Purity is in most cases a prior, if not a nobler, virtue. The crystal must be either dirty or clean. So it is with one's hands and with one's heart-only you can wash your hands without changing them, but not hearts, nor crystals."

We have the influence and power which we intend, and then we have the other which we fail to recognize. All life is composed of this mixture of intentional and unintentional influence. It is a vast conglomeration of greatest force, but none the less real. All men are surcharged with this power and susceptible to its effect upon themselves from others.

One of the greatest perils of the present energetic and enterprising day is that men will forget the secret silent movements of the soul of life, and the unconscious influence they are exerting. We overestimate planned activity. We underestimate the involuntary forces of life. This influence, derived from what a man actually is, from reality, is a most potent factor in his relation to others, and their relation to him. Whether self is hidden or revealed, the conscience acts as a detective. A rose will make itself known, and a foul, offensive odor will reveal itself, hide them as you will. The

ruling and dominant characteristics and faculties in human nature are existing in a certain independence of the will. A fetid odor can be imprisoned more easily than evil in the soul.

We cannot give explanation or formulate a theory of the fact, but the presence of one individual seems to chill while that of another warms. One inspires you, while the other exhausts you. Unconsciousness of real disposition or even best of intent does not alter this result. A selfish soul in royal garments has ultimately the same effect as when dressed in rags. The hypocrisy which clothes and attempts deceit may be only a good conductor of evil influence. This is the difference between wood and iron in the same atmosphere.

The selfishness in the heart blinds the eyes to the baneful result of its presence. It simply opens the pores and draws quietly on all it can gather from others, and thus weakness is discovered, but oftentimes the real cause unknown.

A certain disposition may not intend its influence, and repudiates the idea that "I did that," "I make any one unhappy?" "I disclaim that." "I did not do a thing."

It is an emphatic denial, but nevertheless a pro

duction of ill feeling, and evil is the result whereever they go. A man may poison the air with jealousy, hatred, envy, malice, and even vengeance, and yet never have uttered a sentence. Move, attitude, appearance of scorn or disgust, are enough. The sorrowful heart of one person or the ill health of another is the single drop to color the joy of a whole family or a circle of acquaintances, and the bestower of all this upon others may remain absolutely ignorant of that silent and unseen working. So, in the sphere of the good, the predominant qualities carry with them a sweet and saving atmosphere, so that good is being accomplished when a man wills as well when he is not moved by actual purpose. He thus becomes a perpetual benefactor, and a continuous gracious power among men.

A good-natured, humorous person is the great giver to society. He furnishes smiles, and joys, and courage, and hope, and patience, and a thousand other blessings without any credit from the recipient. His very presence is a benediction, the oil on the machinery of life. The courage of one man has turned the tide of many a battle. Oh, what a stupendous possibility in every life. We do so much more than we think. Beyond estimation or calcu

lation is the influence of one day in the three score and seventy years.

Every man is a receiver as well as a giver in the world of influence. It pours in upon him from every direction as well as radiating from the centre of his own being and touching all other lives. He is most sensitive to its contact. There is no illustration in the natural or mechanical world to reveal this readiness to be fashioned and shaped by this unseen hand. Some philosophy in its emphasis of this great truth would even make this almost the creator of what a man is or shall be. Through the eye and ear, hand and reason, and nerve centre, and all openings to the heart of life rush these master architects and builders of the human temple.

How this enlarges possibility, and opens the golden gateways of opportunity, and enhances the value of friendship, and increases the importance of the clock's tick. Every moment shares in the structure of character, and is the author of success. It claims its part in the making of destiny.

The fragrance of every flower, the song of every bird, the grace of every cloud, and the twinkle of every star enters human life in some form and de

gree. How much more the single odor, and song, and grace, and flash of another soul!

The child comes into the world of influence, and that is all. The providence of God places the babe in the centre of a circle,—father, mother, brother, sister, and friends. That new life is not governed by abstract propositions or rules, or known principles of living. It is the subject of influence, and all the early years are passed in that condition. Even the school life is largely that. The man comes to be governed more by the influence of things, but it is his injury, and not his blessing. Neither is it a necessity.

The great force in all life is this personal influence. Everybody knows its importance and power when he sees the chief control his clan, or the general his army. A Napoleon or a Grant were mightiest in this part of the battle.

This is a more important question because of the modern inter-relation of humanity. Influence is farther-reaching and more certain of effect. We now touch the whole world, and cannot think of isolation. The waves of influence go out from every life and sweep around the world. Neighbor means