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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 82

Sin

Sin.

The Catechism says, "Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God." Here I must compliment the Assembly on their good judgment. Man cannot sin against, or disturb, or annoy, or thwart the Infinite personally. He can only trespass against laws natural and spiritual, and that he does continually. What! the ephemeral atom, man, a mathematical point in the universe, disturb Infinity ! Suppose, for example, that a messenger were to slip softly into the presence of royalty and make the announcement, "Please, your Majesty, there is a nest of ants upon the Knock Hill making faces at you," how would the equanimity of the royal mind be disturbed? It is impossible to sin against God. The sinner sins against himself and society. Sin exists as a breach of law, and carries its own punishment with it here and hence. There is no absolute escape from the penalty of a broken law. All laws are really natural, and nature never forgives except upon payment of the penalty, whatever that may be. If a person draws down a kettle of boiling water about his legs he has broken a law, and a punishment corresponding to it follows of the severity and duration proportioned to the offence. Even so if a man breaks what is termed a spiritual law. In a sense hell is the result; but, inasmuch as we are told that the kingdom of "God (or heaven) is within you," so is the other. It is a condition of mind, and is begun here. Multitudes know that there is a hell upon earth, and all should know that there is nothing truer than the saying, "Be sure your sins will find you out."

Let us, however, beware of attributing our failings to the wrong source. The "evil one" in all ages has been made a convenience of to page 16 blame for the sins of the world. This Satanic theory I hold to be indirect blasphemy against the Creator. It may be innocently meant, but it is a gross reflection against the goodness and wisdom of the Almighty, to say that he knowingly and purposely called into existence and continues to tolerate and perpetuate any such personal fiend to thwart his own ends and endanger the safety and life of the universe.

What would we think of the mayor of a large city, having at heart even the temporal well-being of the community, who should in the gloaming, after due deliberation, and knowing it would be a grief to himself and the citizens, let loose a powerful wild beast in the street, whom no man could catch or kill, and simply warn people to keep out of his way, assuring them that if they used certain precautions, watched well and ran well, he would not harm them; the result, however, being that he did a lot of mischief, and could not be got rid of? The popular faith calls for important amendment on this subject.