“So was I speaking and weeping in the most bitter contrition [state of repenting or
making up for bad deeds) of my heart, when lo! I heard from a neighboring house a
voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting and oft (often) repeating, 'Take up (take
an interest] and read; Take up and read.' Instantly, my countenance [physical state,
attitude) altered changed], I began to think most intently [with great focus], whether
children were wont [likely] in any kind of play to sing such words; nor could I
remember ever to have heard the like. So checking the torrent (steady flow] of my
tears, I arose; interpreting (determining) it to be no other than a command from God,
to open the book, and read the first chapter I should find. ... Instantly at the end of
[the first] sentence, by a light as it were of serenity [peace) infused [filled) into my
heart, all the darkness of doubt vanished away."
-Augustine, The Confessions of St. Augustine
According to the excerpt, why did the words of the child so deeply affect
Augustine and inspire him?