Page:The Life and Works of Christopher Dock.djvu/129

Rh root is permitted to branch and grow, similar fruits will appear on the grown tree, I mean the grown man, that belong to woe and hell fire. For the kind of fruit is in the root, and the tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Now a lie is one of the fruits that belong in the fire. It is also the hiding place in which other sins conceal themselves. That a deceiver may continue his deceit and yet appear an honest man, he adorns his cause with lies. That a harlot may keep the name of being a virgin, she employs lies. A thief, murderer or adulterer does likewise, and if there is not sufficient clear evidence his crime is so covered by lies that he may still remain honest in the sight of the world. But if, while there is time for grace, such sins are not admitted, such hiding place can hide nothing, the end will have to bear the burden. For who denies his sins will not succeed, but he who admits and discontinues them, will obtain mercy. (Solomon ii, 13; I John i, 8, 9.)

Regarding the means of preventing these outbreaks, I see that it is beyond human power to exterminate the root. God alone through the power of His Holy Spirit must do this. Still it is the duty of preachers, directors, parents and schoolmasters to work diligently on themselves, their fellow man and children, to hate this sullied coat of the flesh, and to remove it, as much as by the grace of God is in their power. And it is my opinion that the first and most important means is to pray for God's help. As children are ignorant and foolish and do not understand the enormity of it, we need to remind them