Artists were painting the scenes of worldly ease, and poets were writing sweet verses for the singers of the place. Miss Church-Member, who was a lover of the fine arts, asked Mr. World to tarry in one of the gardens of the poets where they might hear the songs of the season just from the pens of their authors. This was a novel privilege; so he readily consented and accompanied her into a garden near by. They were greeted by sounds of instrumental music and charming voices raised in song. After these harmonies died away a soloist sang a hymn that had been composed that same day. Her voice rendered each word distinctly: Remorse is but the foe of all, The rich and poor, the slave and free Unfriendly comes its bitter call-- Perchance it comes this day to thee. Then come, thou troubled seeking peace From this unkind, intruding foe; Let anxious cares no more increase; Go bury all thy pangs of woe. Forget the things that wake thy mind To fleeting sorrows of the day; Oh! come and be forever blind To all except this Broader Way. Then followed a fiendish woman, in guise of a light-crowned angel, who delivered an address entitled “The True Peace of the World.” While the applause which followed her remarks was dying away, an authoritative old gentleman arose. After standing a moment in dignified silence, he continued to carry out the program of the Devil by speaking on “False Lights from the so-called ‘King’s Highway.’” Next a quartette beautifully rendered a love song of the world; this also had been quite recently composed. Sweet world, so bright and fair, We would thy pleasures share While days pass on. Thou art our truest friend, On thee our souls depend Till life is gone. In life’s perplexing days, Thou wilt, in every phase, Be ever near. While thy sweet, placid charms Dispel our dread alarms In times of fear. Who else can give relief, When bowed in heavy grief? No one like thee. Thou sendest rays of light, Into our darkest night Till shadows flee. The melody of this song and the sentiment of its words had a very decisive effect on Miss Church-Member. She looked into the eyes of Mr. World with more than poetry in her glance, for her heart was now thrilled with the first touches of true love for him. CHAPTER VIII. THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 1. In this valley the two great Highways run almost parallel. 2. The intervening ground is all alive with Satan’s schemes to entice, entrap and discourage Christians. 3. The operation of Christian forces in this valley. After leaving the Hill of Remorse and the pleasure grounds of Apathy, Mr. World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on the Broad Highway which now gradually sloped toward a deep valley. “What is the name of the valley which we are now entering?” inquired Miss Church-Member. “’Tis but the Valley of Temptation,” he carelessly answered.