“I think it very probable. I presume he was a pretty good man, outside.”
“What do you mean by that, grandmother?”
“Why, his heart might have been bad, but he was probably pretty careful about all his actions, which could be seen of men. But we will go on.”
“'And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.'”
“Which man?” said Caleb.
“The publican.”
“The publican was justified?” said Caleb, “what does justified mean?”
“Forgiven and approved. God was pleased with the publican, because he confessed his sins honestly; but he was displeased with the pharisee, because he came boasting of his good deeds.”
Here there was a pause. Caleb sat still and seemed thoughtful. His grandmother did not interrupt him, but waited to hear what he would say.
“Yes; but, grandmother, if the pharisee really was a good man, it wasn't right for him to thank God for it?”