Connecticut western news., 1897-10-28
THE BEAUTY OF OLD AGE.

sermon by Rev s. A. Burnaby, of which follows an abstract. The pastors sub iect was "the beauty of old age" and he chose for his text Isaiah XLVI, 4.
 "And even to old age I am he, and sven to hoar hairs will I carry you. I have made and will bear you; yea, I will carry and I will deliver"
 This passage is declaration and a of Gods dealings with his ancient people Israel. They had gone into idolatry somewhat, but he would continue to care for them even to old age and when their gods had forsaken them. The Israelites are type of all peoples and all races since their day and so the promises are applicable to all peoples and at all times.
 In recalling some ways in which God keeps these promises to us and the methods and motives for keeping them, the vegetable world was used as an il- lustration. There is really no death of it is only transition point from one period in their existence to another. October is born in May and each season of the year is only prepar- ing for the next season. So is human life. Childhood, youth, old age are for the harvest day of inn mortality. Old age, then, is a joyous period. It is the time of completeness of work begun. To one who has used the time aright it is the best of all the years, the gathering of the fruit. Old age, then, should be passed in way that will fulfill it's purpose. Be old; think as old people; do, act as they would act. As the boy should be boy, as the youth should bo true youth, so should an old person be old. This is what young people love in them. It Is why we love you who are old.
 "The glory of children are their because they are old. Said "I venerate old age, and I love not the man who can look without upon the sunset of life, when the dusk of evening begins to gather oyer the watery eyes. and the shadows of twilight grow broader and deeper upon the understanding. But the whole life must have been an effort to
 live according to the laws of righteous ness, if old age is to be really beautiful.
 Old people are witness to some mis- takes, to some defeats and to some vic- tories for righteousness in their careers. But in every such experlence earnest effort must be made towards an ideal. The road of to day must be some ,traigh hter than of yesterday. Old age is tribute to law obeyed and an evil Hence of Gods appreciation. The va rieties of the colors of the leaves of the forest gre illustrations of the varieties of characters that shall be gathered in the Great Harvest Day. Some will be more advanced in charac- ,er growth than others and some may not have begun. All should make right lse of the years of life to develop that quality of character that entities to en- rance among the company of the re- deemed.
 At the evening service Rev. Burnaby delivered an address on Gen. Neal Dow which was full or interest and present ,d many good lessons. We have been favored with the following abstract of ;he address.
 The greatness of Gen. Neal Dow is ,een in the quiet qualities of character which differentiated him from most other men. By birth Quaker, he in- aerited the qualities of his race. He lid not parade his virtues nor did he ,are for applause. His personal integ- r1ty was seen in the purity of his life. He avoided the danger line. Knew what he wanted and lived the life of Faith in the unseen. The motive of ais life was purpose that included ooth this and another life.
 He was twice elected mayor of his native city. In 1880 was candidate tor the Presidency on the Prohibition ticket. and in 1884 succeeded i1 pass ng an amendment to the constitution ,f the State of Maine forever prohibit. ng the sale and use of strong drink as ! beverage. He was upright in all his business affairs and through prudence md correct living accumulated good 
 He was faithful to the cause he es- poused. and when others faiths would wax and wane he was constant to the ,nd. He was original and not initiative in his character and actions. He brought every thing in his life to the and test of the single principle which governed him. He believed in the maxim: "No person can be trusted unless chained to princi- ple." His character is seen in his es- pousal of the principal of prohibition in the use and sale of strong drink. How far this may be carried out must be left for the future to reveal.
 That the liberties of individuals may be curtailed by laws follows from the we'll as to God. The State has right to help make her citizens the best they can be. That authority provokes oppo- sition does not argue that there should be no authority, when properly consti- tuted.
 The world needs to-day such men as Gen. Dow. They are needed in poli- tics; their conserving influences are need- in society. The uprightness of his business methods are sorely needed as 8 leaven in business affairs His faith fulness and constancy are an inspira- tion in the homes.
 Gen. Dow has earned for all men the right to a conviction and the obligation " oOAOho Ao-puO PiASiO6O nhu hOCOboi- ty of belief and the responsibility of it.
 To be christian is to have convict ions. Courage is needed to let them be fully known and not apoligized for. The consistency of his advocacy to the end of his life, of one much cherished by him and with such consummate suc- cess, even in other lands, encourages the pulpit and the platform and states men to be as courageous in their con- to right principles and worthy causes.
 The place Gen. Dow occupies here and in the other world is among such characters as Garretson, Luther, Wilber- force, and John Bright, benefactors of the race, because he added something, through purpose and effort, to the sum of right living in the world.
 Berkshire Railroad Matters.