The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-09-16
INFLUENCE.
BY C. s. BURNETT.

influence is exerted for good or evil o.
how lasting II is to be in its effects
We only know by results that ever,
ones life is continued influence upor
every other life with hitch it comes ir
contact in ways known and unknown
If man were an isolated being anc
could step on the arena of life ano
fight out its great battles successfully
or unsuccessfully and then step into
eternity to be crowned victor. q,
banished for defeat, even then life
would be a solemn thing; but when we
think of the unity of mankind, think
that each life is strangely but strongly
connected with every other Ii e
within certain radius, and that
these circles of influence meet and
overlap, forming a network that onIv
| intinity can unraV or comprehend
then only does living reveal its full sic,
nifcance. mo man liveth to himself
and no man dieth TO himself" are The
words of insplratian. No man dieth
to himself. And will net death break
this tangled web? No, the flower NAV
be crushed but the fragrance remains.
The deadly serpent may be slain but
it's trail still fingers. The spirit NAV
step beyond but the deeds of lifeiima
remain; and not only the deeds but the
words we speak havin g found lodgment
in some heart by their influence, shall
live to bless or curse the world.
"Gather up my influence and bury 1t
with me-" were the words of young
man who was conscious that his life
had been failure. Idle request As
well might have he commanded them TO
bind the free minds or chain the WilC
waves, for past influence is unchange-
able. Influence is immutable, etern-
all 1t is not the deeds We d. that
reach the farthest but the lives we live
We are too apt to forget that it is the
influence of our everyday life, our every
act, that will reach out to bless or curse
mankind. Many q man whose whole
life has been spent in sin, whose very
presence is moral pollution, has tried to
atone for bad life by some act of
benevolence that would for a time at
tract the attention of mankind. Butp
one deed can counterfeit the deadly
poison daily introduced into the minds
of the young by the example of a god
less life. On the other hand how often
has the world been blessed by the pure
life of some man or woman who by
sickness has been debarred from doing
anything to alleviate the sufferings of
mankind.
Chloe Lankton furnishes an example
of the healthful influence that may be
shed forth and the good that may be
done by one utterly helpless. For years
this noble woman has been confined to
her bed, much of the sine suffering ex-
IRENE pain, with no home, no friends,
supported by the voluntary contribu-
tons of those who know her worth,
and esteem it a privilege to give. This
woman Yields more powerful infiu-
enCe tor good than many who are
blessed with all the comforts OF which
she is debarred. Always cheerful her.
self, she is prepared to cheer and COM
fort others; hence the whole commu-
nifty come to her to talk of their joys
and sorrows: To her the boy comes
to speak of his new kie or sled. To
her the little gir.s come with their
dolls and playthings, and all uncon-
sciously to themselves do they bless
her, while their own young lives are
1OhoC1 ca hoRHAOA anu pOAC ny lAC
love and sympathy she so lavishly
bestows on each. To her the minister
comes for new inspiration and from
her he receives many of his best
thoughts.
Whence the source of this power2 What
the secret of this useful life? IT'S the
secret OF life hid with Christ in God.
This is all What wilt thou have me
to do?" comes to all, regardless of talent
or position, and from the manner IN
which it is answered goes forth the in
fiuence of our daily life. o that we
could always remember that It's the
lives we live that will tell for time and
eternity.
We have given an example of one
who is lonely and unfortunate. Our
own Mrs. Hayes shows what an immeas-
urable good may be done by one living
in high position.
Years of faithful toll have not done so
much to make the use of wines at public
dinners unpopular as she did by Danish
ing it from the White House. The in
fuence Of this act will ach through
the ages; for as each occupant comes
after her, that memorial picture will tell
in plainest language to each new mis-
tress that a warm place in the hearts of
Americas best sons and daughters can
only be won by daring to do right. Il
must do my duty God will take care OF
the results" Hoble words, for the first |
time in our history the wife gives the
glory to an administration. The tenn
perance cause needed the influence of |
those in high position, and God heard |
the prayers of his people.
To day more than ever before is the
power for good and evil made mani
fest. Great reforms in both public and
social life demand attention. He that
is not for me is against me-" is as true
now as when penned by inspiration.
What wonderful impetus would be
given to the temperance reform if all
who are at heart friends OF the cause
would but throw their influence upon
the side they know to be right.
To you my Indifferent friend, the call
of humanity comes, pleading that you
no longer block the wheels of progress
by standing in the way of others.
We under estimate our influence
upon the community. In this
day it is impossible to be neutral
Even silence is an encouragement to
the enemy. l ask of each reader. what
are YOU doing? What is VOuriDflQence