The first sound typifies man's first awakening to penitence; he must
search well his heart, desert his evil ways, and purify his thoughts, as
it is written, "Let the wicked forsake his ways and the man of
unrighteousness his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord."
The alarm sound typifies the sorrow which a repentant man feels for his
misconduct and his earnest determination to reform.
The last sound is the pure sound again, which typifies a sincere resolve
to keep the repentant heart incorrupt.
The Bible says to us:--
"The word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart, that
thou mayest do it." This verse teaches us that repentance is nearer to
those who believe in God and His book than fanatics would make it.
Difficult penances are ordained for the sinner among them. He must fast
many days, or travel barefoot through rugged ways, or sleep in the open
air. But we are not required to travel to the nether end of the ocean or
to climb to mountain tops, for our Holy Word says to us, "It is not in
heaven, neither is it beyond the sea, but the Word is very nigh."
In three ways may we repent:--
First, By words of mouth, finding birth in an honest heart.
Secondly, With our feelings, sorrow for sins committed.
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