The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-03

Ess Essa asf t51si s Beautiful andsat-
|tactf f5e "a much of it in hase
0gang ere 80 much in
w eAss y d ttiz talk it up. The
Hsthe home seek to
I, i 4; Ana bring it into. SER
ore tfSf jiti Is, u needed. But,
ESl & El1} = fhgfe Is something that is
|sqs&fy, sn0t more, ~ impressive and
r,Sd6tew orthy. It. issthe hoary head
croWnsd NTH Righteousness. This is
! the fipes ffditage of Christian princi-
It is the demonstration of life
| long fdely to truth, virtue and grace.
Hmeans battle fought and victories
wGn.t 1t is theYresultant5of promises
pUtsto the test under ever-varylDg con-
ditions. 1t is the consummation of q
vitalizing and sustaining force. The
form may he bowed, thestep tottering,
the voice quavering, the eye dim and
the face Wrins led ;;Sbut the beart-fs
warm, the soul, pure,~the faith un-
daunted, and The hope radiant. The
marks Of Conflict may be visible, but
The power of Nietorious grace is seen
Ion eysSysfde. The vivacity may have
departed, but the scalmness of spirit
and the Joy ofSconidenoe appear in
word and act. qti ~ ~ ......
Aged Christians or experienced
saints, are the abiding monuments of
God'ssfidelity to His covenant. When
they first5gave ttgar hearts to Him He
leave nor forsake them. They took
Him at His word, and went forward in
duty trustfngly and hopefully, and
amidst all vicissitudes He has shown
Himself faithful to His engagements,
and, as the result, they sing His prafse
.and.laud HI name. He might have
taken them to glor' II, ripening man.
:h0od, or beSoz1 rhysioal infirmities ap-
Epeared, but ti'en the world would have,
iaafsthe sight and advantage of His
Rled and multiplying support un-
G6nstantly changing circumstan. :.
ces, as well as tho testimony which
thoss who, have come to know Him
t.si, ant; who have tested Him often.
est, are able to give. They have a
long life of usefulness back, of their
witnls bearing, which4 Neither he,
nor mankind, can afford To lose. Paul
called attIht ton to Manson, 1he' aged
disciple" in his day. Thefe was a
beautiful, touching and potent grace
about him, ard his life and character
were in themselves ermon. He was,
entitled to apostolic mention and
commendation. His presence was q
benediction. He was to be recognized
as ripe product of Gods mercy and
love. ze
The Church is rich in fine specimens
Of aged pity. They are found in all
our older congregations. In some Of
them they are more numerous than in
others, but wherever found they are to
be esteemed and honored. They$are
not to be ignored, nor set aside as USE
less. They are not to be crowded out
of any service which they may be able
to render. Their counsel is valuable.
Their experience is precious in God 8
sight, and ought to be with all who see
with his eyes and seek to fall in line
With his purpose. He has left them
behind other pilgrims who started
with them toward the goodly land, to
be his landmarks for human guidance,
and to be witnesses to His perpetual
ing grace until the longest periods OF
human existence. Some of them, it is
true, may not be able to say or to 10
mach actively for Him. but they are
not dead wood in His Church. They
have historoy that means much for
the h,me and for the community-for
God and for man. They have power
with God that brings many blessing
to the living. Yheion is not yet
ended, and will not be. n1Ql God calls
them tos their reward. 'hey may
desire q }badly release, and some per
sons. who lack proper appreciation
Of what they are, and havet beep, may
think that the sooner they&are taken
Ito glory; the better for them and fol
others; but the Master, whosmakes no
|Smistake, has still need foT them on
earthsand wants them to I'D contented
to abide His will, and others to take
proper acknowledge of them hnd obtian
1.-THE inspiration which theit patience
resignation, fortituie and faith are
calculated to communicated