In the “Wizard City” Satan devises novelties, such as “Angelette” for choir singing the “Service Regulator” for taking the Holy Spirit’s place in worship, etc.
At the other end of the city the structures were divided into more than a hundred groups, resembling somewhat variously-shaped balloons of monstrous size.
The sides of the city were constructed somewhat after the manner of immense Ferris wheels, of amazing diameter. The compartments therein actually moved up or down according to the range of vision desired by the Inventors in their experimenting.
The central part of the city was the most notable of all. Here, with an average diameter of ten hundred feet, rose a circular structure tapering irregularly until it settled to a point six thousand feet in the air. Around this, as a center, ranged terraces, hanging gardens, aerial boulevards, and spiral electric railways.
After viewing this wonderful valley for many hours, the companions took one of the perfected automobiles and covered the long gradual descent to a depth of ten thousand feet perpendicular.
As they neared the base, I looked at Blackana, and asked: “How long have those Schools of Invention been in operation?”
“Since the creation of man.”
“What is the real purpose of their existence?”
“To invent devices and weapons helpful to our cause in peace or war, and more particularly to concoct new schemes for the use of the churches along the King’s Highway and the Way of the World.”
“Oh! that the earth might see all this foul inwardness, and discern aright the bland deception with which those subtle plots are executed!”