Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-09-23
Elevating Influences.


ored to illustrate the evil effect which many
words and actions often produce
on the public mind, and to show the necessi-
ty that exists for our thoughts and deeds
being true and pure. 81 veto t ~
At that time we spoke more particularly
of " degrading Influences" we would now
speak of elevating influences" that we may
show, partially at least, how naturally and
surely both operate, the one to defle, the
other to enoble the mind; and prove that the
Of action is Of the first and
greatest Importance, for it is power that for
good or evil shall move the world. 'hi
The human mind, especially the mind of
youth is easily affected and influenced; we
depend much upon imitation for our habits
and even thoughts. That leading traits of
the human character take their rise from the
faculty of imitation, no one can deny. Evil
influences and examples are easily felt and
copied; the mind may readily be led astray;
yet degrading influences and evil examples
are not more powerful nor oftener followed
than are elevating influences and good exam
Piles. The latter are as potent for good as
the former for evil; for the mind in its infant
innocence may be moulded as we choose
Man is not wholly evil; not totally depraved;
nor do bis thoughts and actions naturally
take sinful forms. Neither is man divine or
good in his natural affections. Strictly speak
ing there is in man, in state of nature,
nothing either good or bad. He is simply
form capable of receiving and bringing forth
either good or evil-a being whose nature is
capable of vibrating to the harmony and
purity of heaven, and producing the fruit of
or of according to the sinful
ness and evil of hell, and producing the fruit
of corruption and death. Happy are the
fruits of righteousness and peace, but bitter
and desolating are those that spring from the
death of the soul.
Of man, in his maturer years, it may be
said, that his habits are formed and his char
acter fixed. But be it remembered that the
mind of youth is open to the influx and re-
ception of much that shall determine his po-
sition and usefulness in life.
But if the man ever gets beyond the reach
of example-if he becomes so staple as to
be uninhuenced by the thoughts, actions or
examples of others, still there is name that
will stir his soul. My child; is he in the
path of life? My child; when l am gone
from earth, will you be steadfast and true?
Will evil and falsity with glimmering light
lead thy soul astray, or shall the star of truth
guide thy feet into realms of peace' I'D.
Let no one delude himself with the idea
that the first impressions received by child
are weak and readily forgotten. Let no one
think that the first degrading influence, that
with unholy faint operates upon the infant
mind, can be easily forgotten, or at any time
changed for one of AN elevating tendency
1t is delusion. The parent may say it is a
tri1ing error, folly of youth, all will come
right when maturer age and ripper experience
shall have cooled off the heat and ardor of
youth. And if the youth chances to associ-
ate occasionally with convivial and dissolute
to pass an evening among the
many temptations that glitter along the path
way to ruin, the parent may say, it is only
once, it is mere within of youth, time will
set it all right.
But it is not so. Days and years go by,
and the youth becomes victim. The way
to ruin is made attractive by numberess al
Turing charms. The gay saloon and the mid
night carousal spread net in which he is
caught Darker and lower grows his course.
Serpenis soon fasten upon him and his way
is marked with blood. The gambling hell,
where dice and cards detain him, is surely
and swiftly Fastening him to the commission
of crime--then the deed of shame--then the
booming of an erring spirit to the prison
perchance to the grave. In the darkness
hath the seed been sown, and now death
reaps the harvest with sickle of fire. -.
This is the fate of too many erring souls
who have haan ovayphv,arad hv dooradino, in.