Page:Pontoppidan - Emanuel, or Children of the Soil (1896).djvu/301

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CHILDREN OF THE SOIL
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When he first saw him in the pulpit, too, the marvellous power of the man over the minds of the young became plainer than ever; he was so full of youthful enthusiasm, with such deep faith, and so carried away by his feelings, that the tears came into his brown eyes while he stood with outstretched arms, as if in his love of mankind he would embrace the whole world.

The day after Emanuel's arrival there was a great meeting at the school, where he appeared as the principal speaker; and, by request, repeated his former discourse. On the following days he visited various circles of "Friends" in the neighbourhood, whither he was conducted by the director. He was everywhere received with delight, and made many new friends.

The visit also had a great influence on his decision for the future. He felt that the bishop was right, and that the little house he had thought of buying would not be at all the place in which to carry out such a scheme as was realized at Sandinge. He saw that large premises were required; many rooms, stables and coach-houses to accommodate visitors, and that Veilby Parsonage might have been built for just such a large, common parish home as he wished to establish.

So he made up his mind to follow the bishop's advice, and allow himself to be appointed to the living "ad interim," when the Provst left. But he began to feel anxious on this point. He