Chapter 2

It was a house of sadness, but of composure,--a house of Christian sorrow! Trouble had entered it; but its inmates felt that the trouble came from a Father's hand, and that they should have no more than He who knew them best, and loved them best, saw was for their good. They felt their Saviour's presence, and rested upon his words, "My grace is sufficient for thee."

But this sickness was not unto death: God raised Isabella from her bed of pain to glorify him by the holy obedience of her life. To the eye of man there was much yet to be done; but her heart was humbled, and her pride subdued; and He who knew all her weakness, saw that she would persevere, and that his chastisement had answered the purpose for which it had been sent.

As Isabella began to recover, the confinement to her room, and her extreme weakness, were rather more difficult to bear than her sickness. She was, however, mild and very thoughtful, and she would sit sometimes for an hour in the easy chair, with her face covered with her hands.

One evening she asked her mother if she had seen her show a wrong spirit during the day.

"I have not," said Mrs. Gardner.

"I am glad of it," said Isabella: "I have been trying to be faithful to myself, and I rejoice that one day has passed at the close of which my mother can give me a smile of approbation. I have been looking back upon this long sickness, and I fear I have not improved as I ought: I must begin in earnest now, relying upon divine assistance."

It was a happy morning in Mr. Gardner's family when Isabella once more took her usual seat at the breakfast table. She was pale and thin: the glow of health had left her cheeks; but there was an expression there that showed the better health of the soul. The grateful child joined the family group at breakfast with a prayer that she might never again disturb its harmony.

But little time had passed before her school companions found that she was "renewed in the spirit of her mind." They found her ready to forgive those who injured her, willing to oblige others, and to be pleased herself. They soon began to love her much; for her bright, active mind, made her a delightful companion; and it was not long before Isabella Gardner was one of the most pleasing and best-esteemed girls in school.

The beautiful summer had passed, and the solemn autumn. The green fields had given their rich crops to the farmers, making glad their hearts with an abundance of good things. In short, winter had come, and was nearly gone.

At the close of a cold day the family of Mr. Gardner were sitting by their comfortable fire. "I have been thinking," said little George, as he looked into the bright fire, "how good sister Isabella has grown lately. She has not spoken a cross word to me since I can remember; and cousin Emily Gray says she would rather come to see her than anybody, now that she is so kind and obliging."

Mr. Gardner tried, by a serious look and shake of the head, to make little George understand that he did not like his remarks; but George did not see him, and went on to say that he should like to know how Isabella had managed to grow so good.

"I see your kindness, dear father," said Isabella, "in wishing George to be silent lest he should hurt my feelings; but you need not shake your head at him, for I am quite willing that he should say what he thinks. I have noticed how carefully you and mother have avoided speaking of my faults; but I have known by your silent kindness that you have seen and approved of my efforts to overcome them. I have done but little; but I hope by perseverance to become more worthy to be your child.

"You say, George, that I have grown better, and wonder what has made me so. I will tell you, my dear brother. My mother's counsels and prayers first directed me to the source of all strength,--to God, and his holy word. I had neglected her wishes, and showed disrespect to her authority; and in sorrow, but in much love, she committed me to the care of my heavenly Parent. She led me to Jesus, who was meek and lowly in heart. From him I have sought dayly, hourly help, and to him let all the praise be given, if I have succeeded at all in subduing my unruly temper. My long sickness, last autumn, brought me to feel my great weakness and entire dependence upon God, and gave me time for reflection. The patient kindness of my friends humbled me also; for I felt how little I deserved it; and I resolved anew, that if my life was spared, I would be a better child in future. But I have much yet to do, and the constant effort that I am obliged to make, to conquer this one fault, is enough to keep me humble."

"I don't quite understand all that you have said, Isabella," replied George; "but I know it is much like what father and mother have often told me, that when I don't know exactly how to do right, I must go to God, and he will always direct me."

"I can scarcely tell you, George, how much happier I am now than I used to be. I wish I could tell you and every friend I have. My disrespect to my father and mother caused me many a bitter tear, while my unkindness to my brothers and sisters made my dayly life unhappy; and after my angry disputes with my school-fellows, I was left in a troubled state of mind, vexed with myself and them. Now, with all my strivings and failures, I have much peace; and I believe every one will have it just in proportion as he or she obeys the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ, 'Love one another.'"

Mr. Gardner embraced his child, and when again they knelt in evening devotion, he prayed that love to God and man might reign in the bosom of each of his family, that when they were called from this world of trial and temptation, they might all meet in those blessed regions where all is love, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

* * * * *

"Why am I so happy this morning?" said Isabella Gardner, as she arose from her bed, just one year after the day on which this little history of her trials commenced: "because, through the grace of God, I have, in some degree, subdued my sinful and unruly temper."

YOUTHFUL TEMPTATIONS.

Many a snare and temptation, young friend, Will often obtrude in your way, And constantly every footstep attend, And threaten to lead you astray.

Perhaps you'll be tempted to hazard a lie, Some trivial fault to conceal; But remember that God, the all-seeing, is nigh, And will one day the falsehood reveal.

You'll be tempted to cheat your companions at play, For the sake of a marble or top; But they who once enter dishonesty's way, Will find it not easy to stop.

You'll be tempted, perhaps, holy friends to despise, And follow the godless and vain; But ever remember to walk with the wise If heaven you seek to attain.

Another temptation will lie in your road,-- To think that religion is sad; But none are so happy as those who love God, And none are so dull as the bad.

Beware, too, of slighting the day of the Lord, And never its duties neglect; But meet with his people, and rev'rence his word, If you would his blessing expect.

But though such temptations your path will attend, The Lord will still make you his care,-- Will be, if you seek him, your guide and your friend, 'Mid every temptation and snare.

* * * * *

HEAVEN.

Far beyond the furthest sky, Never seen by mortal eye, Heaven in dazzling beauty lies,-- An unfading paradise.

Evening dim, and gloomy night, Never veil that world of light; Winter never sojourns there, Summer reigns throughout the year.

In one bright unclouded day Endless ages roll away; There, beneath the unsetting sun, Years of ceaseless pleasure run.

There the good, in concord sweet, Worship at Jehovah's feet,-- Raise the song, with joy unknown, Circling round his holy throne.

Works of love, and songs of joy, All the happy hours employ; Sickness, trouble, want, and pain, Seek admittance there in vain.

There shall He who, laugh'd to scorn, Wore the piercing crown of thorn, Hear his praise in sweetest chords, King of kings, and Lord of lords.

O may I, when life is pass'd, Join that happy throng at last; Through the great Redeemer's blood, Sing with them, and dwell with God.

* * * * *

IMPROVEMENT.

How many poor children I see every day Who have no one to guide them aright! No wonder in vice they should wander astray, And in all that is evil delight.

But I, who have got a good Bible to read, And parents so anxious and kind, Shall prove myself vile and ungrateful indeed If I still am perversely inclined.

These blessings will rise at God's terrible bar, If I do not grow better by them; And my Bible, neglected, will also be there, And my friends and my teachers condemn.

Then let me attend, and make haste to improve, With every fresh season that's given, And pray to the Lord of all mercy and love To train me for virtue and heaven.

BOOKS PUBLISHED FOR THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

* * * * *

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE:

SKETCHES FROM HIS HISTORY. WRITTEN FOR THE YOUNG.

No person, young or old, that takes up this book will wish to put it down before it is finished; and no reader will fail to be profited by its perusal. We doubt whether in the same space there can anywhere be found a better summary of the history of that wonderful man, or a clearer picture of the folly of his extravagant ambition, or the cruelties it led him to perpetrate, and of the downfall in which it terminated. False views of the character of warriors and conquerors have ruined thousands. Need any other fact be stated to show the importance of giving the young, especially, timely and correct views of these characters?

If there is one class to whom more than another this book is particularly commended, it is to that large class of boys, between the ages of five and fifteen years, who often think, and sometimes say, "I would like to be a soldier."