Page:Leo Tolstoi - Life Is Worth Living and Other Stories - tr. Adolphus Norraikow (1892).djvu/161

 154 became so interested in the wonderful truths it contained and felt such relief of mind that he read it every day. Frequently he would become so absorbed in the book that he would fail to notice that the oil in his lamp had burned low, and even at such times it was only with an effort that he could put aside the sacred volume.

Thus he read every evening, and the more he studied the more clearly was he enabled to understand what God demanded of him, and also how best to devote his life to the Master's use. The knowledge thus gained made his heart much lighter and greatly added to his peace of mind. Formerly, as he lay on his bed, it was his habit to sigh and moan, grieving all the time over the loss of his son Kapitoshka; but now he simply said: "Glory to thee, O Lord! Glory to thee! Thy will be done!"

From the time that Martin began to read the Testament his whole life underwent a change. It was once his custom, on holy-days, to visit a neighboring restaurant for the purpose of drink-