ear eldest daughter be so selfish as to wish me to
put it into a diamond ring for her at the expense of leaving some poor
creature in want and misery? some poor heathen to die without the
knowledge of Christ? some soul to be lost that Jesus died to save?"

"Oh no, no, papa!" she exclaimed, tears starting to her eyes, "I
couldn't be so hard hearted. I couldn't bear to look at my ring if it
had cost so much to other people."

"No, I am sure you could not; and I believe you would find far more
enjoyment, a far sweeter pleasure, in selecting objects for me to
benefit by the money the ring might cost."

"O papa, how nice, how delightful that would be if you would let me!"
she cried joyously.

"I will," he said; "I have some thousands to divide among the various
religious and benevolent objects, and shall give a certain sum--perhaps
as much as a thousand dollars--in the name of each of my three children
who are old enough to understand these things, letting each of you
select the cause, or causes, to which his or her share is to go."

"Which are the causes, papa?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with
pleasure.

"There are Home and Foreign Missions, the work among the freedmen, and
for the destitute in our own neighborhood, beside very many others. We
will read about these various objects and talk the matter over together,
and finally decide how many we can help, and how much shall be given to
each. Perhaps you may choose to support a little Indian girl in one of
the Mission schools, or some child in heathen lands; or a missionary who
will go and teach them the way to heaven."

"Oh I should love to do that!" she exclaimed, "it will be better than
having a ring. Papa, how good you are to me! I am so glad God gave me
such a father; one who tries always to teach me how to serve Him and to
help me to be the right kind of a Christian."

"I want to help you in that, my darling," he said; "I think I could do
you no greater kindness."

Just then Max came into the room, and his father called him to take a
seat by his side, saying, "I am glad you have come, my son, for I was
about to speak to Lulu on a subject that concerns you quite as nearly."

"Yes, sir; I'll be glad to listen," replied Max, doing as directed.

The captain went on. "The Bible tells us, 'If any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.' If we are like Jesus in spirit, we
will love others and be ready to deny ourselves to do them good;
especially