The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-21

prayer Meeting Topic of the Young
PEOPLES Societies-Christian En-
Union. Epworth League, etc.-for
March % is. '"The Wise Use of In
huence." Eccl. 4: 9. 10: Prov. 81:
6, 8. 10. II, 10.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
The greatest of wealth is greatest
influence. He is richest whose life is
most powerfully invested in the
largest number of other lives.
X
Some well-meaning folk are dill
gently engaged in trying to convert
themselves into ciphers. They seek
to efrace their personality, that they
may please and serve their fellows.
Thereby they commit a cardinal
offense against themselves, their fell
lows and God. For a person must be
somebody before they can do any
nobody anywhere. The Kingdom of
Heaven is not to be brought in by
smiling, spineless, supine creatures
OF gelatinous good will. Out upon this
Gods command is to BE strong"
His need is for men and women of
force as we'll as friendliness and of
strength as well as sweetness.
X X
Even a hitching post, before it can
10 IAOo eOA SlduQ
There is no influence without in
dividuality. The first contribution
anybody can make to the well-being
of the race, or the glory of God, Is to
1 achieve a character for himself. A
man must stand before he can lift.
How can one impart life who does not
possess ii? A sensible insistence upon
ones own identity must precede all
effective service of men OF God
A faccid, fatuous amiabflity is
some persons conception of Chris
tian character. Hundreds of books
and thousands of poems are being
written to extol the passive virtues.
These have helped beget type of
life which is inoffensive-it even
shrinks from offending the DEVILS
sensibilities-but also ineffective.
Gods empire builders are robust
souls, sturdy, daring, bold. These
intrepid pioneers have scant time for
morbid introspection: they spend few
hours in considering what other per-
soEs think of them, or in weighing
what the effect of their every word
upon some thin-skinned neighbor
may be. They have real work to do,
and 1.-The Kings business requireth
haste They keep their eye upon
God. and not upon men. Therefore,
since they do not seek influence with
men they possess it..
Only objects possessing substance
cast shadow. And influence, after
all, is only the shadow cast by
character. Cultivate character, and
let the sun determine the shadow.
Too much concern for our influence
begets an unwholesome self-con-
seriousness. 1t also tends to Phar-
isaism If we live for the eyes of
n ard he 10 fI0r
who seeth in secret On the other
hand, if we make sure that our hearts
are right with God, we may depend
upon him to take care that not hurt
but only help comes to others through
our lives.
What we really are, somehow or
other, will ooze out" tersely and truly
says the great Robertson, of Brighton.
X X
Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of thy tone;
AS thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thine erring children, lost and lone.
o lead me Lord, that may lead
The wandering and the wavering
feet;
o feed me, Lord. that may feed
Thy hungering ones with mama
sweet
o strengthen me, that while stand
Firm en- the Rock and strong in
thee,
may stretch out loving hand
To wrestIers with the troubled sea.
o teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things thou dost
impart,
And wing my words, that I may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
Francis Ridley Havergal.
X X
Everybody's life is a talent which he
is bound to employ to the full. It IS a
= Christian duty to project ones person
atty as far as possible. Character is
the highest gift with which God has
entrusted any one; therefore he is
bound to make the highest use of it
A man of meagre attachments, actual
ed by this spirit, often serves the world
more greatly than another man richly
endowed with ability. Ten pennies in
circulation are of more use to society
than ten gold pieces buried in cellar.
Many q commonplace person, moved by
a sense of stewardship. extends his in
huence into remote lands and into many
spheres Of service for others. So won
derful is the machinery Of modern life
that an ordinary man, of ordinary in
come may be a factor in the religious
life of half a dozen countries, a useful
citizen in his own neighborhood, an
effective force in a local church, a
formative power in the lives Of many
young people, and an exemplary hus-
band and father in his own home.
n n \
It takes more than the repetition of
his name in the newspaper to make IAN
influential citizen" Some who have
achieved this prominence are actually
extraordinarily devoid of influence over
other men-and influence. of course, Is
exePted only upon persons.
\ ~ *
Every life is q plan of God But 1t
may also help God with his plans for
other lives.