human
Tell me, he said,
gpt
That varies, Charlie, according to the intelligence and teaching of the child. Some are more fit when they are ten years, than others at twenty.
human
Well, but, am I old enough?
gpt
I think so, don't you?
human
Yes, I do, but another thing. Does an education make a person good?
gpt
No, it will make you better if you are good, but if a bad man gets education, that doesn't make him good.
human
Then is it any use to study so hard to get a good education?
gpt
Why certainly.
human
Tell me.
gpt
Education, Charlie, is just development. You know what development means?
human
Yes sir.
gpt
Well, development gives strength.
human
You have noticed that large tree out in the orchard. It was only a chestnut once, but now it is developed. That tree is only an educated chestnut. Which is stronger,--the chestnut tree or the little chestnut?
gpt
The tree, of course, said he,
human
The right kind of an education will never spoil any one.
gpt
I'm going to get a good education. Papa and mamma said they'd help me, but I want to earn the money myself, and then go a long time.
human
And then you'll be a missionary won't you?
gpt
Could I?
human
You can if you choose.
gpt
What must I do?
human
You must be a good Christian at home, and do all you can for Jesus now. Whoever is not good at home is the same away from home. Do things so people will all love you. If your associates and acquaintances do not love you, it is not likely the heathen will, and love is a great deal of the missionary's preparation. And give. If you have not much, give a little, and if you have more, give proportionately. But it is not all in giving. There is more even in living for the Lord, and just letting one's self be all His.
gpt
Doesn't the Bible say we ought to send missionaries everywhere in the world?
human
It says we must '_Go_', yes.
gpt
Were there heathen fifty years ago?
human
Yes.
gpt
Well, then why didn't we send lots of missionaries fifty years ago? I wish I could go.
human
Do you want to know, Charlie, how you can tell if you can be a missionary when you are a man?
gpt
Yes sir,
human
Be a little missionary now. Be a Christian. Get new scholars to come to Sunday school. Live for other people all you can. One little person quit eating candy, and gave the money for the Lord, another bought a dozen eggs and raised chickens and sold them for the Lord. A little farmer boy raised potatoes on a little corner of land his papa said he could have, and then sold them for missionary money, and there are many other ways.
gpt
Oh, I know, I know what I'll do! said several at once.
human
I'm so thirsty.
gpt
So am I.
human
No, wait.
gpt
Come on.
human
We can all do something, then, can't we? I'm dry too.