The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-06-15
NO. "a


attributed his sound sleep; and to his
refreshing sleep be largely attributed
his vigorous longevity. Paddy's rue
is good one-"when you slape, pay
attention to it," Personally, I may
remark that it is to full quota OF
slumber st night and brief nap after
a noon meal that I owe Gfty-thcee
years Of steady work without a single
Sunday on a sick bed.
10 keep young every man Or wo,n:n
should endeavor to graduate shair la
bors according to Their age. After
threesco1e and ten tighten up the loads.
1t Is overwork that WEARS out life; lust
as it is the drying OF Il horse after he
Is tired that hurts him aud Ghortens
his days. But while excess of labor is
injurious to the cd, an entire cessation
from all labor is still worse. A work
less life Is commonly worthless lite.
If a minister lays OFF the burdens OF
the pastorate, let hin: keep the
tools sharp by Il ministry at-large
with pen and tongue. When mer-
chant or tradesmau retires from busi-
ness for himself let him serve the pub
lie, Or aid CLrlst's cause by enlisting IN
enterprises OF philanthropy.
Rust las been the ruin of many a
bright intellect: The celebrated Dr.
Archibald Alexander, of the Princeton
Theological Seminary, kept young by
dong certain amount Of intellectual
work each day so that he sAould
not lose his touch. He was as iull OF
sap OIL the day before his death as lie
was when Missionary III Virginia at
the age OF two AID twenty. lie per-
pared and often used {. prayer that was
SO beautiful tbat | quite portion
of it tor may feilow-dlsc;p!es whose
life clock has struck threescore aud
ten.
"Oh, most merciful God, cast me not
off III the time OF old age: EorsaHe me
not if lay st,Dlst., faiIe.h My lay
Preserve my mind froLc antaye a;d i'm
beciliiy, and my tniy FROM tlots.ctsd
disease and excrucia.lls pam. Deliver
me from desfs,nsiency IN my declining
years, aud enable ls,e to beit witt, la
tience whatever may bs Thy viii.
humhly ask that my ye.as Ii may be
continued to tie last an1 that [ may
leave my testimony III favor OF the
reality OF religion ana If Thy faithful
ness il, fnifiiIlng Thy gracious prom
ises. AMI when my spirit leave. his
clay tenement, Lord Jesus receive ii !!
Send some Of the blessed angels to con-
voy my mex reriei4ced ,ul to She tnan-
sions which Thy love has pre,a, Ell );
and oh, may I have an abun1 mt en-
trance ministerad unto me into the
Kingdom Of our Lori and Saviour
Jesus Christ"
This beautiful petition flooded LIS
closing years with sweet peace and a
strength unhfoken to the last.
A sore temptation to the aged is Il
tendeEcy to aucrulo..sness and pcssi-
misin. Losses are uHlnly lamented
and gains are not duly recogn.za1.
Whiie we cherish and cling 10 nIauy
oi tie things that are Old, and are ri!
the better Tor having 1oen, let us not
seek to put Our eyes in 4 he back Of our
heads a.ld live only i'll the past. Keep
step with the t'mes; keep sympathy
with young hearts keel, in touch with
every new- born enterprise Of charity,
aud in line with the marchings Of GJd =
providence. A ten minutes Of chat or
play with grai.dc!lild may freshen
you more than an hour spent with all
old companion OF az, Cd look.
Above all, keep your Lear:s II the
love O! God, alt. walk IN the warm sun
shire of Christ's countenance. Our
''Indian Summer" ought to be about
the most golden period 9! life cuase-
Grated to Him who has bought us with
His precious blood.
Eye hath not seen, tongue hath net
told,
And ear .aat!. not Eeard it sung,
How bucyant ard fresh tho it seems
to grow cid.
Is q heart forever young.
he late James Spurge,n was 4 very
thrifty mar. His estate was vaiue1
about S2nuO<0 Charles IL. Sturgeon
had not cne-iourtl, as nincil property.
DR.. James Sturgeon LETT I'll his pro
perty to his WIDOW.