p. 110 | Our Influence by C. M. WILLIS

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 4, 1866

Our Influence.

By C. M. WILLIS

'Mid the forest's dark shade, in a sweet sheltered nook, Where the birds warbled forth from each spray, I sat myself down by a murmuring brook, And watched as it wandered away.

The tall trees were waving their branches o'erhead, The soft breezes murmured around, As the brooklet its course unresistingly sped Toward the haven to which it was bound.

'Twas a small silver thread as it trickled away, But I thought as it wound toward the sea, And gathered its littles throughout the long day, How soon a stronger river 'twould be.

On its bosom tall ships would majestically ride, On its banks would the water-wheel play, And 'twould serve in its glory man's power and pride, In its course, on its way to the sea.

With our influence 'tis thus—'tis a light, idle word, But one 'mid a large, countless throng, The depth of some heart by its power is stirred, We know not for good, or for wrong.

Like the careless thrown pebble by school-boy at play, Far out in old ocean's wild roar, Its circling eddies spread wider away, 'Till it reaches some far distant shore.

A little rill, first hardly seen by the throng, A rivulet, river, a sea, How mighty its course as it rushes along, Enduring as eternity.

C. M. WILLIS. Charlotte, Mich.