“That is a little strange; but what was the subject of your conversation?”
“I will tell you how it was.”
Ernest then related what had occurred. When he had finished, he could not fail to notice the serious expression of Mr. Hillston’s face.
“What do you think about it?” asked Ernest.
“Do you think the circumstance needs interpretation?” asked Mr. Hillston. “Do you not perceive the meaning?”
“I do not know that it has any particular meaning,” answered Ernest.
“My boy,” spoke the old man with deep solemnity, “does it not occur to you that it is God’s call to the ministry?”
“No sir,” quickly replied Ernest. “Do not tell me that. I cannot believe it. I will not think it upon such evidence?”
“Yes, you will think it, and believe it, too. You may decline, if you will; you may offer resistance, but that voice will follow you up, and haunt you like a ghost. If you will not go into the work willingly, God will drive you into it, as he did Paul.”
“What! smite me with blindness?”