For thousands of years, people have devoutly believed in an omnipotent spirit who watched over them, cared for them, loved them, protected them. A simple priest, sheltered from the world in the rural countryside of South Africa, comes face to face with the stark reality that pervades the urban jungle when he travels to Johannesburg in search of his son. Caught off guard by the harsh truth of a devastated and segregated city, he relies solely on his Christian faith to resist the brutality the city hosts. In Alan Paton's novel, Cry, the Beloved Country, in light of life as a black South African under apartheid and mourning how his son has become lost, Stephen Kumalo's Christian faith helps him overcome his difficulties by bringing him comfort in his darkest hours. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWhen Stephen Kumalo discovers his son's moral transgression and apparent lack of conscience, he turns to Tixo (the Xosa word for "God") for comfort in the difficult time. After learning of his son's immorality, Kumalo sinks into the deepest despair; however, Msimangu's preaching to the blind in Ezenzeleni restores Kumalo's faith. The tone is hopeful; the Lord "will open the eyes of the blind" and "will make the darkness light before them" (Paton, 124). With the use of the contrasting words “darkness” and “light,” the passage conveys the idea that the Lord can chase away the invasion of evil with the truth. From the phrase “hold thy hand” and “forsake them not” we can see that in times of trouble the Lord will not abandon his people and instead will guide them through hardship, which Kumalo desperately needs. The climate is stimulating, because even in the "darkness" the Lord does not abandon people; he will “take you by the hand” and “lead them along the paths”, showing us that the Lord will leave no one behind. Kumalo is “silent,” awed by the “golden voice” of the man “whose heart was golden, as he read from a book of golden words.” This emphasis on the word “gold” shows that Tixo is the only source of pure truth and light for Kumalo in his “darkness”. There are many pauses, reflecting Kumalo's introspection and reflections. At one point during the sermon he asks many rhetorical questions without a clear answer, revealing his attachment to the truth. He ultimately comes to the conclusion that life is full of mystery, and all that matters is that he was “not abandoned” by Tixo. The saints "will lift up our hearts in the days of our anguish" and for this he is "grateful". Having come to this conclusion, he tells Msimangu that he is “cured” of the paralyzing “darkness” and sees the “light” again. Kumalo not only sees that the Christian faith provides consolation, but also learns from Msimangu that the only way South Africa can overcome apartheid is through the Christian value of brotherly love between black and white men. The tone of Msimangu's revelation is serious, because he is aware that apartheid in South Africa leads to an imbalance of power between white and black men, which leaves room for discontent. This discrimination resulting from the unjust division of power drives black men to desire to “right what is wrong” by taking “vengeance” (Paton, 71) on white men. The mood here is a bit hopeful despite the gloomy atmosphere. Msimangu presents a solution to his fellow countrymen's thirst for “corruption” and “power”: “love”. There is still "hope for our country"; Christian love between “black and white men,” when they desire “only the good of their country,” will push them to “unite to work” selflessly for their shared society. The resentment of black men is.