3. The Famous Cross Roads. 4. The Devil’s Auction. As Mr. World and Miss Church-Member proceeded on their journey they were frightened by a man who, with his hands uplifted and agony pictured on his face, came running toward them, shouting: “Let good sense control you and go no farther! Enchantment, spirits, witches, and unnamed hobgoblins dwell in every part of this hideous valley!” “Oh, terror! What can this mean?” nervously asked Mr. World, as the stranger stood panting for breath. “All a mystery! Even the air is filled with poison and weird music. I am thankful that I have escaped with my life.” “Come, come, Mr. Sin-Sick, tell us more about it. We may thereby profit greatly,” said Mr. World with more composure. [Illustration: As Mr. World and his companion were entering the valley of Conviction a terrified man came running towards them. He ran away from the preaching of the gospel.] “I had just been traveling farther down the valley of Thoughtfulness and Conviction when I heard multitudes shouting praises to One whom they called their Redeemer, each waving aloft a banner bearing the imprint of a cross. On the cross I saw these words: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ When I came nearer to the confusion I was suddenly seized with a peculiar conviction which brought grief to my soul; and, had I not made this timely retreat, I might have been brought under the power of those strange creatures. Oh, take heed and go with me some other way.” Mr. World readily consented, but Miss Church-Member was inclined to continue, confessing that she had once been a singer in such a valley, and surely no harm could befall them there. Mr. World thought it was the part of wisdom not to oppose her at this time, although he feared that she might be induced to leave him. He consented to go, pretending that it made no difference to him which way he traveled; but, as they walked on, the wary fellow was very careful not to step from the Broad Path. When they came in sight of the valley Miss Church-Member lifted her glasses to test the strength of her eyes. Memory brought stinging grief to her heart. She commenced sighing for the old paths and also wept that she had for so long a time abetted her former enemies. Her companion became alarmed at the new turn. “Be not so fool-hardy,” he warned. “Your eyes are being needlessly ruined. Quickly replace those glasses lest you become totally blind.” She obeyed promptly and thus the intensity of conviction passed. Had her spiritual ears been open, she might have heard an angel sadly singing: “Oh, hear the song of love that fills the air! Oh, heed the voice that pleads in touching prayer! Both fall upon your conscience now in vain, Through vile deceit your nobler self is slain.”