William Shuler Harris
Writing from the perspective of Satan, this book demonstrates the dark nature and cunning techniques of the Devil through the advice and sermons he gives to Earthly mortals.The Devil’s seductive and tempting qualities are displayed ingloriously. Satan advises ordinary humans to live lives of sin and reckless indulgence, with callous disregard for oneself and others. To make his counsel more alluring and convincing, the Devil employs a variety of rhetorical techniques, noting the short term gratification and pleasure a person can enjoy by behaving in an injurious way. Examples include imbibing alcohol, tobacco, a rejection of Christian virtues, declining God’s call, and promotion of atheism.The author himself was a committed Reverend who, by writing this book, strived to act as a literal ’Devil’s Advocate’. Writing at the turn of the 20th century, the sermons Harris conceived also represent Christian outlooks emblematic of the time, with movements such as temperance represented in the chapters, and styles of dress shown in the illustrations. In all, we witness how a talented preacher’s knack for words and speaking were adeptly purposed into a unique guide for believers eager to avoid the pitfalls of bad conduct.
