CHAPTER I.

APPROPRIATE INFLUENCE.

As the mass of mankind seem ever to have forgotten that mysterious scintillation of Divinity to which your attention was directed in the last section, so this mighty power you are invited to consider, has generally either been entirely disregarded, and consequently used at random, i. e. for evil, or considered as belonging to man alone, a power for which he will never have to render any account. But we are taught concerning Him with whom we have to do, that "the Great, the Mighty God is His name, great in counsel and mighty in work; for His eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give every one according to his ways, and according to

THE FRUIT OF HIS DOINGS."

The nearest subject of a man's influence, that which is ever under his power, and over which he exerts the greatest energy, is his own mind. I speak first of Appropriate Influence. "This is, indeed, a noble prerogative of our nature. It transcends in importance all our power over outward nature. There is more of Divinity in it than in the force that impels the outward universe, and yet how little we comprehend it."* Man possesses

* Channing.

the power of moulding his own mind according to his will, likening it to God, or to the prince of all wickedness. Some strenuously maintain that man is the creature of circumstances; but we may challenge any to prove that the same particular circumstances produce on all subjects the same effects. The adversity which caused Job to breathe out his memorable words, "The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord," leads another to curse his Maker, another to rush heedlessly into eternity. The prosperity which produces in one man the purest gratitude to its Giver,—which leads him to consecrate the greater part of his wealth to His service, produces hellish pride in another, leading him into the most sinful excesses, exalting himself in his own eye to the God of all the earth.* Man forms his habits, and thus forms himself.

MAN IS SELF-MADE.

The question, then, arises: If this power is held by every member of the human family, and if we shall have to give account to God for its proper application, where is the model upon which we are to form our character? We cannot suppose that God has given us power which may be employed to a good purpose, without giving us also directions to use that power aright. According to what model are we to form our minds? What principles are to govern us in our attempts to fashion these immortal souls? "Be ye holy, for I am holy." HE is Infinite Perfection, and HE alone. All created beings derive their purity from HIM. Nothing is holy apart from HIM, for holiness is likeness to HIM. Excellence is a necessary attribute of HIM.

*Remember David and Nebuchadnezzar.

The character of

"He is a God of

Goodness is the indwelling of HIM. God is thus exhibited in His word: truth, and without iniquity," "just and upright is He," and yet "His mercy endureth for ever." His eyes are so pure that "the heavens themselves are not clean in His sight," and yet "He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good; and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." His justice is so inflexible that no sin can pass unnoticed or unpunished, and yet He is long-suffering and patient, forgiving men their inquities. The law, which he has given for our guidance, is

"A transcript of His own eternal mind." *

Conscious of our infirmities, we exclaim, Such attributes may adorn Divinity; but can never belong to humanity. We complain that the standard is far too high-that man, who is of the dust, can never be invested with that which seems so entirely divine.

Foreseeing this difficulty, God has sent his Son into the world. He came not only to die for our sins, but to set us an example that we might walk in his steps. While we are told to "be followers of them who through faith and patience are now inheriting the promises," we are to follow them only as they kept the path which their God had marked out. While they are acting according to the will of God, we may see in them the exhibition of those principles which are in accordance with the will of God. But sometimes even they wandered from the way of holiness.

The Eternal Logos was made flesh, and dwelt among us. He became man; and not merely man, but a poor man. He had not "where to lay his head." "He who, being in the form of God, thought it not

* Cowper.

robbery to be equal with God; made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant." In the fashion of man, he displayed the same excellencies which were the brightest halo encircling his name when in heaven he reigned Supreme.

Omnipotence is contemptible compared with justice. Omnipresence is mean compared with that long-suffering which passes over the insults of creatures, with whose crimes that omnipresence acquaints its possessor. Omniscience is unworthy of a song compared with the glorious riches of His grace, wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.

Our High Priest, the great Example, did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. In him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead. No quality, human or divine, that can truly adorn a being, is wanting in his long list of virtues. Boundless mercy was united to the sternest justice. Insulted Patience might in him have wielded the weapons of Omnipotence. His steadfastness was tested by the chill of penury and the scowl of his nation. When received with hosannas into Jerusalem, the Man of Sorrows turned not from his chosen path. Yet he was man as truly as he was God.

In the Scriptures we see him acting and hear him preaching, discern the principles which governed him, and may see their result in his habits. By reading we may become his intimate companion. "Can you walk with a man for months, and not learn his gait? Can you be in close friendship, and not imbibe somewhat of his temper? Can you be his intimate companion, and remain uninfluenced by his excellencies ?" Neither can you trace attentively the footsteps of our Saviour in the Gospels and not fall in some measure into his

*Todd's "Student's Manual."