The Washington times., 1901-10-28
AN OLD FOLKS CELEBRATION.
A Unique and Interesting Service at
Wilson Memorial Church.

"Old Folks Day was observed yester-
day at the Wilson Memorial Church.
Eleventh Street, between G and / Streets
southeast. with beautiful services In the
presence of a large congregation. Men
and women, old in years, and too feeble
to come to the services on foot. had been
brought to the church in carriages. and
Joy beamed from their wrinkled but kindly
faces when the old familiar hymns again
reached their ears, reminding them Of
their days Of youth. The services which
consisted of prayers, the sermon, singing
by the congregation. and giving Of tesu-
mony by the old folks" was beautiful
in its simplicity. When the trials Of life
were recited by some Of the old folks,
following their testimony of happiness
and contentment, there was evidence Of
general sympa thy for the old people.
The Rev. 4. II. Thompson. pastor Of the
church, led the devotional exercises and
took for the text of his sermon Proverbs
XVIII: The hoary head is a crown Of
glory, II 1t be found in the way of right
eousness.' in the course OF his sermon
the Rev Mr.. Thompson said. There
are not very many old folks in this town;
they are all so vigorous. And their yigor
in old age is a proof of their pure and
honest lives. But there is nothing that
people try TO hide 50 much as old age.
The women make every effort TO keep
away ugly crows feet Then. there are
many men who dye their hair as soon
as the first grey streak makes its appear
ance; they also want TO keep young as
long as possible; they do everything to
keep old age at a distance. I know that
old people. when they are sixty or sew
enty years old, complain that they can
not run around as they used to when
they were young. But old age is inevi-
table; 1t is no disgrace, except when you
have grown grey In sin. In that case
your whole life has been lost. The hoary
head is crown Of glory. If il be found
In the way Of righteousness
If man has line ply ique and shows
that every muscle has been developed, he
is an athlete in body; and If a man pos
sesses a fine Christian character at sixty
and seventy it shows that he Is a Chris
tan athlete. We must train the muscles
Of our heart as well as those Of our body
Both should be perfect, and accomplished.
and pleasing to God. But no man can live
to old age and preserve his Christian in
tegrity without fight. And that man
who. in his old age has preserved his
Christianity, has subdued a beast The
moral cOuquerOr is the greatest con-
querOr of all. OF course sometimes we
slip on the thin ice Of sin and fan on the
banana peels which the devil has thrown
in our pathway. but we must arise and
be careful not TO slip again
The hoary head speaks of the fidelity
and sustained praise Of God. Ye who are
s!Septical about Gods ability to save you.
look upon your own dear mother and
grandmother, who have been sustained
by the grace of God. and are monuments
OF divine grace. The hOary head in the
of ,ify yinf
Just as long as its life has been
The sermon made a deep impression
on the congregation and shouts of Halle
Iujah" aud Of Praise the Lord" were
then gave their testimonials of experience
in their private and religious lives. amid
a display Of deep religious enthusiasm on
all sides.