The Measure of a Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

give insight.
    But Anna was panicky that she would never make it through the big stack of books before the summer ended. Soon the interim pastor would be leaving for the city, wherever it was, where his seminary was situated, taking his supply of books with him. She hated to let them go. But of course she would welcome back the elderly pastor and his wife. Maybe she would even be able to discuss with them some of the things she had learned over the summer months.
    More than ever, Anna wished she had been born a boy. If she had, she was quite sure she would have chosen to be a preacher. That way she could just go on studying and studying throughout her entire life. He had said that—and had told her on more than one occasion—a pastor must never, ever consider that he knows all there is to know.
    “The more we study and want to learn, the more God reveals about himself,” he had told her. “That is how we grow and mature in our Christian walk. One must walk in the light of God’s Word, but how can we do that unless we know what the Word says and understand its meaning?”
    He had written down verses of scripture that she was to look up in her own Bible when she reached home. She had found the verses. In fact, she had committed to memory some of them because she had considered the portions to be of such importance—and she would recite the verses softly to herself as she picked up a new book to study.
    “Study to show thyself approved unto God” was one of her favorites. She was more than willing to agree with the scriptural admonition, throwing herself into the study books with heart and mind.
    Anna was completely unaware of the glances that were cast her way as she waited for the young minister each Sunday. Girls older and prettier than she wished there were some way they could get equal attention. But neither Anna nor the young seminary student took notice. Their interest lay only in the knowledge that they both sought and shared.

    “This will be my last Sunday,” he said hesitantly. “I will miss our conversations. You have forced me to dig deeper than I have ever dug before.”
    Anna looked up with surprise showing in her eyes. She didn’t understand the comment.
    “You’ve asked some tough questions,” he explained. “I had to really study to find some satisfactory answers.”
    “I—I didn’t know,” she began. “I’m sorry.”
    He laughed then, a soft chuckle of amusement. “Oh, don’t be sorry,” he hastened to say. “It was good for me. I sort of feel like—well, like I’ve got a head start on the year of studies. This has been a great summer for me. I feel—well, blessed that I was asked to take over Reverend Angus’s work for the summer.”
    Anna wished she could ask him when he would be leaving, but she felt that it would be improper.
    “When will the Anguses be back?” she asked instead.
    “Wednesday. Then I will leave the next morning. I start classes a week from tomorrow.”
    Anna nodded. She had her answer. He and his books would soon be leaving. She dared not exchange the two she held for new ones. She wouldn’t have time to finish them and return them.
    “Thank you. Thank you so much for sharing your books over the summer,” she said softly, holding out the two she held.
    “You are more than welcome,” he assured her. “Just wait till I tell the fellows at seminary that a young girl kept me on my toes all summer. They won’t believe me.”
    Anna smiled shyly. She wasn’t sure if his words were a compliment or merely teasing.
    “I will miss you, Anna,” he said simply. “I’m sure that I’d get more out of my seminary classes if I had you at my elbow, urging me on.”
    Anna found herself blushing. She knew she had no place in his seminary classes, and even the idea of being there made her embarrassed.
    But he changed the topic quickly and surprised her by saying, “Would you like me to send you a new book now and then?”
    “Oh . . . I couldn’t—” she