"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