Charles Sanford, fresh
from the Theological Seminary, was called to take his place. Full of
energy and zeal in his work, the young rector soon made himself
acquainted with all his parishioners, and seemed to find a peculiar
attraction in the inmates of the farm-house, where he spent a great deal
of time, arguing with the father on the nature of the unpardonable sin,
and answering the many questions his host propounded to him upon the
subject of genuine repentance and its fruits, and how far confession to
man was necessary that one might be saved.
To these discourses Hannah was always an attentive listener, and there
came gradually a new light into her dark eyes, and a faint color to her
white cheeks, when she saw the rector coming up the walk, and met his
winning smile. But all this was ended at last; for, after a night in
June, when she walked with the young clergyman through the pasture land
under the row of chestnut trees which grew upon the hill-side, he came
less frequently to the farm-house, and when he did come his discourse
was mostly with her father, whom he was laboring to convince that it was
his duty to be confirmed.
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