The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-09-22
Social Influence.

The following is an essay read by Mrs S.
Consolus, before the Farmers Association:
My friends, as had no subject given me,
did not know what to choose that would
be of interest to you. l have been thinking
about the influence We have over each other,
as neighbors and friends. With what kind
of influence are We surrounding our homes
and ourselves? AS look in your faces to-
day, feel assured that these words fall not
on the ears of the careless and unheedirg,
but present themselves to the heart and lives
of those who are daily and hourly busy with
the cares and duties of life, and ever on the
alert to grasp any and every idea that will be
for the good of their family and of the sur
rounding community. What is our inAu-
ence at home? Is it one of love and freedom,
or of discord and restraint? In happy
family there is no needless fault finding or
harsh words. Pardon me if am wrong, but
l think the fathers are too apt to be harsh
and reserved with their families. You know
that they are sometimes styled the Lords of
Creation, and some have such an Unborn love
of controlling and carrying out their notions,
that they forfeit the respect and obedience
of their children, and thus lose the influence
which would guide them Alright, and the op-
portunity is lost for laying the foundation of
noble and generous character. How inn
portant those influences which fix the habits
and mould the character of those who will
take our places here, and become the actors
in the great drama of life. If the influence
Heavenly home, then how important that it
81 ~ be good and true. The influence of
home does not stop there, but is felt through
out the neighborhood and in society. Our
neighbors know if everything is all right
with us or not. Whether we will or not we
are continually showing our inner life to
those around us. We cannot be too cautious
of our words and works. all of which have
bearing on community. This influence il
felt largely in the church. Few and far are
the men and women of firm principle and
steadfast example, in storm and sunshine,
who are regularly to be found in their places
in church. Every one knows that example
is more powerful than precept. We may be
silent, yet, by our very acts, exert an undy-
ing influence. Going to church is not every
thing, but it is long step in the right di-
rection. We are judged by our home life
more than by our great professions. For q
few moments let us 60 back to our child
hoods home. DO we not find there those
precious influences, which have followed US
and clustered around and kept us from many
an evil way as we have passed along the
journey of life? They were precious to US
then, they are dear to us now. AS the MEM
ories of our parents who long since passed
over the other side, those influences remain.
So it will be with us, our influence will live
long after we too have passed away. Ia
greater or lesser extent we carry this with us
INTO this association. Our words and acts
will long be felt. Shall we not then restrain he
hasty word which might iniure our naiah-
bors character? Shall we remember that
little things make up the sum of life, and trv.
for ChrIst's sake to leave noble and true
example?