"All that does not
emanate from the Father, which you cannot trace back to His purpose in
creation, is that mysterious indefinable influence or spirit which
makes the world." The world, in this sense, is not primarily a thing,
or a collection of people, but a spiritual influence poured out into
the very atmosphere of our lives.

The spirit of the world insinuates itself everywhere. It is what we
call society; the consensus of fashionable opinion; the spirit which
finds its satisfaction in the seen and transient; the ambition that is
encircled by the rim of an earthly horizon; the aims, plans, and
activities which are comprehended, as the Preacher says, "under the
sun." You meet it in the school, where little children judge each
other by their dress and the number of horses their fathers keep; in
the country town, where strict lines are drawn between the professional
or wholesale man and the retailer; in gatherings of well-dressed
people, stiff with decorum and the punctilious observance of etiquette.

The world has formulated its _Beatitudes_, thus:

"Blessed are the rich, for they shall inherit the earth."

"Blessed are the light-hearted, for they shall have many friends."

"Blessed are the respectable, for they shall be respected."

"Blessed are they who are not troubled by a sensitive conscience, for
they shall succeed in life."

"Blessed are they who can indulge their appetites to the full, for they
shall be filled."

"Blessed are they who have no need to conciliate their rivals, for they
will be saved from anxiety."

"Blessed are they who have no poor relations, for they shall be
delivered from annoyance."

"Blessed are they of whom all men speak well."

The world's code says, "Do as others do; don't be singular; never
offend against good taste; have a tinge of religiousness, but remember
too much is impracticable for daily life; whatever you do, don't be
poor; never yield an inch, unless you are going to make something by
the concession; take every advantage of bettering your position, it
matters not at what cost to others--they must look after themselves, as
you to yourself."

But it was reserved for John Bunyan to draw Madame Bubble's portrait:
"This woman is a witch. 'I am mistress of the world,' she says, 'and
men are made happy by me.' She wears a great purse at her side; and
her hand is often in her purse fingering her money. Yea, she has
bought off many a man from a pilgrim's life afte