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
“They are finding it out more and more every age,” said Mr. World
with a complacent smile. “The church and the world ought to be one
and, according to the teaching of the Bible, how could this be better
accomplished than by having the church come down to the level of the
world, and from that point lift the world upward. That was Christ’s
method and example. The church of to-day should not wish to be greater
than her Lord.”
The two church-officials looked at each other in surprise. “Without
doubt that is broad-minded theology,” first spoke Mr. Deacon.
“It is indeed refreshing in contrast with what we must hear repeatedly
from the troublesome element in the church,” added the other.
“Will you not tell us how you also came to reach this favored place?”
inquired Miss Church-Member, as she gave her attention momentarily to
Mr. Deacon.
“It came about in a very odd manner. I had been wearing an old-style
robe of righteousness, and gradually came to see that it was totally
out of harmony with the higher thought of the age; so much so that I
became odious to many liberal-minded people. A sharp struggle ensued
between my conscience and my judgment. In the midst of this conflict
I came to a place which offered to accept my old garments in exchange
for seasonable attire. ‘Anything for peace,’ thought I; so I entered
the establishment and selected this apparel, and these additional
advantages. It cost me nothing but the mere willingness to exchange,
and would I not have been foolish to refuse so much at so small a
price?”
“Without a doubt,” quickly answered Miss Church-Member. The others
forcibly confirmed her answer.
“After I had completed my bargain I continued my diligence in the work
of the church and in traveling on the good old Narrow Way. I came to
a place called God Praise, and got through with little difficulty; but
voices from unseen creatures spoke terror to my soul. In this
unhappiness I trudged along until I came to a narrow pass known as
Sacrifice. Through it I could not go. I struggled again and again. I
also heard a voice saying unto me: ‘If thou wilt wear the garments of
salvation, and cast off these things of earth, then thou mayest pass
through all thy sacrifice with ease and sweet delight.’
“The voice troubled me much, for I feared it spoke the truth. There
did I spend a long season in mortal dread and doubt, and thought I
would rather die than suffer thus. Suddenly, as if blind to it before,
I saw a sign apparently moving in circles about me. It settled to my
left and thus it read:
TO HEAVEN WITHOUT SACRIFICE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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