The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-03-09

Example.
NJ 0ne can correctly estimate the in-
tluence Of example over Others. We
know II has n wonderful influence, an
influence W great that all after teaching
can scarcely ever eradicate IT,. 10 hangs
over the mind ~ q living reality, never
to be cast aside or forgotten. There are
many things done by Others which we
wan to forget, but somehow they will
not leave our memory. There is the pic
ture, dark and dismal, ever before us,
indelibly impressed upon the mind. 1t
belongs to our history, and forms a part
of our being.
There is 4 strange feature about these
impressions. We remember bad impress
sions more wildly and longer than the
good. The things we often want to for
get never leave the memory, and the
things we want to remember and never
forget, are often forgotten. This phe-
nomenon of the mind ought TO receive
the profound attention of every christian,
that all may so direct their actions as
will result in the greatest good to hui
mauity. We who have had any con
siderable experience, know these things
to be true beyond cavil. The mind is 20
constituted, with its present environ
ments, that the evil is more easily re-
tanned than the good. But out of this
complexity the mind wills to do right,
and strives, often, earnestly for the mas
terry. 1t is not always successful, on ac-
count of the evil to be encountered.
Christians are subjected to these trials
more or less all through life but the
more spiritual and Christ-like they be.
come, the more power will they possess
to overcome the evil. A growth in the
divine lite is the only attainment that
will insure them to come off c0nquerors.
How, then, ought christians to live
that they may be successful, and set a
good example before others? Many do
not fully realize what their influence is
over others. They do not consider that
they are teaching, for good or evil, all
the time by their actions and some do
not care very much what their examples
is before Others. We have some instruc-
ton in Gods word as to how we should
walk. Paul, writing to the Philippians,
says: Brethren, be followers together
Of me, and mark them which walk 50 as
We have us for an example" James
says; Take, my brethren, the proph-
cts, who have spoken in the name of the
Lord, for an example of suffering aflic.
ton and of patience" Paul, in address
ing Timothy, uses the following pure
counsel: BE thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity"
Then Peter speaks of Christ on this wise:
" Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that ye should follow his
steps who did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth VIII, when he was
reviled, reviled not again when he suf-
fered, he threatened not" etc. These
quotations are sufficient to show us what
the example of christians should be.
Anyone who will read can understand,
and know how he ought to walk before
the world.
Every christian ought to take Christ
for his example, and follow him to the
best of his ability. This being done, a
pure and holy life will be the result, and
the example set before Others will be
such as the Lord will approve. The per-
son who lives thus will be proud of the
record he has made, and will bless God
for the privilege OF living such a life.
he will become more and more like
the divine Pattern as he.nears the day,
and the heavenly home. The burdens
of life will be easier, the fight of Gods
truth will shine brighter, and the earnest
of the heavenly joys will fill his heart
with ~inspeakable consolation and pleas.
ure.
But how many christians are following
this great Pattern. How many are liv-
ing pure and devoted lives? BY my ex-
have | led any away from the
:? Have led any to the intox-
bowl. and thus to a drunkard's
life, with all of its woe and shame ?
Have ! emboldened any 10 continue in
sin and disobedience =? 1t may be by my
example some have absented themselves
from the assembly of the saints, and thus
have been led back into the world. Or,
by my loose, ir~religious life, some may
have looked upon christianity as a
mockery, and gone into infidelity. What
has been my influence in these things ?
We turn the picture over and examine
The other side Just for a moment: Have
[ led any to Christ by my example, both
business and church-liie? Have | led
my away from the intoxicating bowl,
md pointed them to a better lite? Have
told any of a Savior's dying love, and
If the mansions pure and bright in the
,etter world? Have | encouraged any
n the divine life by being faithful my
in all my church relations? Have |
my promise in sustaining the cause
# Christ, or have | failed to give of my
means as the Lord has prospered me {?
The Lord knows Just how all these I
hings stand, and how much true man &
lood | have. He knows all nv pur-
and comprehends me altogether. {
lie will make allowance for all my !
but will bold me accountable for {
nv sins. If have lived right, if | have q
ept myself ~unspotted from the world. q
nd walked u~prightlIy before Gsd. nv |
xample has been good, and will have a d
ne influence for truth and righteous :
Let every reader OF these lines t
mt himself in these balances. that he
weigh himself and Judge of his spir- E
Let no one say. al have no q
eed of such an examination" II YOU il
following the perfect Pattern Christ, v
will do you no harm, but if you are a a
anderer from the path Of duty it nav a
you some good. 1t is written to help n,
me along the journey of life, and as we Il
it out we pray Gods blessings upop ci
/. Watch We stand fast in the faith. Al
iii Won like men, be strong 49, CLris- Ii
H ~