[The speaker will produce the sign at the right moment. It will be very plainly printed on a large piece of pasteboard.]
Once there were two dealers in shoes. One of them, Mr. Shameface, hardly liked to acknowledge that he kept a shop. He hung out no sign. He kept the curtain in his window down most of the time, as if he was afraid to be seen. When a customer did spy him out, he waited on him timidly, as if he wanted to run away.
The other dealer was Mr. Brightface. He hung out a big, clear sign:—
His doors and windows were all glass, and the curtains were always up, and his store was well lighted by night and by day. His shop-window was decked out with dainty slippers and shoes of all the pretty styles and colors. He had a brisk way of waiting on customers, and his face wore a happy smile, as if to say, “Yes, I deal in boots and shoes. Pretty good business, isn’t it? And I’m getting along finely.”
Now which do you think had most customers? And which do you think had most friends? And which do you think had most success? And which do you think is most like you, in your Christian life? Answer, children!