CHAP.  V.

MISSIONARIES.

“Papa,” said Charles, “I should like to know what a missionary is.”

“Your desire can very easily be gratified,” replied his papa; “but what has made you think of missionaries just now?”

“Because I read in the newspaper, this morning, that the day before yesterday there was a great crowd at St. Katharine’s docks to take leave of a missionary who was going to one of the South Sea islands; and it said that a great deal of money had been given to him, and that when the ship began to sail, all the people waved their hats, and wished him success.  Now I want to know what he was going for, and why every body was so glad?”

[Illustration:  The good missionary going abroad.]

“Then I will tell you, Charles.  Missionaries are good and religious men, who go out to different parts of the world, on purpose to benefit those poor ignorant creatures whom we call savages, by teaching them religion, and also such arts as they are capable of learning.”

“That is very kind of them,” said Charles; “for it cannot be very pleasant to live among savages.”

“No, my dear; but these good men do not consider what is pleasant, they only consider what is right; and that is the proper way to think, is it not?”

“Oh yes, papa, I know that we ought all to do what is right, whether it is pleasant or not.”

“Certainly, Charles, and in the end it is sure to be the most pleasant, because it is a great pleasure to know that we have done what is right.  But we were talking of missionaries.  For several hundred years the people of England and Germany, and other Christian countries, have considered it a part of their duty to teach the Christian religion in all parts of the world; for in many nations, Charles, they are so ignorant that instead of praying to 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.”