The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-18
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
POWER OF PERSONAL INFLUENCE AS
SHOWN IN GOODLY SHADOWS.
BY Rev. Charles Nj. Shepherd, ID. d.,
Pastor OF Ehe Union Presbyterian
Church, Evanston, Wyos

streets that at least the shadow of
Peter passing by might overshadow some
of them.
There came also a multitude cut OF the
cities round about bringing sick folks and
they We're healed every one.-Acts " 10, 1e.
Are there those among this great congres-
cation of newspaper readers who question
the possibility of there being any "goodly
shadows"-who pronounce the title para
dox? Shadows are commonly associated
with gloom, encouragement, unhappiness,
trouble.
Yes, but reac the text and we see ths
beneffoent shadow. Our thought expands,
quickly accepts the term and makes ready
application from out our own experience.
1t suggests the power of personal influence.
Brilliant and complex as the discoveries
of science may seem, &hey are all subject
to this simple analysis; the way in which
one atom or molecule acts upon another.
The like majestic simplicity appears from
the investigation of the souls life. 1t all
comes to this: The way in which one spirit
acts upon another. The supreme discovery
of the spiritual world is the might of per-
sonal influence. 1t is ascertained that ev-
cry man carries in his personality a solvent
OF unknown efficacy. That respondent
thought is set forth throughout the Scrip
lures with heavenly force and beauty, not
so much in naked precept as In parallels
and glimpses of life. The story of our text,
telling of the work of mercy and how the
apostles wrought beneicence with hand
and tongue, adds that even the shadow be-
came an instrument of healing. Here be-
gins the chronicle Of the shadow of be-
nightly. Peters shadow was the father of
multitudinous family.
Early in the seventeenth century boy
was born in the hut of an English peasant.
In that environment he grew up, without
masters, without breeding, without books
save ona But he had the exceeding good
fortune to catch the wonderful secret of
soul mastery. We are told of him that he
was courteous and Unaffected, civil beyond
all forms of breeding. tender, compassion
ate and pitiful, valiant in asserting the
truth, bold in defending 1t, patient in suf-
fering for it, iplmovable as a rock.
Thus equipped he went forth to disciple
the nations. His gospel was a simple one:
II heard voice. which said, There is one,
even Christ Jesus which can speak to thy
condition. And when heard 1t my heart
did leap for Joy, ana I saw that there was
great ocean of darkness and death but
an infinite love of God" So he wandered
over the known world plying the potent lev-
erage of the soul. He was more familiar
with prisons than palaces, more practiced
in want than fullness, more accustomed to
ridicule, scorn and abuse than praise How
belt we can bear witness of him that he
east a goodly shadow. Two hundred years
have passed away. The good name OF
George Fox grows with the ages. His fn~
fuence religious thought on philan-
thropy on the conduct of men and peoples,
has been enormous. Half the world now
reioices in the rich benson OF the quaint
Quaker's shadow.
Again. let us turn to another scene of
the seventeenth century. 1t is a haven OF
Holland. Two small ships lie in the offing.
A little company of people is gathered on
the wharf An aged man is speaking TIC
them: Follow me no farther than have
followed Christ. God hath ever more light
to break forth from His holy word" The
last heart-breaking farewells are said, the
self-devoted exiles embark, anchors are
weighed, sails are set, slowly the ships fade
over the horizon To the worldly mind the
whole significance of the event has closed.
In reality, new empires, new laws, a new
race a fresh start of the human career
were to come of it, Who is able to define
the scope or estimate the possible effects
of the shadow of John Robinson, the Puri-
tan?
Another type: It is three generations
since humble German lad was pronounced
a misfit in life He was Ounce At school
and bungler at home. Growing older, ho
tried many things, seemingly to fail at ALL
The world judged him not worth his keep
ing. Truly there was not much of positive
construction in his life. But a discern
ing mind would have noted this The man
sat at the feet of the child-nature to learn
its secrets. He made many profound and
far-reaching observation in a realm where
in he was as much Of a pioneer as Balboa
on the peak in Darien. Twenty-Five years
ago the works of reference summed up the
life and work of F'roebel in a few lines.
Now it fills libraries. His shadow is over
all recent thought, and kindergartehs have
sprung up on every hand the world around.
One more Illustration. few years ago
it was observed that at q certain time
the souls in Boston were especially stirred.
Phillips Brooks was preaching his Easter
sermons. Was the effect due to the words
themselves. eloquent as they were? Nay,
but to the spirit of the man. His shadow
lay upon Boston. All, where shall one find
d smile for the penetration, the thrilling
JUNCTION of such a life? 1t is like the stop
of a great organ that, while the harmonies
rest, SeAQS IOfLn a melody TO possess the
stones of the building and the timbers un-
der ones feet, and to be as a myriad invis-
ible tendris clasping the heart and pull
ing it toward the center and soul of things.
are there not some helpful thoughts for
US all touching this Christian shadow?
First of all IT is the most democratic and
universal of gifts. Like the air and the
sunshine it belongs to every soul that win
not thrust 1t away. Let us take heed lest
we despise or neglect it. Peter. good man,
attributed all possible consequence to the
touch of his hands and the tones OF his
voice. unconscious that the shadow behind
him was outworklng them all. We should
know better by virtue of these twenty CEN
turtles of ripening experience. o, friend.
this may be your one talent. Better you
had never been born than TO give away
the unspeakable potency within you.
Again the shadow may be cast vicari-
ously. That good soul who took in the
student lad and brooded him with her
own nestlings till he found his flight and
his song. little dreamed that she. Ursula
Gotta: was through Martin Luther throw
ing a shadow Of infinite power over all the
world. Why not learn parable of nature?
II such mighty possibilities are bound up
in the conjuncture of atoms, what may not
depend on the interaction of your soul and
it's fellows-for good or for Ill.
So we come by consequence to the doc
trine of the maleficlent or baleful shadow