p. 79 | Impressions by CHAS. L. BOYD.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 18, 1873

Impressions.

By CHAS. L. BOYD.

It is generally known that the metallic plates, on which daguerreotypes are taken, are often repolished after having been used, and thus prepared for future use. But great care is necessary in removing every particle of the former picture, or there will be an impression thereof left after the plate has been exposed to the camera obscura.

A lady, on examining a picture of herself, just taken, was greatly surprised to find it contained a faint impression of another individual, appearing to stand in the background. Another artist found on a picture just taken a part of a political speech, which impression the plate had received from the paper to which it had been folded; but which was invisible till exposed to the camera obscura.

I have often thought how much our lives are like these plates—how they retain impressions received in former years. We cannot indulge in sin of any form without being marred, stained, and polluted, therewith. One eminent writer goes so far as to say, “We cannot indulge in one sinful thought without its affecting our after life.” Says the inspired penman, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Impressions made on our minds in our childhood affect our daily lives. To forget that which we would have removed, as well as to remember that we would retain, has cost us many a struggle.

How careful then ought we to be to set such examples before the young as will be worthy of their imitation. They are forming characters for the Judgment. What excuse shall we have to offer if the influence of our lives has been unfavorable to their spiritual welfare? We shall be “speechless.” Peradventure these souls will be lost and required at our hands?

How is it with ourselves? We are sinners by nature, and have made ourselves much more so by practice. How shall we become fit for our Master's use? We cannot cleanse ourselves from these guilty stains; but we can come and wash in the atoning blood of Jesus and thus be made clean. Have we done this? or has the work been half done, so that when we are exposed to the camera obscura of this world's temptations, we still behold those hateful, sinful stains, which remain?

We want a deep and a thorough work. We are living in a solemn time—the time of God's “preparation.” Jesus is soon coming.

Instead of mourning that temptations beset our pathway, which bring out these evils that still adhere to us, let us seek to have them wholly removed, entirely washed away by the precious blood of Jesus, so freely shed for us, so that our lives will only reflect the religion which we profess, and the image of our dear Redeemer.

CHAS. L. BOYD.

Cherokee, Iowa.