Near the edge of the King's Highway I saw another device to catch men
unawares. It was invented in the Wizard City and had been successfully
used by Satan for many centuries.
It was an _artificial woman_, dressed in modest apparel, and so
constructed that the arms were uplifted and the heart plainly visible,
making the curious image just unnatural enough to attract the attention
of all pilgrims.
Over the head of the image these words were written: "Touch this magic
heart for the charms that follow."
It was ridiculous to see how many of the young and old, in passing
over this way of life, stepped from the path and tried the experiment.
One man I saw who ventured to touch the mystic heart, and ere his eyes
could look into the face of the image its arms embraced him in a
tightening grasp.
Away the image moved with graceful ease into Elysian bowers of sensual
joy. There he remained to breathe its poisoned air and feed upon the
husks of such a clime.
I also saw a man of riper years who looked curiously at another image
similar to the one that had just moved away. At first he was doubtful
whether to test it or not, and as he stood in consideration he raised
his eyes and saw these words plainly written over the King's Highway:-To
ALL DESCENDANTS OF ADAM:
Beware, O pilgrim, of this woman's heart, Lest you should from the
Narrow Way depart; For if you touch a secret chord within, You're borne
away to wider fields of sin.
He read this sign a few times and also heard the voice of a good friend
who told him that he had seen thousands go to ruin by not heeding this
warning. Nevertheless he was urged by curiosity and carnality, and
being hardened by former acts of disobedience and seeing nothing but
innocent pleasure before him, he yielded to his baser desires.
"O! rescue me, Mr. Law, I am in the clutches of this woman," was his
beseeching cry, not long after. But I saw that no one came to his help.
There were many such places in this valley where men, both young and
old, were enticed; many of whom could not have been caught by the
|