Pastor and His Parishioner: The Scarlet Letter(N.sparks). The comparisons , Penitence and repentance ← → “You wrong yourself in this,” said Hester, gently. “You have deeply and sorely repented. Your sin is left behind you, in the days long past. Your present life is not less holy, in very truth, than it seems in people’s eyes. Is there no reality in the penitence thus sealed and witnessed by good works? And wherefore should it not bring you peace?”“You are too hard on yourself,” said Hester gently. “You have deeply and seriously repented. You sin is long behind you. Your present life is no less holy than it seems in people’s eyes. Is there no reality in repentance confirmed by good works? And why shouldn’t that bring you peace?” “No, Hester, no!” replied the clergyman. “There is no substance in it! It is cold and dead, and can do nothing for me! Of penance I have had enough! Of penitence there has been none! Else, I should long ago have thrown off these garments of mock holiness, and have shown myself to mankind as they will see me at the judgment-seat. Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret! Thou little knowest what a relief it is, after the torment of a seven years’ cheat, to look into an eye that recognizes me for what I am! Had I one friend,—or were it my worst enemy!—to whom, when sickened with the praises of all other men, I could daily betake myself, and be known as the vilest of all sinners, methinks my soul might keep itself alive thereby. Even thus much of truth would save me! But, now, it is all falsehood!—all emptiness!—all death!”“No, Hester—no!” replied the clergyman. “There is no reality in it! It is cold and dead, and can do nothing for me! I have had plenty of penance—but no repentance at all! If I had, I would have long ago thrown off these robes of mock holiness and shown myself to mankind as they will see me on the Judgment Day. You are lucky, Hester, that you wear the scarlet letter openly on your bosom. Mine burns in secret! You have no idea what a relief it is, after the torture of lying for seven years, to look into an eye that sees me for what I am! If I had one friend—or even my worst enemy!—to whom I was known as the vilest of all sinners, to whom I could go when I was sick with the praises of all other men and be known for what I am, then I think I might keep my soul alive. Even that much truth would save me! But now, it is all lies! All emptiness! All death!
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 19:36:18 +0000