THE POWER OF INFLUENCE.
By V. Morrow
It is, probably, the result of a certain law of nature implanted in the human heart, that a common sympathy of existence seems to unite the human family. At any rate, we know it to be a fact that even a look has its influence. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend,” says the wise man, and how often, in our own experience, have we seen this exemplified. A momentary glimpse of a cheerful, happy face, as in meeting and passing a friend in the street, has the effect of adding buoyancy to our own feelings; while the sight of one telling of tears and sorrow touches a chord of sympathy in our hearts which drives out thoughts of gayety, and changes the whole current of our meditations. While it is true that this silent influence is too unmistakably felt for its existence to be denied, its potency for good or ill cannot compare with that exerted upon our friends and associates by our words and acts. It is impossible for us to know just how far we are able to sway the feelings of others, yet we may safely conclude that every one of our words and every thing we do, is liable to be noted by some one of our associates, and allowed due weight, especially if it be on the wrong side of the balance. In view of this, how careful should we be as to the character of those words and acts! In the providence of God, we have been enabled to behold the light of truth as it shines forth from the blessed Book. Do we prove by our actions that we love it, and are grateful for its light? We all have friends whom we would not have stumble over our misguided steps and fall into ruin, and perhaps they are watching us to see if the truth which we profess has a sanctifying influence upon our lives. Shall we not be seen walking in its beautiful precepts? If we are, it may be that some, at least, seeing our good works, shall be constrained to glorify our Father who is in Heaven.