The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-06-07
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
Young Mems Responsibility For
Their Influence.

circle, is active and reflex and in its
extent and force is greater or less ac-
cOrding to circumstances. The time
when this begins may be different with
different persons, though it may be
said :to begin with boys when they
trudge off to school. He is a study
then. If ever you see men in embryo
it is on the school ground. Watch the
lads. How they scan the newcomer
and the teacher especially. They weigh
him; form their estimate of his charac-
ter and determine how far they can go
with him. Here is the commencement
of his social influence which continues
on through his academic and collegiate
course, when armed with his diploma,
he enters the great world as an integral
part of it. His destines are bound I'D
in the future and to unfold this is now
his aim, In doing this his influence for
which society holds him responsible
is felt in wider sphere than formerly.
This leads him to speak of his influence
on the great departments of law, medi-
cine, science arts, commerce, in short
every department is open to and must
be manned by young men. Even now
young women are forcing their way in
to these various sph res of life and
they are to be the world rulers of the
future. 1t is their influence that must
mould the world and turn it in an I'D
ward or downward course. What the
politics of the future is to be, rests
largely with the young men and here
they have splendid opportunity of
making themselves felt in wrestling it
from the hands of demagogues and
forever keeping it out of the reach of
Bossism. The lawyer, the doctor, the
banker, the merchant, the teacher
have great responsibilities resting upon
them, so has every one in as much as
they cannot live to themselves nor die
unto themselves, but must render an
account for their influence. Every man
in public office is responsible to pos
terIty for his influence. Each of US is
link in great chain of existence and
it is ours to see that one link in this
chain is kept bright so that it may do
its duty to other links of the chain of
existence, which begins in and returns
to the supreme Ruler and the Creator,
the holy God in Heaven.
Let me remind you of the personality
of this influence. 1t is our own, it
rests upon US always. No one can be
sick for US, neither can anyone take
our place in death. 1t does not spend
itself on our individuality, but it is in
creased by our mingling with others.
Down in the ocean bed little insects
begin to work and after long and patti
ent toll their work is visible above the
waters. 1t is permanent and may be-
come very beautiful and attractive.
| Such may be our influence in its char
acter and permsnence on the world.
The bread that feeds the millions, is
the aggregate harvest of Individual
labor. The gold of the nations treas
uries and its business is the aggregate,
dug by individuals from the mountains.
Waterloo, Sebastopol and the great
victories of the ord, were the result
Of individual courage the combined re-
result of each one doing his part. under
the guidance of an efficient leader.
| So it is in the battle of life. Every
man has his victory to win for himself
and society. Mountains of prejudice
are to be leyeled; highway is to be
opened over plains of selfshness; ig-
norance is to be enlightened suffering
is to be relieved; agony soothed; earth
is to be filled with the glory of the
| Lord and the uttermost parts of the
world are to hear the Joyful sound, and
upon whom shall this duty devolve SO
much as upon young men. They to
are to fight the battles that will save
the repulic and establish the principles
of right and justice. From their ranks
must come the Davids to Stay with the
smooth pebbles of truth, the giants of
skepticism and infidelity. They are the
Joshuas to lead the hosts against the
ensigns of God and his cause.
Young friends, you are so placed as
to receive and transmit influence and
your opportunities are greater than
were those of your fathers. What the
next age shall be depends on the char
acter of the young men of this present
one. When older men have passed
away, you will stand in their place and
when.you in turn have fallen, younger
men must take your place. Let me
then eXhort you to be careful what
your influence on society shall be. Con-
slider it, as arising not so much from
the fact that it is great and wide
spread, but that it is Immortal. Cen
erations come and go. ALI things
earthly fade, but man lives forever.
His works follow him when the mortal