Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-04-16
OLD AGE.
Ene Evening of Life Should BE
SBOnv.

Sunny.
AT the First Presbyterian Church
Yesterday, DIR. w. ]. Chichester de-
livered q very interesting sermon, on
the subject of old age. He took for
his text the response OF Barzillai to
David, who, when he had been
driven into the wilderness by the
rebellion OF Absslom, had been
succored in his necessities
by Barzillai. The rebellion having
been put down, and David being
ready to return to Jerusalem, he
gratefully asked Barzillai to go with
him and enjoy the hospitalities of his
court. But Barzillai answered: :
How long have l to live that
| should 60 up with the
King into Jeraoulem. 1 am
this day fourscore years old; n
X wherefore, then, should thy
servant be yet a barden unto my
Lord, the King" Barz,llai was con-
tent with his lot. He had all that he
required at home. He had his flocks
and his cattle, aud his life had been
spent where he was. He looked for
ward to the end, and want
ed to be buried in the place
where his fathers reposed. The
allurements of the court were
nothing to him. He had lived a
quiet, pastoral life. To change it for
the gsieties of a court would be a
hardship instead of a pleasure, and
he begged the King whom he had
befriended not to insist upon his leav-
ing the scenes rendered dear to him
throughout long life of usefulness.
Barzillai was wise. How few of the
busy men of our own time ever realize
the dream of their life, to amass
fortune, retire and spend their
closing years happily and without
care. The average duration OF re-
tired life to men who have long looked
forward to this period as the white
spot in their existence, has been COM
puted at two years. The change in
stead of agfeeing with them weighs
heavy upon them. The habits OF
a life are not readily thrown
off. New scenes and new
modes of living become irk-
some. Where they thought they
would be happy, they are cast down
with ennuie. They feel strange. Their
mind, befeft of it's wonted occupation,
becomes gloomy. Their spirits droop |;
their health fades, and the early end
shows the vanity of their anticipa-
tions Such men cannot have what
alone constitutes happiness in old age,
CHEEKY and sunny disposition, unless
perchsnce they have laid the only
: foundation for serene and smiling
old age--s strong reliance in the prin-
ciples Of religion, and deep interest
in spiritual meditation and religious
work. The evening of life must be
dark, indeed, 10 those who find the
angel of death rapidly approaching,
and no hope Of happy awakening to
cheer them in their latter moments.
How can such an old age be CHEEKY or
happy? 1t stands upon the verge
of an abyss. The grave is before it,
yet the consultations OF religion are
unknown to it Instead of being
ready to wrap its mantle around it
and sink down to pleasant dreams, it
Is troubled with dOub,S and fears
with thick-coming iancies. But the
cid age that is at peace with God and
secure of it's reward, is serene and
sunny. Tho eve OF life is then lit up
with halo reflected from the beauti-
full world to which it is
go rapidly tending. Though living
here it looks into the brink beyond.
Happy itself it sheds happiness all
around. Though still treading the
earth, its vision revels in the
glories of the New Jerusalem
and rests upon the mansion
which has been prepared for it..
This kind OF old age does not alag
su pelfuous on the stage" Its mind
is filed with glorious pictures OF the
joys in store for it when "the mortal
coil" has been changed for bright
Immortality.