WENT TO CONFESS A CRIME

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 256, 7 October 1931, Page 5

WENT TO CONFESS A CRIME

DISAPPEARED INSTEAD SYDNEY, Oct. 5. Somewhere in Melbourne is a man who went there to confess a crime. But, in spite of fervent prayers that his resolution remain strong, he has not yet confessed. The son of a most religious Mel r bourne man, he became consciencestricken at a church mission in Sydney, and admitted that he had stolen goods from a garage and sold them for £SO. "Since then I have gone through nights of hell!" he said. "1 cannot go on. ... 1 must confess. f) will give myself up and pay for my sin." And so on Tuesday night he left for Melbourne—and expiation. At the United Intercessory prayer meeting at Sydney Town Hall yesterday the worshippers went down on their knees and asked that, strength and courage be given to the young man. At a late hour last night, however, Melbourne police had heard nothing from the erring one, and no confession had been made. Has the prayer been fruitless? Has the courage of the man failed him at the critical moment? A Prodigal Son? "No!" was the very emphatic answer made last night by Canon R. B. S. Hammond. "He will go through with it," he said. "His conscience has tormented him, and he will find no peace until he repents. "Perhaps he lias gone home to his father, like a prodigal son, to tell his story. I know his father well. He would stand by his boy in his hour of need."