The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-10-02
SERVICES III WASHINGTON.


Or. Newman, mt the Metropolitan Methodist
Episcopai ChnrcL, ON The Glory of Good
Old agc-Eulogy Two Deceased Mem.
hers of Els Church.
WASHINGTON, Oct. J. 1871.
DR.. Newman. pastor Of the Metropolitan Metho.
dist Episcopal church, to-day preached
SERMON TO OLD MEN,
suggested by the death OF two aged members Of his
church. from the text, Proverbs xvi, 31-"A hOary
head Is crown Of glory II 1t be found In the way
OF righteousness" Childhood and old age are
among thes profound mysteries which surround
the path OF man from the cradle to the
grave So puny ana helpless, so tender and
sensitive, spiritual ana devout childhood ia
the morning Of immortality. From this state Goa
has determined TO develop nature ana eternal
powers. SO helpless and dependent, with faltering
step and duiled Senses old age Is usually regarded
as unwelcome; but while the weakness Of childhood
Is provision Of nature, that OF old age the result
Of sin. The tree OF life rom which Adam was ex.
ciuoed was ne elixir q im93rtality; With mans
fall came all the Wees incident 70 our present con-
dluon, and with these came old age Christianity,
however, provides for resurrection where there
n sse 81 s
long lie devoted to God. Sucn a life Is PRACTICAL
illustration OF the doctrine that Christianity il
the old h8 tne IS ..l
RELIGION Is NO LONGER AN EXPERIMENT,
but fact 1t no longer belongs to the present and
future alone but to the past It replete with har-
monies that are delight 70 the heart and pleasure
g and IS Waiting 70 Ss As the
going TO the North enters perpetual day. 80 he about
@ as of
to deliver the tempted, TO succor the tried. such
e an snS ooSsn Which Of No de-
.ire for youth again. One probanen Is sumcient
THE ILLUSIONS OF MANHOOD
ing tins question Is for the sweet tones OF mothers
nal arms but not youth with Its mexperience,
which rea led 70 error .s antcipations with
bear the burdens OF manhood, but there are certain
winch, faithfully discharged constitute their crown
0iGlory. 1t seems to be provision q nature that
physical that the mind should continue to mature
while the body grows feeble. History gives some
noaee instances q inc ACTIVITY OF ola mna a. an ad
play musical Instruments; Cato at eighty began the
study Of Greek. Wesley at seventy.three declared
he preached better than when twenty-three, and so
clear was his voice that audience OF thirty thou
said could hear him without diilculty. Again Old
age Is the counsellor OF the young. II knows all
ana can point them out, that those VINO follow may
cheerirncss worthy Of Christianity inspires respect
There 10 no sadder sight than to see an Old man. O
worn out in his Masters service seeking miser-
able pittance Of the hands OF charity, or parent
neglected and turned or by the children he has
reared. Yet much OF the disrespect to old persons
grows out Of the character Of the man rather
than from OLD. age ITSELF Old DR.: johnson
once sald:-"Old age is disrespected when
old age is contemptible.n But disrespect
comes from two or three causes. An iltnatured,
tcsy man or woman Will make all around Ill natured
and tcsty, and thus awaken disrespect. But what
love and admiration are kindled to see genial old
man who can dandle q child on his knees with de.
light, or play with little children, who does not
forget That he was once young himself, VINO IS as pa
uent ana fOrbeartnI to others now "a he once
wished that the old should be tc himself Another
cause OF disrespect Is
TIE FOOLISH CUSTOM OF OLD PEOPLE
Df transferring all right and title to their property
10 children on condition that they themselves Shall
be maintained. They should remember that wealth
y authority and honor, ana while 1t Is their duty
to provide for their sons and daughters vet no man
should 80 forget the dcpravlty of human nature
AM the temptations incident to wealth as to trans
Ter ali right 10 property In consideration for sup
ofgloryn because OF the future awaiting the aged
Sailors drink not only ITO the friends asern,' but
ITO the friends aheadn With the aged there are no
friends astern. They have passed away. They stand
alone like the trees their fathers planted, monu-
who are waiting to nan them with everlasting de-
light Such Is old age that 10 found In the way OF
righteousness DE-. Newman closed by paying O
just aud glowing tribute to the memory Of
THE TWO GOOD OLD MEN,
Thomas Russell and Thomas Havenner, who had
been associated with his church. The former was
fty years identified with Metnodsm. His pastor
characterized HIM as OF breadth OF Judgment enough
10 rise above the petty jeaouses OF local churches
and ministers and Methodsts and 10 see the great
and he lived 10 see his broad ideas realized.