Mr World and Miss Church-Member | Page 3

place called Fellowship.
From here she journeys with him on the Broad Highway where she
witnesses several sad endings of human life.
In the closing hours of a long day I climbed a rugged path to a high
eminence whence I overlooked a beautiful valley and watched, with
increasing delight, the changing hues of earth and sky.
As the shadows of twilight were deepening each moment grew more
strange and mysterious until the waning day seemed to be transformed
into the dying of the century. Then I saw, as "through a glass darkly,"
the whole panorama of human life, with its painful pictures of sadness
and sin, and its blessed scenes of peace and righteousness. I also heard
the unmistakable wails of a suffering humanity and the turmoils of
myriad contentions, all strangely mingling with the songs of glory and
the shouts of spiritual triumph.
In deep silence I continued looking upon these endless confusions of
the church and the world as they still played their perplexing parts in
the fitful drama before me. All of this so preyed upon my mind that I
involuntarily cried out, in the anguish of my soul: "When will
confusion come to an end, and sweet peace cover the earth as the
waters cover the sea?"
"Will you wait for the winds to answer, or shall I?" replied a voice so
passing strange that I was startled.
I turned to see in whose presence I was and, to my horror, I beheld a
dark creature unlike any mortal being. He was without definite form
and not cumbered with any garments. His indescribable face was set
with two bright eyes, softened in expression until a slight halo revealed
to me a countenance half beautiful and half terrible. "Who are you, and

what is your mission?" I finally ventured to ask after speech had found
my lips, for I was altogether ignorant of his nature or purpose.
"I am Blackana, from the lower world of spirits, and am commanded
here to stay until released."
[Illustration: Looking through the open door of the Twentieth Century.]
"Until released? What power binds you here, and how long will you
abide?" I asked in dread suspense. "I must remain, as your companion
and interpreter, until the vision is past."
I trembled under these announcements, but I was assured that
underneath me were "the everlasting arms" and, moreover, I heard a
still, small voice whispering within me: "Stand still, O mortal man!
Neither Blackana nor any of his horde shall do thee harm. He hovers
before thee at my bidding, and will leave thee only at my command.
Ask him what thou wilt, and he must answer thee, even to the limit of
his knowledge."
At this juncture, and without a moment's warning, my vision was
enlarged and an unusual light flashed upon me. Quickly I cast my
wondering eyes all about me and saw that I was standing at the very
threshold of a great door. It was of such imposing dimensions and so
magnificently constructed that only the architects of Heaven could have
designed it.
Instinctively I turned to Blackana, whom I could now face without fear:
"Where are we, and what is the meaning of this great door?" And as I
spoke unseen hands swung it open upon its hinges.
"We are standing at the open door of the twentieth century. You may
look out into the coming years as far as you wish," replied Blackana in
a cold, indifferent manner.
Thrilled by such an unusual sight, and the thought which his
interpretation and words suggested, I marveled at his sullenness, for
Blackana did not so much as lift his head to see the spectacle.

"O, Blackana!" I cried, "why are you so dead to such surroundings?"
"These are mere playthings," was his gruff reply. "To me the doors of
the centuries, which open and shut on the cycles of time, are as trifles,
neither lessening my misery nor adding to my pleasure."
During a brief, thoughtful silence I continued looking at him, as a
shudder swept my whole being. I then turned from this creature so
shrouded in mystery and, stepping forward to look through the open
door, I was suddenly overawed at the still greater scenes which spread
in wondrous panorama before my entranced vision.
Under the new light I beheld a marvelous sight, for I could distinctly
see the myriad millions of humanity moving on the paths of life toward
a common goal.
In the bright halo of the scene I saw the beautiful King's Highway, on
which were marching the hosts of the church militant, led triumphantly
by the Spirit of God to the very gates of the Celestial City, which,
though distant, I could yet see under the dazzling light radiating from
the central throne