The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1891-07-23
CHURCH LOCALS
AND RELIGIOUS NOTES OF GENER.
AL INTEREST.

ny the rehglon OF christianity, is reverence
for old age. We may, in large way,
measure our reverence and love for God
by our reverence and love for old age.
There is no place in the activities of life
for old age. 1t can only sit still and wait
1t is no longer producer, but only con-
sumner. The spirit of loneliness and isoIa-
ton is cumulative. 1t needs to be uursed
and cared tor. The old man or woman,
has yielded to the shelving process of
years. with reluctance. Their only bust
ness now in life, seems to be get out and
keep out OF the way.
Without religion. and among heathens,
the only use Of old age, is to be killed out
of hand The sordid world has no patience
in feeling and careing for a non-producer
Its complaints and sorrows-its tears and
mourns-its shrnkings from the walks and
activities of life-are an afront to Gods
less and hard world. But how different
the lesson taught US by our holy religion.
The hoary head is crown of glory, il
found in the way of righteousness. They
shall still bring forth fruit in old age they
shall be fat and fourishing The aged
ones are precious in Gods sight, and so
they must be in our eyes.
Reverence for old age is a grace. 1t
emphasizes the difference between the
heather and the christian world 1t is a
grace that needs tdRbe cultivated. 1t is
something attained unto only by effort.
1t is not natural gift. And when we
think we have it, frequently we have it not.
We hurry by the tottering form with feel.
ing OF bare endurance-ifno not of mpatience.
There is kind OF unconscious wonder that
he is still hereof why he did. not die at
three score and ten. If the thought of the
heart was analysed 1t would be- Such is
neither ornamental, nor useful" All
would deny such thought, with indgna-
ton. And yet do we not in our actors,
and in our manners, often SO impress old
people
There is an instructive shrinking and
sensitivenness in old age. The nerves
are nearer the surface. 1t feels touch
and hears football and sees glance, that
would not have been noticed in strong
manhood. We met an old man not long
since who had passed four score. He had
spent much of his strong manhood in
teaching He spoke of the hurry of the
solid settled men about him whom he had
taught in boy and young manhood. They
passed him, in hurried way, speaking
kindly it may be as they passed, but hur-
rying on, saying, we cannot wait for the
tagging steps oil cid age"
Since writing the above paragraphs our
attention was called to the following. an
editorial note, in the New York Christian
Advocate. which we give to our readers:
Many meetings are held in the churches
for the young folks. Leagues are organic"
ed and anniversaries conducted in their
interest But are the old folks remembered
as they should be -? Some are no longer
able to 60 to church, and others find their
way to the sanctuary only on beautiful
Sabbaths, and then not without difficulty.
They should not be forgotten. By their
tolls the churches were builded They
labored and we have entered into their
labors. They cleared the ground and plant-
ed the seed, and we are reaping the har>
vest. Many of them feel most keenly the
neglect when they are not visited and res
memberAd. The least attentionis highly
appreciated by them, and is like cold wa.
ter to thirsty soul"
We are glad to know that the venerable
DR.. Baker was well ano strong enough to
fill his pulpit, last Sabbath, at Smyrna.
His charge there prize him very highly.
1t is not often that we find one who has
reached his four score that can do the work
DR.. Baker is doing. God bless and pre-,
serve, and comfort, this pure and sanity
old man.
From week to week, the Methodist pray
er meetings are under the leadership of
laymen They are growing in interest.
We look for larger attendance of the
membership, as these meetings deepen in
interest.
Members of the church who can, and
do not attend the regular church services,
are not conscious of the harm they do
They do not seem to think that it is vio>
lation Of their vows; that it is reflection
upon pastor and members; that it is hurt
full to the world at large. Yet il is all this
and more. Neglecting such plain and
positive duty they rob self Of strength, in
personal religious life, and largely destroy
their influence for good and gain an actual
influence for evil
For members of any business circle or
secret organization, to act thus, would
soon reach a state of bankruptcy. and