The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-08-25
RESPONSIBILITY
OF EACH PERSON



influence is and so what we are is
of more importance than what we say
declared Rev. G. NJ. Merrill at the
Tamarack NJ l.. church Sunday morn
ing in "A sermon on Personal Inilu-
cnce." Continuing. Rev. Merrill said
The doctrine of personal liberty
has been preached recently in some
quarters, but II Is far from the truth
as ST. Paul had learned so long ago
when he gave expression to the words
of our text For none of us livcth
unto himself our lives are mex
tricably' bound up with the lives Of
other people so that personal freedom
in the widest sense is impossible and
undesirable. The needle of the COM
pass is always acted upon by pow
are influences acting upon us which
we cannot avoid and our influence up
on others is just as constant
Physical influences act upon us
The Swiss mountaineer is very differ
ent from the man who lives on the sea
level or IN the torrid zone. The coun-
try has an influence which is very diff
fcrent from the city. few of the Lead
ers of our day were city bred. Wealth
and poverty each have their influence.
we may differ in opinion as to which Is
the best. Religious influences have
made the most Of us what we are In
our church affiliations. we are Ro-
man Catholic or Professionals not be-
cause we sat down and examined the
teachings of each and then made de-
liberate choice but because of the in
fluence which surrounded us in our
youth. There are exceptions to the rule
of course, but they are not numerous
I'm speaking of the religious influences
we should not forget the influence Of
the Holy Spirit. for it is written, No
man cometh unto the Father but by
me- Whatever we have of spiritual
life ana grace comes to rs from above.
while We are moulded i'm large
measure by the influence which sur
rounds us, yet we are not irresponsible.
We act AMI react upon these innu-
cnces. We resist or yield to them.
The story running in a popular mag
azine at present. For the Sake of Her
Soul rs n good Illustration Of the
fight that every one must make to re-
sist the evil influences and follow the
good. We are responsible too for the
set of Influences which are strongest
around us You are at church this
morning, your presence is "a matter
If choice. | presume. YOU are here
because YOU desire to have the help
Of these holy moments, and of these
sacred Influences. you would have the
good in your life. you would love and
serve God But some are not here.
some have sought an entrance into 4
saloon that they might have the in
Others have gone to pleasure resorts
where they may indulge their appe-
tites and passions. So men are choos-
ing to 60 right and men are choosing
to go wrong. Every man is response
BILE for his choices.
I'VE are not only under these var!-
Gus influences ourselves but we each
have IN influence upon others and
this is the thought that | would EN-
rhasZe especially our influence is as
inseparabc from us as the features Of
our faces. No man liveth unto him
self And we are responsible for its
character and it's use. our influence
is conscious and unconscious. The
unconscious is always the stronger.
Stanley went To Africa 10 find Living
stone ne was not % Christian, but was
rather prejudiced against Christianity.
But he found Livingstone and saw the
Christ revealed in him and was led 20
personal faith the unconscious inllu-
ence on the part of Livingstone. Jesus
said io his disciples 'Yc are the light
of the world Paul speaks To the
Corinthians We are the epistlcs of
Christ so every man is "A living cpiS-
hood and badness. one has written.
Your actions speak so loud ! cannot
hear what you say
Are we faithful representatives of
our Christ? Are we living SO that
others seeing our good works shall
glorify our Father who is IN heaven
Are we willing To- face the judgment
that will be ours us a result of the
influence which we are stamping upon
the lives OF others? Are we setting in
motion waves of influence for good
that will break at last on the shores
Of eternity?
nIAMnNn MIMINH IN AQk ANcAc