The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-06-29
Personal Influence.
fWritten for The Reyiew.)
(CHAPTER p

Life has been aptly described as
made up of many influences. This
is obviously true. Human life is
expressed through the unity of innu.
merable and separate influences
all centering and uniting in the
+, combined whole, and makes char.
acter. Could we but make a psy.
Geological analysis of the human
mind, these formative elements
which we call influences would
doubtless be clearly shown i'm many
surprising forms nc less astounding
for their countless numbers than for
the strange sources from which they
eminated.
We cannot fully estimate the
power and importance of personal
influence in the formation and
moulding Of human character or the
part it plays in all the phases of our
earthly life. We are what we are
through the power of influences set
ill motion all along the years of cur
past life, reaching back probably to
the very beginning of our earthly
existence. In the changed thought
and feeling, in our loves and hates.
in our likes and dislikes we are
brought into conscious realization of
the presence and force of human
influence in the shaping and mould
ing of our lives and its consequnce
upon our joys and happiness.
Human nature is easily suscepd-
BILE to the influences of those condi.
tons which please the eye, charm
the uiind, appeal to the reason, Gre
ate desire for possession and salts
fly the heart. This fact is abundantly
shown and expressed in the lives of
those around us and in our own life
as well. And these influences are
not always of the wholesome and
helpful kind. We meet with much
in life to antagonize our better na-
ture and higher ideals, warp our
judgment and draw our footsteps
into ways that can lead only to sor-
row and regret.
The measure of your influence in
the life of another is not determined
by the greatness of your intellect or,
the vastness ofa / your academic
knowledge. or by .the bulk of your
NlpfldIy poss ssians. though these
sacqaireuaents may and en-
large and intensity The power a-
flu. nee in the control of human des-]
tiny, but upon the affection gained
and the confidence and respect in
spired in the hearts and minds OF
others. -#>.-
Every one as he holds the best
interest of his felloxman at heart
should consider with deep and
abiding concern the possible effect
of his own life upon that of others, for
every word spoken, every act COM
mitted may in their effective power
to impress be but another link ad-
ded to the chain of influences bind
ing some life to inexorible destiny,
and shall it be an unhappy one?
These influences may not be visible. |
you may not be conscious of any
source of influence in your own life.
in the secret recess of the heart, un-
known to you, they may fau and
spring into life and be forever hid
den from you in their effect upon
another's life, but they are ever
out from you affecting the
faith. the hope, the joy and the hap
DinncS Of those oh0I1t v0,,
We should always endeavor to
give out the best there is in us that
we may receive the best in others. |
This is principle of action which
should be made the rule of life by
every one, but which is too often
violated in many ways in our, per-
sonal relations one with another.
By imparting good to others we
shall also receive good in return
even from the very act itself. There
is in evey word and deed a reflect
ing force which inevitably rebounds
to bless or to curse the doer.