The Russellville Democrat., 1877-03-22
Exanple.


 huence of example over others. We know it has a wonderful influence, an influence 50 great that all after teaching can scarcely ever eradicate it. It hangs over the mind as living reality, never to be cast aside or forgotten. There are many things done by others which we want 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. It belongs to our history, and forms part of our being.
 There is strange feature about these impressions. We remember bad impress sions more vividly 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 hu- manity. We who have had any con siderable experience, know these things to be true beyond cavil. The mind is so constituted, with it's present environ ments, that the evil is more easily re- tained than the good. But out of this complexity the mind wills to do right, and strives, often, earnestly for the mas tery. It is not always successful, on ac- count of the evil to be encountered. Christians are subjected 10 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 life is the only attainment that will insure them to come of conqueror
 How, then, ought christians to live that they may be successful, and set 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- tion 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 so as ye have us for an. example" James says: "Take, my bretheln, the proph- CtS, WhO AhNC 1tOACu III Uuc udIlc OI U0c Lord, for an example of suffering afflic- tion 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 who, 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, anu 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 life. Thus he will become more and more like the divine Pattern as he hears tie 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 unspeakable consolation and pleas ure.