al kinds represent the different kinds of people.

[Illustration: Magnet and Tacks.]

When I take this magnet, and move it around among these small tacks, and
then hold it up, you will see that very many of these tacks cling to the
magnet. They hold on by some unseen power. Sometimes the tacks are even
not able to touch the magnet, but are drawn through the influence which
extends through other tacks, and so large clusters hang on to the
magnet. If I shake the magnet you will see that some fall off. These
small tacks represent the youngest children. In the early years of our
lives we are more easily drawn to the Lord Jesus. It is then more easy
for us to come to Christ and give ourselves fully to Him. It is much
easier to be Christians when we are young. Yet many put it off till they
are older, when it is much more difficult and they are less likely to be
successful in living a Christian life.

[Illustration: Magnet and Small Nails.]

Now, if I remove these small tacks, and place the magnet among these
small nails, you will see that several of the small nails cling to the
magnet, and I can lift them up. There are not as many, however, as there
were of the tacks clinging to it. In like manner, as boys and girls grow
older, they find it more difficult to come to Christ.

[Illustration: Magnet and Larger Nails.]

Here are some larger nails. When I place the magnet among them, but very
few are attracted to it. And when I attempt to lift the magnet, most all
of these large nails tall off. Only one, sometimes two, hold on
successfully.

Here are some nails that are still larger. Now, when I attempt to lift
one of them with this magnet, you see that I can only lift one end of
the nail. That is due to the fact that while the magnet draws these
nails, the earth also draws them. That is the reason why these smaller
nails, when they fall from the magnet, fall to the earth; because the
earth draws them. The earth draws with so much greater force and power
upon these large nails than the magnet draws that I cannot raise them by
the magnet. It is on this account that they continue to hold fast to the
earth rather than to the magnet.

[Illustration: Magnet and Large Nails.]

This represents the people who have grown old; who have large cares and
responsibilities; who have become worldly-minded; who are drawn away by
the "deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things," and who,
although they feel a desire to do right,