A Sermon by Rev. Sykes

An Account of Tom Robinson's Trial from the Point of View of Reverend Sykes

My brother and sisters, it is a dark day for Maycomb County. Some of us knew Tom was going to lose, but we still had hope. As one of my sisters once said, "Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up." So my friends, we must look up. Tom knows, and we know, Tom did not commit this sinful crime. I look at the Ewells with pity. As Tom said in court,"I felt sorry for her." These aren't the words of a hate filled angry man; these are the words of a wonderful God-loving man. Whites think it is appalling for any Negro man to feel sorry for any white human being no matter how low in social status. I think it is the mark of a deeply caring man.

Tom, we want to thank you for being so strong throughout this terrible time. We must stand together and say what happened in court is wrong. We must stand together and support Tom's wife and three small children. Finally, we must thank Mr. Atticus Finch for defending Tom. Atticus Finch is a good and decent man. We must pray together that his appeal on Tom's behalf will finally be heard in the halls of justice.

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