Sermons by the Devil

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904. Excerpt: ... Preached by Satan to a Young Lady at one of the By-ways of Life. A certain young lady who was traveling along the pathway of Purity, felt the pulse of temptation at a certain place where steps of Prostitution led downward to one side of the path. As if held by some strange magic, she paused, scanned the steps and was inclined to descend, yet her better judgment forbade her. Then the invisible Satan spoke to her mind through that wireless telegraphy long ago known to the spirits: "You have come to an important turn in your experiences. If you descend these steps you will taste of life's fruit for the first time. Na SATAN'S BLACK DECEPTION ture has called you to walk downward here, and after you have passed over these steps you will gain the new knowledge, which will open your eyes to the broadest views of life. True enough the advice of your mother and father forbid you to pursue such a course, but it is well known that loving parents, in their zeal to do good, go to wide extremes in advising their children. Your mother knows that you are entitled, by the grant of nature, to the blessed fruit that can only be found on the lower level." The young lady answered in her own soul: "I cannot go by the way of these steps. The time has not yet arrived for me to seek or enjoy such privileges which are contrary to the customs of good society, and at variance with the laws of God." "Nonsense! nonsense!" came the suggestion from Satan. "The time to eat fruit is when you have an appetite for it, and the most charming appetite is the first. Some of the THE TERRIBLE SERMON CONTINUES wisest of the world have improved the golden opportunity, and descended these steps at your very age of life. Why should you hesitate! Virtue, if once lost, can easily be regained, and it is ...