another child
the sermon by the pastor in the morning. The more
who take part, the better, as variety adds to the
interest.

Then gather the children around close so they can
see the pictures as you read the following sermon.
Have the apples at hand also for demonstration.

THE object which I have chosen to-day, is one with which I am sure every
boy and girl is thoroughly familiar. The moment you see it you recognize
it. This large and beautiful apple is one of the most perfect of its
kind, large in size, beautiful in color, and one which tempts the
appetite of any one who is hungry.

Now, boys and girls, I have here another object. Can you tell me what
this is? I expected that you would say that it was an apple, and that is
true. But you have not told me the whole truth concerning it. This is
not only an apple, but it is a wormy apple. It did not grow as large as
the other, and, by looking at the outside, I see that it is defective.
It is stunted, like wormy apples quite universally are. You might think
that the worm went into this apple because it was not full grown and
strong and large, the same as it is sometimes thought that boys who have
never improved their advantages, but have failed to become noble and
good, therefore sin has entered their hearts. The truth is just the
reverse; wickedness first possessed their hearts, and that has been the
cause of their failure to improve their opportunities, and to become
manly, and noble, and good, and kind. If they had first got the evil and
sin out of their hearts, they would surely have stood a much better
chance. They would have become Christians, and have grown up more and
more like Christ, to be good, and kind, and generous, and useful.

[Illustration: Worm in the Apple.]

I want to ask you a question concerning this worm. But to be sure that
we are not mistaken, let me take a knife and cut this apple in two, and
see whether or not there is a worm inside. Just as I said, this is a
wormy apple. It has evidently had two worms in it. Here is one of them,
and the other has taken its departure. Now, boys and girls, I want to
ask you, did this worm eat his way into the apple, or did he eat his way
out of the apple? Quite as I anticipated. I expected that you would say
that he ate his way into the apple; but the fact is, he ate his way out
of the apple. I am sure that you will ask immediately, at least in your