themselves." "We believe" (the same
writer had written) "in the sacredness of the family and the home, the
legitimacy of _every_ child, and the inalienable right of every woman
to the absolute possession of herself."

All this foul seed-teaching of the days before the Translation of the
Church, burst into open blossom and fullest fruit when once the
restraint of Christian public opinion had been withdrawn from the earth.

The friendship between Ralph Bastin and Baring had grown with the days,
and as they watched the rapid march of events, all heading towards
ultimate evil, they talked of the possible _finale_, while they
encouraged themselves in their God.

One evening, when they met, Baring said:

"I suppose there will soon come the time when no one will be able to
trade without bearing "the mark of the Beast."

"Some new indication that way?" asked Ralph.

"I think so," Baring returned. "You remember that I told you that
previous to the taking away of the Church, the vessels of my firm had
been _tentatively_ chartered for the transport of the various parts of
the Temple to Jerusalem. To-day, the negotiations have been quashed by
those who had previously approached us."

"For what reason?" asked Ralph.

"They gave no reason," Baring went on, "but I have not the slightest
doubt, myself, that the real reason is this, that I have, of late,
continually spoken warningly against Anti-christ."

"But how could that be known in circles purely Anti-christ?" Ralph's
tones were eager; his eyes, too, were filled with a puzzled expression.

"You know," Baring returned, "what we were speaking of the other night,
that now that the devil and his angels had been cast down from the air,
they are (though invisible) yet actively engaged all about us on the
earth?"

Ralph nodded assent.

"I believe, I am sure they are everywhere present." Baring smiled a
little sadly, as he added, his eyes sweeping the room in a swift,
comprehensive way: "There may be, there probably is, one or more
present in this room, at this moment, their object espionage. They
have doubtless been present when I have spoken against Anti-christ,
and----"

"Yes, but this shipping matter of which you spoke, Bob, is a _Jewish_
affair," interrupted Bastin, adding:

"For I presume, since the cargoes would be composed of the Temple
parts, that it would be financed by Jewish capitalists, religionists,
or what not? How then would Anti-christ have anythi