Hope Campbell; Or, Know Thyself (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI. HOPE BEGINS TO KNOW HERSELF. Jheistmas came, and with it Ernest. As this was his last year at college, and he was very busy, he had arranged not to come home during the short Christmas vacation. But Mrs. Campbell, rejoicing in the good his former visit had done to Hope, and anxious to give her the benefit of another as soon as possible, had written to ask him to change his plans. And so he came, and much joy he brought with him to the whole family. The weather was very fine; frosty and clear, just the weather it ought to be at Christmas. And they were able to get as much enjoyment out of each day as their hearts could wish. Ernest resumed his daily walks to old Walter's. But it was a very different Walter that he now visited. He was as silent and reserved as ever. Even Anne and Hope might never have known of the happy change in his feelings, if his desire to send a message to Ernest had not for once overcome his reserve. And even to Ernest himself he said as little as possible. He listened to his reading of the Bible with a hungering and thirsting eagerness, and was now always ready to name the passages he wished to hear. He did not care to speak much. But there was a quiet resting peace in his countenance that spoke more than words. Once only he broke through this silence, to tell Ernest how the change had been begun, how the light had first dawned on his soul. "It was not your doing, Master Ernest," he said, "though I always fancied that if ever peace did come, it would bo you that brought it. But, you see, the Lord saw the pride with which I trusted to man's mind to bring out truth to man's soul. And so He would let no human hand do that for me. But Himself took His own words, and spoke them into my very heart, and the light and the peace ...