with a sharp eye upon her worldly interests, she maintained her standing
in the church, and bore a fair reputation; but she was a worldly-minded
Christian, and as such had not sufficiently encouraged in her children
any peculiar love for holiness. She was, however, a devoted,
self-sacrificing mother, as far as their worldly interests were
concerned: and never was a lost parent more sincerely mourned.

'From that time forth, Lewis seemed to lose all connection with the
business part of the world, and he devoted himself more closely than
ever to his books.

'Yet among these books, the Bible now found a place, and occupied a
large share of his attention. From reading it, because it suited his now
serious thoughts, he began to love its contents, and finally he made
them the guide of his life. He became a member of the church in the
little village where he resided, and was soon regarded as a very
promising young man.

'His new friends were exceedingly anxious that he should study for the
ministry, and he entered with alacrity upon his new duties. But not
content with what he considered the circuitous way to usefulness usually
taken, he determined by industry to cut it short, and so the noonday sun
and midnight lamp found him at the same task. When worn out by his
incessant mental labours, he would throw himself down and sleep for a
little time; but his dreams were only a continuation of his waking
thoughts, so that even in sleep he was studying still.

'When his fellow-students expostulated, he laughed at the idea of his
health being injured by incessant application, and seemed to be afraid
that variety of employment would distract his attention. So he went on