Once when the schoolmaster was ill the boy came in and sat with him and when he spoke of the pain which felt like a great spike being driven through his head, the boy in sympathy placed his hand upon his forehead and stroked it several times. The touch was pleasant and soothing and in a moment or two the pain was gone. The master said: “Boy, you are a great nurse,” and in a few moments was asleep.
As he slept he dreamed that an holy one of God went forth about the earth, comforting the afflicted, ministering unto the needy and unfortunate, lifting the weary, telling of God’s love and in such a way that it seemed but a part of his everyday life, not as a duty, not in service, but as he slept and ate and performed such other functions as were necessary to his being.
His path finally led to the palace of the King, and the King came out and greeted him, saying: “Come, blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungered and you gave me meat; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; [pg 163] I was a stranger and you took me in; naked and you clothed me; sick and you visited me.” And this holy one asked: “When did I all this?” And the King answered: “Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of my sheep, you did it for me, their shepherd.”
It was thus rumor of the boy’s attributed power started and spread throughout the settlement. A few wise in their own conceit, explained it by saying: “He is so good, so free of sin, so pure of heart that his very presence is a tonic.” And the boy, when he learned what was said, hastened to his rock and prayed long and fervent prayers that he might be kept from sin and fitted in some way to render service.
When some of the other boys asked: “How do you keep so good?” he would answer: “Would that I were better and my life cleaner. If I am better than some boys, mine is not the credit, because I am not tempted as they are. It may be that the men of my mother’s people have been so long in the service of God and my father and his father are such good men, that it is almost natural for me not to wish to do mean things.”
In the summer of 1783, John Calvin completed the course in the Tyler school. At his request, which was seconded by his mother, Colonel Campbell arranged for their son to attend William and Mary’s.
The boy’s mother was very much concerned about his associations in Williamsburg. She objected to the college dormitory, insisting that her husband write his most trustworthy friend to find if possible the right sort of family with whom their son might board.
He wrote Judge George Nicholas, a lawyer of prominence and an intimate friend, asking that he act for him in line with his wife’s wishes. Mr. Campbell received a letter from Mrs. Nicholas, wherein she expressed her [pg 164] sympathy with and an under standing of Mrs. Campbell’s anxiety and offered to take him into their family and look after him as her own son.
With no further understanding, as it was now time to leave, Colonel Campbell took his son to Williamsburg. The night of their arrival they were guests of Judge Nicholas. When the Colonel returned home, his report of arrangements and particularly that her son was happily domiciled with the Nicholas family, lessened the worry of his mother.
During the four years he was in college, their house was his home. Much of the finished manner and scholarly way of expression for which he became conspicuous, was acquired by association with this accomplished family.