Adam! As sure
as there is a God in heaven and that Jesus died to save sinners, so it is
sure that if one forgives the trespasses of his neighbor for the dear
Saviour's sake, his own sins have been forgiven! To the end of the world,
then, let the disciples of Christ say to the sinner, "Thy sins are
forgiven," not because you have confessed your sins to me, but for Christ's
sake; the evidence of which is that you have forgiven those who had
offended you.

Fourth: "And behold, a certain one stood up and tempted him, saying:
Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

"He said unto him: What is written in the law? how readest thou?

"And he, answering, said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy
mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.

"And He said unto him, thou hast answered right; this do and thou shalt
live." (Luke x. 25-28.)

What a fine opportunity for the Saviour to speak of "auricular confession"
as a means given by him to be saved! But here again, Christ forgets that
marvellous medicine of the Popes. Jesus, speaking absolutely, like the
Protestants, bids his messengers to proclaim pardon, forgiveness of sins,
not to those who confess their sins to a man, but to those who love God and
their neighbor. And so will his true disciples and messengers do to the end
of the world!

Fifth: "And when he (the prodigal son) came to himself, he said: ... I will
arise and go to my father and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned
against Heaven and before thee: and I am not worthy to be called thy son:
make me as one of thy hired servants.

"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off,
his father saw him and had compassion and ran; and he fell on his neck and
kissed him.

"And the son said, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight,
and am not worthy to be called thy son.

"But the father said to his servants: Bring forth his best robe, and put it
on him: put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet, and bring hither the
fat calf. For this my son was dead, and he is alive again, he was lost and
he is found." (Luke xv, 17-24.)

Apostles and disciples of Christ, wherever you will hear, on this land of
sin and misery, the cry of the Prodigal Son: "I will arise and go to my
Father" every time you see him, not at your feet, but at the feet of his
true Father, crying: "Father I have sinned against