will shackle you to death. Your trouble is not 
 only intemperance, my friend, but if your eyes 
 were open you could readily see what weights you 
 are carrying with you. You are already chained 
 by lust, vanity and other weights." 
 
 **Now parson, pardon me for interrupting you 
 a second time. It seems to me that you are rather 
 impolite in referring to me in such a personal 
 manner. ' ' 
 
 * * I am your best friend if you only knew it By 
 the help of God I would have you realize that you 
 are bound down by something worse than all the 
 church rules in the world." 
 
 The young man became irritated so much by 
 the words of the minister that he turned away and 
 ceased to regard his kindly admonitions. The eye 
 of the minister followed him as he proceeded in 
 the course of sin and folly. 
 
 (la) 
 
If it were not foe Uncle Sam, the Saloon Devil would be 
 ovebtheown mobe easily. why does he pbotect it? 
 
T&nth ^am ^ ^ ^ ^ 
 
 Once upon a time the Saloon Devil looked up 
 into the face of Uncle Sam and asked for employ- 
 ment. 
 
 **What kind of work do you want?" said Uncle 
 Sam as he bent his tall form to catch the answer 
 of the low Devil. 
 
 *'To create and satisfy the appetitie for strong 
 drink. ' ' 
 
 **Very well," answered Uncle Sam, ''you may 
 go to work at once in any manner you choose." 
 
 So the Saloon Devil went to work with a high 
 hand. He sold to the rising generation and those 
 of riper years all manner of intoxicating bever- 
 ages. The result of his work was very disastrous. 
 He made such things as ruined souls, broken 
 hearts, broken homes and all manner of woe, want, 
 wretchedness and death, to say nothing of the 
 almshouses, asylums and penitentiaries that he 
 helped to fill. 
 
 Now it happened that Uncle Sam noticed the 
 nature of the work done by this Saloon Devil, who 
 
192 THE SALOON DEVIL AND UNCLE SAM. 
 
 in turn well knew that Unele Sam was watching 
 him, but the Devil did not know how to cover his 
 evil work. Sometime afterward the two met again 
 and the following conversation took place: 
 
 *^You remember, Mr. Saloon Devil, that I gave 
 you permission to do a certain kind of work, but 
 I never dreamed that your work would be so hor- 
 rible. Now be honest and tell me what you have 
 accomplished. ' ' 
 
 ^'I admit," confessed the Saloon Devil, ''that 
 my work is looked upon as being disrespectable, 
 and I pray that you will this day make me appear 
 more decent in the eyes of the public. By reason 
 of your great strength and influence you have the 
 power to place upon me a new robe of respecta- 
 bility." 
 
 "And how can I do that I" asked Uncle Sam in 
 a friendly manner. 
 
 "You can adopt license laws to regulate the li- 
 quor business, and by complying with these laws, 
 I can do an honorable business under the sanction 
 and authority of my great Uncle Sam." 
 
 "But that will be putting my approval upon 
 it," said Uncle Sam suspiciously. 
 
 "You can easily do that with profit to yourself 
 by charging me a nice sum for the license. The 
 money you get through the granting of licenses 
 
THE SALOON DEVIL AND UNCLE SAM. 193 
 
 dlone will be more than sufficient to run the public 
 schools, so if there is a little harm done by the 
 business on one side, there will be untold blessings 
 poured out upon your children on the other side. ' ' 
 
 Uncle Sam chuckled in an odd fashion as this 
 ingenious scheme was unfolded to him. *'You 
 are indeed a clever old Devil, and I have a mind 
 to comply with your request. If you pay the 
 amount of money I fix, I will protect you in your 
 business by making it legal. Then if anyone 
 forcibly interferes with you, I will fight him off, 
 even if I must use the whole army and navy of 
 the United States to accomplish it." 
 
 The Saloon Devil was highly elated over his for- 
 tunate deal. He knew that he could not live long 
 under natural freedom unless he won some kind of 
 public endorsement. He was perfectly willing to 
 pay any price that Uncle Sam might demand, 
 knowing that he could produce a cheaper grade of 
 liquor or sell it at a higher figure, or in some way 
 (fonduct the business, so that the extra cost of li- 
 cense would fall upon the consumers instead of 
 the saloon-keepers. 
 
 A short time after this, one could see the power- 
 ful hand of Uncle Sam placed in protection over 
 the Saloon Devil, and the people stood wondering 
 at the situation. 
 
194 THE SALOON DEVIL AND UNCLE SAM. 
 
 The Saloon Devil, although robed in a respect- 
 able garment, continued to do the same horrible 
 and dirty work as before. It seemed that nothing 
 satisfied his greed but the most terrible outrages 
 resulting from the use and abuse of intoxicating 
 drinks. 
 
 He always put a screen between the outside and 
 the inside sign of his business. He rejoiced at the 
 thousands of delirium tremens patients that were 
 carried to hospitals, or madly tore their way 
 through the open door of Hell, reeking, foaming 
 and screaming as they went down. The Saloon 
 Devil loved crape, and rejoiced time after time as 
 he saw it hanging from the doors of homes, where- 
 in a son lay dead who had fallen down early under 
 the Juggernaut wheels of Alcohol. 
 
 Whenever jails and penitentiaries were too small 
 this same Demon laughed in ghoulish glee, and 
 when fresh idiots were pushed into crowded asy- 
 lums, he grinned with a satisfaction that was sick- 
 ening and revolting to contemplate. Whenever a 
 frenzied brain directed a murderer's hand to 
 plunge a fatal knife or discharge a deadly weapon 
 in the Saloon quarrel, this Saloon Devil would cry 
 out as he saw the crimson heart's blood flowing in 
 spurts: "That's my favorite color now, hurrah 
 for blood red." 
 
THE SALOON DEVIL AND UNCLE SAM. 195 
 
 Such common spectacles as suffering and starv- 
 ing orphans and widows served to whet the appe- 
 tite of this Demon as seasoning does in the food of 
 mortals. If it ever happened that any one told 
 him to stop his hellish business he would point 
 with pride to his license neatly framed, and de- 
 clare that he was doing an honorable business 
 under the sanction of Uncle Sam. Just as hon- 
 orable as the grocery or dry goods business. 
 
 No tongue or pen can portray the terribleness 
 of this whole business. By reason of its wither- 
 ing effects, numberless efforts have been made by 
 individuals to check the insolent advance of the 
 Rum Devil. All these proved of but little account. 
 The most effective work has been accomplish- 
 ed by one or another of the organizations having 
 for their sole aim the overthrow of the Rum Devil. 
 One of the movements that has been, and is still 
 endeavoring to destroy the Saloon Devil, is called 
 Local Option. As this force marches towards the 
 enemy, it finds that Uncle Sam and his soldiers 
 are standing in defense of the whole liquor busi- 
 ness. So Local Option, with much difficulty, must 
 labor heavily to operate even on a small area at 
 one time. Local Option would accomplish much 
 more if it were not for the respectability with 
 which uncle Sam has clothed the Saloon Devil. 
 One day the Saloon Devil noticed the anny of 
 
196 THE SALOON DEVIL AND UNCLE SAM. 
 
 W. C. T. U. and he told Uncle Sam that he dread- 
 ed that crowd of women about as much as any- 
 thing else. ''They are so sneaking in their work. 
 Their indirect methods and roundabout ways, I 
 fear, will do more to cut off my future supply of 
 customers than anything else." 
 
 Uncle Sam looked down upon the Saloon Devil 
 and asked him what he thought of the Prohibition 
 Hosts that were advancing. 
 
 "I shudder with dread as I think of them, but 
 so long as I can keep the church blinded to the 
 value of a united move against me, I can smile at 
 the few votes that fall like lead upon me. I have 
 worked harder to keep the saloon question out of 
 politics than you can imagine. I always urge peo- 
 ple to pray and talk and wait. Every single vote 
 that hits a saloon, hits me. Bless you, dear Uncle 
 Sam, nothing makes me feel so safe before my 
 enemies as your strong arm raised in protection 
 over me." 
 
 "Yes, my son," said Uncle Sam, ''and you shall 
 have my strong arm so long as you pay me such 
 large sums of money to carry on your business." 
 
 "What think you of the Anti-Saloon League 
 that is arrayed against you?" further asked 
 Uncle Sam. 
 
 "I could no more stand before them than I 
 could before any of the other powers if it were not 
 
THE SALOON DEVIL AND UNCLE SAM. 197 
 
 for your blessed hand, my dear Uncle. As long 
 as you place your strong sanction of license au- 
 thority upon my head, I shall feel safe from the 
 armies that are moving upon me to bring about 
 my destruction. ' ' 
 
 ''As to the church I have but little fear inas- 
 much as the attack from that source is scattered. 
 I must admit," smilingly continued the Devil, 
 "that if the church forces were united that they 
 could do eternal damage. I am even convinced 
 that they would have the power to pull your hand 
 off of my head." 
 
 "Never mind," said Uncle Sam, "just you go 
 ahead creating widows and orphans, j&lling jails 
 and almshouses, sending thousands to the peni- 
 tentiary and killing thousands upon thousands 
 every year. Just go ahead and blast the hearts 
 and hopes of many. Continue your robbing, 
 plundering and ruining. I will keep my hand upon 
 your head until there are enough voters in my do- 
 minion who shall declare that you should no long- 
 er be clothed with respectable authority. Then, 
 my son, I shall leave you to fight your battles 
 alone and not until then." 
 
 How many people think that it would be a good 
 thing to take away the hand of protection which 
 covers the saloon and in its place let the verdict 
 of condemnation fall upon it? 
 
'^ 
 
 (i^^^^i^^^J 
 
 % S^iiil 0n Huk^ 4:34 
 
 ''These three words in the form of a command 
 were spoken many centuries ago, under strange 
 circumstances. A certain man was filled with a 
 spirit of independence and was controlled by what 
 is called an unclean spirit. This unclean influ- 
 ence was in reality a dignified and powerful spirit 
 who was swaying the man contrary to the wishes 
 of one who was called Christ. Consequently when 
 Christ approached the man He was in the act of 
 displaying His power, when the spirit within the 
 man cried out in commanding tones: 'Let us 
 alone.* This was done in a cool deliberate man- 
 ner and only because Christ was i-eaching after 
 territory which was in the possession of anothor ' ' 
 
LET US ALONE. 199 
 
 ''If it were not for the interference on the part 
 of Christ, this world would see what Satan was 
 able to do. It is now as it always has been, if any 
 person has ill luck or chooses to act mean, all the 
 responsibility is placed on the broad shoulders of 
 an innocent Devil. All the black crimes of which 
 men and women are guilty and all the filthy deeds 
 with which they pollute themselves are also made 
 chargeable to the Devil. This unjust condition of 
 affairs has been going on for several thousand 
 years, even before Christ came into the world in 
 person. If the Devil had one chance to prove his 
 innocence and to show to the world what he could 
 do, millions of people would open their eyes in 
 astonishment. ' ' 
 
 ' ' The so called unclean spirit that controlled the 
 man mentioned in the text is called by all kinds 
 of black names, just because he has incurred the 
 displeasure of the Great Spirit who created all 
 things. Satan works on the same principles that 
 govern the nations of the earth. Whatever he 
 gains by conquest he claims. I need not pause to 
 relate the magnificent conquest through which Sa- 
 tan passed in order to gain possession of this man. 
 One thing is sure, Satan held possession at the 
 time when Christ made his appearance. There- 
 fore, 1 wish to ask, in the name of fairness, who 
 
At the AfPfiOAcii OF Christ the devils held fast to thb man 
 
 AND CRIED out: "LjIT US ALONE." 
 
LET US ALONE. 
 
 had the right to this man at the time when these 
 events occurred! The answer is not hard to find. 
 Satan was the indisputable master of that man 
 and no one had a right to interfere with him. 
 Christ took advantage of the situation and hap- 
 pened to meet the man in one of his changeable 
 moods. This explains why he stepped aside from 
 His regular work of the day to win a convert." 
 
 * * It is stated in the same narrative that the man 
 was thrown around, which will not be denied. Sa- 
 tan did what any soldier would do when attacked. 
 He made an effort to defend his possessions. And 
 had it not been that he was compelled to fight 
 against two, there would have been no question as 
 to the outcome. Satan can always conquer a man 
 when he gets him alone. And he can always keep 
 him under control so long as no one interferes." 
 
 *'In the light of all these facts the three words 
 of our text are very significant. ' Let us alone ' is a 
 fitting command from the mouth of a prince who 
 is well able to manage his own affairs. I will give 
 you a few circumstances under which Satan 
 should be left alone." 
 
 I. ''Whenever Satan is in full possession of a 
 man or woman he should be left alone so as to 
 complete the work which he has already com- 
 menced. ' ' 
 
202 I'ET US ALONE. 
 
 ''The reason why there are so many moral 
 wrecks is because Satan is interfered with and no- 
 body else understands how to complete the work 
 which he has commenced. If Satan is left alone 
 he will bring a soul to its highest development 
 even though it be over a rough path. ' ' 
 
 2. ''Satan should not be disturbed when he is 
 training a person to intemperate habits." 
 
 " It is one of the most difficult tasks in the world 
 to train a man properly along the line of intemper- 
 ance. It often happens that when Satan is about 
 to finish his work that some busybody interferes 
 and spoils the whole job. Some people are very 
 unreasonable in blaming Satan for all the miser- 
 able effects of intemperance. Why don't they put 
 the blame on the Creator who implanted such a 
 craving appetitie in the individual. The Devil is 
 the most merciful creature living. He takes a 
 man just as he is and tries to give him satisfaction 
 along the line of his appetitie, and if the Creator 
 has given him a strong will power the man will be 
 able to carry out the whole program of the Devil 
 and in the end come out a perfect man. Satan 
 cries out to-day in his unmistakable language; 
 'Let us alone.' We understand our business and 
 no one ought to assume the right to spoil the pro- 
 gram which we have made. " 
 
LET US ALONE. 203 
 
 3. ' ' Satan should be let alone when he is trying 
 to manage the affairs of civil government." 
 
 ''It has been of great profit to the world that 
 the Devil was permitted to show what he could do 
 when once he holds the reins of state. The best 
 results that have been seen on the stage of human 
 history have been produced under the guiding 
 hand of the so-called black prince of the air. The 
 only reason for all this is because Satan is a 
 shrewd financier and a safe politician. The most 
 illustrious governments of ancient history were 
 all unde^ the domination of his Satanic majesty. 
 The ruling spirits of the world during the middle 
 ages all drank from the cup of knowledge furnish- 
 ed by the hand of Satan. The great nations that 
 stood between .ancient and modern civilization 
 have been the very forces that made possible the 
 glorious achievement of later centuries. In regard 
 to modem history, no one seems to understand to 
 what an important degree Satan has played his 
 part on the thrones of kingdoms and the legisla- 
 tive halls of republics." 
 
 "In the light of this truth is it not painful to 
 see the manner in which some Christians are 
 struggling to interfere with Satan in his own king- 
 dom. Since Satan has done so well in the past 
 why not trust him to the future. We hope that 
 this will be done throughout the world." 
 
g04 LET US ALONE. 
 
 4. *' Satan should be positively let alone in the 
 heathen countries of the world. Is it not a won- 
 derful creature who is able to bring blessings to 
 humanity by civilization at one place, and at the 
 same time bring blessings through heathendom at 
 other places. Satan has a rightful command over 
 all the dark nations of the earth, and therefore 
 what right has the followers of Christ to inter- 
 fere? This very interference has cost not only 
 many human lives, but untold pain and suffering 
 to the innocent heathens who are involved. 
 
 ''These four grand divisions do not comprehend 
 all the instances in which Satan should be let 
 alone. They are merely samples of the situation. 
 And to put the whole matter into a nutshell I 
 would assert that Satan should be let alone at all 
 times inasmuch as he holds an undoubted claim 
 on the world." 
 
 OIommpntH an t\)t Aboup ^rrmnn Qj 
 
 l£il 
 
 Can anybody mix the truth and the untruth so 
 shrewdly as the Devil? Some of his blackest lies 
 are made to look a little white just because he 
 knows how to do it. The foregoing sermon is 
 faulty in construction, faulty in logic and infin- 
 itely worse than all that it is as untrue as it can 
 
LET US ALONE. 205 
 
 be. "We will make no particular mention of the 
 first part of the sermon but will confine ourselves 
 to the four general reasons which Satan gives to 
 urge that he should be left alone. 
 
 1. We do not doubt that Satan would like to be 
 left alone when he gets possession of a soul, for 
 it is on such kind of soil that he can raise the most 
 poisonous weeds if no one opposes his despicable 
 work. He knows very well what the result will be 
 if he can have his own way in any individual soul. 
 He will bring it into full subjection to himself, 
 and will thereby deaden the conscience, blast the 
 virtue until the last fire of hope has died out. 
 Nothing but the blackest ruin lies in the wake of 
 his route and if he were to tell the truth he would 
 unfold a tale of horrors that would be sickening 
 to hear and a thousand times more terrible to ex- 
 perience. It is the business of every good mean- 
 ing man and woman to interfere as much as pos- 
 sible with the work of the Devil in the human soul. 
 
 2. So far as intemperance is concerned it hardly 
 seems necessary that anything need be said. The 
 church or the world is fully conscious of the man- 
 ner in which Satan trains one in intemx>erance. 
 By the time he is through with his training he has 
 a body that is bloatd, a pocketbook that is empty, 
 a brain that is ruined and a soul that is lost. That 
 
 131 
 
206 I^ET US ALONE. 
 
 is the highest training mark that the Devil ever 
 reaches when he is let alone. 
 
 3. In this third sentence Satan uses his most 
 subtle views. He jumbles together one bad asser- 
 tion after another as if they were all matter of 
 fact. He makes no attempt to prove anything he 
 says, and the great majority of his claims are ab- 
 solutely false. 
 
 Any one who has studied ancient, medieval or 
 modern history is easily convinced that the Devil 
 played no particular part in the upbuilding of the 
 human race. On the other hand he has played the 
 part of holding back the real light from flooding 
 over the countries of the globe, whether it be the 
 real light of civilization or the light of the cross. 
 It was the Devil who inspired the great movement 
 to drown out the hopeful light of civilization in 
 Greece. It was not so much Xerxes at the head 
 of Ihe armies of Asia as it was the Devil. It was 
 the Devil who instigated the movements of the 
 Crescent against the Cross with the endless tales 
 of bloody horror which have not yet ceased. It 
 was the Devil who kept the fires of inquisition 
 burning so as to retard the progress of religious 
 light and liberty. It was the same Devil who ran 
 a race to the shores of America to cultivate th« 
 seeds of slavery and infidelity. What more in- 
 
LET US AL©NE. 207 
 
 stances are required to show that Satan has had a 
 black hand and a devastating influence over the 
 affairs of men. 
 
 4. The logic that Satan uses to prove that he 
 has a right to the heathen countries of the world 
 is about as perfect as a broken window pane. It 
 is sadly true that he has had his own way in 
 many sections of the globe through long centuries 
 of time. But this right of possession does not 
 argue the right of maintenance, especially when 
 the Devil is a liar and a murderer. It is to be ex- 
 pected that Satan will oppose the missionary ope- 
 ration of the church, for he knows that his king- 
 doms are being shaken more and more as the 
 kingdom of Christ is established. We may all re- 
 joice in the open door of hope through which the 
 advancing columns of Christ's army have entered 
 with more complete victory ever in sight. The 
 Devil need not expect that we will let him alone, 
 neither will our God let him alone for he is a 
 doomed creature. For yet a little while he may 
 show his angel face and his horrid horns, but then 
 he will be confined to penal chains. He will then 
 be left alone with his own and with those who have 
 chosen him for their god, but those who have re- 
 jected him will be let alone to work out the glor- 
 ious miracles of grace in the light of the millennial 
 and the long eternity following. 
 
What we here call the Hobbly Factory repre- 
 sents one of the most remarkable branches of Sa- 
 tan's industries. It is a place where hobbies are 
 manufactured for the use of such persons as can 
 be persuaded to ride them. The following is given 
 as an outline of an address delivered by Satan to 
 the managers of this large factory. 
 
 "I am glad to meet with you on this occasion. 
 It gives me great pleasure to look into the faces of 
 those who have rendered such excellent service in 
 my kingdom. I have called you together at this 
 time to give you a few additional instructions rela- 
 tive to this particular branch of our work. It is 
 quite evident that the use of Hobbies will never 
 be out of date and in order for us to do more ef- 
 fective work we must improve on our present pat- 
 terns, and keep adding new designs as rapidly as 
 possible. We have found by past experience that 
 we can reach certain people with a wooden horse 
 quicker than with one of flesh," 
 
 ''You deserve much praise for the manner in 
 
THE HOBBY FACTORY. 209 
 
 which you have induced many professing Chris- 
 tians to become radical and so narrow in their be- 
 lief that they can easily confine themselves to rid- 
 ing one of these Hobbies. (Riding one idea to 
 death.) I admit that you have some professing 
 Christians that are hard to handle. They are 
 charitable and do not allow themselves to live be- 
 tween high and narrow walls where the light can 
 reach them at one angle only." 
 
 Note : The Devil does not like Christians whose 
 hearts are open to the beams of truth shining 
 from any direction. There is a type of broad- 
 mindedness that is well pleasing to Satan but not 
 that kind in which the sincere heart is ever open 
 to conviction. 
 
 As Satan continued to speak to the managers he 
 put new earnestness in his voice: 
 
 '' Whenever you can make a Hobby so attractive 
 that an earnest Christian will confine himself to 
 riding it instead of working in the great vineyard 
 and sacrificing for Christ, you have won a good 
 victory. ' ' 
 
 ''In our work we meet with a certain class of 
 earnest, devoted Christians on whom our teachings 
 have no effect. They are temptation proof and 
 Devil proof. T^^iat can we better do with such 
 people than to get them to ride some Hobby. It 
 
210 THE HOBBY FACTORY. 
 
 is my experience that this method proves more ef- 
 fective than any other. If we can succeed in get- 
 ting a good, well balanced worker to run off on 
 one line until he believes that his Hobby is the 
 best of all, then it may happen that he will look 
 down upon his brother as being his inferior in 
 righteousness, just because he differs from him in 
 opinion. The more we can kill charity among 
 brethren, the more will the power of the church be 
 crippled. ' ' 
 
 ''There arc many fault-finding church-members 
 who can be persuaded to ride a Hobby. For these 
 we ought to have some of special design, so that 
 when they ride on them they will be rocked to 
 sleep. When their eyes are once closed to the war- 
 fare of a Christian's life, they become an easy 
 prey to any form of temptation that may come 
 along. ' ' 
 
 "I rejoiced greatly as I looked over the wide 
 field of our operations to see that we have in use 
 several millions of Hobbies. The most of these 
 are special doctrinal Hobbies. It is a pleasing 
 spectacle to behold so many members of the church 
 riding themselves to death on the lifeless horses 
 that have been manufactured right here in this 
 wonderful building. You, my esteemed managers, 
 must not think you are employed in any mean de- 
 
THE HOBBY FACTORY. 21 1 
 
 partment of my service. If you do your work 
 well, you are entitled to a rich reward. Even the 
 most common branch of my work has its important 
 features. In your labors you cannot be too ingeni- 
 ous, nor can you be too exact. Spare not the stain- 
 ing pot or the paint brush or the finishing mate- 
 rials. Your cares and your pains will find reward 
 in good results. Just a few days ago I noticed that 
 a man of considerable intellectual power, who 
 might have made a good worker in the ranks of 
 our enemies, was switched off on a tangent and it 
 is very likely that the rest of his life will be spent 
 in trying to prove that true baptism consists in be- 
 ing dipped backward into the water, and that any 
 other form is null and void. This is quite a victory 
 for our cause. Not because it is wrong to dip a 
 person backward, but if we can get a person to be- 
 lieve that no other way is right, then he will regard 
 many an earnest Christian as being out of har- 
 mony with Bible truths. ' ' 
 
 Bamt l\aUsi on llyp iRemarkfi ilaJJe 
 
 It is very difficult to tell what kind of eccentric 
 people the Devil likes the best. There are some 
 people who believe that Satan has nothing to do 
 
212 THE HOBBY FACTORY, 
 
 with making a man extremely radical on some re- 
 ligious doctrine. These same people seem to think 
 that there is no Devil mean enough to trespass on 
 religious territory, and so they have been working 
 side by side with Satan without seeming to know 
 it. A person is excused for holding firmly to any 
 views that he sincerely believes to be right, so long 
 as he is charitable enough to respect another who 
 honestly differs from him. 
 
 If a person holds strange views on some doc- 
 trine, we ought not to condem him because of that. 
 But when such a man believes that his opinion or 
 his interpretation of Scripture is absolutely cor- 
 rect, and that everybody else who holds a different 
 view is wrong, then we have a right to believe that 
 he has been tricked by the Devil. It often happens 
 that such a person, in his zeal to push his own idea 
 to the front, will ride his Hobby to death. And 
 when the Hobby falls to pieces the rider usually 
 shares bitterly in the calamity. 
 
 Suppose a person is led to believe that Saturday 
 is the Scriptural Sabbath. We must not be too 
 quick in censuring him for holding such a belief, 
 so long as he exercises charity toward those who 
 cannot look at the subject as he claims to see it. 
 Here is a chance for Satan to do mischief by urg- 
 ing a man to violate the first laws of Christianity. 
 
THE HOBBY FACTORY. 3^3 
 
 We have seen people who held views contrary to 
 long accepted belief, pass judgment upon all Chris- 
 tians who refused to accept their views. Thus they 
 placed themselves in a little class by themselves, 
 and in an indirect manner, gave everybody else, 
 who refused to accept their views, a passport to the 
 place outside of Heaven. 
 
 Some of the best people in the world believe in 
 plain dress and surely no objection should be of- 
 fered against any one for having such convictions. 
 It must be admitted that pride is choking out the 
 life of many professing Christians. The person 
 who rides the Dress Hobby, is the one who is more 
 proud of his plain clothing, than some other per- 
 sons may be of their gaudy attire. A person can be 
 good and do good without boasting much about it. 
 We have met people in our lifetime who seem to 
 teach by their actions that if others wear clothing 
 similar to theirs it will count to them for right- 
 eousness. A person cannot be too earnest in work- 
 ing for the kingdom of God. The more zeal the 
 better. But a person may do service for Satan by 
 holding tenaciously to extreme views on one or 
 more of the complex questions of theology or 
 Christian practice. My friend, get off your Hobby, 
 which does not mean that you must change your 
 faith or belief, but to remember that it is possible 
 for you to be too extreme in your belief. 
 
214 THE HOBBY FACTORY. 
 
 If we would be like Paul and say ' ' this one thing 
 I do" and let that one thing be the lofty purpose 
 which Paul had, then nobody could offer objection 
 if we pushed ahead with one end in view. If you 
 are in the dark as to what is meant by a Hobby 
 rider, we will inform you that you may know him 
 by the following : 
 
 1. He rides in an awkward manner, rocking all 
 over the whole community, making considerable 
 exertion, but scarcely any progress. 
 
 2. He wears colored spectacles. 
 
 3. He thinks everybody ought to ride the same 
 kind of a Hobby that he does. 
 
 4. He has cotton in his ears, and prefers not to 
 hear anybody who tells him to stop. 
 
 5. He looks toward the sky because he cares 
 nothing about how many people he may run into, 
 or how many spiritual lives he may wreck. 
 
 6. Very likely he expects that some day his Hob- 
 by will be recognized as the greatest thing in the 
 world. 
 
m 
 
 %** 
 
 I** 
 
 fxmtl^m iX 
 
 At a certain place along the pathway of right- 
 eousness there is a bridge that crosses a dangerous 
 stream called Temptation. The bridge is substan- 
 tially built and will carry people safely across the 
 stream, but aside from that it has no special fea- 
 tures, as it is plainly constructed, being built for 
 service and not for an ornament. It is well known 
 that difficulty or death will come to any one who 
 falls into the deep, raging torrent, unless he should 
 be rescued by appealing to a power stronger than 
 his own. 
 
 Long, long ago, Satan saw the opportunity to 
 ensnare souls at this part of life's pathway, so 
 he built just above the safe bridge several arched 
 bridges of Self-Reliance, each one so narrow that 
 only one person could cross at a time, and even 
 then at a great risk. He well know that pilgrims 
 would not be foolish enough to risk such a haz- 
 ardous crossing if there were nothing more than 
 the bridges to invite them from the straight path. 
 He overcame this difficulty by placing all manner 
 
216 PREACHING AT THE BRIDGE. 
 
 of attractions around these slippery bridges. At 
 either end of them are beautiful arches of shrub- 
 bery, and above them are various kinds of fruit 
 hanging within reach of those who are crossing 
 the bridges. Also the side-path leading over to 
 the bridges is most inviting and beautifully paved, 
 and on either side of it are lawns of surpassing 
 beauty. 
 
 It is quite a temptation when travelers come in 
 sight of the plain, old bridge to see leading off to 
 the left such an inviting path and farther away 
 the arched bridges. In addition to this they are 
 likely to hear some well rendered music which 
 Satan is always willing to provide so as to help 
 attract travelers from the way of truth and right- 
 eousness. 
 
 It is pleasing to know that with all the attrac- 
 tions which Satan has produced, that large num- 
 bers are not foolish enough to forsake the safe 
 bridge and take so great a risk. Those who are 
 determined to pursue a straight course are num- 
 bered by the millions. The sad part of the drama 
 consists in the yielding on the part of certain trav- 
 elers. Satan and his agents are continually trying 
 to persuade people to cross the stream on one or 
 another of the slippery bridges, by appealing to 
 their spirit of independence. 
 
PEEACHING AT THE BEIDGE. 217 
 
 A SHORT 
 
 SERMON 
 
 TO A 
 
 YOUNG 
 
 MAN 
 
 There was a young man of strong 
 character who was walking towards 
 the bridge when he was stopped by 
 a familiar voice at the roadside. 
 
 ' ' Hold ! hold ! my young man, why 
 go so rapidly!" 
 "I am making haste, because I am about my 
 father's business." 
 
 ' * Why not turn in here and see the sights ? ' ' 
 * * Because I cannot leave my path, ' ' bravely an- 
 swered the young man. 
 
 ''It will do you no harm," urged the tempter, 
 "if you turn aside for a while to look upon the 
 wonderful scenery which is close at hand. When 
 you have finished you can cross the stream on 
 one of the arched bridges, and while passing you 
 can eat of the choice fruit overhead. Thus shall 
 your mouth be satisfied, and your heart be made 
 glad." 
 
 This temptation came to the young man at an 
 unfortunate time. Ordinarily he would have been 
 strong enough to conquer, but at this time he be- 
 came an easy prey, and in less time than it takes 
 to relate it, he was seen walking leisurely on the 
 beautiful path toward the slippery bridges, his 
 step keeping time with the Devil's music. After 
 he had tarried a while on this forbidden ground, 
 
218 PREACHING AT THE BllIDGE. 
 
 there was plenty of fiends in disguise who played 
 their part to persuade the young man to cross the 
 stream on one of the dangerous bridges. He was 
 urged to believe that it would be cowardly to go 
 back and cross in the same old regular way. At 
 length he placed his feet on one of the slippery 
 bridges and thinking that his foothold was finn he 
 proceeded with less caution toward the center of 
 the bridge. How could he refrain from reaching 
 forth and plucking some of the luscious fruit that 
 hung above him in such tempting clusters. Quick- 
 ly as a flash his feet slipped and he would have 
 gone into the stream had it not been for the great 
 strength of his arms. First he clung fast and pray- 
 ed mightily unto his God for help. Through re- 
 pentance and faith he was saved, for a great arm 
 of help reached down and rescued him from his 
 perilous position. He cautiously crept to the far- 
 ther shore and ran to the good old path quite de- 
 tennined that he would try no more to pass over 
 Temptation by depending on his own strength. 
 
 It also chanced that a young lady 
 came along the King's Highway and 
 seeing Temptation ahead of her, she 
 resolved to go past it on the safe 
 bridge. She had been warned not to 
 
 A SHORT 
 SERMON 
 
 TO A 
 
 YOUNG 
 
 LADY 
 
 heed the voice of the tempter, so as to depend on 
 
PREACHING AT THE BRIDGE. 219 
 
 a bridge of Self-Reliance. Notwithstanding her 
 good resolution, she was at first attracted by the 
 siren strains of music that came from the Devil's 
 orchestra. As she paused to listen, she presently 
 heard a sweet voice speaking to her. She was 
 somewhat fascinated by the creature who spoke to 
 her so entrancingly that she seemed to forget all 
 of her past warnings. He spoke to her about the 
 gloiy of Self-Reliance, and tried to persuade her 
 that such a bridge was not only beautiful, but ab- 
 solutely safe. In one of her thoughtful moments, 
 when her eyes were truly open to the real situa- 
 tion she was emboldened to ask : 
 
 ''How can you engage in this kind of work? Is 
 it a source of pleasure to entice people toward 
 danger and death?" 
 
 The Tempter was not expecting such a question, 
 but he was quickly ready with an answer. 
 
 ''Ah! it is plainly evident, my young friend, 
 that you have been grossly misinformed. A per- 
 son of 5*our intelligence ought not to be so easily 
 deceived. We find pleasure in our work, not be- 
 cause it leads people to danger and death but be- 
 cause we are teaching the noble qualities of inde- 
 pendence and self -culture. One of these narrow 
 bridges will prove to be a perfect training school 
 to you. Come and prove my words." 
 
220 PREACHING AT THE BRIDGE. 
 
 ''But why should I risk so narrow a passage 
 when the good old bridge promises to carry me 
 over safely!" 
 
 "My dear young friend, how can it be that you 
 are so long in grasping the truth. It is plainly 
 evident that the old-fashioned bridge is built for 
 the accommodation of aged people or religious 
 cranks, and a certain few that are so sanctimonious 
 that nothing but the plain old way will suit them. 
 But look at yourself, you are young, sprightly and 
 sure-footed. There is joy in the very experience 
 of crossing such a bridge, and some do it so easily 
 that they can at the same time look upon the rich 
 foliage around and lift their hands to pluck the de- 
 licious fruits that hang overhead. In truth, the 
 main reason why so many travel over these 
 bridges, is because this is the most fashionable 
 route. The sweet fruits tickle the palate, and the 
 fragrant flowers give charm to the senses." 
 
 After this manner the devilish agents argued for 
 the space of an hour, until the young lady, under 
 the spell of a second blindness, was persuaded to 
 make an attempt at crossing on one of the bridges. 
 She at first placed her foot shyly and when she 
 found that instead of being slippery the bridge 
 was sanded, she ventured with more confidence. 
 Before she was half way across she lifted her eyes 
 
PREACHING AT THE BRIDGE. 221 
 
 and her hands toward the tempting fruits over- 
 head. About this time, her feet having reached 
 one of the treacherous places, slipped and she sud- 
 denly fell helplessly into the stream. Her piteous 
 cries rent the air and after a long, terrible strug- 
 gle she was snatched from the jaws of death by 
 reason of her earnest confession, repentance and 
 faith. 
 
 Not all who thus go down are happily rescued. 
 The flood-tide of Temptation has swept and is 
 sweeping large numbers into a terrible death. 
 
 It would be a tale too long to relate if one were 
 to report 'all the deathly sermons preached at this 
 bridge. The most noticeable feature is the per- 
 sistency with which Satan and his agents plead 
 with a soul in order that he might win a convert 
 for Hell. This indeed is a strong rebuke to the 
 workers of righteousness who often think it too 
 delicate a matter to si3eak face to face to a person 
 concerning the most important things of life. 
 
 All along the King's Highway there are paths 
 leading off to the slipperj^ bridges of Temptation. 
 Some manage to travel over one or more of these 
 places without any visible harm befalling them. 
 This favorable outcome seems to open the way for 
 a greater risk and it has always come out true that 
 every person who continues on the border line of 
 
 (14) 
 
222 PREACHING AT THE BRIDGE. 
 
 Temptation will finally fall to his hurt or his 
 death. There is only one safe way. When you 
 come to the places of Temptation pass over them 
 on the safe bridge of hope, trust and prayer cou- 
 pled with your good works. 
 
.Satan has built three slippehy bridges over the Stream of 
 Temptation, and by an orchestra he hopes to attract 
 
 TRAVELERS TOWARD THEM FROM THE KiNG's HIGHWAY. 
 
The devil in the sleeping ciiukch 
 
 OR 
 
 The spiritual condition of some congregations. 
 
r 
 
 rt«M 
 
 ^tsh Not l^rmd) 
 
 There are some places where the Devil need do 
 no more preaching. He has succeeded in getting 
 the souls of the people asleep, so that they are dead 
 as far as real spiritual life is concerned. Accord- 
 ing to Satan's estimate, such a church is safe only 
 in the hands of preachers who know nothing about 
 experimeiital religion. If ever the Devil takes it 
 easy, it is when he gets into a church of this kind. 
 But while he rejoices at such a time, he is soon 
 brought to his sober senses when he reflects on the 
 condition of many of the other churches, where he 
 has failed to gain his point. 
 
 It is no easy task to put a whole church asleep. 
 The hardest battle begins when the majority of the 
 members are becoming dead. The faithful minor- 
 ity, seeing the trend of affairs, is likely to stir 
 themselves to greater vigilance than ever in the 
 hope of reviving the church to its old-time life and 
 energ^^ Then comes, in all probability, the great 
 battle. The worldly element, being in the majority, 
 will likely work all manner of schemes to drive out 
 the annoying minority. Many a man has been 
 
226 WHERE THE DEVIL NEED NOT PREACH. 
 
 driven out of the church just because he had too 
 much of the spirit of God in liim. It is also true 
 that many a man drives himself out of the church 
 by his own contrary spirit. It is not this class to 
 which we make reference. 
 
 It has happened in altogether too many cases 
 that the worldly element has won in the contest, 
 and consequently, the little life that is left is easily 
 choked out. As you study the spiritual status of 
 such a congregation, you will find that the condi- 
 tion is quite similar to that which is pictured in 
 the illustration accompanying this chapter. 
 
 Look for a moment at the picture and see how 
 the minister has dropped down into a dead slum- 
 ber. His spiritual condition is very well suited to 
 his congregation, who are all spiritually dead. 
 Everything else about this church presents an at- 
 tractive appearance. Both the interior and the ex- 
 terior are of modern design, and the design is sym- 
 metrical. The only dark feature is that which can 
 be seen on the picture. The members of the con- 
 gregation are void of spiritual life and are dead 
 to that powerful current of spiritual impulse that 
 should fill and thrill every congregation. 
 
 One creature above all the rest is thoroughly sat- 
 isfied with this sad condition. You can see as you 
 scan the picture that Satan occupies a leaning seat 
 
WIIEIIE THE DEVIL NEED NOT PMACS. 227 
 
 near the pulpit, with his feet thrown over the sa- 
 cred altar, and his head cast backward in the full 
 enjoyment of a good cigar. There is a fiendish 
 smile playing upon his face as he watches the 
 smoke curling above his head, until it touches the 
 ceiling of the large church. You will find a differ- 
 ent attitude to Satan if you were to see him in a 
 spiritual congregation. Here he takes no time to 
 smoke cigars, but he is the busiest man in the 
 crowd, ever trying to stir up discord or engender 
 strife among the church people. Satan is power- 
 less when he comes in contact with an earnest 
 Christian, one who is watchful and prayerful 
 every day. Against the weapons of such a man 
 Satan cannot advance, but is compelled to suffer 
 defeat. 
 
 A^Tiat kind of an earthquake would it take to 
 bring a sleeping church back to life! We cannot 
 answer this question. It is a problem too difficult 
 for solution. All we need to say to such a church, 
 after it has turned a deaf ear to all the words of 
 warning, is this: ^* Sleep on and take thy rest." 
 Or we might address it in the language of that ear- 
 nest writer: ''Awake thou that sleepest." The 
 time will come when those who are not awake will 
 be cast into outer darkness where there will be 
 weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
 
Satan's Song to Encourage Idleness and Indifference. 
 
 *'In life, my friend, as you pass along, 
 You need not grieve if things go wrong. 
 Sit down in peace and sing a song 
 Till all comes right." 
 
 * ' You 've heard it said, ' Go and do your best 
 Till life 's sun sinks into the West, ' 
 'Tis better far to take a rest 
 
 Till all comes right.'* 
 
 *'If you are troubled with some belief. 
 Or feel the pangs of coming grief, 
 The winds and waves will bring relief 
 Till all comes right." 
 
 ' * Instead of climbing a craggy cliff. 
 Or sailing in some dangerous skiff, 
 Just lie and breathe with easy sniff 
 Till all comes right." 
 
 ''^Taen things go rough and you're in a squeeze. 
 Just hold your breath and take your ease. 
 Doing the very things you please, 
 Till all comes right." 
 
TILL ALL COMES RIGHT. 229 
 
 ''Be not deceived by the toiler's thrift, 
 Get what you can, as nature's gift, 
 Let all things take an easy drift 
 Till all comes right." 
 
 ** Rewards all come in the present slice, 
 Don't look for future Paradise, 
 Take Heaven now, is my advice. 
 And you will be right. 
 
 ''Throw to the winds all belief in Hell, 
 Be called a fool, or infidel. 
 Bury your creeds in an oyster shell, 
 Then you are right.'* 
 
%:^^ 
 
 A certain young man 
 who was serving the 
 King of Righteousness, was very liberally re- 
 warded with many gems of value. These he 
 prized very highly, and as he went from place 
 to place he exhibited the diamonds and especially 
 the Pearl of great price. He fervently preached to 
 all he met the manner in which he obtained these 
 riches, and many, to their great joy, were influ- 
 enced to accept the same kind of valuables. 
 
 One day the enemy of souls approached the 
 young man, and being disguised, he occasioned no 
 alarm. 
 
 **I have heard it said that you are in possession 
 of great riches. Is the report true?" 
 
 The young man turned toward the questioner, 
 and innocently told him that tlie report was true 
 and that even now he was in possession of the 
 precious gems. 
 
 ''Where did you gain possession of your highly 
 esteemed gifts?" further asked the Evil One, in a 
 manner bordering upon indifference. 
 
fWO I^NDS OF RICHES. 231 
 
 * * These I obtained from the King of Righteous- 
 ness, and they are better than all the riches of the 
 world combined," calmly and boldly affirmed the 
 young man. 
 
 '^What a dupe you are to believe 
 such nonsense. If you take pleasure 
 in seeing things of great worth, let 
 me show you a few specimens just 
 taken from my burglar-proof vault." 
 
 SATAN 
 
 PREACHES 
 
 A SHORT 
 
 SERMON 
 
 At this the Devil laid bare a few shining, but 
 worthless articles, which appeared like gold. 
 ''These are of special value," continued the fiend, 
 "and if I could persuade you to make an exchange 
 you would be one of the wealthiest young men in 
 all these regions." 
 
 The young man, after a moment 's reflection, de- 
 cided not to accept any of the offered articles. 
 Then the Black Agent told him in earnestness, that 
 if he would make an exchange, he would receive ex- 
 tra a free ticket entitling him to enter a feast of 
 worldly pleasure, adapted especially for a Chris- 
 tian man. The enemy noticed that he had touched 
 the young man's heart, for he was beginning to 
 ask questions. 
 
 "If I should decide to accept your generous of- 
 fer, when would the exchange be made?" 
 
 ''All you need to do is to empty your possessions 
 
THE DREAM 
 
 OF THE 
 
 JUDGMENT 
 
 BALANCE 
 
 232 TWO KINDS OF RICHES. 
 
 upon my table, and at once these valuables will be 
 yours." 
 
 The young man reflected for a moment, and then, 
 as if blind, he took the real valuables from his 
 pockets, and threw them upon the table. At once 
 he received in exchange something worse than 
 wood, and as light as feathers. He also accepted 
 the free ticket with a thankful heart. 
 
 One night, a short time after this, 
 the young man dreamed, and in his 
 dream he saw a man that looked like 
 himself. He beheld this person as 
 he traveled upon a broad path and 
 noticed that he had the same kind of possessions 
 that had been given to him by the Devil. He fas- 
 tened his eyes upon the man even until he came 
 to a place where he was asked to place his posses- 
 sions upon the judgment balance. A moment later 
 a sad verdict was heard: "Thou art weighed in 
 the balances, and art found wanting." 
 
 The dream had a wonderful effect on the young 
 man. He gazed upon his worthless possessions 
 and refused to listen any further to the voice of 
 the Tempter, but rather chose to obey the voice of 
 a true friend that sticketh closer than a brother. 
 
 ''Cast away all your worthless trash," came a 
 voice from some unseen source. 
 
f wo KINDS OF ftlCHEg. ^33 
 
 The young man went to prayer, and when he 
 surrendered all he had, the loving Master gave un- 
 to him another consignment of imperishable dia- 
 monds, in connection with the Pearl of great price. 
 With this endowment he was gloriously happy, 
 and he succeeded in overcoming the wretched ene- 
 my who sought time after time to deceive him. 
 
 After this same manner Satan is endeavoring to 
 deceive every young man and woman who comes 
 into possession of the true kind of riches. Is it 
 not proper to keep on the lookout for such an 
 enemy lest he should steal upon us unawares in 
 some false garb? Let no one be so foolish as to 
 throw aside the Pearl of great price, and the per- 
 fect gems of truth, for the worthless trash that 
 Satan offers in exchange for them. 
 
Preached to a Man who had an Inquiring Mind, but who 
 was Inclined Toward Atheism. 
 
 *'I am glad to see, my friend, that you are in- 
 terested in a subject of extraordinary interest. 
 Your inquiring mind naturally looks for evidence 
 before you can believe. You are indeed wiser than 
 the great majority of mankind who accept any be- 
 lief just because it was endorsed by their fore- 
 fathers. This accounts for the large number of 
 X)eople in the world who are looking upward to an 
 unseen God. Is it not strange that so large a part 
 of the human family should be so deceived! 
 Therefore I feel the more like congratulating you 
 because of your tendency toward original investi- 
 gation. ' ' 
 
 ''The God on whom Christians falsely depend is 
 said to be mighty in power and perfect in wisdom, 
 love, mercy and goodness. If God were perfect in 
 love, and power, how could he permit what he 
 does? With these great gifts, he could order 
 everything to his own choosing, and we would not 
 
SATAN ON ATHEISM. 235 
 
 see SO much suffering in this world. The very fact 
 that a helpless, innocent child must suffer some- 
 times untold pain, and a loving mother must en- 
 dure such endless privations and hardships, are 
 sufficient to prove that love does not rule in the 
 affairs of the world. If love were at the helm, the 
 farmer would not be compelled to contend with all 
 manner of enemies when he is laboring to raise 
 useful products. Every good seed that he puts 
 into the ground is almost sure to be opposed by 
 some insect or parasite that seeks its ruin. ' ' 
 
 "As you look over the whole field of nature you 
 find that the vegetable creation is cursed by a 
 brood of bugs and worms, too numerous to men- 
 tion. How could all this be the outgrowth of per- 
 fect love? If you love a person your whole aim 
 is to make it as easy and comfortable as possible 
 for him to make a living. The lover does not take 
 pleasure in heaping burdens on his beloved. ' ' 
 
 "Then look at the long line of catastrophes and 
 wrecks on sea and land, by which thousands of in- 
 nocent creatures are hurled into a terrible death, 
 without an hour's warning. Surely a person can- 
 not call this the result of perfect love in the world. 
 One of the strangest things about Christianity is 
 that its believers teach that Christ so loved thf> 
 world that he died to save it, and then at the same 
 
236 SATAN ON ATHEISM. 
 
 time they seem to believe that he so hates the world 
 as to permit all manner of misery and woe to 
 come upon his people." 
 
 ' * No doubt you have often studied the laws that 
 govern the winds and the waves. If a mad cyclone 
 should dash you to pieces, do you think that even 
 then you would be in the hollow of the hand of 
 this imaginary God? It must indeed be a loving 
 God who will hurl a cyclone across the beautiful 
 land of his own making, or destroy the human lives 
 of thousands which he is supposed to love. Ah! 
 my friend, you are indeed too wise to accept such 
 a doctrine. It is better for you to stand alone in 
 your belief, than to be so unreasonable as to accept 
 such views of an unseen Creator." 
 
 ''If God is perfect in power and wisdom, why 
 does he not extirpate from the ranks of human 
 habitation the horrors of leprosy, burning fevers, 
 and anything else that sends its withering blasts 
 over certain parts of the Earth? One might ex- 
 cuse a person for believing in the necessity of a 
 limited suffering for human beings, but the whole 
 argument comes to an end when jon think about 
 the suffering of the brute creation. What has the 
 brute done that he should be punished by priva- 
 tions and sufferings too numerous to mention? 
 How is it possible to account for this suffering in 
 the light of perfect love ? ' ' 
 
SATAN ON ATHEISM. 237 
 
 "You have often looked at the general condition 
 of affairs. No doubt you have seen a chicken hawk 
 descending without mercy and robbing the hen of 
 her beloved offspring, or you have heard about the 
 mink or the weasel, the meanest of all created 
 pests, slyly creeping to a chicken coop at night, 
 and killing a dozen or more useful fowls, all for 
 the mere sake of iSlling his stomach with their own 
 life blood. A loving God would kill every mink 
 and weasel in the world, as well as paralyze the 
 arm of every base fellow who forces his assault 
 upon some innocent child along the highway. ' ' 
 
 ' ' Now, my friend, I ask you to meditate on these 
 things which I have presented to your mind. When 
 you have thoroughly digested them, I will see you 
 again and present some of the more advanced ar- 
 guments to prove that there is no God." 
 
 X 
 
 Olalk on AtljrtBm 
 
 If each person was as thoroughly convinced of 
 the existence of God as Satan, there would be no 
 Atheists in the world. The Devil knows what 
 power it was that cast him out of Heaven, and be- 
 fore whose power he trembles even to-day. The 
 great fact of the existence of God, is the one grind- 
 ing truth that ever adds misery upon misery to 
 
238 SATAN ON ATHEISM. 
 
 Satan, and which destroys his ambition of ulti- 
 mately ruling in Heaven and Hell combined. 
 
 Satan knows very well the best ways to deceive 
 people, the majority of whom look no further than 
 the mere surface of things, and then jump at con- 
 clusions. The Devil takes advantage of this con- 
 dition and by dishonest reasoning, he leads people 
 into errors of the worst type. 
 
 The evidences of God's existence are clear 
 enough to satisfy any reasonable mind, even if 
 there were no Bible. It can be seen from nature 
 alone that a supreme intelligence is ruling over all, 
 and that he possesses the attributes of infinite 
 power and perfect love. Satan falsely argues that 
 if God possesses such power that he would crush 
 out all the evil in the world, which seems to be a 
 fair conclusion to a person who will not or cannot 
 reason. To such a one, permit us to say, that God, 
 in his wisdom, has so arranged things that every- 
 body who serves Him must do so through choice. 
 One of the greatest gifts ever bestowed upon man 
 is his free moral agency, which means his power 
 to do good against the wish of the Devil, or to do 
 evil against the will of God. ' This tremendous 
 force would be of no value whatever if God would 
 make it impossible for man to sin. Wliat virtue 
 would there be in goodness if a person could not 
 
SATAN ON ATHEISM. 339 
 
 be otherwise. A man would then be like a ma- 
 chine, moving at the will of the operator. Under 
 the present management a man chooses for himself 
 whom he will serve, and we will venture the asser- 
 tion that one who breaks away from sin, and 
 pushes his way up toward the throne of Heaven, 
 is worth more than a hundred Adams living in 
 the Garden of Eden, providing there were no pos- 
 sibility for them to sin. 
 
 When we can once accept the fact of man's free 
 moral agency, then the way is opened to grasp the 
 more mysterious truths concerning the presence 
 of sin iir the world. It is through sin that all the 
 pain, misery and wretchedness came into this 
 world. If God had made no provision for man to 
 conquer sin, and its consequences, it might seem as 
 if lie wore unkind, but since He has made ample 
 provision for us to overcome sin, we are led to 
 see his glory in a brighter light than ever. The 
 highest manifestation of his love is seen as we con- 
 template the manner in which he bridges the chasm 
 between spiritual life and death. 
 
 Concerning accidents, we would say that no man 
 of fair judgment will try to account for each de- 
 tail of every accident. The reason for this is that 
 we canfiot see the end from the beginning nor the 
 beginning from the end. Who knows how many 
 
 (15) 
 
1^40 
 
 SATAN ON ATHEISM. 
 
 hidden mysteries, how much retribution, or how 
 many new lessons are given to humanity by every 
 shocking accident in the world. It is presumptu- 
 ous that we who look upon the mere surface, should 
 be shallow enough to criticise the infinite mind who 
 penetrates the ages past, discerns the passing 
 events and foresees the future. Suppose a father 
 is suddenly taken from a large family for whom 
 he has made no provision in advance of his death, 
 we must not be shallow enough to judge the whole 
 event in the little light of the present time. There 
 is a flood-light coming down to us from the past, 
 and a reflex light from the years to come, that give 
 more explanation to the matters of Providence 
 than all else in the world. Things do not happen 
 because God foreknows them, but God foreknows 
 them because they are going to happen, and the 
 reason why they are going to happen is largely 
 found in the mighty will power of man exercised 
 either for good or evil. 
 
 Concerning the enemies of the animal creation, 
 such as the mink or the weasel which Satan men- 
 tions, it hardly seems necessary that any rebuttal 
 should be offered. The whole family of parasites, 
 from the louse on a child's head, to the weasel, are 
 living and thriving on this globe as the conse- 
 quence of sin. They all play their part to make 
 
SATAN ON ATHEISM. 241 
 
 man pay the penalty pronounced by God that he 
 must earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. 
 Man who made out of Heaven d Hell by his dis- 
 obedience in Eden, must learn, by working hard, 
 to make a Heaven out of Hell. Things have been 
 so arranged that it is possible for man to fight his 
 several thousand enemies and yet gain a livelihood, 
 and win for himself an imperishable gift and lay 
 up treasures in Heaven. 
 
 If one looks on the other side of the question and 
 sees what unmatched wisdom is displayed in everj' 
 part of creation, he will see very clearly the evi- 
 dences of God all around him. Looking at nature 
 through a microscope, we see great wonders con- 
 fined to small areas, and a perfect adjustment of 
 means to end. Looking at nature through a tele- 
 scope we see the larger things of creation more 
 plainly, and we are thrilled with sublimity as the 
 great truth dawns upon us that there is no end to 
 created worlds, and that the millions of spheres 
 are hanging upon nothing but the one power which 
 is greater than them all. Each one of these great 
 orbs is moving with an accuracy that wins the 
 highest admiration of man and shows forth the 
 unbounded and unfailing resources of Him who 
 made all things. Here we have before us an end- 
 less field of study. Look away from the worlds 
 
242 SATAN ON ATHEISM. 
 
 of space, we find that the human body alone is so 
 wonderful that the most searching scientists or 
 philosophers cannot comprehend the mysteries of 
 this living organism. Such conditions tell us, in 
 mute eloquence, of the great Creator. There are 
 over seven hundred evidences of superior wisdom 
 in the human body alone. It is truly a wonderful, 
 self-oiling, self-appropriating machine which can 
 run for seventy years or more if you throw enough 
 coal into the furnace (food into the stomach) to 
 keep it in power. 
 
 So much for the human body; but how vastly su- 
 perior is the intricate network of the brain. No 
 one has yet offered a satisfactory explanation of 
 the manner in which mind works on matter or 
 matter works on mind. Here is a shoreless ocean 
 on which no Columbus ever embarked. 
 
 The Atheist must be blind to the millions of 
 facts that are crowding upon his mind from the 
 world of matter and the world of mind. These 
 point to a force which is superior to Creation, and 
 to admit the existence of such a power is the most 
 reasonable thing that a rational man can do. Athe- 
 ism and true culture cannot join arms. They are 
 opposites forever, or until the harmony of the 
 spheres can be explained on some other basis than 
 the existence of a supreme intelligence. 
 
SATAN ON ATHEISM. 243 
 
 It must not be denied that there is a true God 
 whose character is laid open to our view in the 
 book of revelation called the Bible. They who be- 
 lieve and serve Him will some day have the priv- 
 ilege of studying in the greater school beyond this 
 life. But they who reject Him will suffer the con- 
 sequences of their own folly, and tast© the fruit of 
 their own making. 
 
mmmm 
 
 A Short Sermon by Satan Delivered to Graduates of the 
 Theological Seminary. 
 
 *'Let me give you some twentieth century light 
 on the vital question of Heaven and Hell. You 
 are now in a fit condition to receive advanced 
 truths, for you have finished your seminary train- 
 ing and are able to reason logically. Congratula- 
 tions to you on your attainments. Nothing is so 
 refreshing as to meet a broadminded man, espec- 
 ially one who expects to work in the capacity of a 
 public teacher. 
 
 **You are now able to understand the difference 
 between the figurative and literal language of the 
 Bible, and since you are able to grasp divine 
 truths with more facility, you must be careful that 
 you do not despise the old fathers of the church, 
 who half a century ago earnestly preached their 
 views, even though they hit wide of the mark." 
 
 ' ' Let it be said to the credit of the old-time theo- 
 logians that they preached straight to the point 
 on the subject of Heaven. And indeed when talk- 
 
HEAVEN AND HELL. 245 
 
 ing on this subject, they had ample material to 
 engage their most talented powers, for Ho preach- 
 er could possibly exaggerate the infinite degrees 
 of glory and the unparalleled beauties of Heaven. 
 It seems almost incredible that these same minis- 
 ters should have gone so far from the truth in 
 their consideration of Hell. Although they have 
 preached some ridiculous views, it is now your 
 duty to correct as far as possible the mistakes of 
 the past centuries, and place this subject in a clear 
 light before the people of the present day. I will 
 give you a few things to remember, so that you 
 can hold to the truth more readily: 
 
 1. "Do not deny the existence of Hell, only be 
 careful to tell people that it means the grave, and, 
 in some cases, the word refers to the destruction 
 of the body and soul after death." 
 
 2. "Be sure to spare the human mind the harsh 
 conception of fire and brimstone. Tell them that 
 such figures of speech were intended for a more 
 illiterate age. The better way wouM be to keep 
 silent altogether on such rude passages unless you 
 are questioned concerning them." 
 
 3. "Since you are now able to discern between 
 the genuine scriptures and the parts that have a 
 doubtful origin, you can easily throw aside many 
 of the distorting passages, and thus show that the 
 modern views of Hell are Scriptural. ' ' 
 
^46 HEAVEN AND HELL. 
 
 4. ' ' You have also learned that the doctrines of 
 the love of God would require your whole life 
 time to preach, Wliy spend time in unfolding 
 such blood-curdling tales as the ''Rich Man and 
 Lazarus, ' ' a story unfit for children and women to 
 read. ' ' 
 
 
 1. Satan forgot to say that the passages of 
 Scripture that refer to punishment in Hell are as 
 clearly stated as the passages that refer to the en- 
 joyments of Heaven. It is therefore impossible 
 to throw aside one class of passages without cast- 
 ing aside the other class. 
 
 2. Satan forgot to mention that the old time 
 preaching of the terrors of Hell and the glories of 
 Heaven brought a larger percentage of the people 
 to Christ than the modem, exclusive preaching of 
 God's love. 
 
 3. Satan knows that if the opinions of the age 
 do not change that there will be less people fleeing 
 from the wrath to come. Many are comforting 
 themselves by the happy thought that all people 
 will be finally saved except a very few who ulti- 
 mately refuse all offers of mercy. 
 

 
 An Essay Delivered to the Devil and his Cabinet by a 
 Theological Specialist in the Employ of the Devil. 
 
 *'I appreciate very much this opportunity of 
 presenting to you some views and suggestions on 
 the subject of preaching. You are all aware that I 
 have been engaged for a long period in studying 
 and investigating the pulpit work of ministers. 
 Perhaps it is for this reason that I am favored 
 now with the honor of addressing you. I have 
 carefully observed the methods of the most talent- 
 ed clergymen, and I have noted the elements of 
 preaching that are most effective against our work. 
 I shall endeavor to give you the benefit of my long 
 experience, in the hope that you may be inspired 
 to operate along some new and more efficient 
 lines. ' ' 
 
 '^You will all agree with me that things are 
 drifting in the right direction, but there are still 
 some serious hindrances to our work. These, I am 
 quite sure, we can partly overcome, if we all work 
 unitedly on some general plan, the outlines of 
 which I shall present to you to the best of my abil- 
 ity in eight distinct lines of thought. ' ' 
 
248 
 
 SERMONS ON PREACHING. 
 
 '^You will agree with me that 
 things are drifting in the right 
 direction, but there are still some 
 serious hindrances to our work. 
 These, I am quite sure, we can 
 partly overcome, if we all work 
 unitedly on some general plan, 
 the outlines of which I shall pre- 
 sent to you to the best of my abil- 
 ity in eight distinct lines of 
 thought. ' ' 
 
 1. "Let us advocate shorter 
 sermons." 
 
 "If we keep hammering away 
 at this modern idea we are sure 
 of being well paid for our work. 
 No matter how short a sermon is, 
 we can work to make it still 
 shorter. It is best to urge that a 
 minister of genuine intelligence 
 need not take a half hour or more 
 to express his views on a given 
 subject, since he speaks so often 
 to the same congregation. The 
 smarter he is the less time he will 
 require, and the less intelligent he 
 is the more time he will require. 
 That is the thought that we ought 
 
SERMONS ON PREACHING. 
 
 249 
 
 to impress as strongly as possi- 
 ble. If we can succeed in cutting 
 the length of sermons one half, I 
 feel assured that it will be a great 
 victory for us." 
 
 ''What is the best reason that 
 you can give to a preacher in urg- 
 ing him to preach shorter ser- 
 mons?" asked one of the cabinet 
 members. 
 
 ''Besides what I have just 
 given you, I would declare that 
 the people, on an average, are 
 now twice as systematic in their 
 way of thinking, and they prefer 
 good quality in smaller packages. 
 And then I should also say that it 
 is far better to send a few truths 
 home to the heart than to cause 
 confusion by a long, tedious pre- 
 sentation. ' ' 
 
 2. "There should be as little 
 Scripture as possible quoted in a 
 sermon. ' ' 
 
 ' ' If this can be accomplished it 
 will certainly be a great hit. Tell 
 a preacher that it is no longer 
 necessary to be reading from the 
 
250 
 
 SERMONS ON PREACHING. 
 
 source of authority, inasmucn as 
 it is supposed that the general 
 mass of people are acquainted 
 with the Bible, Just remind the 
 preacher that this is casting re- 
 flections on his audience and that 
 he should spend more time in tell- 
 ing them something new, instead 
 of telling them indirectly that 
 they do not know the Bible. If 
 you have the right kind of a 
 preacher just finish by saying: 
 'Every time you quote Scripture 
 it is like putting sawdust into the 
 gravy.' " 
 
 3. "Eliminate as much as pos- 
 sible all reference to Christ in the 
 preaching. ' ' 
 
 ' * I admit that this is one of the 
 hardest things that we have to 
 accomplish, and likely it will be 
 impossible to gain this point with 
 a large number of the preachers. 
 But I feel quite certain that wo 
 can persuade not a few to put 
 Christ in the background. The 
 best way is to appeal to the 
 preacher's pride, and tell him 
 
SERMONS ON PREACHING. 251 
 
 that if he wishes to be really modern, and up-to- 
 date, he must cut a new swath in the harvest field 
 of the present age. You might as well insist that 
 the old preachers made themselves obnoxious by 
 their constant allusion to Christ. Such references 
 are always painful to the average hearer, as it sug- 
 gests the dark and tragic scene of Calvary. Tell 
 him that it is his duty to spare his hearers, many 
 of whom have sensitive nerves. ' ' 
 
 ** Allow me to relate a little circumstance that 
 occurred recently. A smart Devil was arguing 
 with a swell preacher, and he told him that years 
 ago whfen ministers were more limited in their ed- 
 ucation, they were compelled to make endless ref- 
 erences to Christ, so as to fill in the time. 'But 
 now,' continued the Devil, 'some men are smart 
 enough to preach a whole sermon without men- 
 tioning Christ. ' On this particular point the Devil 
 won, for the minister seemed to think that the less 
 of Christ he put into his sermon, the greater was 
 his knowledge supposed to be. Let me urge you to 
 work this scheme whenever possible. ' ' 
 
 4r. ''We should endeavor to stop all preaching 
 about Hell." 
 
 "Along this line we have gained remarkable pro- 
 gress during the past fifty years. Our efforts have 
 been fruitful, for we can see all around us that the 
 idea of Hell is out of date. The preacher who 
 
252 
 
 SERMONS ON PREACHING. 
 
 still persists in presenting the 
 old-time views on this subject, 
 must be willing to be branded as 
 unwise and illiterate. It would 
 be a thousand times better if we 
 could persuade ministers to 
 preach the doctrine of Purgatory. 
 Then men could sin as much as 
 necessity demands, and after 
 death they would serve their time 
 in Purgatory, after which they 
 would be transported into ever- 
 lasting Heaven. If you meet a 
 man upon whose mind you can 
 impress the Purgatory views, tell 
 him that all the passages in the 
 Bible relating to future punish- 
 ment are figurative, and that they 
 bear a meaning entirely different 
 from the literal. ' ' 
 
 5. ''Let us insist en more Sci- 
 ence and Philosophy to be inter- 
 woven in present-day sermons, as 
 well as the principal current 
 events. ' ' 
 
 *'It is true that some preachers 
 will urge that they were not call- 
 ed to teach Science, etc. But we 
 
SERMONS ON PREACHING. 
 
 253 
 
 must insist that preaching is best 
 flavored when it has a seasoning 
 of profane truth. Our victory 
 does not consist in getting a 
 preacher to season his sermons, 
 but that is the beginning, which 
 may result in turning his sermons 
 into pleasing lectures on social 
 economy, or some shades of sci- 
 entific knowledge. What has been 
 done should be continued on a 
 much larger scale. If we can get 
 a preacher on this incline plane, 
 it is very likely that he will be- 
 come cold and formal in his pul- 
 pit language and manners. If we 
 can persuade the clergy to put 
 more flowers into their scientific 
 bouquets, and more ornaments on 
 the bread plate, we will have but 
 little trouble to make a spirit- 
 ual feast consist of the most 
 beautiful dishes spread out on 
 an inviting cover, and decor- 
 ated with modern tinselry. With 
 such board, the Christians will 
 soon starve to a spiritual 
 death." 
 
354 
 
 SERMONS ON PEEACHING. 
 
 ''It is possible to get a 
 preacher so that he will look 
 upon an error in speech as an 
 unpardonable blunder, and at 
 the same time, be indifferent 
 concerning the salvation of 
 souls. We all admire a preach- 
 er who is beautifully exact in 
 his language, and graceful in 
 manners, at the expense of an 
 earnest and conscientious pre- 
 sentation of the truth." 
 
 6. ''We ought to persuade 
 preachers to get their supplies 
 from below, and thus depend 
 on knowledge more than the 
 Holy Spirit." 
 
 "There is not much hope 
 that we can succeed against 
 any preacher, as long as he re- 
 ceives his inspirations from 
 above, or as long as he opens 
 his heart for a Holy Spirit fill- 
 ing, as he calls it. When you 
 meet such a preacher, the best 
 thing to do is to pass on and 
 spend your time on a more 
 hopeful subject. The preach- 
 
SERMONS ON PREACHING. 
 
 256 
 
 er who depends upon the Holy 
 Spirit, seems to be infused 
 with some kind of fire that is 
 worse than poison to us. I 
 always hate to get near such a 
 preacher, for he sends a chill 
 of terror all over my being." 
 
 ''Let us do all we can to 
 persuade preachers to draw 
 from the wells of knowledge 
 and depend upon natural ac- 
 quirements, which, by careful 
 study and training, can be de- 
 veloped to a fine degree. ' ' 
 
 7. "Push a preacher to- 
 ware t one of the extremes, 
 either Fanaticism or Lifeless- 
 ness." 
 
 "In all this kind of work be 
 judicious. If you cannot get 
 a man to preach in a cold, 
 dead manner, then make an ef- 
 fort to push him to the other 
 extreme, in which he will 
 thunder out at the height of 
 his voice, on matters of 
 secondary importance. Try 
 and get him to talk about 
 
 (i6) 
 
256 
 
 SERMONS ON PREACHING. 
 
 Hell excessively, and to picture 
 the worst images that his lan- 
 guage can portray. Make out 
 of him a laughing stock as he 
 pounds away with poor reason- 
 ing and hysterical appeals. If 
 you can get him at this tangent 
 he will then do as much good 
 for our cause as if he were pur- 
 posely one of our agents." 
 
 8. ''We ought to encourage 
 preachers to speculate on the 
 Bible." 
 
 "It is one of the easiest traps 
 you can set for the average 
 jireacher. Get him to try some 
 text that nobody else ever tried. 
 If you can fill a sermon full of 
 suppositions, it is better than 
 to fill it full of facts. Such a 
 preacher will likely give his 
 congregation more doubt and 
 uncertainty than anything else. 
 There is a particular craving 
 in the human heart to walk on 
 mysterious soil, and if a 
 preacher will make an attempt 
 to solve a deep mystery, he will 
 
SERMONS ON PREACHING. 257 
 
 attract the more enlightened part of his audience 
 away from other things. This kind of preaching 
 will be productive of infidels and atheists, as long 
 as you can keep the preacher away from the heart- 
 stirring parts of the Bible. ' ' 
 
 ''If you cannot succeed with the speculation ar- 
 gument, then try the sensational fad. There are 
 not a few who can be turned off at this angle, and 
 instead of putting a little spice into the sermon 
 they can be persuaded to make it nearly all spice. ' ' 
 
 It is not hard to see what kind of preaching the 
 Devil would like to have. If a sermon could be 
 cut to ten minutes he would then make an effort to 
 reduce it to five minutes, or stop the mouths of 
 preachers altogether. There is certainly a danger 
 of cutting the length of sermons too short, even 
 though it may please certain audiences. It would 
 be much better if a preacher would put more 
 healthy food into his sermons, so that people would 
 relish a full meal. Some people want short ser- 
 mons because there is nothing but dry punk in 
 them, and the less dry stuff they eat the better they 
 like it. If a sermon is dead and lifeless, we almost 
 feel like giving the DeviPs advice to make it as 
 short as possible. 
 
258 SERMONS ON PREACHING. 
 
 In regard to quoting Scripture the Devil knows 
 that when a preacher neglects his Bible that he 
 fights like a man who has no weapon, therefore 
 the promise and point of his sermon is gone. Sa- 
 tan has spoiled many sermons by urging that the 
 Bible should be disregarded, and as we look over 
 the field it is sadly true that the Bible is taking the 
 background in too much of the preaching. Some 
 are willing to honor the Bible by choosing a text 
 therefrom, after which a polite good-bye is given. 
 
 The Devil says there is too much preaching 
 about Christ and Hell. No doubt there is too much 
 to suit him, but we believe there ought to be much 
 more said on these subjects. Hell is just as real 
 a place as Heaven, and there are millions of people 
 going there. The Bible gives us just as clear a 
 conception of the place of torment as of Heaven, 
 and since it is such a practical subject, it ought 
 to be preached to the people. Not in a tame, 
 doubtful manner, but with a positiveness that car- 
 ries conviction with it. A proper mingling of the 
 terrors of Hell and the glories of Heaven are nec- 
 essary to complete the mighty gospel. 
 
 No wonder that Satan argues that Science aad 
 Philosophy and such kindred topics should be dis- 
 cussed more in the pulpit. If he would have a 
 short sermon and let the Bible out, aad leave o»t 
 
SERMONS ON PREACHING. 259 
 
 Christ and Hell, he would naturally wish to sub- 
 stitute trash. But we pray that the preacher will 
 not be caught in such a net. 
 
 It is in keeping with His Satanic Majesty to 
 argue that a preacher should speculate and spend 
 the little time he may have, in considering the mys- 
 teries of the Bible, or in impressing doubts as to 
 the possible meaning of certain passages and doc- 
 trines. Let us stand aloof from all such foolish 
 suggestions of the Devil. While it may be per- 
 fectly proper to admit some so-called speculation 
 into a warm sermon, yet it certainly should not 
 be the ruling principle of a man's preaching. 
 And, as you would shun the intemperate use of 
 speculation, so treat the sensational element. The 
 word Sensationalism is indeed flexible and can be 
 made to cover many things that are not included 
 under it. 
 
 The Devil may rejoice over the gain he is mak- 
 ing, but the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ will 
 be preached by a faithful remnant even to the end 
 of the age. Then at His coming he will gather 
 unto himself the faithful, who shall dwell with him 
 in great glory, and reign with him in the most ex- 
 alted triumph. 
 
0n Prag^r 
 
 brra of l|ta (EMmt ^ 
 
 Satan once met with his cabinet for the special 
 consideration of the subject of prayer. He no- 
 ticed that the best Christians were faithful in 
 their communion with God and he regarded pray- 
 er as one of the necessary conditions to an intense 
 spiritual life. He conceived the idea that if Chris- 
 tians could be persuaded to pray less, or stop 
 praying entirely, that they would soon forget their 
 God altogether. 
 
 He met in private interview with his seven chief 
 advisors, and after the session was duly opened 
 he invited suggestions from those present as to 
 the best method of overcoming the prayer habit. 
 The imps admitted that prayer was a mighty 
 weapon in the hand of their enemies, and they 
 were glad for the opportunity of consulting to- 
 gether on such a timely subject. 
 
 '*I will address you first, suggest- 
 ed Satan, "and you will have the 
 privilege during my remarks of in- 
 terjecting any question or adding 
 any comments. One of the strong- 
 
 SATAW 
 GIVES A 
 SUGGES- 
 TION 
 
SERMONS ON PRAYER. 261 
 
 est blows that we can strike at Christians will be 
 to show them some errors in connection with pray- 
 er. Let us inform them first of all that it is fool- 
 ish to tell God anything whatever, inasmuch as he 
 knows more than any one of his creatures. You 
 have all noticed in your experience when a Chris- 
 tian prays, about one-third of his prayer is oifered 
 in such a manner as if he were giving information 
 to God. Now if we can succeed in getting Chris- 
 tians to cut out this particular part of prayer we 
 will reduce the time spent in such devotions by 
 one-third. This is a cute little point to work, and 
 while we cannot expect to gain much with every 
 Christian, yet we are sure to reach our point with 
 many of them." 
 
 '*I would also call your attention to the faith 
 idea that is so strongly entrenched in the hearts 
 of those who send up their petitions to Heaven. 
 You know that it is a common belief that persons 
 must have faith when they pray. It is our work 
 to upset this belief as much as possible and try to 
 make people believe that faith is not at all neces- 
 sary. You can urge the truth that God knows a 
 thousand times better than any one who prays 
 what is best for the suppliant, and therefore how 
 can it be good for a person to believe in advance 
 that he will get what he asks for. He ought to be- 
 
1^2 SERMONS ON PRAYER. 
 
 lieve that God will do the best thing for him and 
 leave his own fai<th altogether out of considera- 
 tion." At this point one of the imps advanced a 
 question : 
 
 *'How shall we distinguish be- 
 tween faith and submission?" 
 
 The Devil smiled as he proceeded 
 to answer: *'Do not try to draw any 
 distinction between faith and sub- 
 
 A QUESTION 
 
 ASKED 
 BY ONE OF 
 THE IMPS 
 
 mission. If you can tangle up the mind of a Chris- 
 tian with such terms, so much the better. If it 
 is possible destroy the simple idea of faith alto- 
 gether, or try to make people believe that faith 
 consists in believing that God will do the right 
 thing for his children whether they ask for it or 
 not. If you chance to meet a high-spirited Chris- 
 tian you can tell him that the exercising of faith 
 very often shows presumption on his part, inas- 
 much as he seems to say by it that he is worthy to 
 receive what he asks for." 
 
 As the Devil continued, the seven imps listened 
 with great interest for they were glad to gather 
 some new suggestions that they could use in con- 
 junction with the large corps of workers under 
 them. 
 
 "Let me assure you, my friends," continued 
 Satan with an air of confidence, ''that one of the 
 
SERMONS ON PRAYER. 263 
 
 most powerful elements of prayer is perseverance. 
 If you are shrewd you can confuse the mind of 
 many a Christian by telling him that perseverance 
 is humiliating, and that in each case where a per- 
 son asks the second time for the same thing it is 
 an evidence that he had no faith the first time, or 
 that God did not hear the prayer. How could a 
 person have the proper faith the first time and 
 then be compelled to go the second time and ask 
 for the same thing? If you think a moment you 
 will see the confusion into which you can lead a 
 I)erson, especially one who is not well drilled in 
 spiritual prayer. If you can succeed in no other 
 way, then try to appeal to the good taste of the 
 suppliant. Tell him that it destroys his dignity 
 to ask over and over for the same thing and also 
 that it is an insult to God." 
 
 The Devil paused a moment and 
 one of the chiefs offered a valuable 
 suggestion concerning prayer in 
 general. 
 
 ''I have been doing my best work 
 
 A PROM- 
 INENT 
 DEVIL RE- 
 LATES HIS 
 EXPERIENCE! 
 
 along the line of anti-prayer by trying to influence 
 Christians to copy after somebody else when they 
 pray, or to commit their prayers to memory. I 
 remember of an experience I had Avith a promi- 
 nent Christian who was very particular about the 
 
264 SERMONS ON PRAYER. 
 
 language he used in his general conversation. I 
 made it my business to be present with him on a 
 certain occasion when he was offering prayer, and 
 I suggested to his mind that his language was in- 
 elegant and that it was grating upon the ears of 
 sensitive Christians, particularly upon those who 
 were educated and refined. ' ' 
 
 '*I was really surprised when I noticed what an 
 effect this temptation had on him. He bought a 
 book of prayers by a prominent clergj^man and 
 carefully studied the various ways of addressing 
 the Deity. After this I succeeded in getting him 
 to be anything but natural when he was offering a 
 prayer. I rejoiced as I saw him sailing around in 
 the cold forms of rhetoric, having his mind fixed 
 upon the construction and form of his prayer, 
 more than upon any other feature of it. As I 
 walked away I said inwardly: 'As long as that 
 David continues to wear Saul's armor, he will not 
 do very much effective fighting.' " 
 
 * ' That is a capital hit, ' ' advanced the Devil with 
 a grin. '*I am glad for the experience that our 
 friend has just given us. I had expected to speak 
 somewhat along that line but his words are suf- 
 ficient. ' ' 
 
SERMONS ON PRAYER. 
 
 265 
 
 A NEW 
 EXPER- 
 IENCE BY 
 ANOTHER 
 DEVIL 
 
 Another chief laid his hand on 
 the table and proceeded with the fol- 
 lowing words : 
 
 *'I may not be as shrewd as some 
 of you but I have won many Chris- 
 tians away from prayer altogether 
 by scattering their thoughts when they were in the 
 act of calling upon God. I have often succeeded in 
 getting a person to think about some of their work 
 or pleasure even while they were uttering words 
 of prayer. The words of prayer died on their lips 
 because their hearts were set upon something else 
 at the same time. In this manner prayer becomes 
 very cold and in a short time the suppliant loses 
 the life thrill that naturally comes to his soul when 
 he puts his heart into his prayer. ' ' 
 
 "You are a great helper," complimented the 
 Devil. ''Any demon who is shrewd enough to 
 catch people in that kind of a trap, is well worthy 
 of high rank in my kingdom. ' ' 
 
 ''I should like to inquire," said 
 one of the other imps who was pres- 
 ent, ''how you would answer a per- 
 son who attempts to quote scripture 
 on the subject of prayer." 
 ' ' Just use a common argument and tell him that 
 all such passages are figurative or that they have 
 
 THE DEVIL 
 ANSWERS 
 
 A 
 QUESTION 
 
266 SEEMONS ON PRAYER. 
 
 a hidden meaning. If it happens to be a scholarly 
 minded person with whom you are dealing, quote 
 some sentences from the Greek and that will have 
 a telling effect. If the person is persistent, then 
 make great use of the scene in which Christ is 
 found praying and his disciples ask him to teach 
 them how to pray, and Christ answers them by 
 giving a set form of prayer. Use this argument 
 by itself without reference to any other part of 
 scripture and tell him that he ought to pray noth- 
 ing else than just what Clirist told him. If you 
 can make a person feel satisfied by continually re- 
 peating the Lord's prayer, he will be confined to 
 a very narrow channel, and the greater expansion 
 of his soul will not be realized." 
 
 These few words in regard to scripture were 
 gladly received by the staff of officers. They ad- 
 mitted that nothing counted so much against them 
 as the teaching of the Bible, and the best way to 
 overcome this was to get people to accept wrong 
 views of the great book and its teachings. 
 
 —^" ■■■■■ *'If we can use scripture," sug- 
 
 THE CASE gested one, * * in a shrewd manner we 
 
 OF PAUL can get a hearing from many a f aith- 
 
 AND SILAS ful soul wlio othcrwisc would give 
 
 no attention to any of our advances. 
 
 I remember in a larg« city I was called by one of 
 
SERMONS ON PRAYER. 267 
 
 my helpers to give some assistance in a very diffi- 
 cult case. A certain person was made to believe 
 that Paul and Silas prayed in the prison at night 
 and that the Lord answered their prayer, and also 
 opened the doors of the prison. One of my ser- 
 vants who had this case in hand tried to show the 
 Christian that prayer never had such an effect, 
 but the Christian was still determined in believing 
 that there was wonderful power in prayer. So 
 I consented to play a part in the case, and I found 
 my subject to be very stubborn. The person in 
 question was determined upon a literal interpreta- 
 tion of the passage. It was then that I told him 
 that earthquakes were very common in Palestine 
 and especially at night and that it was customary 
 to build their jails on a solid foundation, sometimes 
 on an immense bed of rock. For this reason an 
 earthquake would have a terrible effect on the 
 prison wherein Paul and Silas were helplessly 
 confined. It was the earthquake that opened the 
 doors of the prison and if the whole truth were 
 known you would find that Paul and Silas only 
 prayed because they were afraid. After an in- 
 genious twisting of this part of scripture, I suc- 
 ceeded in unsettling the mind of the person very 
 much, but I fear that if he reads that part of scrip- 
 ture a few times again he will forget all I told him. 
 
268 SERMONS ON PRAYER. 
 
 So I have given him in charge of one of my best 
 helpers and the future alone will reveal the out- 
 come. ' ' 
 
 ''There is no doubt," spoke out the Devil with 
 decision, ''but that we must be firm on this one 
 point in teaching that there is no power in prayer, 
 and that the only good it does, is to satisfy the 
 mind of the suppliant. Many preachers are tak- 
 ing advantage of the situation and are preaching 
 a good bit about prayer and showing the people 
 what wonderful virtue there is in its practice. We 
 cannot do much as long as this preaching is going 
 on, or as long as we have people who will listen to 
 it. We are thankful to say that some preachers 
 do not say anything about prayer during a whole 
 month. While there are many discouraging fea- 
 tures on hand, yet we have reason to be hopeful 
 for a successful outcome if we continue to bend 
 our energies to our tasks and never let go." 
 
 "I am glad to note," spoke in a 
 
 new voice, "that the general drift of 
 
 pulpit prayer is toward lifelessness 
 
 and formality." 
 
 "Ah! you are right there," 
 
 chimed in several voices at once. 
 
 A NEW 
 
 VOICE IN 
 
 PULPIT 
 
 PRAYER 
 
 "There was a time," continued the imp, "when 
 fervent and effectual prayer fell from the pulpit 
 
SERMONS ON PREACHING. 269 
 
 much mort than in these days, and its effect on 
 the congregation was very noticeable. It is en- 
 couraging to relate that we have succeeded some- 
 what in cooling off the pulpit fire and at this time 
 the zealous prayer is the exception rather than the 
 rule. ' ' 
 
 ''Did not that all come with the advance of 
 learning r' asked the Devil. 
 
 ''Not altogether," replied a husky voice. 
 "Some of the most learned preachers pray in the 
 most fervent spirit. We have accomplished our 
 work by choking out the spiritual life in the pulpit 
 and the' pew. We are urging preachers and people 
 to move in the rut, and more important than that, 
 to neglect their private devotion altogether." 
 
 "I see you have had some experience," spoke 
 the Devil as he followed the words of the speaker 
 with a low grin. "Let me urge you to ply your 
 ingenuity to the utmost in stopping the practice 
 of public or private prayer. We cannot expect to 
 make many great advances as long as there are so 
 many praying Christians. Every effort you make 
 along this line will count and I hope to hear the 
 most favorable reports from you all. Sometime 
 in the future we can assemble and consider this 
 same line of thought and possibly get some addi- 
 tional light." 
 
_ Satan has inspired many utter- 
 
 -^^-? ances concerning the book of 
 
 ^ Jonah. The following pages con- 
 
 tain some of his latest thoughts on this part of the 
 Bible. 
 
 ''The Bible in general is a good production, al- 
 though many parts of it do not bear the marks 
 of genuine inspiration, among which is the book of 
 Jonah. This story of Jonah has done more to 
 cripple faith in the Bible than most any other of 
 its uninspired parts, and about the best purpose 
 that it can serve would be to suggest to some good 
 novelist a plot for a good story. 
 
 ' ' It may be that such a man as Jonah once lived 
 and that he was commanded to go and preach in 
 the city of Nineveh, and that he disobeyed the com- 
 mand, which resulted in his disfavor and punish- 
 ment. There will be no harm in believing this part 
 of tlie story, but when a man of intelligence is ask- 
 ed to believe the fish story in connection with it, 
 
SATAN'S SERMON ON JONAH. 271 
 
 then permit us to say that he should be excused 
 from being so gullible. 
 
 It is claimed that Jonah, after he had received 
 liis orders, boarded a ship for Tarshish instead 
 of going to Nineveh, and that the Lord in his dis- 
 pleasure sent out a great wind storm which tossed 
 the sea so much that the ship which carried Jonah 
 was threatened. All this could happen without 
 violating any of the reasonable laws of nature. But 
 it is further stated that Jonah fell asleep and con- 
 tinued in slumber during the progress of the ter- 
 rible storm, to say nothing about the great excite- 
 ment on board. It is rather hard to believe a 
 thing of this kind, especially sincfe Jonah was a 
 Jew. A Jew always looks out for himself, and it 
 would have been more like Jonah to be standing 
 on deck somewhere near a life-boat. 
 
 "Then it is also claimed that the mariners cast 
 lots to determine on whose account the fearful 
 tempest was raging. It is claimed that the lot fell 
 upon Jonah. Then follows a full confession on 
 the part of the penitent Jew, after which he re- 
 quested to be cast into the sea. If this were said 
 of some men we might believe it, but when it is 
 said of a short-sighted Jew the story becomes 
 nearly as hard to swallow as for the fish to swal- 
 low Jonah. It would be quite natural for a man 
 
 (17) 
 
272 SATAN'S SERMON ON JONAH. 
 
 like Jonah to work several schemes to shift the 
 responsibility and finally to offer a few apologies. 
 These are the small things about the story that 
 render it hard to believe. But now comes the part 
 of the narrative that no one should be asked to 
 believe. It is said that the mariners ' Took up Jo- 
 nah and cast him forth into the sea, and the sea 
 ceased from her raging ' and that a great fish swal- 
 lowed Jonah. It is not said whether Jonah went 
 down perpendicularly or horizontally, lengthwise 
 or sidewise." 
 
 *' Where could you find a fish that could swallow 
 a man, clothing and all ? It is a scientific fact that 
 no fish has a throat large enough to swallow a man 
 whole. One begins to wonder what motive the 
 author of such a story had in expecting that peo- 
 ple would believe it. ' ' 
 
 ''Not only is the swallowing an impossible task 
 but the story says that 'Jonah was in the belly of 
 the whale three days and three nights.' Anybody 
 that knows anything about fish will testify that no 
 sea-serpent or whale could hold an indigestible 
 lump in his stomach for such a long period with- 
 out getting seasick enough to throw it out. If this 
 story would be true, one would pity the fish more 
 than Jonah. Think of the great amount of stom- 
 ach-ache and head-ache that such a fish would be 
 compelled to endure during that terrible period. 
 
SATAN'S SERMON ON JONAH. 273 
 
 *'It is a wonder that no one has attempted to 
 write the supposed experiences of Jonah during 
 those three days and three nights while he remain- 
 ed in the belly of the fish. That would make about 
 as interesting a tale of fiction as any author could 
 write. He might proceed to give it in the form of 
 a diary, hour by hour. He might say that Jonah 
 kept awake during the first twelve hours of his 
 strange imprisonment, feeling around against the 
 rubber-like walls and slimy pits of the stomach, 
 until he was convinced that escape was impossible. 
 
 ''The, writer could then proceed along the line 
 of probability. It would be only natural to sup- 
 pose that Jonah felt around until he found the 
 hole through which he came into the stomach, and 
 that he pushed his head up through this hole and 
 worked himself half way up toward the mouth and 
 that the fish squeezed him back again. The writer 
 could say, with a reasonable shade of accuracy, 
 that Jonah was so encouraged by this attempt that 
 he made another effort and still another until at 
 last he forced his way up to the mouth of the fish 
 but could not escape. He held on to the great jaws 
 of the fish as long as possible, but at last the fish 
 washed him down with a forced swallow. It would 
 be a happy hit if some talented writer would fill 
 in the whole outline jiving us as near as possible 
 
^^74 SATAN'S SERMON ON JONAH. 
 
 the story of Jonah's three days and three nights. 
 Then a person could accept this as simple fiction 
 without being an infidel. 
 
 * ' Going back to the main story it is also alleged 
 that the great fish finally vomited up Jonah upon 
 the dry land. This part of the story would not 
 be as hard to believe as the other part, because one 
 would suppose that the whale would become so 
 tired of Jonah that he preferred to do him a favor 
 so that Jonah in return would never try to get 
 into his belly again. Certainly if a fish could swal- 
 low a man, his throat would be large enough to 
 throw him out again. 
 
 ''Anybody who chooses can believe this story 
 in a literal way. Indeed there are many people 
 who will believe any thing if it is in the Bible, for 
 I heard of a woman who said that she would be- 
 lieve it if it was declared that Jonah had swallow- 
 ed the whale. But there is a more enlightened 
 class of men who have investigated through many 
 years, and who are very piously inclined. These 
 men accept the book of Jonah as inspired, but in 
 keeping with their good judgment they must get 
 the figurative construction of the whole book and 
 simply count it as showing the bitter fruits of dis- 
 obedience. But the most enlightened of all the 
 scholars, such who have added to the storehouse 
 
SATAN'S SERMON ON JONAH. 275 
 
 of knowledge and have quaffed from the cool 
 springs of wisdom, they do not hesitate to ridicule 
 the whole story and cast it to the winds so far as 
 their own faith is concerned." 
 
 E3 
 
 ffinmm^tttfi j^Vrr^Sus W'h |^ 
 
 Let each one who reads the Devil's views of the 
 book of Jonah be sure to read the following: 
 
 * ' What the Devil says about Scripture is worth- 
 less because he is a liar and a deceiver. It is said 
 in the book of Jonah that ' The Lord had prepared 
 a great fish to swallow up Jonah. ' The Devil well 
 knows that the Lord has all power and that he 
 made out of nothing all things that exist, and not 
 only made them but sustains them with a math- 
 ematical accuracy so fine that even our most deli- 
 cately manufactured time pieces must refer to the 
 movements of the ponderous orbs for their stand- 
 ard time. Any man of ordinary sense, just sense 
 enough to keep him out of the asylum, ought to 
 see that a Creator who can make a world large 
 enough to sustain billions of people ought to be 
 able to make a fish large enough to swallow a 
 man. ' ' 
 
 ''The church and the world are getting tired of 
 men who profess to know everything and whose 
 
276 SATAN'S SERMON ON JONAH. 
 
 faith cannot rise to the possibility of believing a 
 thing so easy as this. If the story of Jonah is to 
 be turned aside on scientific grounds then many 
 parts of the Old and New Testament must like- 
 wise be put aside. But it is a trick of the Devil to 
 destroy faith in any one part of the great book, 
 for he knows that if a professor of Christianity 
 can be persuaded to disbelieve one small part of 
 the Bible, that the way is open to persuade him to 
 discard other parts. ' ' 
 
 If a man object to the story of Jonah because 
 he claims it is contrary to his reason, he must re- 
 member that there is more likelihood of his reason 
 being out of order than that the book of Jonah is 
 defective. Both in nature and revelation there are 
 many things beyond reason, and the important 
 fact is that they were intended by Infinite Wisdom 
 to be so. We can consider ourselves fortunate if 
 we succeed in reaching the knowledge that is put 
 within range of mortal man. The sainted Henry 
 Ward Beecher once said that if God had intended 
 that the Atlantic ocean should be waded by man he 
 would either have made the ocean more shallow or 
 the limbs of man longer. So it is with man 's rea- 
 son. It is not large enough or big enough to wade 
 across the deep oceans of God's truth as it exists in 
 Science and Religion. But we need not tremble, 
 
SATAN'S SERMON ON JONAH. 377 
 
 inasmuch as '* Underneath are the everlasting 
 arms. ' ' 
 
 The book of Jonah affords ample instruction to 
 the man who brushes doubt away, but he who en- 
 virons his vision of faith by a spectrum of doubt 
 will not only cripple his own soul, but will shut 
 from his view the greater glory of God. 
 
 ''Let us not be caught in a trap. We believe in 
 God and in that belief is included our experiences 
 of the Bible 's teaching of his attributes. If we ex- 
 ercise full faith about these small things which are 
 easy to believe, some day we will be transported 
 to a region more vast, where we shall see face to 
 face the fulfilment of tasks a thousand times great- 
 er than we ever witnessed in this world. Our pres- 
 ent life and its requirements are only stepping 
 stones into the vast temple where we shall see the 
 spring of all power, the center of all good, and 
 the fountain-head of all glory.'* 
 
Ht^hiH 0n 
 
 
 spoken to an Educated Young Man, Whose Conscieace 
 was Troubled on Account of his Profanity. 
 
 ^*It is impossible to draw the line between 
 swearing and not swearing. There are so many 
 words necessary to give strength to our sentences 
 that he who wishes to be forceful in his speech 
 makes a serious blunder in barring out all manner 
 of by-words. How wisely the good teacher of 
 Palestine said that it was not that which came out 
 of a man that defiled him, but that which went 
 into him. So if the heart is right, one need not 
 worry so much about the words that pass from the 
 mouth. ' ' 
 
 "The many haimless words used in swearing 
 only add flavor to your conversation and give you 
 an opportunity of expressing the exact shade of 
 your feelings. No one would think of becoming 
 shocked at the common types of profanity if it 
 were not for the prejudice which is quite popular 
 against swearing. When charity once reaches that 
 standard of excellence for which all good people 
 
SATAN'S VIEWS ON SWEARING. ^79 
 
 crave, then there will no longer be this deep-seated 
 prejudice against the salt, pepper and spice of our 
 language. ' ' 
 
 ^'Constantly remember, my young friend, that 
 you are a free creature, and that you can do as you 
 please. But on account of the civil law try to 
 avoid the rank types of profanity lest some fool 
 should have you arrested." 
 
 ' ' Have you ever noticed that the men who swear 
 are usually men of big hearts and kind disposi- 
 tions. If there is need of charity in the commun- 
 ity, three chances to one, the man who swears will 
 be the Urst one to give substantial help, while the 
 pious church people will possibly not know any- 
 thing about the needy case until it is too late." 
 
 We can see by the foregoing remarks that Satan 
 totally ignores the teaching of the Bible, such as 
 is found in the following passages : 
 
 Ex. 20 :7, ' ' Thou shalt not take the name of the 
 Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold 
 him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." 
 
 Lev. 19:12, ''Ye shall not swear by my name 
 falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of 
 thy God." 
 
 Zech. 5:3, "Every one that sweareth shall be 
 cut off." 
 
 Col. 3:8, "Put off all these, blasphemy and 
 filthy communication out of your mouth." 
 
280 SATAN'S VIEWS ON SWEARING. 
 
 When profanity is so expressly forbidden in the 
 greatest book in the world, and is also contrary 
 to the civil law, then no one ought to listen to the 
 wicked teaching of Satan on this subject. 
 
 It is easily understood that if Satan had his 
 own way every mouth would flow with black 
 curses. He knows very well that when a person 
 can be persuaded to take the name of God in vain 
 that he is unfit to worship the same God in spirit 
 and in truth. Or to put the matter more plainly 
 he is lending his influence to the service of Satan. 
 
 Satan has a peculiar way of quoting Scripture. 
 He stops short in the middle of a verse or re- 
 verses the order of the thought just as he sees 
 proper to carry out his low purpose. When he 
 makes reference to the "Good teacher of Pales- 
 tine" he quotes the passage in a manner altogether 
 misleading. It is a hundred times better to never 
 look at the Bible than to use it for such purposes. 
 
 Satan tells a black falsehood regarding the 
 character of the men who swear. Swearing has 
 never made anybody charitable or kind and it is 
 strange that anybody should tolerate such views. 
 The world has received its greatest blessings from 
 the people who respect and worship God and who 
 could not take His name in vain under any circum- 
 stances. The world's march of progress has been 
 
SATAN'S VIEWS ON SWEARING. 281 
 
 aiong the line of the pure in heart and pure in 
 words. In the language of another let us say that 
 ''The man who swears does ten things at once." 
 1. He breaks the command of God. 2. He vio- 
 lates the law of the land. 3. He transgresses the 
 rules of good manners. 4. He outrages decency. 
 5. He insults good people. 6. He profanes sacred 
 things. 7. He shows bad bringing up. 8. He dis- 
 honors his parents. 9. He does what he is asham- 
 ed of. 10. He does what he will regret. 
 
^ ^ ^^fa^n BtvmonB ^ ^ 
 
 bg MtmbnB sit tl^t ^MVb (Hubxmt 
 
 ] 
 
 A few years after the twentieth century had 
 commenced, Satan called a special session of his 
 seven chief helpers. These evil spirits were the 
 highest in rank of all the intelligences in his Sa- 
 tanic kingdom, and they reached their position not 
 through favoritism or partiality, but because of 
 their fitness for it. In terms of our national gov- 
 ernment these seven devils would constitute Sa- 
 tan's cabinet. In accordance with the call, the se- 
 lect company met and were ready to hear the 
 words of their trusted chief. 
 
 I looked upon these famous spirits as they were 
 convening, and although I could not get a close 
 view of their most interesting faces, yet I saw 
 enough of them to impress my mind for life. 
 Each face was a new revelation to me. Oh, how 
 my soul is chilled with horror as memory holds 
 the view! On one face was pictured all the pain 
 and anguish that had been furrowed through cen- 
 turies of a forced service; another face was such 
 a terrible picture of sadness that no words could 
 
SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 2SS 
 
 possibly give a description of it ; and if I had an 
 artist who could draw the third face, I could by an 
 exhibition of it, turn thousands of people from 
 their present evil course to the path of truth and 
 righteousness. 
 
 The study of these faces alone is a most valuable 
 work although most revolting. We can see in this 
 life the effect of fifty or sixty years of evil think- 
 ing on the faces of certain individuals. How care- 
 fully the lines are drawn on such countenances 
 which point as index fingers back to the character 
 of their souls. Human life is so short that the 
 process of evil designs is soon cut off and we can 
 only get the story of sin as marked in one life in 
 less than a century. But think of a demon of great 
 mental energy, who has been biased toward sin, 
 and who has been scheming against righteousness 
 for thousands of years. His face tells the awful 
 alory of his past career. 
 
 When the cabinet assembled, Satan sat as 
 Chairman of the meeting and his principal pur- 
 pose for calling the session was soon discovered. 
 He leaned over a peculiar desk and spoke to his 
 chief advisors in slow, distinct tones, with words 
 carefully weighed: 
 
 *'I have selected seven prizes. The first one is 
 the most handsome, and the rest are graded, each 
 
2g4 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 
 
 one less valuable than the other down to the sev- 
 enth. Even the seventh prize is costly and beau- 
 tiful and will be worn with pride by its owner, but 
 the first prize outdazzles anything that I have yet 
 offered through the centuries. I will not now re- 
 veal the nature of these prizes. In due 4;ime you 
 will not only see them, but you shall possess them. 
 They will be awarded according to your work dur- 
 ing the next six months, as I shall now describe. ' ' 
 
 ''The one of you who will inaugurate the best 
 scheme to help our cause during the coming six 
 months shall receive the first prize. The one who 
 does the next best work will receive second prize, 
 and so on until the seven prizes are awarded." 
 
 ''When the six months have ended we shall 
 gather in special session and each one of you will 
 give your official report before one thousand 
 judges. When the seven reports are given a vote 
 will be taken and by this vote the distribution of 
 prizes will be determined." 
 
 After this plan was fully explained, some less 
 important business was transacted and then the 
 experienced demons went forth to ply their ingen- 
 uity against the kingdom of righteousness. 
 
 At the end of six months the wonderful gather- 
 ing convened. The Devil himself was present 
 and on this occasion sat in the center of the audi- 
 
SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 285 
 
 ence on a specially prepared throne. The mem- 
 bers of the cabinet occupied their seats of honor 
 on a large platform before the assembled host. 
 The one thousand judges were gathered in com- 
 fortable array, each one having his appointed 
 place. Beyond the judges sat a numberless host 
 of visiting imps who were also greatly interested 
 in the outcome of the famous contest. At the 
 proper time the first evil spirit arose, and looking 
 down upon the small army of judges addressed 
 them in a dignified manner : 
 
 ''You are all aware of the special work that I 
 accomplished in the recent past. After a long, 
 careful study of the condition of the church of 
 Christ on earth, I conceived the idea that nothing 
 would help our cause so much as to increase all 
 kinds of hypocrisy (applause) and so, with an 
 army of assistants, I invented certain kinds of ma- 
 chinery for the manufacture of sheepskins of all 
 kinds and all sizes. (Applause.) You all know 
 that it had been customary for our helpers to wear 
 sheepskins during the ages of the past, but as I 
 cbneluded to carry the scheme into popular use 
 among church members and others, I found that 
 there were not sheep enough killed each year to 
 suppiythe need- So I have^my Sheepskin Fac- 
 tory in full operation as you are all awar^ We 
 
286 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 
 
 are now able to furnish any little mean wolf or 
 any large one, with a perfect fit of sheepskin. 
 (Applause.) And I assure you that we have al- 
 ready done a great amount of good for our cause. 
 We are able to make any man or woman appear 
 like a lamb no matter whether his real character 
 is like unto a wolf, a goat or a hyena. You cannot 
 tell our skins from the natural hide. This is the 
 most approved and thoroughly up-to-date method 
 of covering up a person's real condition, and 
 many prominent church members are pleased at 
 the help we have given them to make them look 
 like innocent lambs when in reality they are as 
 mean as hyenas." 
 
 ** You would be very much surprised if you were 
 to know what a great demand is made upon us by 
 certain politicians and business men. We have 
 made many a guilty man appear innocent and the 
 demands upon us are constantly increasing. (Ap- 
 plause.) Our factory has been enlarged during 
 the last sixty days and we are now running contin- 
 ually. (Applause.) At first we experienced con- 
 siderable difficulty in giving certain persons a 
 good fit, but I used my best ingenuity to overcome 
 this trouble and now we have a system by which 
 we can give perfect satisfaction in fitting all dif- 
 ferent shapes." (Applause.) 
 
SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 287 
 
 "I assure you that the sheepskin factory has 
 come to stay, (wild applause,) and its benefit to 
 our cause will be more clearly seen as the years 
 roll by." (Wild and prolonged applause.) 
 
 After a few moments the next speaker arose 
 and with his deep voice proved to be very attrac- 
 tive to his auditors : '■- 
 
 ''What I have endeavored to do for our cause 
 has also been seen by you all. You have expressed 
 /your appreciation to me and my helpers at many 
 ^ place even before this meeting convened. As 1 
 looked upon the large number of persons who 
 were infltienced by doubt, I conceived the idea that 
 if I could place Sign Boards along the pathway of 
 life and especially at other places where the paths 
 turn to the left, that this would prove very effec- 
 tive in helping souls to go astray." (Applause.) 
 
 ''At first the work seemed to be small in my 
 eyes, and after I had operated on a limited scale 
 it dawned upon me that I had undertaken a fa(> 
 reaching and very important task. That will e?^ 
 plain why I built a large Sign Board Factory. 
 Then the second thought dawned upon me that 
 these signs ought to be ornamental or have some- 
 thing connected with them to attract attention. 
 I undertook to carrv out this idea and that will ex=^ 
 
 (i8) 
 
288 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 
 
 piam why there is a cluster of buildings around 
 the central factory building." (Applause.) 
 
 ''You have all seen what beautiful signs are 
 erected along the King's Highway at the place 
 called Downcast Meadow. That one large sign 
 hanging over the byway with the inscription : ' One 
 Mile to Sunnyland,' cost us a great amount of 
 time and patience, but it has already worked won- 
 ders for our cause. The colored electric lights 
 'that rise and fall a§ they shine each in their turn, 
 i3S enough to awaken the curiosity of any pilgrim 
 and especially those who may be downcast. Of 
 course, the beautiful colored lights are there only 
 to attract the attention and then the sign is read 
 incidentally. In almost every instance the eye will 
 follow along to the next sign: 'One mile and a 
 half to the Summit of Hope.' Many are turned 
 to the left at this place, and they stumble into one 
 or another of our traps before they realize that 
 'Sunnyland' or 'Summit of Hope' cannot be 
 found." (Strong applause.) 
 
 ' ' This is but a single description. I might con- 
 sume a long period of time in telling you of the 
 many places where our guide posts have attracted 
 attention, and accomplished their purpose. But 
 the majority of you have already seen all of these, 
 and I am sure that you will agree with me when I 
 
^^^itF^^^^^'^^^A^^^^'^^'^'^'^''^'''^''"' 
 
 There abe many persons whose black characteks are covered 
 BY THE Devil's whitewash. 
 
290 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 
 
 affirm that these signs are proving a wonderful 
 help to our comrade spirits when they are trying 
 to lead pilgrims from the way of life." (Ap- 
 plause.) 
 
 ''The wheels of our factory are humming, and 
 our electrical apparatus is not only up-to-date 
 but ahead-of-date. It is our aim to specialize 
 along this line, and to furnish all kind of freaks 
 and novelties that will arrest the attention of pil- 
 grims enroute for Heaven." (Unusual applause.) 
 
 The next speaker was greeted with many smiles 
 as he approached the center of the stage. His 
 voice was less eloquent than those of his two pre- 
 decessors, but his manner was more pleasing be- 
 cause of his inclination to wit. 
 
 ''For several months -^ae^ I have been known as 
 the 'Whitewash Devil.' (Laughter.) It may 
 seem funny to you at this time, but I assure you 
 that I had anything but fun when I was studying 
 out the necessary proportion of elements to make 
 my new kind of whitewash, which is far superior 
 to the common whitewash, tnasniuch as it sticks 
 better and we claim that it is good for the healtk 
 This new -Article has become very popular, and to 
 supply the demand we proceeded to the erection 
 of that immense factory with its peculiar machin- 
 ery. I am glad that we have succeeded thus far 
 
SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. g^l 
 
 in our undertaking. If we can get a Christian to 
 use our goods according to direction he can so 
 cover up a black deed or a black heart that no or- 
 dinary storm of persecution will wash the white- 
 ness away." (Great applause.) 
 
 The most amusing part of my work is that I 
 have an agent employed in most every congrega- 
 tion who will do whitewashing cheap. (Applause.) 
 He gets the material from our factory and uses 
 it wherever and wheneverthere is a single demand 
 ^«l&e^it; Even some preachers recommend our im- 
 proved whitewash." (Furious applause.) 
 
 '^ The' whitewashing business may seem like a 
 small thing in your judgment, but I am here to in- 
 form you that we manufacture immense quantities 
 of this commodity and the demand is still increas- 
 ing every week." 
 
 At this the speaker walked toward his seat and 
 there was a wonderful demonstration. It seemed 
 that his manner and gestures did more to cause 
 the outburst than anything else. 
 
 After the third speaker had finished, he was suc- 
 ceeded by a very tall demon, whose eyes blazed 
 like balls of fire. He appeared to be under a ner- 
 vous strain and from his appearance one would 
 think that he had enjoyed no rest for several hun- 
 dred years. 
 
292 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 
 
 '^Let me assure you," he commenced, 'Hhat I 
 studied diligently after our special commission of 
 six months ago. My mind seemed to meditate 
 along the line of our equipment for war, and I 
 conceived the idea that our military forces could 
 do much more effective work if we had rapid firing 
 guns that were practical in their operations." 
 
 ^'To complete such a gun I bent myself to the 
 task, and after a period of heavy work I succeed- 
 ed in perfecting what might be called 'Satan's 
 Gattling Gun.' (Applause.) With the use of this 
 weapon we can make thrice as much havoc in a 
 given time as with the best gun we formerly used. 
 The miniature gattling gun, which operates on 
 similar principles as the larger gun, can be train- 
 ed upon a single soul, and it is wonderful how 
 death and confusion can be wrought in a short 
 time. (Applause.) One of my servants who car- 
 ried a small gun, fired the shots of temptation rap- 
 idly into a woman's heart, and she was so thor- 
 oughly confused that nothing seemed to be able 
 to counteract the attack." (Prolonged applause.) 
 
 ''The best feature yet attained is the lightness 
 of the small gun, which enables any imp of Hell 
 to carry it without much trouble. Already there 
 are several millions of these guns in use. (Ap- 
 plause.) We are hoping before long to supply 
 
SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 293 
 
 the whole range of the infernal kingdom." (Wild 
 applause.) 
 
 The speaker left the stage with a quick step and 
 was immediately followed by one of the brightest 
 members of the cabinet. His very appearance in- 
 voked an applause, for it seemed that the whole 
 company of judges were conversant with his work 
 evcffMsefOT^'hig desefit^ibed it. After a moment's 
 pause he spoke in pleasing tones : 
 
 ''My worthy compeers, I know that my master 
 is deserving of all that I was able or will be able to 
 do for him. After his special commission of six 
 months ago, I aimed to do what I thought would 
 be the greatest service to the whole host of our 
 helpers, ^re^yoia'have alt learned before thi§' I 
 compiled and composed what is now commonly 
 known as 'The Master's Recipe Book.' " (Great 
 applause.) 
 
 "For doing so small a service I scarcely ex~ 
 pected so great a reward as I have already had. 
 All kinds of congratulations are reaching me, and 
 many have expressed their appreciation for the 
 publication of the book. ' ' 
 
 "Let me read to you a few quotations, which I 
 culled from my pile of letters. My purpose is not 
 to exalt myself but I am hoping that some of these 
 extracts may inspire you to a better use of the 
 book." The first he read was as follows: 
 
2^4 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABtNE*. 
 
 "Let me thank you for your valuable work. 1 
 found in your book ' How to get to Heaven With- 
 out Working. ' I never thought of such an ingen- 
 ious manner of tempting a mortal being, and 
 yours worked like a charm. The book glistens 
 with original ideas, and I am sure that by its help 
 I can do much more work for our master than 
 ever before." (Applause.) 
 :/p o '• Another letter was rather lengthy, from this he 
 quoted : 
 
 "Your book is certainly a capital hit. The last 
 use I made of it was three hours ago. I chanced 
 to be close to an insulted Christian and then your 
 recipe dawned upon me: 'How to treat a person 
 who insults you.' I used your advice with telling 
 effect and I am sure that when I left that man he 
 had less religion in his heart than before. ^'OWST 
 the most novel chapters in the whole book is: 
 * Fishing. ' Not only did I laugh, but I also profit- 
 ed by its timely suggestions." (Applause.) 
 
 Another letter contained the following: 
 
 "Your book of one thousand recipes is the best 
 literary production in all our kingdom. You de- 
 serve unlimited praise for its publication. It 
 seems to me the most wonderful recipe of all the 
 one thousand is the one: 'How to mix Jealousy 
 with Love.' You strike the kevnote of the whole 
 
SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET, j^9§ 
 
 question. If we can get a person to try to mix 
 these two qualities we know what will happen to 
 the love part. (Great applause.) Your reasoning 
 in the book is so plausible that I cannot see how 
 a single soul can escape, who gives his attention to 
 the volume. I hope that you will receive your 
 good share of honor for the great service you have 
 thus done for all the forces of Hell." 
 
 The speaker "dpehed another letter and wa^ 
 about to read when he lifted his eyes toward the 
 audience and said: 
 
 ^'1 feel impressed that I have read enough. 
 CGo'on," and similar cries came from the audi- 
 ence.) I could proceed for a long period of time, 
 but I have concluded to cease reading inasmuch as 
 each of you have access to the book and I assure 
 you that it will never be a secret publication." 
 (Tremendous applause.) 
 
 After a short interval the next speaker advanced 
 with a dignity that would be hard to surpass. His- 
 vaice was well adapted to orator}^ and his gestures 
 were always pat. "ffGrTComm«need"witfa'H mtxderate 
 i^teiiation atiiS^the volume of his voice increased 
 as he proceeded. 
 
 ''I am not quite so fortunate as my comrades 
 who preceded me. I believe that my labors were 
 just as severe during the past six months, and yet 
 
296 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 
 
 I have been utterly unable to finish my task, al- 
 though I had hoped tfe be done before this day. I 
 am building a Medical Factory where the most 
 effective formula will be used in the manufacture 
 of all kinds of chemicals, and also the most per- 
 fect apparatus will be used for the injection of 
 these chemicals into the spiritual bodies of our 
 enemies. ' ' ( Applause. ) 
 
 ''Since I see the great need of thorough work, 
 I am willing to take a smaller prize to-day and 
 complete my task more slowly. -So I will say 
 nothing more than to give a little prophecy. I 
 ask your indulgence as I utter these words : 
 
 "When my plans are finished you can get any 
 one of the concoctions mentioned in the 'Master's 
 Recipe Book' with a full assurance that you have 
 received the proper mixture of elements. Accur- 
 acy in this particular is very essential to do effec- 
 tive work. You are well aware that no recipe 
 would be of any account if improper elements or 
 impure ingredients are used. We are also manu- 
 facturing many useful mixtures that are not men- 
 tioned in the 'Master's Recipe Book.' (Great ap- 
 plause.) Of all these you will learn more accur- 
 ately in the near future or just as soon as I am 
 able to finish this work." 
 
 The seventh member of the cabinet approached 
 
4f 
 
 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 297 
 
 to the front of the stage with a steady step. He 
 seemed to be perfectly calm and his face was set 
 with rigid lines, each one telling its own long tale 
 of demoniacal study. 
 
 **Six months ago," he commenced, "after the 
 special commission from our most worthy master, 
 I carefully studied the whole field of our opera- 
 tions and tried to determine where we were most 
 neglectful in our work. It appeared to me that 
 missionary effort was making more advancement 
 against us than any other branch of the enemy's 
 work. ' ' 
 
 "As I looked out over the field of the Christian 
 church I saw at home and abroad the bright fires 
 of missionary zeal. These fires had a different 
 color from the fires of Hell and to me it was pain- 
 ful to look upon tibem. How can I quench those 
 fires ? I mused to ®^self . With this end in view I 
 studied diligently and instead of spinning out a 
 whole lot of theories, I commenced to experi- 
 ment. ' ' 
 
 "I first constructed a chemical engine. The 
 liquid used was composed of a certain combination 
 of ignorance, selfishness and unbelief. I tried the 
 new machinery in a congregation where the mis- 
 sionary zeal was burning brightly. I threw my 
 specially prepared liquid over the hearts of the 
 
29§ SERMONS BY THE DEVIL^S CABINEt. 
 
 people, and believe me or not, I could notice a per- 
 ceptible decrease in the light of the fire." (Great 
 applause.) 
 
 ^ ' While the chemical engine was doing its work, 
 I succeeded in getting a number of church mem- 
 bers to carry water for me. While they did the 
 carrying, I did the throwing as effectively as pos 
 sible. By this double effort I am sure that the 
 fires were reduced nearly one-half. (Unusual ap- 
 plause.) Had it not been for some one continually 
 pouring oil from above, I believe that the mission 
 ary fire could have been totally extinguished. 1 
 know of nothing that can overcome altogether the 
 oil of the Holy Spirit. ' ' 
 
 ''It is my purpose to send imps into every con- 
 gregation or society where there is the least fire 
 of missionary zeal. And judging from what has 
 already been accomplished, I feel safe in prophe- 
 sying that we will drown out a large part of the 
 missionary zeal in the church of Christ on earth. ' ' 
 
 As the speaker was walking to his seat, the dem- 
 onstration was very boisterous. Some were stand- 
 ing on their feet during the excitement. 
 
 The seven addresses were at an end, and as the 
 Devil arose he called for another cheer. This was 
 answered by a deafening roar which continued as 
 long as the Devil smiled in approval. At length 
 
SERMONS BY TUE DEVIL'S CABINET. 299 
 
 he gestured for silence, and the contrast was in- 
 deed painful. The ear of each demon was turned 
 toward the stage in order to catch every word that 
 fell from the lips of the great master, who had by 
 this time reached the platform. 
 
 '*We have listened to seven remarkable ad- 
 dresses, ' ' commenced the Devil, ' ' The work done 
 by each one of these speakers is worthy of our 
 highest admiration and praise. By inventing and 
 operating new schemes we can only hope to cope 
 with our great adversary, and counteract the vig- 
 orous life and policy that is ever manifested in 
 his church. We have learned by our bitter defeats 
 that many of our former methods are no longer of 
 any use. If we hope to win in the great struggle 
 against our foes we must continue in the future to 
 invent new methods for every age and thus be able 
 to meet any new advance that may be made upon 
 us by our enemies." 
 
 ''But of all these things we will speak later. 
 The interesting feature now at hand is the distri- 
 bution of the^even prizes." 
 
 At this juncture a company of imps carried 
 upon the stage the seven different prizes. The 
 first was a hollow ground crown of gold set with 
 a diamond that had been taken froYn the Devil's 
 crown. The seventh prize was a golden belt artist- 
 
300 
 
 SERMONS BY THE DEVIL'S CABINET. 
 
 ically carved with beautiful figures. The other 
 prizes were of various kinds and indeed were a 
 most valuable collection. After the exhibition of 
 these prizes the Devil commanded that the vote 
 of the judges should be lifted. Each judge was 
 told to cast a single vote with one of the seven 
 numbers on it. 
 
 When the vote was gathered and counted the re- 
 sult was as follows: 
 
 Speaker No. 1 received 107 votes. 
 
 u 2 ' 
 
 106 '' 
 
 '^ 3 ' 
 
 130 '' 
 
 '^ 4 ' 
 
 154 " 
 
 '' 5 ' 
 
 172 '' 
 
 '' 6 ' 
 
 171 " 
 
 '' 7 ' 
 
 160 '' 
 
 After this result was announced each prize was 
 awarded amid the applause of the gathered multi- 
 tude. After adjournment the army of imps went 
 forth to profit all they possibly could by what they 
 had learned. 
 
At last Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit. whence 
 
 he can look over the bridgeless gulf to the far-off 
 
 City of Light. 
 
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 7 V i I " • 4 4 • * i " " V 1 • • 1 4 1 V 1 i * t 4" I 1 '4 r " r WWWVrr V 
 
 The time is coming when this young world of 
 ours will be old and decrepit with age, when the 
 proudest monuments of human glory will have 
 crumbled to dust. The empire of sin shall then 
 fall to pieces and its king shall be chained in the 
 bottomless pit, far off from the gates of Heaven. 
 Can we not imagine that when this time shall have 
 come, Satan will sing his bitter song somewhat 
 after the following lines: 
 
 ''Long ago I planned in my passing pride. 
 That to-day I would reign as king. 
 But where is my kingdom, where is my crown? 
 Is the bitter song that I sing." 
 
 ''What joy have I won through my evil designs! 
 "What peace in my soul-wrecking plan? 
 I hoped to conquer both Heaven and Hell 
 But have won nothing more than man." 
 
 "I can see above, o'er the bridgeless gulf. 
 The glorified Heaven-lit strand. 
 My chains make me feel the double disgrace 
 As I crouch 'neath the Infinite Hand. ' ' 
 
304 THE DEVIL'S LAST SONG. 
 
 ''Where are my princes, my legions of dupes, 
 And the millions of souls I won? 
 My pains and my chains are greater by far 
 Because of the deeds I have done." 
 
 •'All my plans and my schemes in a thousand 
 
 ways, 
 Like bubbles are blown out of sight, 
 My fancies and hopes like a passing dream 
 Are covered by shadows of night. ' ' 
 
 "Come on, all ye dupes, ye millions of men, 
 Who heeded my wishes like fools. 
 Take your share for aye of the galling chains. 
 Under Him who in triumph rules." 
 
 "You have lived and died for my noble cause. 
 Your souls are eternally marred. 
 You shall see no more than glimpses of light 
 Of Heaven from which you are barred." 
 
 "Then fling all your hopes, my friends, to the 
 
 winds, 
 As the echo of sadness replies, 
 You will feel henceforth the deeper degrees, 
 Of the Hell which beneath us lies. ' ' 
 
Date Due