PHOTOGRAPHY by Albert Stone

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 9, 1877

PHOTOGRAPHY

By Albert Stone

Photography is the art of taking pictures by the action of light on a chemically prepared ground. The picture thus obtained is called a photograph. This art has attained a considerable degree of perfection. An ingenious optical instrument called the camera obscura, the office of which is to throw the images of external objects on a screen in the dark, is used in the formation of these pictures.

Though art cannot imitate nature perfectly, yet through the achievements of science it makes some striking approximations. Perhaps in no case is this more fully manifest than in the analogy that exists between the pictures taken by this art, and those which are daily impressed, in infinite numbers, upon the human mind.

The power to form photographic impressions upon the tablets of the hearts of others is one of the choicest gifts of the Creator, and one which every person possesses. Also to receive them by the acts of others is the gift of all. This part of man's mechanism runs naturally and easily, and from childhood to old age the art gallery of the soul is being daily replenished with new specimens of the art, while at the same time the receiver is imparting the same to others.

An impressive word or action spoken or done in the presence of fifty persons, is but to strike off, in a moment of time, as many photographic likenesses, and set them in fifty hearts. Words and actions have a character, either good or evil, moral or immoral, and their tendency is to assimilate, to do good or evil, according to their character.

To illustrate: The Christian mother desires that the image of Jesus may be impressed on the heart of her child. She believes, with God's help, it can be done. She reasons thus: This child's mind is like an album that is blank, just ready for the setting of pictures. If I do not fill this blank, Satan will take possession and fill it to his own liking. I must do all in my power, that my child may have eternal life. Its future will largely depend on the images formed upon the mind at this early age. She gives her child religious instruction. She teaches it to kneel by her side, and pray to Him who said, “Suffer little children to come unto me.” These things are new to the child, and wonders are impressed upon its mind.

Pictures are thus formed upon the tablet of its little heart, which will remain, and the incidents of future life will often bring them in sight. As a legitimate result, the child obtains the knowledge of God, and becomes a subject of saving grace. On the other hand, if the child's religious training is neglected, and it grows up in the midst of evil counsels and examples, corresponding pictures will be photographed upon the mind, and these will remain to be turned to view by the incidents of future life.

Now, the legitimate result of these things is, in the one case, the child is started in the way of life, and becomes an heir of Heaven; in the other case, the child's unguarded surroundings make their own impressions and form their own images, and the child is pushed on in the road to destruction.

Let parents, as they read these lines, inquire, Are these things so? Am I, by a law of my being, daily impressing upon my children and others, that which will so greatly affect their salvation or their condemnation? Does this awful responsibility rest on me as a father, a mother, a neighbor, a church member? And while I am forming a character for myself, am I exerting an influence to mold the characters of all with whom I come in contact, whether I will it or not?

Is it true that my daily words and actions are photographed upon the tablets of other hearts, and touch chords that will vibrate as long as eternity shall last? Yes, it is true. God help us all.

ALBERT STONE.