to save their souls; for to that end he denied himself even
to the shameful and painful death of the cross.

"He says, 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross, and follow me.... Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and
come after me, cannot be my disciple.'

"That is we cannot be his disciples without doing something to bring
sinners to him that they may be saved; something that will cost us
self-denial; it may be of our own ease, or of something we would like to
do or have.

"And it must be done willingly, cheerfully, from love to the dear Master
and the souls he died to save, and not as the way to earn heaven for
ourselves.

"We can not merit salvation, do what we will; we must take it as God's
free, undeserved gift."

There was a moment of thoughtful silence; then Max said, "Papa, I think
I am willing if I knew just what to do and how to do it. Can you tell
me?"

"You have some money of your own every week; you can give what you will
of that to held spread abroad the glad tidings of salvation; you can
pray for others, and when a favorable opportunity offers, speak a word
to lead them to Christ. Ask God to show you opportunities and give you
grace and wisdom to use them. Try also, so to live, and act, and speak,
that all who see and know you will, take knowledge of you that you have
been with Jesus and learned of him."

"Papa," said Lulu, "won't you tell Max about the money you are going to
give in our names?"

"No, I will let you have that pleasure," the captain answered with a
kindly look and tone, and she eagerly availed herself of the permission.

Max was greatly pleased, and Violet, who joined them just in time to
hear what Lulu was saying, highly approved.

"But you will understand, children," the captain said, "that this
involves your gaining a great deal of information on the subject of
missions, and other schemes of benevolence, and in order to help you in
that, we will spend a short time each evening, when not prevented by
company or some more important engagement, in reading and conversing on
this topic."

"I wish I could earn some money to give," said Lulu. "I'd like to carve
pretty things to sell; but who would buy them?"

"Possibly papa might become an occasional purchaser," her father said,
stroking her hair and smiling kindly upon her.

"Or Mamma Vi," added her young step-mother.

"And I have another offer to make you both," said the captain; "for
e