The Inhabitants of the Valley

Then did many others find their way to the mountaintop; some from one city and others each from their respective towns and hamlets, which do lie in the valley that surrounds this mountain. For the valley is all under the control of the Apostasy family, even Gog and Magog. But as on this morality plain there are “many men of many minds,” so the adherents of each separate opinion betake themselves to a little village by themselves. Now in this valley were more than six hundred of these villages of which we can mention only a few, although at times pilgrims may be seen making their escape from any one of them. There was one village by the name of Anti-Christ; in it dwelt Mrs. Christian Science, Miss New Thought, Miss Theosophy, and their mother, Mrs. Hinduism, also their aunt, Mrs. Paganism who is the mother of Mrs. Papacy, whom we all know to have been the mother of all the Apostasy family. Now the dear people of this village believe that salvation is within themselves, and although they speak of the Jesus Christ, in whom their cousins profess to believe, still they do reject the doctrine of His atoning sacrifice.

One morning, as some of the members of this family were walking out a long distance, they did come upon one of the boundary posts of the mount on which was inscribed in large letters the name “Jesus,” and under it these words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”* (John 14:6) And, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”* (Acts 4:12) Then were they all pricked to their hearts and did begin to fear and tremble, lest after all they should be found to be thieves and robbers, because they were seeking to climb up some other way. Then did they discover a little pathway, from the post which led to the heights and brought them to the camp of the faithful, after first having met Mercy and Hope, who had ministered unto them and encouraged them in the way of truth.

There was also a camp of Israelites in this valley, who not only rejected Jesus but who were building their hopes upon the works of the law. Then was there also a sister village called Good Works. Some of the inhabitants of this village were Mrs. Philanthropy, Mrs. Social-Reform, Mrs. Much-Talk, Mrs. Make-a-Show, and Mrs. Formality. Now, these ladies had worked together in harmony for many years. They had been especially helpful to the Apostasy family in keeping up the expense of their camp; and in exchange for their labor they had received many promises of everlasting bliss in the world to come, and much praise in this world.

Now, one day a good shepherd did come to their town and exhorted them to flee to the mountain, as their city was soon to undergo a severe earthquake and fire; and all of their good works would never be able to save them. “For,” said he, “it is not by works of righteousness that we shall be saved, but by believing in the mercy of the Son of God. For this is the work of God, that ye believe on the Son of God.” Then did some of their company flee to the mountain, and when they came to daylight point, they were almost overwhelmed to find that not only had their works been left behind, but that they had many blemishes which had to be cleansed away in Mercy’s laver, before they were fit company for the faithful ones.