3. A tilt with Blackana who defends Miss Church-Member for traveling
on the Broad Highway.
The highway of the world was so broad that one could walk thereon as
loosely as he wished without fear of stepping from it. Along the way
there were so many things to attract the attention that the farther
Miss Church-Member journeyed with Mr. World, the less frequently she
looked toward the King's Highway. However, her face brightened and her
hopes waxed strong as they suddenly came to a place where two ways met.
With quick insight Miss Church-Member saw that the By-Path was a blessed
one and that it led directly to the King's Highway.
"Let us follow this shining path," she hopefully suggested. "I know
it leads to the way of light and glory."
"Not such a path, my friend," hastily replied Mr. World. "Do you not
see the terrible hill to which it leads, and those who are even now
struggling to climb its arduous heights?"
"I clearly see it all," she calmly admitted, "but they who struggle
most are endeavoring to carry many idols with them. If one will forsake
his idols, he can, with ease and pleasure, mount to the shining summit
which is but the edge of the King's glorious Highway. Come, Mr. World,
hesitate no more. Let procrastination end, and go with me even to the
hill, and I will help you to the summit--while Another will help you
more."
"Very true, very true," he said, though somewhat irritated, "but we
have not yet come to the place where I may wisely follow your advice.
This path turning away to the right leads to a place that may seem
bright from this point, but nevertheless I know it to be a narrow,
rugged way, whereon a few of your friends are trudging, eking out a
miserable existence. Urge me not to go thither. If you leave me, I can
neither accompany you nor give you my assistance. Surely you have
learned, ere this, that your needs are of such a nature that you must
inevitably suffer embarrassment without my little help."
Miss Church-Member, with eyes but partly open to her own folly, was
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