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DISCOURSE 18
309
So, he was caught red-handed. The next day, he was produced before a magistrate. The police officer said, "My lord, he is a thief. He stole silver cups from a church. These are the cups". Having said this, the police officer placed the cups before the magistrate. The name of the church had been inscribed on the cups. The bishop was summoned to the court. The magistrate asked him, "Were these cups stolen from your church? Did this young man come to your church last night ? Did you see the young man in the church last night ?”
The bishop looked at the young man and then said to the magistrate, "This young man is not a thief. He was my guest last night. He came to my church last night and I presented all these cups to him. The police have arrested him thinking that he is a thief. I am really pained by this. I appeal to you to release this young man".
The police were ashamed of what they had done. The young man was greatly amazed. The magistrate ordered that the young man should be released and that all the cups should be returned to him. The police asked for the bishop's forgiveness ! The bishop took the young man with him and came out of the court. Soon after coming out, the young man fell at his feet. He began to weep bitterly. The bishop embraced the young man and consoled him saying that he was safe. The young man said, "I will never commit a theft again in my life. You saved me from being imprisoned. You have shown me great kindness".
The bishop said, "I could understand from seeing your face that a good young man like you could not commit a theft. I thought that some adverse circumstances must have compelled you to commit a theft; that was why, I told the magistrate that I had presented the cups to you. Now, you tell me why you had to commit the theft”. The young man said, “I am in great distress and anguish. I do not have a single penny with me. I have a sister by name Mary and I have to perform her marriage. My parents are no more. I love my sister greatly, I need money for performing my sister's marriage. I requested my friends and acquaintances to help me but no one came forward to help me and so I decided to commit a theft and I was
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