Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-03-14
VALUABLE OLD AGE,

Among Its First Essentials.
There is much said of the value of
youthful energy and m;hure siren 9Th,
but very little of tho unique services
and influence which wise and vigor-
Gus old age is capable of rendering.
This part Of lifc is regarded at best,
with tolerance and sympathy, and the
respect and Difference which arc somo-
times rendered. and oftener withheld,
are based upon what has been done in
tho past rather than on any actual
and present worth or efficiency. There
is perhaps an adequate cause for this
way Of looking at old age in the verita-
bic lives led in our modern civiliza-
ton. and especially in our own busy
country. Whatever plans are laid or
efforts put forth to render life useful,
there are few, if any. to provide for
its long continuance. Business and
pleasure are crowded into the former
part of life with 4 relentless hand;
men live fast and perhaps accomplish
much for few years; their they
find their powers exhausted.
their health impaired. and either life
is cut short or what is left of it is COM
paratively valueless. Thus we fire.
qucntly hear the expression: II do
not wish to live to be old,' Ivy which
is meant that years burdensome to
ones self and useless to others, can
not be regarded rs boon. Vie wed in
tho light OF socie1y's needs, this is a
great mistake Many of the early
years of life are absorbed in learning.
and but few remain in which decided
services can be rendered. Every year
we'll spent brings accumulated knowl-
edge, power and experience to enrich
those services, and each should, there
fore. be more valuable than the pre-
ceiling one. No one can hurry through
early and middle life. filling his days
with exciting business and much of
his nights with exciting pleasures, and
hope to enjoy a vigorous and valuable
old age. Moderation, temperance, a
calm mind aud an unburdened con-
science are among the first essentials.
The best possible care Of tho physical
system, which implies better knowl-
edge of the laws of our own being
than most of us now possess, is
requisite. The use of every faculty
and the abuse of none, is need
full. The continued interest in hon.
orablc occupations and good causes.
which will not wear out. if they are
pursued with discretion and wisdom,
contributes largely to the value and
happiness Of old age. More than all,
a good life, where sin is resisted and
virtue cultivated, where wisdom is
stored up and folly banishcd. where
benevolence and love reign and NJ alice
and hatred are driven away, is the
foundation of valuable old age.
Bodily strength may decline. but the
purity. the wisdom, the ex pericnce will
remain to benefit society in manner
and to degree that can flow from no
zeal Of youth nor energy Of middle
lite. Cicero sums up the whole when
he says: Life has its fixed course,
and nature one unvarying way; each
age has assigned to it what best suits
it. so that the best fickleness of boy
hood, the sanguine temper of youth.
the soberness of ripper years and the
maturity OF old age equally have some
thing in harmony with nature. which
ought to be made availing in it's sea-
son. '-Rhiladelphia Ledger: