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The Elf–Child and the Minister
"For,ifwedeemitotherwise,dowenotherebysaythattheHeavenlyFather,thecreatorofallflesh,hathlightlyrecognisedadeedofsin,andmadeofnoaccountthedistinctionbetweenunhallowedlustandholylove?Thischildofitsfather’sguiltanditsmother’sshamehascomefromthehandofGod,toworkinmanywaysuponherheart,whopleadssoearnestlyandwithsuchbitternessofspirittherighttokeepher.Itwasmeantforablessing—fortheoneblessingofherlife!Itwasmeant,doubtless,themotherherselfhathtoldus,foraretribution,too;atorturetobefeltatmanyanunthought-ofmoment;apang,asting,anever-recurringagony,inthemidstofatroubledjoy!Hathshenotexpressedthisthoughtinthegarbofthepoorchild,soforciblyremindingusofthatredsymbolwhichsearsherbosom?"
"Wellsaidagain!"criedgoodMr.Wilson."Ifearedthewomanhadnobetterthoughtthantomakeamountebankofherchild!"
"Oh,notso!—notso!"continuedMr.Dimmesdale."Sherecognises,believeme,thesolemnmiraclewhichGodhathwroughtintheexistenceofthatchild.
