Hear the Call is the echoing cry of God's heart. He whispers its spiritual message to many, but few recognize its significance or place of importance.
Nathaniel Irwin will, in time, come to understand His voice and the truth behind Christ's words, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36)
The story begins in 1868 and originates in England. A trio of families long for a prosperous life in America, and with the combination of life savings, then set sail. That chance of a lifetime soon turns into a venturous nightmare. The seaward trip is a costly one for a third of the party won't survive. Immigrants they are, and they are literally dumped off in Charleston on the East Coast. Although their provisions are now scarce, the Irwins and Cavendishs hear the humors of fortunes to be made in California and muster the courage to forge on. When their elderly horse dies near the town of Burnt Plain in Illinois all seems lost, but it's just the beginning. Through the kind act of a stranger, they settle there. The children soon grow and that next generation seeks escape from their surroundings. Both families have one son, and both seek a more rewarding life. Their plan is to migrate to Chicago, make a fortune with Locomotives. They do just that and become quite wealthy in the process.
Horatio Cavendish is in love with nothing more than his money and doesn't marry, but Elias Irwin does. The business is eventually passed on to the third generation and Elias's son Jessup. Jessup expands the business, and it develops into a Fortune 100 company. Upon Jessup's retirement the fourth generation of Irwin grabs the helm. The main character is Jessup's son, Nathaniel. He's unlike any of his relatives; he's an intellectual genius and builds the corporation to even loftier status. But ... there's something missing in Nathaniel life. He comes to realize he's actually poor. He's not married, nor has he had anything more than wealth. His struggle is indeed internal, and he will eventually forego it all for seclusion of a place called Lost Lake. A year spent there will quite literally change Nathaniel. In time, he will decide it's best to go back home. It's his assumption that the wealth is gone, but God is the provider.
In the end, Nathaniel gains far more - the ability to feed a staving world. God blesses a faithful heart always, but we must Hear the Call - that divine invitation.
