Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-11-13
NUMBER XXI.

is just the reverse of what has been described
then your influence is just as powerful as
that commended-though it is one which is
hardening others in sin and encouraging them
to walk in the forbidden paths which lead to
disappointment in this world and to a fearful
judgment in the next. mo man liveth to
himself and none doeth to himself That
you may have more impressive view of the
solemn responsibility which attaches to infu-
ence, either good or evil, consider it in the as
pect- -
lst. The influence we exert does not termi-
nate with those who are its immediate subjects,
but 1t Is In turn communicated by those to
others; aud II II be baneful in its character each
one affected by 1t becomes the centre of new
contamination Just as when pebble is dropp-
ed In pool of water The circle widens until
the shore is reached ON every side.
I'd. Our influence is not only one which thus
extends in an ever spreading circle around us,
but it is one which descends, and is transmitted
to those who live after us. We vanish from
the places which once knew US, but our memory
remains, our example remains, the principles
we have lnculcated remain, and long after we
have gone to our account, the lives we led will
tell upon the destinies of our successors, thus
illustrating the truth of the solemn lines:
''Tis not the whole of life to live
Nor all of death to die"
The world has lately been interested in the
success of that great achievement of science
the laying of the Atlantic cable, and thus con-
Meeting the shores of the Old World with the
New. But there is spiritual connection which
one age of the world has. with the most distant
generations; down the sea of time an influence
passes which may thrill the hearts of men, and
affect them in their most vital interests long
after the very place of our burial has been for
gotten. ~
We are to-day feeling the effect of single
act committed by man who lived six thousand
years ago, That act is one which affects our
present character and condition in this life, and
our prospects for eternity The moral aspect
of the whole world, for all generations, has been
changed by the one act of the first man, when
ne violated the Just and easy requirements of
his Creator
1t was not a matter of indifference to US how
the patrlarchs lived. The histories of such men
as Abraham and Moses and Joseph and Dan.
lei constitute just SO many moral powers, which
still influence the world. Being dead they
speak. Their sayings and doings, their strug-
giles and trlumphs, warn, animate, instruct and
guide us.
The same great truth finds Illustration in the
wide spread imposture of Mahomet; still hold
Ing millions OF our race under It's banefll sway;
In the effect upon the minds of men; if pro-
duced by the philosophy of Aristotle, which,
Tor eighteen centuries sWayed the minds and
theories OF the schools until the spell was bro
ken by Bacon; of the ''idea" of the first Napo-
leon; of the preaching of Luther and Whitfield
and others, and said that only their souls have
left the earth; their dust remains; the words
they spoke are yet repeated the thoughts they
originated yet move the hearts of others.
But let not the vast stage on which these re-
nowned men played their parts mislead any
with regard to their own personal obligation-
Let no one excuse himself from duty ON the
plea that, unlike theirs, his influence is small.
God expects us to improve only the talents we
have. If he has bestowed but one, he will
reckon with us for the right use of that as sure
ly as if he had given us ten. He will not de-
mand as large return, but he will assuredly
require return proportioned to our ability.
Whether our influence tells on a city, a con-
tinent, Or only on an individual, it is solemn
trust, for the right use of which we must ac-
count TO the great judge Of ALL
The question will be, Have YOU done your
duty in the sphere in which Providence placed
you?;
1t has well been said the perfection of a,cir-
Gle consists in its roundness and not in its size
A ring worn on the finger may be as true cir
Gle as the horizon at sea, where sky and water
meet; and the smallest Office nobly filed is more
honorable than the greatest whose duties are
lmpertectly or dishonesty discharged.
Let every man of every calling, of every age,
OF every capacity, see to it that he be so faithful
IN his own lot that he can at last render his ac-
count with joy and not with grief
He concluded his discourse by relating an in
cident in the life of the lamented jackson. He
was lying in his tent one night conversing with
young minister who had gone to visit him.
He said to the minister that he had been think
ing much lately about the answer to the first
question in the catechism of his church =
Mans chief end is to glorify God and enjoy
him forever Oh, said he, what noble end
Of being; what sublime destiny, to glorify
God Let us do that ON earth and He will see
to the rest.
This after all, young gentlemen, is the highest
possible ambition hallowed ambition, to live
to the Divine glory. When you heartily con-
secrate yourselves to that end, and assmulate
your conduct to your great aim, then your infu-
ence will be what will bless men and honor God.
and may his rich grace enable you to do this,
and may you finally be gloriied by Him ever
more.