"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 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.