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OUR INFLUENCE

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 31, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 16, No. 11.

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OUR INFLUENCE.

EVERY person has more or less influence over others. Perhaps few are sensible of the influence they have on those with whom they associate. Our words, actions, and looks are full of meaning; and we are narrowly watched by those around. Thousands are now groping in darkness, and are held so in a great measure by the influence of stronger wills. Every person should have a mind of his own. These days of error and delusion call for firmness and decision on the side of truth.
Jesus says, “When the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?” The false religion of the day has nearly exterminated true Bible faith; and when Christ comes there will be only about one in seven thousand ready to meet him.
What a responsibility rests upon those who profess the present truth! Every word and action should tell on the side of truth. How careful and strict we ought to live. We should stand up boldly for the honor of God and his truth, and not countenance wrong actions in any, not even the dearest friends. There are some in the church who will justify others when they are reproved, and say we must have more love, and not be so particular. This is a great mistake. He that truly loves his brother will tell him his faults; for he knows that he cannot be saved in them.
They that justify the side of wrong, injure the precious cause of truth, by casting their influence on thewrong side; and those that are in the wrong are not half so likely to repent when they have the sympathy of others. Let us elevate the standard and rally around it; for we live in a day when there is ten times more counterfeit religion than true, and what is worse than all, “they are not all Israel that are of Israel.” God’s people have got to be sifted, therefore let those who love the truth press together.
H.