The record-union., 1899-10-08

erty. can be made a source of joy and
a period of happiness
Old age is a condition that none who
are destined to live mans allotted time
can hope to escape. 1t largely re-
mains with us to say what sort of an
old age we shall have; whether it
shall become to ourselves and others a
curse or a blessing, a burden or a
source of helpfulness to the young. Lit
tie as we may realize it, we are laying
the foundations to-day in our youth
and in our manhood for our old age
Every thought, every action Of this
very hour is helping to determine the
kind of old age we shall enjoy; is help
ing to determine whether by and by
despite our many years, our shrunken
frame and our weakened body. we
SHALL by our wisdom, our cheerfulness
and sympathy, still remain the beloved
and welcome friend of youth; and, by
our kindly nature and pure mind, be
the conveyor of sunshine and happi-
ness to those around and about US: or
whether, because of sourness and crab
edness, we shall be stunned and avoid
ed; because of wickedness and follies.
we shall be hated and despised: because
of selfishness and ill-nature, we shall
be looked upon as a trial and bur-
den. It remains for us largely to de-
termine whether, when nearing the
grave, we shall love and be beloved or
whether we shall be unloving and un-
loved. 1t remains for us largely to
determine, when the hour shall have
come, which shall see us carried to the
narrow house, whether all that part OF
US which is mortal shall be followed by
sincere mourners, who will feel that a
loving and beloved friend has been
taken out of their lives, a friend who
will leave behind void that cannot be
filled; or whether the tears that NAV
be shed Will be tears of satisfaction at
the relief which has come to them in
our passing away, relief in having lift
ed from them a heavy and unbearable
burden.
Youth has its charms and so has old
/ age. Youth is attractive and SO can
old age become a source of delight.
What higher aim, what nobler pur-
pose can animate us, than to strive
for an ideal old age; when, with minds
! ripened by knowledge we can be
guide and an aid to inexperienced
youth; when, with hearts filled with
sympathy and with sunshine, we can
be source of joy; when, by cheerful
words and kindly deeds, we can light
! en- the burdens of others and be to them
a source of comfort and a bearer of
happiness.
The only way Steele thought of avoid-
ing a trifling and frivolous old age, is
to lay up in our own way to it. such
stores OF knowledge and observation as
may make US useful and agreeable in
our declining years.
Let US give thought, much thought to
the secret of growing old gracefully
and happily" Let it be said of US,
when our hair shall have grown thin
and white, and our faces scared and
Wrinkled, as l have heard it said of the
eminent physician, to whom you were
introduced in the earlier part of my dis
course, that he is not 81 years old, but
bZ years young. Let US cultivate the
spirit to-day, tomorrow, and all days
which is likely to make old age how
ever poor or humble, blessed, a happy
period of life. Let US cultivate the
spirit Of love of children, love of a
bosom companion, love of men, love of
God" Our bodies may grow old and go
to decay, but let us strive to keep our
souls young and healthy. In our diff
ferent stages of life we may become diff
ferent beings, but let it be our aim 10
also become better beings
Let US remember that when old age
| shall have overtaken us, if we hope to
still retain the sympathy of the young,
we must educate ourselves to continue
in sympathy with the young Hate will
make US old while yet in the flush of
youth. Love will keep us young,
! though feebly tottering toward the
grave.
If it be true that some are old at
twenty and others young at sixty, let
us SO live that we may be numbered
with the latter; that while youth to US
may have been blessing, old age shall
be to US and to those about us, a still
richer, ripper, and greater blessing. Only
then shall we be able to fully appreci-
ate the goodness and the wisdom of
Providence in having given US life and
soul, and only then shall we find that
life has been worth living.