He had been baptized in infancy, however, as the children of orthodox Protestants more commonly were at that period than at present, and in all probability validly, so that one could never positively say that nature in him had ever been unaided by grace in any particular instance.

It is the conviction of those who knew him best that he had never been guilty of deliberate mortal sin.

One of these writes: "During all the intimate hours I spent with him, speaking of his past life he _ever once said that he had been a sinner_ in a sense to convey the idea of mortal sin.

And on the other hand he said much to the contrary; so much as to leave no manner of doubt on my mind that he had kept his baptismal innocence.

He was deeply attached to an edifying and religious mother; he was at hard work before the dawn of sensual passion, and his recreation, even as a boy, was in talking and reading about deep social and philosophical questions, and listening to others on the same themes.