20 John Bachman. 



studying and thinking. He who had been a hardy 

 lad, breathing the pure country air, became a book- 

 worm. No more merry snow-balling, no more out- 

 door, invigorating exercise. Suddenly, one day, he 

 feels a sharp and racking pain the brain has been 

 over-fed, and the body denied its needful rest. The 

 result was not strange, but to the ardent student 

 startling and unlocked for he had a hemorrhage 

 of the lungs, and was forced, just as he was about 

 to gain the goal of his ambition, to leave college 

 without graduating.* It was a bitter and humili- 

 ating trial to him. He returned home weak and 

 despondent. When strong enough, he roamed 

 through the woody glens, and, resting under the 

 shade of a tree, carved his name on the bark. 

 But the healthful mother Nature was doing 

 her appointed work. Sunlight and pure air, were 

 her tonics; and, by degrees, hope revived, and 

 strength of mind and body were renewed. Ambi- 

 tious thoughts and aspirations again possessed his 

 soul but what avenue of distinction was now open 

 to him ? After much reflection, he selected the law 

 as a profession; procured the books, and became 

 interested in the study still there was ever an 

 unrest, an unsatisfied craving, within him. 



His parents, from infancy, had instructed him in 

 the Word of God " Thy Word is a lamp unto my 

 feet, and a light unto my path." One Sunday he 

 took down an old volume from his father's book- 



*Tke degree of Master of Arts was afterwards conferred 

 upon him by Williams College. 



