Our Social Needs
347
character and their reputation are affected by their choice of associates.
One seeks the company of those whose tastes and habits and practices
are congenial. He who prefers the society of the ignorant and vicious to
that of the wise and good shows that his own character is defective. His
tastes and habits may at first be altogether dissimilar to the tastes and
habits of those whose company he seeks; but as he mingles with this
class, his thoughts and feelings change; he sacrifices right principles
and insensibly yet unavoidably sinks to the level of his companions.
As a stream always partakes of the property of the soil through which it
runs, so the principles and habits of youth invariably become tinctured
with the character of the company in which they mingle
Natural Tendencies Are Downward—If the youth could be per-
suaded to associate with the pure, the thoughtful, and the amiable, the
effect would be most salutary. If choice is made of companions who
fear the Lord, the influence will lead to truth, to duty, and to holiness.
A truly Christian life is a power for good. But, on the other hand, those
who associate with men and women of questionable morals, of bad
principles and practices, will soon be walking in the same path. The
tendencies of the natural heart are downward. He who associates with
the skeptic will soon become skeptical; he who chooses the compan-
ionship of the vile will most assuredly become vile. To walk in the
[457]
counsel of the ungodly is the first step toward standing in the way of
sinners and sitting in the seat of the scornful
With worldly youth the love of society and pleasure becomes an
absorbing passion. To dress, to visit, to indulge the appetite and
passions, and to whirl through the round of social dissipation appear to
be the great end of existence. They are unhappy if left in solitude. Their
chief desire is to be admired and flattered and to make a sensation in
society; and when this desire is not gratified, life seems unendurable
Those who love society frequently indulge this trait until it be-
comes an overruling passion.... They cannot endure to read the Bible
and contemplate heavenly things. They are miserable unless there is
something to excite. They have not within them the power to be happy,
but they depend for happiness upon the company of other youth as
4
Ibid., 221
.
5
Testimonies For The Church 4, 587
.
6
Testimonies For The Church 5, 112
.