Influence | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 4, 1871

Influence.

How mighty in its workings; yet how little it is contemplated! The influence each member of society exerts on all others, is one of the pleasing subjects to which we can turn our attention.

Were it destroyed, that firm foundation, on which the beautiful structure of social happiness now rests, would become a tottering mass of ruins. Silent, but effectual, it goes forth to conquer the evil propensities of our natures; and when well directed, serves as a faithful barrier to all the encroachments of vice and error. Like the tender plant, it grows silently, but constantly—weak, at first, but finally strong.

Well directed, it is one of the noblest attributes of the soul. It goes forth enlightening and cheering, as the sun in the spring-time, on the cold earth, making it rich with verdure. It goes to the heart, like a sunbeam into the darkest cell. It turns sorrow into joy—darkness into light. It makes the proud, wicked man humble and penitent. It brings back the wayward child, and the misguided parent. But an opposite tendency once given, it is equally deadening and destructive. Like the frightful blast of winter, it sheds desolation and decay through all the recesses of the soul; and tends to bury all its faculties in its caverns of ignorance and vice. If it be silent, it is none the less effectual. All feel its power, and must acknowledge its importance. We are all exerting it, and in return are under its dominion. The little things continually transpiring about us are swelling, as rivulets, the mighty stream. Small though it be for good or evil, we, individually, are exercising it; and all our actions are tending to enlighten and bless, or sink in despair, obscurity, and wickedness, those by whom we are surrounded.

Thinking soberly and candidly, is “influence” of insignificance? Are we to sit quietly, and let this mighty current make its own windings, and destroy whatsoever it chooseth, regardless of consequences?

These questions are especially applicable to the young, whose characters are undergoing the process of formation. Their influences will soon be exerted in some direction. They will be called to take places in society, where “influence” is powerfully felt. Some will be trainers of minds—one of the most important offices in life. They deal with the most costly jewels. And if “influence” in this case be pure and good, how beautifully brilliant may this jewel be made; but if it be evil, what a wreck it will become.

Others, now in the morning of life, will be parents. They will have the training of physical, mental, moral, and religious natures. Should they not cultivate these qualities in their own natures, that they may be able to exert the right influence?

In every path you tread, study the right, and do it. Make the fountain pure, that the issues therefrom may be pure, also.

Year after year are going forth those who are to live on the pages of their country's history; those who are heralds of freedom and truth, and those who have enveloped the mind in deeper obscurity and wickedness.

Already, many of the human family have stationed themselves in different parts of the world; and the lights emanating from them will be for our glory or dishonor.

If, then, influence be so great, there must be a corresponding responsibility resting on all. This responsibility will meet all.

Many will run parallel with their eternity, according to our own use or neglect of their will. Weigh well this matter which involves such momentous issues. Our influence will outlive us.—Sel.