They all felt sure, then, as he stated Judas' sin to be that of avarice, and went on to show how through his slight pilferings from the bag he bore the sin had grown upon him until he was even ready to betray his Lord for his own gain, that he had in mind the arrested boy, and that he, with them, was now ready to pronounce him guilty.
"An able discourse, and so appropriate to the occasion!" "How delicately, and yet how pointedly, he alluded to that boy's sin!" and similar comments were heard on all sides, as the vast congregation left the house.
But Mr. Carleton, ignorant of the fact that he had been encouraging his people to commit that most despicable of sins, the speaking evil of one another, came down from the desk, and, meeting Mr. Bacon, shook hands with him, remarking, pleasantly:
"We had a large congregation to-day, Brother Bacon."
"Yes; and judging by your sermon, pastor, you evidently know the cause of it."
"My sermon! The cause of it! I don't understand you, Brother Bacon!" Mr. Carleton exclaimed, in his bewilderment.
"Why, didn't you know Ray Branford is now in the lockup, arrested for the burglary of Friday night?" asked Mr. Bacon, in his turn surprised.
"I certainly did not," his pastor answered. "I saw he was not here, as usual, but had no idea of the cause. Unwittingly, then, I have given my people the impression that I believe he is guilty."
"The most of them came here already believing him guilty, I fear," replied Mr. Bacon; "and of course your sermon would seem to them to indicate that you held the same opinion."
"What do you think?" asked Mr. Carleton, quickly.