his uprightness; then
is he gracious unto him, and saith, 'Release him from going down to the
pit; I have found an atonement.'"

Thus we have seven different degrees of penitence, and he who neglects
them all must suffer in the world to come. Therefore fulfill the duties
laid upon you; repent as long as you are able to amend. As the Rabbis
say, 'Repent in the antechamber, that thou mayest enter the room of
state.'

"Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; wherefore will ye die, O house of
Israel!" exclaimed the prophet Ezekiel; and what does this warning mean?
without repentance ye shall die.

* * * * *

Penitence is thus illustrated by a parable:--

There was once a great ship which had been sailing for many days upon
the ocean. Before it reached its destination, a high wind arose, which
drove it from its course; until, finally, becalmed close to a
pleasant-appearing island, the anchor was dropped. There grew upon this
island beautiful flowers and luscious fruits in "great profusion"; tall
trees lent a pleasing, cooling shade to the place, which appeared to the
ship's passengers most desirable and inviting. They divided themselves
into five parties; the first party determined not to leave the ship, for
said they, "A fair wind may arise, the anchor may be raised, and the
ship sail on, leaving us behind; we will not risk the chance of missing
our destination for the temporary pleasure which this island offers."
The second party went on shore for a short time, enjoyed the perfume of
the flowers, tasted of the fruit, and returned to the ship happy and
refreshed, finding their places as they had left them; losing nothing,
but rather gaining in health and good spirits by the recreation of their
visit on shore. The third party also visited the island, but they stayed
so long that the fair wind did arise, and hurrying back they just
reached the ship as the sailors were lifting the anchor, and in the
haste and confusion many lost their places, and were not as comfortable
during the balance of their voyage as at the outset. They were wiser,
however, than the fourth party; these latter stayed so long upon the
island and tasted so deeply of its pleasures, that they allowed the
ship's bell of warning to sound unheeded. Said they, "The sails are
still to be set; we may enjoy ourselves a few minutes more." Again the
bell sounded, and still they lingered, thinking, "The captain will not
sail without