“The young man of irreproachable life had no idea that this exhortation could be applied to his case; he had been careful that ‘sinners’ were granted no opportunity of enticing him.

“But to many of the young men present, who were not so cautious, he hoped the sermon would prove of benefit.  So he settled himself comfortably to listen to the brilliant orator.

“But his self-complacency did not last long.  It was that very class to which he belonged, that the preacher addressed.  He exposed the cunning temptations of Satan, and told how he labored to lead even those who hated vice, to join in the pleasures of the world, without requiring them to commit one apparent sin.

“Thus the enemy sought to lead even the Christian, and to turn his heart from God, from holiness, and from heaven.

“Painfully solemn were the feelings with which Jacob left the house of God at the close of the service.  The film had passed from his eyes, and he saw that while his outward walk had been strictly correct, his heart had wandered from its true allegiance.

“When he reached home he found a gay party of young people, dancing and making merry in the brilliantly lighted parlors.  But the sickening sensations that ran through his frame, at the thought of time thus wasted, and creatures fashioned in their Maker’s image perverting their fine intelligences, showed the change that had been made in his views within the last hour.

“He went at once to his chamber, and with earnest prayer, he gave himself anew to his Master.

“He decided at once that Isabel must be given up, with all her attractions.  How lone and cheerless the future appeared.  Casting himself upon his knees, he prayed for help to bear the blow which had descended upon his hopes.

“With Jacob Wise, to know his duty was to do it.  Having felt the evil influence of intimate association with light and giddy worldlings, he determined to change his boarding place to some more retired spot where no similar temptation should waylay him.  And so, the next morning, he called on his pastor, stated the circumstances in which he was placed, and asked his help in obtaining board in some private family connected with the church.

[Illustration:  “The next morning he called on his Pastor.”]

“The minister sympathized with his young friend, and after a few minutes’ thought, mentioned a pious couple of his charge, whose only son had lately gone from home, and into whose vacant room he thought it likely Jacob might be admitted.

“It was as he had hoped.  When Mrs. Bennet heard the case, she was glad to be able to give a home to the young man.  No other difficulty now remained but his parting with Isabel.

“He found her seated at the piano, and a long conversation ensued, in which opinions and sentiments entirely opposite were maintained by each.  On subjects of vital importance they were disagreed.  So that finally they, whose hearts had received their first tender impressions from each other, with an apparent calmness inconsistent with their true feelings, separated, to meet no more.”