o God, they worship images, which they
make themselves."

"They are very wicked, then?" said Charles.

"No, they are not wicked," replied his papa, "because they know no
better; they do what they believe to be right; and as long as we do what
we think is right, we cannot be wicked, although we may be mistaken."

"Then the missionaries go to teach them better, I suppose?" said
Charles.

"Yes, my dear, these good men are so anxious to do good to their fellow
creatures, that they do not mind the difficulties and dangers they meet
with; and it is no easy matter I assure you Charles, for many of them
have been cruelly murdered by the barbarians they were trying to
instruct."

"Poor men," said Charles, "how sorry I am for them; but why do any more
of them go, papa, if they are so badly treated?"

"Because though some have been unfortunate, others have done a great
deal of good; for instance, the missionary you read about this morning,
went out a great many years ago to some of the South Sea islands, which
he found inhabited by savages who knew nothing, and lived more like wild
beasts than men; but he contrived to make friends of them, and has
taught them to build houses, cultivate the earth, build ships, and make
many useful articles of furniture, and tools to dig and plant the
ground; and although all these things are of a very rough kind, it is
better than not knowing how to make them at all, you know."

"To be sure it is," replied Charles; "besides, perhaps they will go on
making them better and better, till at last they will make very good
things indeed."

[Illustration: THE GOOD MISSIONARY TEACHING THE SAVAGES TO BUILD.]

"Yes, my boy, that is the right way, not only with the savages, but with
ourselves: When once we know the manner of doing a thing, we may then
improve upon it as much as we can, the same as with your writing, each
copy ought to be done better than the last."

"But now you have not told me why they have given money to the
missionary, papa."

"Because he has come to England to buy clothes, tools, seeds, and other
things for the use and improvement of the South Sea Islanders. The
English people are always ready to assist in any good work; and so
numbers of persons have given money, till it has amounted to several
hundred pounds, which has enabled the good missionary to take back with
him a large store of useful articles."

"Well, that is an excellent plan," said Charles, "I should not wonder