p. 12 | The Girl and Her Influence by Mrs. C. F. L. Smith

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 18, 1907

The Girl and Her Influence

By Mrs. C. F. L. Smith

DID you ever stop to think, girls, of the influence that is constantly emanating from your lives—an influence for good or evil, which is having its effect on other lives? Just as every word you say sets in motion vibrations of ether that widen out and go on beating forever, in the same way every act of ours makes an impression somewhere that will never be effaced. Every act has its influence, and that influence is unending, as Henry Burton sung:—

“Never a word is said But it trembles back in the air, And the truant voice has sped To vibrate everywhere; And perhaps far off in eternal years The echo may ring upon our ears.”

To some is given a wider influence than others. This is governed by ability and environment. You may not be able to control the extent of your influence, but to every one of you is given the power to control its nature. Wherever you go, you should try to leave a blessing—something which will sweeten another life, or start a new song, or an impulse of cheer or helpfulness in another heart. It is your privilege and should be your aim to—

“Make the world within your reach Somewhat the better for your living, And gladder for your human speech.”

The first place for a girl’s influence to be felt is the home. By your thoughtfulness and helpfulness you can do much to brighten the dear mother’s life and ease her burdens. By your gentleness, purity, and sympathy, your life will go a long way toward implanting in the brother a high ideal of womanhood. By directing the conversation into helpful channels you can create a love for instructive themes.

Then in the office, the shop, the school, with your girl associates, there is the constant, silent, daily influence going on. Your conversation, your demeanor, the faithfulness or unfaithfulness with which you do your work, all are stamping their impress upon those around you. Then there are the crises which come into every girl’s life—times when questions arise where principles are at stake, and the answer you give will affect your whole after-influence. It requires stamina sometimes to stand alone at the risk of ridicule, and yet in the end it tells.

I so well remember an incident of my school days. It was at our annual picnic. I was asked to join an amusement, which although there was no absolute harm in it, yet to me, a professed Christian, it was questionable. To refuse was to be the “only odd one.” They could not understand my reason. I argued to myself: Would I not do more good to join and make myself agreeable? I was on the verge of yielding when a higher power within me asserted itself, and I answered: “No, I had rather not.”

What was my surprise, when the very girl who had invited me to join them replied, “I knew it was against your principles.”

How did she know? I had never said so. My life had been telling when I had not realized it, and then in one moment I came very near spoiling all the influence of the previous months. How I thanked God that he helped me to stand true that day. How many times since then the remembrance of it has helped me to say “No.”

Life is more powerful than words, girls. It is not what we desire others to believe us to be, but what we are, that counts. It is not what we tell others they ought to be and do, but what we are and do that appeals to their hearts.

It is said of Fénelon that his manner was full of grace, his voice full of tenderness, and his face full of glory. There is a story told of an atheist who spent a few days with him, and he said: “If I stay here much longer, I shall be a Christian in spite of myself.” Fénelon had used no controversy. It was the

convincing argument of his consistent life. Such an argument is unanswerable.

Remember, girls, you who desire to shine for Jesus, that you can not lift another higher than you yourself have attained. My desire for you is that there may go forth from you, as the power from a magnet, an influence drawing others to higher ideals, truer living, sweeter courtesies, and gentler words, to firmer purposes and a fuller surrender to Jesus Christ.—Mrs. C. F. L. Smith.