and, above all, I shall long to know if you seek in earnest for the
pardon of your sins, through the blood of Christ, and whether there is
any proof in your conduct that your evil hearts have been changed by
the grace of the Holy Spirit."

"If mamma sends you a good account of us," said Louisa, "please to
remember, aunt, that you promised to write to us when that was the
case. And you will write to me first, because I am the eldest, you
know."

"Since you claim to be thought of first," replied her aunt, "because
you are a year older then your sister, I hope you intend to take the
lead by setting before her a good example, that it may be well for her
to imitate you in every respect."

Louisa blushed, and was silent. "We will try our very best, dear
aunt," said Emma, "that mamma may send you good news, and then you
will write to us both. And, perhaps, before you come back, we shall be
grown such good girls, that you will not be able to find fault with
either of us."

"I am afraid that is not very likely," said Louisa; "for it seems as
if we could not help being naughty sometimes. I am sure I have often
said to myself, 'Mamma shall not have to reprove me once to-day,' and
yet, directly after, something has been amiss."

"O! that is quite true," said Emma, with a sigh.

"The reason is this," their aunt replied; "you were born with an evil
nature, which loves sin and leads you to do wrong, so that you cannot