Example by Jos. Clarke.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 23, 1866

Example.

By Jos. Clarke.

A TEACHER, who had long lamented his want of success in teaching the art of penmanship, having earnestly set about reforming his own hand-writing, soon found his pupils interested greatly in the same pursuit.

An impatient professor of religion, being greatly tried with the ill tempers of some of his associates, all at once ceased to admonish them, until he could set an example of patience; and then, said he, I can have an influence for good. He went heartily to work, in patiently bearing whatever came along; and now his surprise, at the effect of his example upon the tempers of his associates, was only equaled by their wonder at his equanimity. He found example alone, better than many words accompanied with unnecessary warmth.

Few, if any, are fully, and at all times, aware of the power, for good or evil, of example.

Example is the living, breathing, teacher. If altogether good, and Christ-like, oh, how good it is! Descending from generation to generation, from nation to nation, from land to land, until it reaches us; it only breathes its sweet and heavenly breath upon us, and we rise from our pollution, entranced with its loveliness. Our souls, tired of mere dry, formal, wordy teachings, and rather hardened by chilling severities, sink down, mellowed, subdued, purified, ennobled, by the lovely aspect of example.

Her presence is more powerful for good, than the eloquence of the orator, or the skill of the statesman, or the heroism of the warrior; for all these bow at her approach, and do her homage; and all acknowledge her heavenly origin. Many complain because she so seldom appears; others mourn her frequent absence from society; but these last mentioned do often meet her in the humble, busy walks of life, and receive her blessings, unfading as the flowers of Paradise.

Jos. Clarke.