Here, my children, I suspended my researches, convinced, as much as
it is possible to be convinced of any thing, that the doctrine
of transubstantiation is not to be found in the New Testament. I
concluded that it must have the same origin as those of the papacy and
of purgatory.

Diverted as I had been from my usual occupation, during the time that
I had thus devoted to study and meditation; obliged to maintain myself
and you by the sweat of my brow, and having no other immediate subject
of perplexity, I returned to my daily labour, and discontinued the
perusal of the Gospel. My New Testament had certainly gained much in
my esteem; but without stopping to consider exactly in what way I
valued it, I think I may say that it was _not_ as containing the Word
of God, and the knowledge which is unto salvation.

Thus not being really or heartily interested in it, I replaced it a
second time on the spot it had so long occupied on the chimney-piece
of my room, and eighteen months or two years passed without my
thinking of consulting it anew.

During this period I married again: your tender age, and the care you
required, which my business and absence prevented my giving you, were
the motives which induced me to take this step. God in his fatherly
kindness mercifully directed my choice, though I had never thought of
asking him to do so; and you have found a second mother in her who has
ever been to me the most estimable and best of friends. During this
period also, I thought more of religion than ever before. Though I had
read the Gospel only to satisfy my curiosity on the three points of
doctrine that I have mentioned, and although my attention had been
exclusively directed to these points, it is probable, notwithstanding,