ry 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
he suffer another to resent any of the insults offered to him. 'The
disciple is not above his Master;' and if we profess to follow Jesus
Christ, we must learn to bear all things, and try 'to be perfect, as our
Father in heaven is perfect.'

"Forgiveness of injuries is a high duty, and patiently to bear injustice
is one of the greatest Christian excellences. God alone can give us the
right temper of mind, but we must ourselves try to attain it. Perhaps
you may recollect what Peter says about suffering patiently for
well-doing. To be sure, those to whom he was preaching were suffering in
a great cause; but the conquest of our faults is a great cause to us;
and we may all apply his words to our own cases. He was preaching to the
Christians at Pontus, who were enduring persecution in the cause of
Christ,--'For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,
ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,
ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.'" 1 Pet. ii, 20.

Isabella, as usual, acknowledged her error, and said she would try to
correct it.

"Do you know, Isabella," said Mrs. Gardner, "that you have promised me
this a great many times before?"

"Yes, mother."

"And do you know that, by thus repeatedly breaking your promises,