anything opposes your wishes; and, what is much worse, you will offend
your heavenly Father, if you thus continue to break his holy commands."

"I can't help being displeased, mother, when people show me that they
don't like me, and try to vex me."

"Seldom does any one vex us on purpose, Isabella. It is the bad state of
our own hearts that makes us think we are not liked; and, besides, Jesus
Christ has forbidden us to be angry even when there are real faults. He
tells us to forgive others, as he has forgiven us; and do you think you
have obeyed him?"

"No, mother; but people must be angry when they are treated unfairly;
and the girls at school are often very unkind and unjust to me; and I am
sure I ought to show them that I don't like it."

"Such is not the gospel rule, Isabella; and that alone should be your
guide. There you are directed to love those who treat you unkindly, to
do good to those that hate you, and to 'pray for those who despitefully
use you.' The recollection of your own need of forgiveness from God,
ought to make you patient toward the faults of others."

"Very often, mother, when I try to do my best, I am misunderstood, and
reproved; and then I am sure even the best persons would be displeased."

"Not if they are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, Isabella. Was he
not holy and undefiled, pure, spotless, and without sin? and was he not
persecuted, falsely accused, and scourged? reviled and rejected by men,
betrayed by one disciple, and forsaken by all the rest? Yet no word of
evil passion was ever heard from him. He opened not his mouth, nor would