“It is a source of daily sorrow to me,” replied Isabella, “that I cannot cultivate the temper of mind which is pleasing to God and man.”

“I have rejoiced lately, dear Isabella, to see you bear many little disappointments patiently; and until yesterday I have scarcely heard a hasty word from you for some time.  I hope you will persevere, and that we shall both of us grow better as we grow older.”

“Yes,” said Isabella, “I have endeavored lately to subdue my evil temper, which is the source of so much trouble to me, I had hoped that I had in some degree succeeded, for many a time when I have felt an angry passion rising, I have tried to lift up my heart to God, and to say, ‘Lord, give me strength to resist this temptation;’ but to-day I have gone very far back, and how can I be forgiven for thus breaking the solemn resolution I made on my birth-day?”

“Do not say so, Isabella.  Humbly confess your fault before God:  he will forgive you according to his promise through Christ Jesus, and encourage you in your renewed efforts.  God seeth not as man seeth:  he knows how frail and weak we are, and he sees every penitent tear, and rejoices over every effort we make to overcome besetting sins.  Our Lord Jesus Christ should be our example of forbearance.  No angry words were ever heard from him, and he is not willing to hear them from those who call themselves his followers.  Let us pray, my dear sister, ’that the same mind may be in us that was also in Christ Jesus.’”

“I hear kind instructive words from you, my dear sister, and from my parents, teachers, and other friends, and I hope they will not be lost upon me.  The Bible is much dearer to me now than it once was, and I find there simple directions for every duty.  Formerly when I read my Saviour’s words, if I applied them at all, it was to somebody else rather than myself; but now I begin to feel that I need his blessed counsels more than anybody.”

“I am thankful, Isabella, to hear you speak so of the Bible.  May it be a lamp unto the feet and a light unto the path, of us both; then our footsteps will not slip, and we shall be faithful children, sisters, and friends.  Jesus Christ came to this world to save us from the power as well as the punishment of sin; and his gospel must purify our hearts, and correct our daily faults, or it will do us no good.”

Isabella listened attentively to her sister’s words.  She felt their value, for she saw how faithfully Mary practiced what she taught.

“Good night, dear sister,” said Isabella:  “may the humbling recollection of to-day’s failure strengthen me in my efforts to keep my resolution.”

As week after week passed by, Isabella Gardner met new difficulties to oppose her resolution; but though often cast down, she gained strength every day.

Her trials at her day-school were very great, for her school-fellows did not know how she was endeavoring to correct her great fault; and they would often avoid her company in their walks and amusements, knowing how she formerly made them unhappy by her caprices.  She bore all this patiently, and would leave her companions immediately when anything was said or done that displeased her; and by going away by herself she was prevented from making a hasty reply, and had time to reflect and gather strength for future trials.