We do not wish, by any means, to make the impression that this was an actual supernatural dialogue. It was probably subjective. We use the word “probably,” because we have no right to affirm that God, even in this age of skepticism, never addresses men in audible tones; or what amounts to the same thing. He, no doubt, so operates upon the human conscience as to make subjective mental processes appear objective. At any rate, Ernest was a little startled by this colloquy, which had the appearance of reality. He was so absorbed that he did not notice where he was. He was slowly walking with his head bowed down, and ran against some one soon after the voice appeared to utter the last words. It was Mr. Hillston, at whose house Ernest was still boarding. The collision occurred at the gate. Ernest sprang back, and looked in surprise. “O, Mr. Hillston,” he cried, “I beg your pardon, sir. I was not looking up. I was thinking, yea, almost talking.” “And to whom were you talking, my young friend?” asked the old gentleman. “I scarcely know, sir, that is, I can hardly determine whether it was to myself, or some invisible being in the air?” “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?” “I do not say that,” answered Mr. Hillston slowly, “but He will so shape and direct circumstances as to force you to do His bidding. You may flee like Jonah, but events, possibly misfortunes, will be the ‘great fish’ to swallow you up, and cast you out where you will be glad to cry aloud to men to repent.” “You almost frighten me,” exclaimed Ernest. “I cannot regard what I have told you as constituting a call from God to preach. I am not superstitious. I do not believe as you do, anyhow.” “What do you mean, my boy?” asked the old man, looking at him in surprise. “Do you not remember what you said the other day about election and free agency. I believe in free agency. I do not think that God forces men to do things. But you,” continued Ernest with a laugh, “are a regular old blue-stocking Presbyterian.”