The two church-officials offered their hands to Mr. World in warm congratulation, and then praised Miss Church-Member for her timely efforts which they felt sure would terminate in his conversion. “What more is required of me in order that I may join your church?” inquired Mr. World in a voice of deepening earnestness. “Nothing more than to express your willingness,” responded the two. Your morality is beyond suspicion, and your fulfillment of the duties of citizenship has always been praiseworthy; therefore your religion is quite exemplary. It lacks but your admission into the church.” “I would have joined before now had it not been for a radical element potent in the councils of the church, and especially for the narrow views entertained by your minister. If you had another pastor, one of more liberal cast of mind, it would not only influence me to join, but many of my wealthy and honorable friends would do so as well.” “It certainly is a sad state of affairs,” sighed Miss Church-Member. “We are losing heavily by reason of such narrowness. I thought differently at one time, but these glasses have given me a wider and clearer range of vision.” “Your words indicate a sound judgment,” commented Mr. World, and the two church officials listened eagerly. “Why should the church compel a man to journey on a path so narrow that he can scarcely make any progress?” [Illustration: Mr. Elder, unable to push through the narrow pass of Consecration, was compelled to take the “Shorter and Broader Way to Heaven.”] “A sensible view of it,” said Mr. Elder, “for I have learned by experience that it is impossible to travel far in the way you mention. I tried it until recently, when I gave it up in disgust. I patronized an old established exchange store, disposed of a part of my outfit, and got in exchange something up-to-date, as you see from my appearance. I then endeavored to walk on the old path, but soon came to an especially narrow place called Consecration. I could not squeeze through. I struggled hard and long until one came to me and said: ‘Let go what thou hast under thine arms and belted to thine heart, and thou shalt go through with ease and rejoicing.’ That was asking too much of me, for I paid a high price for these things and was minded to hold to them at all cost. I then endeavored more earnestly to push ahead, but found that I could not. As I looked around me, in despair, I saw a path leading to the left, under a beautiful arch, whereon I read this inscription: A SHORTER AND BROADER WAY TO HEAVEN. “This path I took and have been traveling comfortably thereon, especially since I found this still Broader Way into which it led. If only all church-members would know the comforts and advantages of this way, they could no longer refuse to travel it.”