p. 53 | Our Influence by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 1, 1871

Our Influence.

By John Nevins Andrews

Every person has an influence. Some have a very extended influence; others a limited influence. But every one has an influence embracing a circle of greater or less extent. What is also to be specially observed, is that each person in his own circle embraces some over whom he can exert a moral force which no other person can bring to bear upon them. In the day of God there will be an inquiry into this matter. How has this influence been exerted? will be the question. Have you led those to Christ that you had power then to lead? How many are there who can be thus examined? I fear there are few who can stand the test. If faulty, now is our time for repentance and real reformation. During this year, we may, each one of us, lead at least one soul to Christ. Only think of the result if even this were accomplished. The number of those loving the appearing of Jesus and keeping his commandments would be doubled! Do you ask how we shall do this work? I answer: Not by mere debate and controversy, especially in such places as the bar-rooms, groceries, and street corners; not by denunciation. This will only do hurt. Our first business is to be converted ourselves. Our Lord said, “Let the dead bury their dead.” He never sent the dead to raise the dead. We must have the help of the Spirit of God. Then our lives in everything, great and small, at home and abroad, must show that the truth has made us better persons. To make the truth attractive, we must adorn it. To adorn the truth is not to clothe it in elegant language, but simply to live it out. The life of that man who loves God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself, will wonderfully preach Christ, even though he be poor and ignorant and feeble-minded. But though debate and contention is no way to win souls to Christ, we may with meekness recommend him and his cause to our fellow-men. A word thus fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. We must also pray for our fellow-men. For some especially should we pray with agonizing prayer. We should also use personal efforts to get them out to meetings, where they can hear the word of God. And when we find those in need of relief, we may make our works of benevolence the means of drawing some to Christ. Finally, we should have an ample supply of small tracts, and give of these from time to time, as those to whom we give are able to read. This rightly managed is a powerful means of good. J. N. A.

Teaching Children

Do all in your power to teach your children self-government. If a child is passionate, teach him, by gentle and patient means, to curb his temper. If he is greedy, cultivate liberality in him. If he is sulky, charm him out of it by encouraging frank good humor. If he is indolent, accustom him to exertion. If pride makes his obedience reluctant, subdue him by counsel or discipline. In short, give your children a habit of overcoming their besetting sin.