12. The Wizard City
13. The Festival
14. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member entering the Valley of Conviction
15. The Devil's Auction
16. Miss Church-Member carried to the Devil's Hospital
17. Struggling with the real and imaginary imps near the Black River
18. The glorious end of the righteous
Introduction
BY BISHOP RUDOLPH DUBS, D. D., LL. D.
In response to the earnest request of the author of this book I have
written these introductory words, after a careful, deliberate reading
of the allegory. What I have written expresses my own opinion of the
book, uninfluenced by motives of friendship for the author or any other
consideration.
The book is a powerful allegory, somewhat after the style of Pilgrim's
Progress, but in no sense is it an imitation of any existing work of
the kind. It is a masterful presentation, wrought out with excellent
judgment and consummate skill.
The creatures of the author's vivid imagination are perfectly formed
and fittingly clothed, living, moving, feeling, talking, in complete
harmony as the development of the great drama goes on to its
consummation. The author has evidently made a careful and profound
study of the manifold dangers which beset the Christian church and
threaten her spirituality, and consequently her influence and power
in saving the lost and maintaining the gospel standard of life and
godliness in the world.
The encroachments of worldings upon the church are truthfully and
graphically set forth. The manifold forms of temptation and danger are
clearly exposed, and faithful, tender, earnest warnings and admonitions
are set over against them. In depicting the various efforts of Satan
and his agents to lead Christians away from God and duty, the author
shows an extensive knowledge of the devices of the evil one, as well
as a clear insight into the drift and tendency of modern forms of
wickedness.
The final results of compromise with the world are set forth in vivid,
graphic pictures drawn on the dark shadows as with a pencil of fire.
The downward course of the deluded soul is followed, step by step; the
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