“And how does the whole Bible appear since thy sight is so improved by those fortunate lenses?” “It certainly appears vastly different,” she confessed. “It is so much more liberal in its teachings than I ever before imagined.” “_Hast thou become so far advanced that thou canst, with thy more comprehensive view, distinguish between the inspired and the uninspired parts?_” asked the shining one with an air of dignity. “Not clearly so, although I have recently doubted the genuineness of some parts which still hold their place in the book.” “Thou art coming to the true light,” he flatteringly replied. “Blessed is the event that ever changed thine eyes to see so great a truth. Oh, that all the world might thus drink from the fountain of knowledge!” “When will the time ever come that the Bible will be rid of its errors?” impatiently broke in Mr. World. “In that happy day when the mists of superstition shall vanish before the true light of personal liberty and free thinking,” came the answer from the bright-robed angel who was none else than a minion of the Devil in disguise. “How could such a glorious work best be accomplished?” asked Mr. World whose interest now was more intensely aroused. “Only by Christians who ought to appoint a committee from their own number,--persons like our friend Miss Church-Member. This committee could decide, by a majority vote, what parts of the Bible to expunge. Then the church and the world would have a Bible reasonably free from errors. Our present Bible has so many objectionable parts which, of course, could not have been inspired, and any person who has the courage to correct it will be doing the world an incalculable service.” “Amen and amen!” enthusiastically spoke Mr. World. “The Bible is certainly a great book, but it would be vastly improved if once rid of its interpolations and errors of translation. Any preacher who would use in his pulpit such an abridged Bible would have my profoundest respect, and I hereby pledge half my fortune to the first minister who will do himself the honor of taking such a step.” “That will have its desired effect,” smilingly commented Miss Church-Member, “for there are some gentlemen of the cloth who would quickly sacrifice any conviction for such a sum of money.” “And here,” added the angel of light, “I hold in my hand a crown of fame set with the gems of honor. I hereby engage to place a crown like this on the head of each minister who will, in preaching and teaching, abridge the Bible and ridicule its weaknesses. Of course he must not cast reflection upon the real Word of God. He must only denounce and destroy the errors that have crept into it.” With these words the bright messenger disappeared, and Miss Church-Member endeavored again to know more about his identity, but Mr. World did not altogether satisfy her curiosity. Then, as they sped onward in their well-devised vehicle down the gravity road to Hell, Miss Church-Member continued reading her Bible quietly.