SIN

NEW CURATE—"What did you think of the sermon on Sunday, Mrs. Jones?"

PARISHIONER—"Very good indeed, sir. So instructive. We really didn't know what sin was till you came here."

Know'st thou not all germs of evil

In thy heart await their time?

Not thyself, but God's restraining,

Stays their growth of crime.

—Whittier.

'Tis fearful building upon any sin;

One mischief enter'd, brings another in:

The second pulls a third, the third draws more,

And they for all the rest set ope the door:

Till custom take away the judging sense,

That to offend we think it no offence.

—Smith.

See also Lies.