If the man and woman had frankly confessed their sin, what, by implication, would have been the effect: first, upon themselves, and second, upon the attitude and action of God? Does temptation to sin, as in the case of Adam, often come in the guise of virtue? What is the value of confession to the sinner? To society? _Subjects for Further Study_. (1) The Babylonian and Egyptian Idea of Sin. _Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible_, extra vol. 566-567; Breasted, _History of Egypt_, 173-175; Jastrow, _Religion of the Babylonians and Assyrians_, 313-327. (2) Milton's Interpretation of Genesis 3 in Paradise Lost. (3) The Right and Wrong of the Attempted Surrender of West Point from the Point of View of Benedict Arnold, Andre and Washington. STUDY III THE CRIMINAL AND HIS RELATION TO SOCIETY. THE STORY OF CAIN.--Gen. 4:1-16. _Parallel Readings_. _Hist. Bible_, Vol. 1, 42-46. Jenks, _Prin. of Pol_. 1-16. August Drahms, _The Criminal_. Now in the course of time it came to pass, that Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground as an offering to Jehovah. And Abel also brought some of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat. And Jehovah looked favorably upon Abel and his offering: but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. Therefore, Cain was very angry and his countenance fell. And Jehovah said to Cain, Why art thou angry? And why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, is there not acceptance? But if thou doest not well, Does not sin crouch at the door? And to thee shall be its desire, But thou shouldst rule over it. Then Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him. And when Jehovah said to Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? he said, I, know not; am I my brother's keeper.--Gen. 4:3-9 (_Hist. Bible_). And the Scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst, they say unto Jesus, Teacher, this woman hath been taken in adultery, in the very act. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such: what then sayest thou of her? And this they said trying him, that they might have whereof to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground. And when they continued asking him, he lifted himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground. And they, when they heard it, went out one by one, beginning from the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. And Jesus lifted himself up and said unto her, Woman, where are they? Did no man condemn thee? And she said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee. Go thy way; from henceforth sin no more.--_John 8:3-11_. Every experiment by multitudes or individuals that has a sensual or selfish aim will fail.--_Emerson_.