Those who walk with God are sure to exercise a powerful effect,
conscious or unconscious, upon their worldly friends and neighbors. It
is said of certain of the apostles that those who watched them “took
knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
A certain mill-owner was an infidel. He ran his mill seven days
in the week, yet on Sundays he stopt it for a short time in the
morning and again at noon. At length some one ventured to ask
him why he acted thus. His reply was, “It is because I know that
Deacon B. will pass at a certain time on his way to church, and
again on his way back. I do not mind the rest of you, for you
do not properly live what you profess, but I tell you I do mind
him, and to run my mill while he is passing would make me feel
bad here”--putting his hand upon his heart.
Theosophy in its mystic theories includes the concept that the
spirit within each individual forms a visible aura or halo
around him, which can be seen by many who possess the faculty of
discernment. The spirit of a true Christian is apprehended by
those about him far more accurately than might be imagined. For
the spirit inevitably impels the actions of the life.
(558)