The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-10-09
Moral Readings,
Every one Exerts an influence.


Every one Exerts an Influence.
To the rejecting mind, there is some
thing unspeakably thrilling in the thought
thar, during the bricfporod ofour earthly cN-
istencc, we wake into beings Influences
which possess, at least so far as our power To
control or terminate them is concerned, II
rcsisllcss energy and amending existence
influences which will leave their impress, for
good or for evil, upon the principles, acts,re-
lations and circumstances Of all with whom
we associate during the whole course of our
livcs. Aud not upon these alone, but the
countless millions who, in the generations
that succeed us, shall make up the swelling
stream of human existence as it rolls onward
20 the boundcss seat ofetenity, will all be at-
fcctcd by the accommodating power of these
Influences We are lOcal-but they are ami
versn. Who can limit them? Or who can
say, with voice that will be obeycd, "Thus
far shall we go, but no larther-hcre let your
proud waves be staid?" None, save tho great
Eternal.
We shall die. In little while our bodies
will be laid in the grave, our spirits will be-
come the inhabitants of another world, and
our numes may cease to he spokcn;o or even
remembered on earth; but these influences
will die nevcr No, NEVER!
Whether our influence be ofthe right kind,
orthe wrong, it is all the same with regard
to its pcrpctuity. Evil influences are dcaih-
less equally with the good o could've blot
from existence the evil, how happy would 1t
be for us and for the world. But, alas! a
word once ultercd-a sentiment once propa-
gatcd--an act once performed-laughs TO
scoru our most earnest efforts to control or
recall it. True, we may do something that
may operate as a check by presenting
counter influence; but how true is 1t, that
TnUrH and RIGHT on their swiftcst wing ney
er oyertake ERROR. Sill five have cXer-
ted, or are now eXerting an influence which
is dclctcrious, let us lose no time-let us spare
no effort, to do what we may TO weaken It's
power Again,in the day ofiinul rctribution
when 'God will bring into Judgment, every
work, and every secret thing" the power
(which our influence has welded over inn
mortal souls will be disclosed, and we shall
be held responsible for the influence, rs well
as for the words and actions which called it
into existence.
''ITow careful :hen ought we TO live,
With what religious fear,
Who such a strict account must give
For our behavior here"
o with what raptures of wonder and de
light will the good man view the aggregate
results ola life, devoted to tho good of his
race and the glory of his God, as they will
be revealed in that day. With what JOY will
he greet the happy spirits who were led,
through his nsrumentality, to the cross of
Christ, and thence to the realms of evcrlust-
ing glory!
On the other hand with what horror and
amazement will the liccntious, the protane,
and the unholy of all classes-those whose
influence has poisoned the principles, corrup-
ted the morals, and ruined the souls of their
fellow mcn--meet the dread results of their
course at the bar of their God and Judge!
Reader, what kind eff influence do you de
sire to bequea,h to the world when called to
leave it? What would be the character of
that influence, if no,U the lamp of life were
suddenly to he eXtinguished? o let us re-
member that every act of ours is leaving its
trace upon some kindred spirit-an impress
sion more enduring than ifchiselled in mar
bic or craven OH brass!-ChriStidn Messenger.