Then with all our sails set again, and everything taut and trim, we started afresh on our important voyage, and were soon hastening on over the ocean with greater speed than ever; for the winds were most propitious, while everyone on board was intensely longing to reach the haven of rest—the glorious city of God—of which we had just seen a faint glimpse.
We were also more than ever vigilant in setting our watches and in our guard against any sudden surprises from our enemies the pirates.
After we had been thus sailing on our way for some time, greatly rejoicing as we went, we descried one day an immense fleet of various sorts of vessels bearing down in full sail towards us, and rushing down the stream with tremendous speed.
As they appeared likely to cross our bows, we kept a sharp look out and steered carefully, so as to avoid a collision; and when they approached near enough for us to make them out, we were able to read the names of some of the most prominent on their huge and brightly colored flags; the largest and most easily distinguished being Rationalist, Positivist, Secularist, Spiritualist, Agnostic, Free-thinker, Infidel, and Atheist. This great fleet of skeptics—whose name might have been Legion, for they were very many—kept together as closely as they could, and bore down in full battle array, determined, apparently, to run down everything that came in their way.
We then noticed that the van was led by a huge unsightly vessel, which seemed to be the flag-ship of their Admiral; and on more closely observing this strange looking monster with our new telescope, we recognized at once the big ship that had suddenly drawn alongside of us on that night of the calm, and whose wicked Captain boarded us, and did us such mischief. This was indeed no other than the formidable Doubting Demon, whose Commander was the crafty pirate Lucifer. But as usual these names did not appear, for he, like all Abaddon’s captains, always sailed under false colors.
This time he had hoisted a large blue flag bearing the name of Honest-doubt; and we were told afterward that he was known to all that great fleet of deluded skeptics as their leader, by the fair name of Admiral Reason: a name under which he had ruined countless millions of the human family.
Whilst watching the movements of the fleet, and reflecting on the sad spectacle of such a vast multitude of voyagers hastening down the stream with such frightful speed, led by the great deceiver, the cruel adversary of the whole human race, they approached us with a furious rush, and it was with no little difficulty we managed to keep clear and avoid being run down by them.
Shouting through their speaking trumpets, they railed at us for crossing their path; and when they discovered our name, they vied with each other in calling us all sorts of ill names, such as fools, fanatics, superstitious simpletons, and canting hypocrites.
One more bold than the rest drew near and essayed to go with us for a short space, with the hope, it would appear, of inducing us to join the fleet.
We then immediately sounded the alarm, buckled our armor on, and cleared the decks for action, resolved to resist any attempt that might be made to board us. As soon as he had ascertained that our destination was the Celestial Shores, he scornfully assailed us with the question, “What mortal ever saw the place you speak of, or can positively say that such a land exists, in any part of the Universe?”
Mr. Thoughts, who now stepped boldly forward to reply to this impious skeptic, answered, “We have the truth of its existence established on the sure word and authority of the Almighty King Himself, who made the Universe and everything in it, which is far better testimony than the word of any mortal that ever lived. For the Lord and Prince of all the worlds hath said that in the world to come we and all who believe shall have everlasting life, even in the Paradise above, which He has prepared for such.”
Skeptic. “But whence have you that information?”
Thoughts. “From His own word, the Holy Scriptures.”
Skeptic. “Well, that’s easily said; but is it not well known that all those writings, or Scriptures as you are pleased to call them, are a mere collection of ancient traditions, vague reports, and historical myths; for who ever saw the King or heard His voice, or are sure that He ever commanded such words to be written?”
Thoughts. “We have the best of reasons for believing the truth of those written reports, and are certain that holy men of God wrote and spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit of God; because: Firstly, the whole Book of God’s revelation to man bears the impress of His own infinite wisdom on every page. Even the learned of all ages have been compelled to admit that no mortal could ever have indited such wonderful and unparalleled words of wisdom and power. Secondly, because of the powerful hold these Writings have always had upon the minds of men in all ages and the marvelous influence they have exerted over the whole world; as well as the undeniably good results their teachings have invariably produced in every land where they have been received and believed, showing their inherent power to be of God, and not of man. Thirdly, because their teachings perfectly agree with all the positive facts around us: of things in the heavens above, and things on the earth, and things under the earth, notwithstanding all the caviling of would-be philosophers. Fourthly, because their teachings also fully correspond with all the thoughts, feelings, emotions, desires, and aspirations of our own minds; which we could no more deny than we could deny our own existence: and that too in an authoritative way, that the teachings of no other books in the world pretend to do. Moreover, they clearly describe the source, nature, and power of the evil that is ever present throughout the whole world, and manifestly displayed before the eyes of everyone, even in our own hearts. Nor is your own reckless and wretched condition omitted, rushing madly down this swift current, as you are now doing, to certain destruction.”
Skeptic. “What absurd credulity you display in all this talk; ‘tis nothing but the rant of ignorant ecclesiastics and fanatics. I wish our noble Admiral Reason was on board for a few moments, for he would show you there is neither sense nor logic in what you say, and that you have not given a reasonable answer to any of my questions.”
Thoughts. “We are not led by perverted reason (though our position and service are the most reasonable in the world) but by faith, through which we understand all things, and can even now rejoice in the certainty of the happiness that awaits us in that glorious land on the other side of this ocean, prepared for all true believers. Yes, and we can moreover see by faith the dreadful gulf to which you and all that fleet are now hurrying, led as you are by that wicked pirate Lucifer, of the Doubting Demon.”
At this the Skeptic got into a towering rage and shouted furiously, “What an absurd notion to be sure: why we are taking the grand tour of the whole world, under the guidance of our excellent Admiral Reason; for we intend to visit all the famous islands of the ocean, to enjoy their pleasures to our heart’s content: and shall afterward settle down in that magnificent and delightful Fame-land, whose glorious pinnacles stretch up into the infinite expanse; and whose connections lead on to the eternal, where we shall continue to improve and rise forever, until we become as gods.”
While these words were being uttered, we observed the crew of the Skeptic collecting together and arming themselves with darts and bows and arrows; apparently with the intention of attacking us. So, we immediately gathered in line, headed by Captain Will and Mr. Conscience, having our armor on, and our shields in readiness, to be prepared for any attack that might be made upon us.
Seeing our determined attitude of defense, the Skeptic, with a yell of execration, veered round to depart and join the fleet again.
We then discovered that his name was Questioning; or rather, (as we found later on) his full name was Doubtful-Questioning; the first part of the name being painted over and hidden, so as to deceive.
“Ah,” said Mr. Understanding, “that subtle questioner must be another of Abaddon’s crew; and if my memory serves me right, one of his most trusty Captains; indeed, the very one who so insidiously and fatally assailed our mother Eve in the garden, with this deadly weapon of Doubtful-Questioning, when he asked, ‘Yea, hath God said?’”
“Doubtless you are right,” said Mr. Heart. “What a mercy we have been delivered from his insidious wiles. I have now to thank all the officers on board for being so well on their guard, and for so promptly preparing such a resolute defense.”
Going aloft with our telescope, we watched the great fleet now receding in the distance, while its speed down the stream appeared to be accelerating every moment.
We could still faintly hear their merry thoughtless shouts as they hurried along, little dreaming whither they were going.
Looking still further beyond, we now observed that they were rapidly approaching the dreadful Gulf of Gehenna, where inevitable destruction awaited them, and whence none ever returned to tell the sad tale of their hopeless ruin.
The Doubting Demon still leading, they quickly drew near to the fatal Gulf, when their cruel Admiral rapidly went ahead, and then suddenly appeared to be transformed into a flaming fiery spectral ship, suspended in the air just above the terrific cataract to which the fleet was hastening. Still allured by the demon in the air, and with such tremendous way on, it was too late for the fleet to stop in their mad career, even if they had wished it.
So, on they dashed straight into the very rapids of the terrible falls, and with one fearful plunge down they went, one after another, into the unfathomable depths of the awful abyss; and were thus forever lost to sight. As they went over, we could see some of the crews throwing up their arms in despair, but their cries we could not hear, by reason of the distance between us. Then a dark impenetrable cloud enveloped the whole scene.
Heartrending were their cries (as we were told afterward) when they discovered their terrible mistake and found that by “strong delusion they had been led to believe a lie”; and when all their brilliant imaginings and false hopes were quenched in an instant, and forever!
“But,” said Mr. Conscience, “they had willfully allowed themselves to be deceived; nay more, they had deliberately chosen error and darkness, in preference to the abounding light that shone around them; and that will ever constitute the sting of their unutterable woe.”
“They sought for truth, they said, in everything,
In rocks of earth, or in the ocean’s depths,
Or in the heavens, and all its glorious orbs;
Whence ever came the answer to their quest,
We are the handiworks of the Almighty God;
Fashioned in every atom by His hand,
Bearing the stamp of infinite design,
Yet though this voice of truth came clear and loud,
From every form in heaven, and earth and sea,
The doubters never heard, nor cared to hear
These sounds so plain, to every honest heart.
Of nature’s laws they prated much and loud,
And dared to see what angels never saw,
The power of life in things inanimate:
And in their impious folly dared to set
The laws of nature in the place of God!
Though none could tell how smallest flower grew.
Yet when they deigned to glance at God’s own Word,
(Which bore the stamp of truth on every page,
The very thoughts of God himself displayed
In living power, which only God could trace)
They naught could see, but points to cavil at;
And in their willful blindness cast aside,
The very source of truth, because forsooth
It did not tally with their puny thoughts!
As if the circle of infinity,
Could e’er be squared by finite theories.
Thus in their mantle of delusion wrapt,
—Which in the end became their funeral shroud—
Alone they stepped into the dark unknown:
And when that cloak was suddenly withdrawn,
The look they gave, the agonizing shriek!
No tongue could e’er describe; as then they found
Their dread mistake, and their eternal doom.”