Алая буква
The Pastor and His Parishioner
Whatcanaruinedsoullikemineeffecttowardstheredemptionofothersouls?—orapollutedsoultowardstheirpurification?Andasforthepeople’sreverence,wouldthatitwereturnedtoscornandhatred!Canstthoudeemit,Hester,aconsolationthatImuststandupinmypulpit,andmeetsomanyeyesturnedupwardtomyface,asifthelightofheavenwerebeamingfromit!—mustseemyflockhungryforthetruth,andlisteningtomywordsasifatongueofPentecostwerespeaking!—andthenlookinward,anddiscerntheblackrealityofwhattheyidolise?Ihavelaughed,inbitternessandagonyofheart,atthecontrastbetweenwhatIseemandwhatIam!AndSatanlaughsatit!"
"Youwrongyourselfinthis,"saidHestergently.
"Youhavedeeplyandsorelyrepented.Yoursinisleftbehindyouinthedayslongpast.Yourpresentlifeisnotlessholy,inverytruth,thanitseemsinpeople’seyes.Istherenorealityinthepenitencethussealedandwitnessedbygoodworks?Andwhereforeshoulditnotbringyoupeace?"
"No,Hester—no!"repliedtheclergyman."Thereisnosubstanceinit]Itiscoldanddead,andcandonothingforme!Ofpenance,Ihavehadenough!Ofpenitence,therehasbeennone!Else,Ishouldlongagohavethrownoffthesegarmentsofmockholiness,andhaveshownmyselftomankindastheywillseemeatthejudgment-seat.
