ate were very much like our
grasshoppers, such as are still eaten by very poor people in the East.

[Illustration: Husks.]

In the 15th chapter of the gospel by St. Luke, we have a very beautiful
parable, called the parable of the prodigal son. In connection with the
husk which I hold in my hand, I want to tell you something about this
prodigal son.

In this parable Jesus tells of a very kind father who had two sons, but
the younger son was dissatisfied and discontented. He was a boy very
much like many who live in this country and at this time. He was a boy
who wanted to have his own way. He thought that his father was an "old
fogy." The son wanted gay company and gay clothing. He wanted to travel
and see something of the world; so he asked his father to give him the
money which would come to him at his father's death, in order that he
might go immediately and have his own way, and have a good time, as he
supposed.

His father was very sad, for he had tried to bring up his boy in the
right way. But when he could not prevail upon him, and his son would not
listen to him any longer, but insisted upon having the money, and going
away from home, the father granted his request.

When the money had been counted out, the son gathered it all up, bade
his father and brother and all his friends good-bye, telling them what a
happy time he was going to have, and started out for a far country.

This same desire to see something of the world has induced many boys to
run away from home. Many years ago, when there were numerous ships that
went out on long voyages to catch whales, oftentimes boys who had run
away from home went away to sea with these ships. Now, however, restless
and discontented boys, who have read worthless and deceptive books,
sometimes go to live a wild life on the plains in the West. Sometimes
boys even become tramps. Scores and sometimes hundreds of them can be
met any week by going to the Breakfast Association, in Philadelphia; or
some of the Rescue Homes, in New York, where poor, wandering boys and
tramps are given a free meal on Sunday morning or Sunday evening.
Prodigals now, as in the time when Christ lived, have a very hard time
of it. They start out with high hopes, sometimes with money in their
pockets, with fine clothing and bright anticipations, expecting to have
a good time in the far country which they are seeking. But their
experience is always the same.

When this prodigal came to the far c