Crime & punishment > Notes of conversations with H. M'Donald, N. Sutherland, and H. M'Intosh, (who were executed at Edinburgh, April 22, 1812,) during the time they were under sentence of death

66
Nay, it can do what the most distinguished be¬
nevolence, which is merely human, cannot do ;
it can produce a mighty moral transformation.
While it removes the deepest guilt, it raises the
man who partakes of its divine influence, from
the debasement of living in the love and prac¬
tice of iniquity, and imparts that elevation of
character, which, in this world of imperfection,
makes him, in some measure, resemble the pure
inhabitants of the world of light.
It seems, at first sight, a strange notion
which Sutherland entertained, that it would
greatly diminish his guilt, while living in op¬
position to the precepts of the Bible, if he re¬
mained ignorant of what this book contained.
One, however, would be apt to suppose that
many have imbibed the same sentiment, other¬
wise they could not continue so indifferent as
they are to the truth communicated to us in
the word of God. But how fallacious is such
an opinion ! Does not the guilt of ignorance
plainly depend on the opportunities of having
it removed, being disregarded ? In such a coun¬
try as this, however, by means of being taught
to read the Scriptures in early life; of the
public preaching of the word; of Sabbath
schools; or of conversing in private with those
ministers or Christians, who would gladly give
instruction to any who are disposed to receive
it; the opportunities of acquiring knowledge
are so numerous, that if any man be igno-