Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-10-29
GROWING OLD.

As the Eye Grows Dim to Earthly Vision
the Eye of Faith should Become Brighter
and Brighter.
Why should old age always be re-
garded with such dismay and distrust?
'.Alway'' is the right word, for who
does not shrink from the thought, even
in ones private chamber? A lady said
on this subject (and think gentlemen
are equally aflected): Il suppose the
fact that we, ourselves, are really old,
always comes to us with pang. very
well remember how it came to me, and
the shock received in consequence. l
was admitted to friends door by a
little girl, who ran to announce my ar
rival 10 my friend in the next room; and
] distinctly heard her say, in a loud
whisper: Its an old woman must
confess, ladies, it came to me with a
force that l shall never forget" 1t
seems to be universally conceded
fact, but is it really necessary, this
aversion? Is there not beauty and a
glory in the ripening process of age, ii
we look at it Alright! And should we
not cultivate this view of an inevitable
doom, or growth, rather? How rever-
emily We look upon beautiful old age.
Youth has passing beauty-mOre than
that-an almost divine glory, at its
best; but face crowned with soft white
hair, beautiful with lines of experience
that have developed all the Christian
graces OF faith, hope and charity; face
that seems to have known, borne and
conquered many joys and many sor-
rows, and at the last rises triumphant
over all, singing, as it nears the horizon
of LIES boundary.
20, grave where is thy victory?
U, death. where is thy sting!'
Such a face is a Joy forever Then we
who have been early friends al travel
together into the region of age. Who
would wish to remain stationary while
all his compeers journeyed on? Who?
1t isn't a going down-there comes our
trouble; Lecause our steps falter we
look at the grave, while we should
rather rejoice that the fainting of the
earthly releases us from the sordid clay;
little by little We throw it asHue prepar-
atory to its loosening altogether and
setting us free TO roam the fields of
light While the eye becomes dim and
DINNER to earthly vision, the eye of
faith should become brighter and
brighter. When earthly sounds
become indistinct then with a
1uickened spiritual ear we dis
Germ near and more near the ravishing
strains issuing from the temples OF
the New Jerusalem. This loosening OF
the clay seems to be a merciful provis-
ion, to save us from the too sudden
shock of death. When he comes 50
gentle. taking this, and removing that,
from our path, that no obstacle shall
hinder our going, and one falls like the
ripened grain in its season, there
is no unnatural terror, as when
one suddenly falls without
note or warning. The trembling
hand and faltering step are loosening
the spirit and preparing it for its wings.
1t has OutgrOwn these earthly helps,
that are becoming hindrances; even as
the growing child disclaims to creep
when it can walk; or if it returns to its
creeping, bungles at it, and laughs at
its own pretty folly. Old age should
not be sad as its liberation approaches;
joyful, rather, that the time of its re-
lease is at hand. Do we mourn when
the ripened fruit falls to be gathered
for our delectation? Is it not more
beautiful, as well as useful, than when
in all the glory and perfume of its flow
ering season we beheld it with rapture
and anticipation? Look at the reverend
and beautiful heads of Bryant and
Longfellow. In all their youthful pride
and promise do they compare with
these? The discipline of right living
and right thinking, of right doing and
right being. makes beautiful the hoary
head and aged face. IT'S a elimination
of the beautiful and hest in life, and a
preparation that insures an entrance
into that building of God. that home
not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.
." Fill I'D each hour with what will last:
Buy up the moments as they go;
The life above, when this is past
Is the ripe fruit of lite below.