How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
He stared in dull paralysis at the body of Elisha. He saw him standing—had Elisha forgotten?—beside Ella Mae before the altar while Father James rebuked him for the evil that lived in the flesh. (1.1.239)
John is gobsmacked at the sight of Elisha's body. He can't even move, because he's so impressed. This immediately reminds him of Elisha's own punishment for having sinful thoughts (even though he wasn't necessarily aware of them at the time); so John is probably having sinful thoughts about Elisha's body, if you catch our drift.
Quote #8
"People say it's hard," said Elisha, bending again to his mop, "but, let me tell you, it ain't as hard as living in this wicked world and all the sadness of the world where there ain't no pleasure nohow, and then dying and going to hell. Ain't nothing as hard as that." (1.1.240)
Elisha is trying to sell John on the pleasures of a sin-free life. Sin, with all its sexiness and excitement, is actually sad; he claims that it might be hard to reject sin, but that it's actually easier than dealing with sin's consequences.
Quote #9
"Being a preacher ain't never stopped a n***** from doing his dirt." (2.1.126)
Florence hates her brother, and will believe any bad thing she hears about him. Gabriel has most people fooled, believing he's a great guy because he's a preacher. But she remembers that he's a human being, who is liable to sin. She compares sin to "dirt," reminding us of the uncleanliness that is associated with sin.