The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-07-26
Thoughts for the Aged.
BY ONE OF THEIR NUMBER.

We ought to- keep up with the age if we
can. To assist ourselves, herein, we must
not insist that all the former things were
better than the things of the present time.
It is not we'll to set it down that the world
is, on the whole, continually growing worse.
Portions of it may be. Nations may, in
some respects; while, yet, the same nations
may be advancing in other respects. Our
country has, no doubt, deteriorated in some
things. But, then, our country is now much
more heterogeneous in its population, than
aforetime. Emigrants of all descriptions
have flowed hither-the good, and the bad,
with all sorts of education and habits; and
we feel their influence, and suffer from it.
But it does not follow that the a0orld is grow
ing worse, because many people are shipped
from one shore of an ocean to another. And
If evil is greatly developed at this day, so is
goodness. 1t is a time of Development
Things are uttered, now, which formerly
were kept to ones self. Let US judge wisely,
and accept all the good, while we lament the
evil.
Let us keep doing good to the last We
can often give good counsel. 1t may be
deemed oficious, sometimes, and may, some
times, be scornfully rejected. But it will
not always be in vain. If we look back to
the impressible days of early life, we shall
be well aware that some things said then to
us have influenced us up to this day. Let
us not doubt that we, in our turn, with the
blessing of God, may happily influence some
of our juniors. Not quite all respect for
the aged, and for the views of judicious aged
persons, has died out. 1t is certain that OBJ
servatiOn and experience have taught us some
things which our juniors might profit by, if
they would give US fair hearing. Let US
believe that some will. If we would most
effectually benefit mankind we must not be
too distrustful.
To be most extensively useful during the
brief space left to US, we should carefully
cultivate genial dispositions and manners
We may have seen enough of the evil world
to sour our spirit, unless we have been &C
customed to look upward. We ought to look
upward till we catch the benign spirit of
Heaven. We must have a fellow. feeling
with our kind, to do the greatest amount of
good. Worthy men may, sometimes, err in
doing laudable and benevolent things in a
gruff manner. We should never count rude
ness virtue. A gentle manner often does
great good, when it is but little that one can
do for others welfare. Let not our good,
through our fault, be evil spoken of; nor be.
reft of any part of its power to bless. Yes,
we should, as far as possible, work to, the
last. The buoyancy of our early days we
may not have been able to retain, no more
than our youthful lookS,-but fervent love
to God and man, in our deep heart, will
make up for that loss, and more. Advanc-
ing years, indeed, usually render vigorous
effort difficult.
But we should not yield to inaction till
compelled by infrmity. Doing for others,
as earnestly as we can, will assist us to hold
on to our vigor the longer. Love-if there
is enough of twill give new spring, ever
and anon, to our tagging energies. Let us
not groan over our old age, and thus make
ourselves older,--but keep at work, some
how, and let age take care of itself.--Ch
ttan Marror.