Memoir of the Chisholm

12 EARLY CHILDHOOD.
the error of making the Bible a task-book,
and thus create a weariness of and unholy
familiarity with its sacred records ; but simply
endeavoured to store up in his infant mind a
portion of that heavenly seed which, as the
event proved, was not without its fruit.
His deep affection towards the mother who
thus trained him was most remarkable ; it
seems to have been then, and ever afterwards,
the prominent feeling of his heart. When
quite a child, it is related of him, that, as he
was one day reading aloud to his mother,
which he often did for her amusement, he
came to the following passage : " All that
mother could do for son, or parent for child,
she did for me ;" and that no sooner had he
read these words, than he flung down his book
on the sofa, and throwing his arms about his
mother's neck, shed many tears, saying, " My
dearest mother, this is what you have done for
me." These were not feelings confined to his
childish days. They followed him through life,
curbing many an impetuous impulse of his
youth, and, in manhood, leading him, at every
interval of repose from public duties, to turn
with affection, ever fresh and buoyant, towards
her whom he delighted to honour.