Close by I saw an agent of the Devil fastening a book to a line and throwing it to the edge of the King’s Highway. In bold letters it bore the title, “Forbidden Fruit,” and under this title there was an impure picture.
Many, in passing by, who saw the book would have examined it had it not been for their modesty.
But one man, whose curiosity was stronger than his judgment, took the book and commenced perusing it. While thus engaged the invisible strands of influence drew the captive from the Narrow Way until he found a series of books and illustrations to enchain his attention, and Satan succeeded in totally winning his heart.
I saw another book thrown to the edge of the Pilgrim’s Path. This was taken by a woman who opened its pages and saw its evil tendencies. Although drawn by the invisible chord, she did not step from the path, but threw the book as far to one side as she could, and proceeded on her journey happily singing:
“Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin.
Each vict’ry will help you
Some other to win.”
This only enraged the wily foes, and they became more determined than ever to continue their work of deception and ruin.
From one point or another I saw this dreadful work progressing. Each station used a different kind of bait, pleasing or attractive to some passing pilgrims. Here the enemy reaps a continual harvest notwithstanding all the preaching, advice, and influence brought to bear upon pilgrims to induce them to eschew all attractions not plainly found upon their own pathway.
Some, whom Satan could not attract by a bait, he would catch with snares, many of which I saw in operation, each guarded continually by trusted servants of the Evil One.
One of the subtlest of these snares consisted of a series of small, curiously shaped buildings. They stood as near to the King’s Highway as Satan could place them, while glaring signs informed the pilgrims that they could here obtain knowledge upon any subject. Each building was so constructed that, at the will of a secret operator, it could be moved noiselessly from its resting place.
Many an unsuspecting traveler who craved for a solution to some mystery would step into one of these neat rooms, and meet with a most cordial reception.