Mr. World and Miss Church-Member: A Twentieth Century AllegoryHarris, W. S. (William Shuler)
Religion
Mr. World and Miss Church-Member: A Twentieth Century Allegory
Harris, W. S. (William Shuler)
Christian fiction
“Proud indeed, for our master has given us encomiums for the splendid
work accomplished. You see, Mr. World, it is a settled fact that young
people will sin, notwithstanding all the influence exerted to the
contrary. Such as we can persuade we take under our direction, and
try, as soon as possible, to harden them in personal crime. Our
physicians have special medicines to inflame their propensities, so
that they may, by continual burning, consume themselves and spare the
youth from otherwise being tormented day and night in these flames of
passion. Are you so dull, Mr. World, that you cannot grasp such
self-evident truth?”
“It seems now somewhat clearer to my mind, but still my eyes behold
such horrid scenes around me.”
“I cannot question that,” continued the smooth-tongued agent of
darkness, “yet what you see are but the lower stages. If you could
look beyond these dark corridors and see the types of womanhood which
grow out of this under-soil, you would no longer breathe in doubt or
look with shuddering frame on scenes around you. All good things come
forth through putrefaction. Then why should you despise the
putrefaction? Be content, Mr. World, and as you walk along the path
of life, remember this great College underground, and recommend its
salient features to the rising generation. You have signed the pledge
and promised to aid this secret working band. So do it with a vim,
keeping in view the blossoms and the fruit of after-growth.”
Mr. World was completely won by this false and devilish reasoning, and
looked on the whole program of shame quite philosophically.
He took full cognizance of the far-reaching effects of this section
and, after an interview with one of the head physicians, he proceeded
to visit the next section.
But what he saw there will not be told. No pen can describe and no
tongue relate the loathsome filth of this last stage of immorality.
An awful stench filled the air arising from medicines of last resort
and from the putrefying flesh that clothed the living skeletons.
It was by mistake that Mr. World got into this place. The door opened
to admit a few “Unfortunates,” as they were called by the attendants,
and Mr. World, standing near by, entered without permission.
He was no sooner inside the door than he was frantically seized by a
sunken-eyed creature.
“O man of health, deliver me from this inner eating and from the grave
that opens to me its mouldy mouth!” was the heart-rending cry that
grated on the ears of Mr. World.
Another, hearing this pleading cry, came rushing toward the same spot
and sobbed piteously:
“Oh! Mr. World, have pity on me! I had help when I had means and
vitality. Oh! give me some relief now.”
Mr. World was so terror-stricken that he could not speak, but struggled
with all his might to escape from the place.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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