“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 every day that I find you obedient, pleasant-tempered and industrious I will give each of you twenty-five cents for benevolent purposes.”

“Thank you, papa,” they both said, their eyes sparkling with pleasure; Max adding, “That will be a dollar and seventy-five cents a week.”

“Yes; and for every week that either one of you earns the quarter every day, I will add another to bring it up to two dollars.”

“O papa, how nice!” exclaimed Lulu.  “I mean to try very hard, so that I may have enough to support a little Indian girl.  And is Gracie to have the same?”

“Certainly; and I shall not be greatly surprised if Gracie’s missionary box fills faster than either of the others.”

“I am almost sure it will,” said Lulu, sobering down a good deal; “and Max’s will be next.  But I do mean to try ever so hard to be good.”

“I am quite sure you do, dear child,” her father responded in tender tones.  “I know my little girl wants to improve, and I shall do all I can to help her.”

“Papa, is that quarter a day for good conduct, to be in addition to our usual pocket money?” asked Max.

“Certainly, my son; your pocket money is your own, to use for your pleasure or profit, except what you feel that you ought, or desire to give of it; but the quarter is expressly, and only for benevolent purposes.”