thankfulness upon the virtues, and with sorrow upon the faults, of their
children, and prayed that the former might be strengthened, and the
latter corrected. Mrs. Gardner had long seen with deep anxiety the
growing defect in Isabella's temper, and it was now brought more
painfully home to her feelings, as she reflected how much an added year
increased the responsibility of her child.

She had risen early, and had been long engaged in prayer to Him who can
alone regulate the unruly dispositions, wills, and passions of sinful
men. She prayed for knowledge of her duty to her child, and for
strength to perform it: she prayed for Isabella, that God would convince
her of the error of her way; that his Holy Spirit might renew her in the
spirit of her mind, that she might become a child and follower of the
Lord Jesus Christ.

Long and anxiously the pious mother continued her supplications at the
throne of grace; and after taking her Bible, and reading the blessed
assurance, "I can do all things through Christ strengthening me," she
went into the garden to meet Isabella. She found her there, sitting as
we have described, alone and sorrowful. "What is the matter, Isabella,"
said Mrs. Gardner, in a kind tone: "why are you so sad on the morning of
your birth-day?"

[Illustration]

"I don't know, mother," replied Isabella; "I believe it is because
nobody loves me."

"Isabella," said Mrs. Gardner, "I am afraid nobody will love you long if
you go on as you have done lately, giving way to angry feelings whenever