THE FORMATION OF CHARACTER.
By D. A. Robinson
WE have often seen the builder engaged in erecting structures of various kinds; and while he is thus engaged, if we should ask him if he was following some plan or pattern, or simply following his imagination, without any plan or rule of action to guide him, he would probably think that we were very ignorant of the manner of building. Or, if he was trying to accomplish something without a rule, we should consider him as entirely unfit for the position which he occupied, and should look for his purposes to meet with an entire failure. So the formation of a perfect character can never be accomplished without some rule of action, and some pattern to imitate. The only one we have, and the only one we need, is Jesus of Nazareth. If we imitate him, and follow his example, we shall not fail of forming characters that will pass the test of the Judgment. How important, then, that we study his life, and "walk even as he walked." We have also an unerring rule by which to try our lives, even the law which "is holy," and "just, and good." By this rule we must walk, if we would follow the Pattern. As the truth finds us, we are in a rougher condition than the material which the builder selects for his purposes. When the rule is applied, defects appear which were not seen before. This proves the necessity of a rule. It is by this rule that we are to be judged, to see whether we are fit material for the heavenly building. The question with us should be what course can we take to best glorify God, and cast a right influence on the side of his truth. We profess to believe solemn and important truths, and unless our lives correspond with our profession, we exert an influence against the truth, though we may not be aware of the fact. "Our influence affects some one" whether we realize it or not. How important, then, it becomes that it be all for good. The Lord give us help to put away our sins, and grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth that others seeing our good work may "glorify our Father which is in Heaven."