Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-12-09

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with plastic natures, which make Us
susceptible OF receiving impressions from
Others and being affected by our sur
roundings. This is more especially the
case with us in childhood, youth and
early man and womanhood.
Children all have their natural disposi-
tions, and while some are more amiabie
than others, and they may vary great
deal in intelligence, yet all are more or
less Influenced by home associations.
Impressions are made even very early In
life which may be either guod or bad, but
which are, nevertheless, beginning the
moulding process which is TO give body
and shape to their intellectual existence
in more mature years.
After a few years passed in the home,
the child becomes OF an age when he will
seek other associates and other scenes.
The youth may love their home, their
parents, aud all that has been connected
with their early life; yet they will be
thrown into the society OF other yeung
persons, and will be brought more directly
in contact with the great outside world
kuhu ever DeIOre.
As this stage advances there comes into
the heart of every one an inclination to
initiate others, and become themselves
part OF the vast world of human exist
ence, which opens before them, and into
which they are being carried by natural
force which every energetic youth halls
with delight.
In this new condition of things the
youthful mind, ever reaching out, ever
learning, is brought In contact with many
OF the evils which exist everywhere, and
under influences which have a tendency
to lead them sstray, and, II suffered to
continue with no counteracting influence
being brought to bear upon them, they
are drawn farther and farther from the
right course, and many hardened heart
and ruined life would be the natural re-
suit.
What then Is the remedy?
There are many ways aud means that
the youthful heart into the right path.
IL the home Is what it should be Ia
Christian home), the parents or per haps
an Older brother or sister may have an iu-
fiuence for good upon the youthful mem
beers of their families.
But alas! How few homes there are
where God Is worshiped and loved and
His name reverenced, ana where the
children are taught the evening or morn
ing prayer, or any Of the principles OF
true Christianity, when compared with the
homes where the restraining influence OF
Christian love does not exist; where no
guiding hand points out to the children
life Of Christian usefulness In this world
and Heaven as its reward.
The teachers in our publ schools may
be good leaders in the right direction.
The Sunday school Ia a powerful factor
for good upon the minds OF the youth,
while the faithful preaching of the gos-
pei Is helpful to many young lives as
we'll as older ones; but with all OF these
part OF the Christian work to be accom-
plished by other means.
Young people will usually seek the
companionship OF other young people,
and will exert great influence over each
other for either good or evil.
A consistent Christian in one OF youth
full years will often reach the heart of
some other youth when those OF more sd-
vanced age might fail. The young man
or young lady whose heart is OVERLOOKING
with the love OF God and a yearning zeal
for the salvation of their associates, can
do much TO win them to Christ; because,
as we have already said, the youth exert a
powerful influence over each other for
either good or bad, as the case may be.
This being the case, then how much
strength and courage young Christians
may gain by being associated together
and feeling that they have the same in
terest and are united In their efforts to
help others.
1t seems to US then that the object of
the Christian Endeavor and Epworth
league and all kindred societies for young
people must be the banding together of
young Christians for mutual strength aud
benefit, and for united effort on the part
OF such youthful followers of Jesus; to
accomplish a mission among the young
liarly their own, for others are drawn
into their meetings and after little while
may be induced to become mem bers, or
at least constant attendants, and are thus
brought within an influence that cam
fail to do them good.
Another object Of young peoples 90
cieties when well regulated and properly
conducted, is to make each mem Der feel
that there is a certain responsibility rest
ing upon him.
Let each member feel that the pledge of
his society is bis pledge. Let each
member say as the little Sunday school
boy did when hurrying on to the church,
and some Of his playmates tried to detain
him. He said: 81 must.be there because
am one of the concern"
1t fosters and stimulates an am bition In
the right direction; feeling OF owner.
ship and partnership in something good;
something worthy with Christ at the