Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-07
FIFTH SHOP TALK
 AT M'cRuM- HOWELL PLANT.
The Sphere of Influence Was the Topic
 of Rev. C. H, Ricketts.

There was an audience of about 150 at the fifth of the series of shop talks conducted on Wednesday noon at the plant of the McCrum Howell Co.,, by Rev c. H. Ricketts, who spoke on The Sphere of Influence which, he said, denotes the territory in which a viduaI may be expected to influence his surroundings. Russia claims 8 sphere of influence in Persia, but it's influence is little felt in America The sphere of influence of the individual taken out of the rank and file is con- fined to narrow limits. mems posi- ton often fixes his sphere of influence. The action or speech of the kaiser of Germany influences all Europe, while an ordinary individuals actions have little effect outside his immediate sur roundings.
 Every man finds himself in a world which he may make better or worse God wants him to fill the place in which he is located with the richest quality of life Every man faces the question. How am 1 using this sphere of influence? All responsible action in f1uences oneself and the other fellow; the two centers around which human action revolves. Much of the trouble of this world comes fom using alright neither oneself nor the other fellow. Let every man ask himself honestly, What am I doing in my sphere of in huence2 A man must be either a2shin- ing light, shedding cheer and bright ness on his surroundings or he is a dark object casting gloom and mel anchoIy about him; he is either a help full lighthouse, or dark, dangerous reef Are you making good in the lit tie world God put you in? Speaking along these lines, he said:
 First: A mans sphere of influence in the workshop. The men in this shop do not work all alone, but they work together, sharing the same room. Ev- cry day each man comes in contact 4l2 in h his working world. Every mans queS- tion is. Will l be ray of light or. a shadow in my world here? The man who works next to wou may be slow at catching on: he may need to be told again and again what you were told once. How do you treat him? Are you patient aid do you try to help him, or do you lose your temper or refuse to assist hin2 We should be especially patient and willing to assist those who have but a meager understanding of our language and methods of doing things. Warmth and light are essen Heve that they are just as important in the shop. Intelligence and skill are needed in the workship, but not bit more than sunshine.
 Secondly-The sphere of influence in the home The wife and children have claim to considerate attention. If a man is weak he will be overbearing towards those dependent upon him and WlIf~De feared and deSp1sed; but if he IS strong he will look upon the mem bers of his family as his equals and will be idolized. We do not call a man strong whose frown makes everyone tremble and whose rage causes his children to burst into tears. It is a man mastered by his temper, and un- less a man gets grip on himself he will have little control on anybody else. A father, like a schoolmaster, is weak if he can only govern by the rod.
 ThirdlY-The sphere of influence in the community al large. What is the mans influence outside his workshop and his home? When you walk these streets, you are making Norwich bet ter or worse. Influence follows action as shadow follows substance. We can Initiate great spirits and shed forth the light, or we gcan follow those who blacken and blight everything they touch. Plato struck the key when he said: Not to live, but to live we'll