Their tastes were now more in harmony than ever, and their friendship was fast reaching that intimacy where each one was searching for pearls in the deep ocean of the other’s love.
CHAPTER XII.
THE THEATRE.
1. Mr. World and his friend tarry at Satan’s Theatres which lay in seven grades, one below the other.
2. A description of the “Century Session” held by the demons having in charge the Theatre interests of Satan.
The College of Theatres lay between the second and third divisions of the Schools of Literature. The numerous structures were built on so large a scale, and after such winning designs, that the attention of many travelers was attracted to them and thereby to the performances given within their walls.
Here could be found some of the graduates of the Schools of Literature who were constantly engaged on one or another of the stages.
All these theatrical attractions belonged to the first grade and formed a part of a great system of Theatres which lay in seven grades, one below the other, each serving its part to engross the human mind with the carnal and sensual things of life.
The performances of the first grade were practically free from the vulgar touches found, with increasing intensity, as one goes downward toward the seventh grade which lay beneath the Midway in the Valley of Temptation.
In these Satanic Theatres of the first grade respectability is maintained purposely so as to ensnare as many professing Christians as possible, for there are many in the ranks of the church who are building with nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. The scheme works so well that the Devil is trying to form a “Stage Trust,” and get all the talent of the King’s Highway to unite. Thus Satan seems to encourage morality in order to carry out his deeply laid schemes of moral pollution.
I looked into the inward workings of this terrible system. I saw multitudes descending downward from the first grade, many of whom ceased not until they had passed through all the seven grades. The scenes and revelations that came to my eyes beggar all description. My heart sickened as I beheld the millions wallowing in the mire of fleshly lusts, apparently living for no higher purpose than to see the latest novelties of expressing lewdness and sensuality.