The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-03-27
INFLUENCE.
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about our influence over each other, es-
pecially Of the Influence ofa good woman
over bad man. Some Of this talk is
mere sentimental 5osh, while some Of it
is sound sense, and l wish to consider
few points relating to il. In a general
sense. as every particle Of matter IN the
universe is supposed to have an attract
i've Influence over every other part, so
every soul has an influence over every
other soul. This is fine idea, aud
worthy the attention Of all, but the
practical idea concerns our daily
influence over the souls in our I'M
mediate vicinity; sometimes, no doubt,
this is underrated, but | believe II Is
Oftener oyerrated. / believe that nature
is stronger than education. What We
are has been determined 10y hundreds OF
generations before us. As il has taken
millions Of years To make the world
what il j., 80 il has taken many thou
sands to develop mankind, and it will
continue to take thousands more 20 make
any radical change, and all educating
and transforming influences to be effect
ual must he made in childhood and
early youth We are born with GER
tain almost ineradicable traits, aud he
who tells us that a wicked person can be
made over in a day by just joining this
church, or signing this pledge, deceives
you If he does not deceive himself True,
some seem to have no positive character,
but are subject TO all surrounding infiu-
enees, but they are mere machines
worked by others. Some, also, with good
general development, have one or more
weak points, that may for time over
shadow the whole character, but il the
balance is on the right side they will
come out all right in the end. There
may be periods in the life Of man or
woman when little influence in either
direction may determine the whole fu-
ture life, and no good person will fail to
give that, though at the cost Of a little
self-sacrifice, but there is but one being
in the universe who can make some
thing out Of nothing, aud nothing but
the power Of God can transform a bad
man or woman into an angel, and he
never departs from his own established
laws to accomplish it. Any woman
who thinks she can take thoroughly
bad man and by the potenee Of her
charms make him over into a good one,
either does not know what a bad man
Is, or has an over estimate Of the power
other own charming personality. There
must be something to build on; the bal
ance of his character must be on the
right side, aud II he has some weak
point that has led him astray for time,
he must have sufficient mauliness 10 re-
form for his own sake aud a change OF
circumstances and a change Of surround
ing influence combinedWith the power
Of charming wife may keep him right.
So much is said to young ladies Of their
influence in society, that many seem to
believe that they have only 20 bestow a
few sweet smiles In order to redeem the
most degraded Trofligate. They seem
to forget that influence is reciprocal, and
that while they are trying to bring the
bad man up to their standard, they may
be impereeptibly sinking to the level Of
the more degraded but more powerful
mind.
Fidgety people seem to think tnat the
whole world rests on their shoulders.
They forget that ne who made the world
is able to take care OF IT, Our souls are
a part OF God, therefore when our will
power is rightly directed we can help to
overcome evil with good. But when we
have doue what our reason teaches US is
sufficient, let us rest our souls in peace,
and not wear ourselves out in trying TO
help those who will not help themselves.
We are certainly responsible for our
own souls, and only in a secondary de-
gree responsible for the souls Of others.
It is truly sad 20 see one go to ruin for
the want Of little help, and no good
person will refuse it, II he can give it
without risk to his own purity; but no
one who has degraded himself with sin
has a right to demand il. would
never refuse to lend helping hand TO
the lowest sinner, but / would use nv
best efforts to save from temptation
those tender souls who are susceptible TO
all influence and who are trembling in
the balance. A most despicable object
is the person who goes whining through
the world, crying for help. That will
do for baby or an invalid. The Lord
helps those who try to help themselves.
We have various gifts, morality, as well
as intellectually, and each is responsible
for the talents entrusted to him, but I
think the greatest difference is iB the
will-power exerted. If person trusts
in the Lord aud himself and battles with
the world like man, and not like a
bsby, he will come out all right. But
all reforms require time. One can fall
over precipice in moment, but to get
back again requires time, severe toll and
great effort. V.
. Portland, March l3, 1879.
Rev. De Witt Talmage appeared for