The Reverend Mister Dimesdale

His subject, it eared, had been the relation between the deity and the communities of mankind. He stood at this moment on the very proudest eminence of superiority to which the gifts of intellect, rich lore, prevailing eloquence and a reputation of whitest sanctity could exalt a clergyman. It was as if an angel, in his passage to the skies, had shaken his bright wings over the people for an instant; then shed down a shower of golden truths upon them. Meanwhile, hester prynne was standing beside the scaffold of the pillory with the scarlet letter still burning on her breast.