at home, while some took as a substitute their opera glasses. They can
see through these better than they can through their Bibles.
While Mr. World and Miss Church-Member tarried at the Theatres, I was
permitted to see a conference of the evil spirits that had in charge
the Theatre interests of Satan. The conference met at the opening of
the year 1901 what was called "The Century Session."
For the time I was lost to all other surroundings, and I could hear
all and see all as if I occupied the best seat. The unusual parliament
seemed to be held underground, and yet one could enter directly from
the surface of the earth.
The assemblage was controlled by a highly honored chief, cool and
deliberate in manner. Every kind of imp imaginable could be found in
the number that constituted the many committees.
I witnessed every part of the diabolical proceedings, and will here
disclose a portion of these doubly sealed secrets.
After all preliminaries were brushed away, I heard seven ominous clangs,
and silence reigned supreme. The chairman rose to speak. What a mingling
of light and darkness! How truly Satanic his every feature and every
move! How earnest his brief address, every word in the interest of
Satan's blasting work.
"Give heed, oh, ye co-workers, bound under oath to give a true report!
Our cause has made advances, and our work calls for the ripest service
we can give. _The theatre modernized is fast winning the church. All
honor, ye spirits who played your parts so well!_ The century has just
closed, but not our opportunity. Let coming years be one of mightier
conquest. Down with the narrow truth and morbid righteousness, and all
things else that check our onward marching!" For a moment the chairman
was silent. Then, as he raised his hand, I heard a hideous clang which
proved to be the signal for the report of "The-Moral-Effect-of-the-Theatre"
committee. Forthwith the whole committee stood _en masse_ before the
chairman. "Our work goes on with speed," cried the leader of the gang.
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