The Revelation
After leaving the forest, the reverend could not believe their meeting had been real. That had decided that the cities of Europe would be the best place for them to begin their new lives. And it happened that there was a ship in Boston Harbor set to leave for the Old World in four days. Through Hester’s charity work, she knew the ship’s captain and was able to make arrangements that she, the reverend, and Pearl would depart with the ship.
When Hester told the reverend of her arrangement, he was overjoyed and remarked, “How fortunate, as I’m set to give the Election Sermon in only three days’ time.”
The Election Sermon, to commemorate the swearing-in the career of any New England clergyman.
Dimmesdale returned from his talk with Hester possessing a sense of great physical energy that was very unusual for him. He found that no matter what he dad, he could not become tired.
After the doctor left, the reverend called his servant to bring him a large meal. He devoured the food like an animal that had not eaten for a long time. Then he spent all night flinging written pages of his sermon from the desk, as if Heaven was transmitting the words through his hand.
When the reverend awoke in the morning, the pen was still between his fingers, and the sermon was marvelously completed.
On the day of the new governor’s inauguration, the marketplace was crowded with the townspeople, who were waiting to see the procession of officials pass and to hear the reverend’s sermon. Hester and Pearl joined the crowd.
Everywhere around them were festivities, wrestling matches, and contests. The strict Puritan society was filled with people who were as joyful as they were allowed to be.
When Pearl asked if the reverend would be there, Hester said, “Yes, but he won’t be joining us. And we shouldn’t speak to him if we see him today.”