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by yourselves than by me。〃
And now Mr Hawke； who up to this time had spoken with singular
quietness； changed his manner to one of greater warmth and continued
…
〃Oh！ my young friends turn； turn； turn； now while it is called to…
daynow from this hour； from this instant； stay not even to gird up
your loins； look not behind you for a second； but fly into the bosom
of that Christ who is to be found of all who seek him； and from that
fearful wrath of God which lieth in wait for those who know not the
things belonging to their peace。 For the Son of Man cometh as a
thief in the night； and there is not one of us can tell but what
this day his soul may be required of him。 If there is even one here
who has heeded me；〃and he let his eye fall for an instant upon
almost all his hearers； but especially on the Ernest set〃I shall
know that it was not for nothing that I felt the call of the Lord；
and heard as I thought a voice by night that bade me come hither
quickly； for there was a chosen vessel who had need of me。〃
Here Mr Hawke ended rather abruptly； his earnest manner； striking
countenance and excellent delivery had produced an effect greater
than the actual words I have given can convey to the reader； the
virtue lay in the man more than in what he said； as for the last few
mysterious words about his having heard a voice by night； their
effect was magical； there was not one who did not look down to the
ground； nor who in his heart did not half believe that he was the
chosen vessel on whose especial behalf God had sent Mr Hawke to
Cambridge。 Even if this were not so； each one of them felt that he
was now for the first time in the actual presence of one who had had
a direct communication from the Almighty； and they were thus
suddenly brought a hundredfold nearer to the New Testament miracles。
They were amazed； not to say scared； and as though by tacit consent
they gathered together； thanked Mr Hawke for his sermon； said good…
night in a humble deferential manner to Badcock and the other
Simeonites； and left the room together。 They had heard nothing but
what they had been hearing all their lives； how was it； then； that
they were so dumbfoundered by it？ I suppose partly because they had
lately begun to think more seriously； and were in a fit state to be
impressed； partly from the greater directness with which each felt
himself addressed； through the sermon being delivered in a room； and
partly to the logical consistency； freedom from exaggeration； and
profound air of conviction with which Mr Hawke had spoken。 His
simplicity and obvious earnestness had impressed them even before he
had alluded to his special mission； but this clenched everything；
and the words 〃Lord； is it I？〃 were upon the hearts of each as they
walked pensively home through moonlit courts and cloisters。
I do not know what passed among the Simeonites after the Ernest set
had left them； but they would have been more than mortal if they had
not been a good deal elated with the results of the evening。 Why；
one of Ernest's friends was in the University eleven； and he had
actually been in Badcock's rooms and had slunk off on saying good…
night as meekly as any of them。 It was no small thing to have
scored a success like this。
CHAPTER L
Ernest felt now that the turning point of his life had come。 He
would give up all for Christeven his tobacco。
So he gathered together his pipes and pouches； and locked them up in
his portmanteau under his bed where they should be out of sight； and
as much out of mind as possible。 He did not burn them； because
someone might come in who wanted to smoke； and though he might
abridge his own liberty； yet； as smoking was not a sin； there was no
reason why he should be hard on other people。
After breakfast he left his rooms to call on a man named Dawson； who
had been one of Mr Hawke's hearers on the preceding evening； and who
was reading for ordination at the forthcoming Ember Weeks； now only
four months distant。 This man had been always of a rather serious
turn of minda little too much so for Ernest's taste； but times had
changed； and Dawson's undoubted sincerity seemed to render him a
fitting counsellor for Ernest at the present time。 As he was going
through the first court of John's on his way to Dawson's rooms； he
met Badcock； and greeted him with some deference。 His advance was
received with one of those ecstatic gleams which shone occasionally
upon the face of Badcock； and which； if Ernest had known more； would
have reminded him of Robespierre。 As it was； he saw it and
unconsciously recognised the unrest and self…seekingness of the man；
but could not yet formulate them； he disliked Badcock more than
ever； but as he was going to profit by the spiritual benefits which
he had put in his way； he was bound to be civil to him； and civil he
therefore was。
Badcock told him that Mr Hawke had returned to town immediately his
discourse was over； but that before doing so he had enquired
particularly who Ernest and two or three others were。 I believe
each one of Ernest's friends was given to understand that he had
been more or less particularly enquired after。 Ernest's vanityfor
he was his mother's sonwas tickled at this； the idea again
presented itself to him that he might be the one for whose benefit
Mr Hawke had been sent。 There was something； too； in Badcock's
manner which conveyed the idea that he could say more if he chose；
but had been enjoined to silence。
On reaching Dawson's rooms； he found his friend in raptures over the
discourse of the preceding evening。 Hardly less delighted was he
with the effect it had produced on Ernest。 He had always known； he
said； that Ernest would come round； he had been sure of it； but he
had hardly expected the conversion to be so sudden。 Ernest said no
more had he； but now that he saw his duty so clearly he would get
ordained as soon as possible； and take a curacy； even though the
doing so would make him have to go down from Cambridge earlier；
which would be a great grief to him。 Dawson applauded this
determination； and it was arranged that as Ernest was still more or
less of a weak brother； Dawson should take him； so to speak； in
spiritual tow for a while； and strengthen and confirm his faith。
An offensive and defensive alliance therefore was struck up between
this pair （who were in reality singularly ill assorted）； and Ernest
set to work to master the books on which the Bishop would examine
him。 Others gradually joined them till they formed a small set or
church （for these are the same things）； and the effect of Mr Hawke's
sermon instead of wearing off in a few days； as might have been
expected； became more and more marked； so much so that it was
necessary for Ernest's friends to hold him back rather than urge him
on； for he seemed likely to developas indeed he did for a time
into a religious enthusiast。
In one matter only； did he openly backslide。 He had； as I said
above； locked up his pipes and tobacco； so that he might not be
tempted to use them。 All day long on the day after Mr Hawke's
sermon he let them lie in his portmanteau bravely； but this was not
ve