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
2. They are directed to the city where expert inventors are constantly
employed in devising weapons and all kinds of devices.
3. They see a few inventions which are just being perfected to
facilitate the services of the churches along the King’s Highway.
After Mr. World’s remarkable experiences on the Observatory, he gladly
called for his friend, Miss Church-Member, who accompanied him on
another branch of the Mountain Trolley.
They alighted at a station called Progress, and proceeded on the Broad
Highway. Neither of them became wearied in listening to the experiences
of the other during their brief separation.
Ere long they came to a large hall which was used by the Ways and Means
Committee of the Broad Highway.
They obtained permission to visit the interior of the hall, hoping
thereby to see the famous committee in session. But, after being
escorted from room to room by a guide, they were informed, upon reaching
the main auditorium, that the committee was holding a secret session,
and that no visitors would be allowed to enter during that day.
“How soon will visitors be admitted?’ asked Mr. World, with a shade
of disappointment in his tone.
“Not until the matter now under consideration is settled. It may be
two hours, perhaps two days,” was the indefinite reply.
“And where can we spend the interim with most profit and interest?”
further interrogated Mr. World.
The guide, looking through a window, described a path leading to a
lofty summit. “When you reach that elevation,” explained he, “you will
see, in the busy vale beyond, the Wizard City.
“Most of the experiments performed in that wondrous vale are closed
forever from the view of mortal man; but so much of the work as you
are allowed to see will interest you for many days.”
“In my opinion such a privilege is greater than the one we are here
denied,” smilingly spoke Miss Church-Member.
“True indeed, my friend, unless the climbing of the hill should prove
to be a more arduous task than you imagine,” cautioned Mr. World.
“Each of you will be pleasantly surprised,” promptly affirmed the
guide, “for they only can climb to that summit who do so willingly,
and by them it is easily accomplished.”
“Is there no shorter way thither than by that winding path?” slowly
asked Mr. World.
“There is but one shorter route, and that is underground. No one is
permitted to go that way until he has passed the summit and has reached
the seventh degree in the secret service of our Master.”
“Ah! so there is an underground connection between this place and the
Expert Inventors?” said Miss Church-Member in a low tone, and with a
look of suspicion.
“Be not in the least alarmed. The Ways and Means Committee and the
Expert Inventors work in harmony, each supplementing the work of the
other. It is therefore essential that between them there be as close
connection as possible, not only for convenience of travel, but for
insuring secrecy.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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