midnight
His heart burned , and his tongue was loosened , and then and there he preached to the old man and the three women the unsearchable riches of the cross of Christ . He glorified God because Nanna had learned Christ at the radiant feet of Christ , in the joy and love of the redeemed . He took his Bible from his pocket , and repeated all the blessed words he had marked and learned . Until the midnight moon climbed cold and bright to the zenith he spoke . And old Magnus Thorson stood up , leaning on his staff , full of holy wonder , and the women softly sobbed and prayed at his feet . And when they parted there was in every heart a confident acceptance of David 's closing words : `` Whoever rests , however feebly , on the eternal mercy shall live forever . '' After this `` call '' sleep was impossible to David .