Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/160

 Rh "It is necessary that we should live, Martin," replied the old man, "for God's sake. He gave us life, and we should devote it to him alone. When you make up your mind that you will devote your life entirely to him, you will no longer worry about anything else, and everything will be light and easy for you."

After some moments' reflection, Martin said: "But how am I to live in order to devote my life to God?"

"How we should live," replied the old man, "has been explained to us by Christ. Can you read? If. so, buy a New Testament and read it carefully. In it you will find full instructions as to how you should live. In that book everything is explained."

The old pilgrim's words sank so deeply into Martin's despairing heart that the very same day he went out and bought a copy of the Testament (in large type) and began earnestly to read it. At first he intended to study it only on holidays, but when he once had started he