"'God in heaven grant him forgiveness,' said Mr. Lawson, his voice trembling with emotion.
"But I must cut short my story. The good clergyman became so much interested in these poor afflicted ones, that he visited the prison, and, through the kindness of the chaplain, was allowed free access to the culprit. At first the young man was stubborn, and declined talking with a stranger. But at length, moved by the account of his mother's heart-rending grief, his proud heart was softened, and he wept like a grieved child. When Mr. Lawson gave him Malissy's last farewell, he said, 'I supposed it would come to that,' but presently added, 'Tell me more about my mother.'
"From time to time, Mr. Lawson visited the youth; and at length, he had the happiness to soothe the dying moments of the mother with the tidings that her poor, guilty boy had cast himself at the feet of the Saviour, with the prayer of the publican upon his lips,—
"'God be merciful to me a sinner.'
"But what a dreadful thing that for his transgression he must remain shut up from the light of day, or from any intercourse with his race, until his heart was chilled, and his hair white with premature old age!
"Dear children, though I hope you have never been guilty of any outward transgression, such as this poor youth committed, yet have you not often, yea, every hour of your lives, been guilty of sins of omission, such as the neglect of prayer, and of choosing Christ to be your Saviour; cherishing a carnal mind, which is enmity against God, not subject to his law, neither indeed can be; and, also, want of conformity to his laws, such as a disinclination to obey him and all his requirements?"
[CHAPTER XV.]
THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT; OR, THE BROKEN RULE.
QUESTION XV. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
ANSWER. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
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