The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-09
PRIZE WINNERS.

In the broadcast sense of the
term, we are what our influences
have made us. Whether we real
ize IL or not, every trait of char
aeter may be attributed 90 hered-
ity or environment. every mental
and physical habit traced 10 train
ing or circumstances. The pref
Giees Of our ancestors bias our
Judgment, parental authority dur
ing our plastic period determines
our code of action, education owes
it's value chiefly 10 the influence of
intercourse with oar associates,
. our professors, and the great
minds of the past and present.
Yet the strength Of these infiu-
ences lies in their subtiety. We do
not realize the power at work until
we view In retrospect what IL has
gradually accomplished. Thus
many "A life has unconsciousIy de
generated through the corruption
OF evil communications, or has un-
consciously regenerated through an
uplifting love.
In ali our relations with our fell
lows, we are Influenced by them,
whether Intentionally or not. our
responsibility for the character of
such influences resting. however,
with ourselves la the choice of as
sOciatiOns with which we sur
round ourselves. As TennysOn puts
IL. ~ am part of all that / have
met"
There Il also a converse to the
proposition. II we are impereept-
lilly Influenced by all with whom
we come in contact, we exert an in
voluntary effect upon them, as
surely as every particle of matter
in the universe acts ON every other
particle. The statement. "He Is no
ones enemy but his own" is, by
the very nature of things, faIla-
ciOuS. One IL falsely modest who
disparnges his influence on his
family, on the community and
country.
Public opinion, civic standards,
and political platforms are deter
mined by the voice of individuals,
each personally accountable for the
character of them. Marcus Aurel-
Ius says: alt il all one 20 stone
whether IL goes UP or comes down"
But with IN, as free moral agents,
lies the privilege and responsible
ity OF choosing whether our assO-
Citations shall make or mar w.
whether our influence shall be de-
structive or constructive. For, as
LOngfeIlOw writes;
ono action, whether foul or fair,
Is ever done, but IL leaves some
where
A record, written by fingers
EhOstIy
As a blessing or a curse"
A. VI. BAI.LOCH.
should be aIOnej will make an
heIpmeet for him.
AANSs INV NaA@ANeA VI
Gods soIIcitude for the welfare
OF man, IL Is believed that the
power of influence was recognized
and provided for by the Creator.
And thus, companion was given
Ia man, and he was endowed from
the first moment Of companions
ship with the power of influence
which, at the same time, entails "A
heavy weight of responsibility;
for, through this mysterious force
which is welded, consciously or
uncOnsciOusiy, by every human be-
ing, each one of us Is constituted,
10 certain extent, mt least, his
brothers keeper.
How. then, must this RESPONSE
bilIty be metz With courage AMI
trust in God, for, In comforting
this wonderful gift upen as Tie has
not left us In doubt as 10 the use
we are TO make of II. He has
shown us how tn cultivate cur tall
emit by the example of His own per
feet life on earth. From Him we
learn that we must love those
whom we would influence for good.
We must put ourselves I'm SYM
Pathy with them.
We must trust them and make
them believe that no spiritual
height Il unRttainabie by them.
And this VIII be our rewnrdi that
cur influence will still he a power
i'm the hearts Of those who have
experienced our love, even when
we shall have ceased our nsinistTa-
tiOns among them, 60 he intrusted
with still higher talents In the
Kingdom Of God.
ELLEN MCFARLAND.