INFLUENCE.

BY D. 9. coLEswoRTHY
{"newspaper_name": "The Columbian fountain.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
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As every man is responsible for the infu-
ence he exerts, how extremely careful should
all be that what Is said or done should have a
tendency to lend 10 truth and virtue. We all
move in little circles, where we Individually
have more influence than anOther-where a
word or q look even carries much weight
That circle we heave in il our power to lead
STEP by step to the practice Of the heavenly
virtues, or by our Indifference and lack Of
honesty, direct il in q channel Of profigacy
and ruin. When they are so many departures
from truth and the multitude are thronging the
highway 10 destruction, those who can lead
to virtue and do it not are criminally guilty
and will be SO adjudged at the high court Of
Heaven.


There is no man so humble and so poor
that he has no influence on the minds about
him. To be destitute Of influence, person
must be natural fool. A man can moi be so
degraded and so vicious that his example ceas-
es to operate upon other minds. The young
are quick 10 take impressions, and the natural
heart being prone to evil. they are more inc-
ned to initiate the bad and follow in their foot
steps. The babiluai swearer knows not how
many youth he has taught that disgusting ha-
bit.-Some children heard the words Of pro-
family for the first time from his lips and be-
gan the practice ill they are shockingly pro-
fame. They in their turn teach the sin to 9TH
ers, and oh! the mighty tide Of evil that is
produced by the lhoughiless words Of single
man. Eternity only can fathom it. There is
a beautiful sonnet by Bowring, which is wor-
thy ofbeing stamped on every heart. Read il
commit Il, and practice upon its remarkable
truth: A Ia SgS
!" A child is born. Now take the germ and


make il
A bud Of moral beauty. Let the dews (
Of knowledge, and the light Of virtue, wake it


In richest fragrance and in purest hues;
When passions just and sorrows tempest


shake it,


The shelter Of affection never refuse,
For soon the gathering hand Of Death will


break il.


From its weak stem Of life and il shall lose
All power TO charm; but if that lovely flower


Hath sweled one pleasure or subdued one


pain.


Q, who shall say that he has lived in vain,


However fugitive It's breathing hodr2
For vlrrue leaves It's sweets wherever tasted


And scattered truth is never, never, wasted.