The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-09-10
WHEN DIES OLD ACE BEGIN?
Depends on the Physical,
Mental and Moral Qualities.
The "ChIorofOrm'' Period Varies-Ex-
amples Drawn History-The Dissat-
isfied Man I'm Heaven-The Soldiers
Ruse That Didn't Work.
For the Messenger .

kuSG 1UdI DlQH L "O4A"
For the Messenger.
Last scene Of all.
Is second childness and mere obli-
tory,
Is second childishness and mere obli-
WON:
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans
everything
A recent contributor to The Char
lotte Observer speculates as to the log
ical beginning of DR.. Osler's "chloro-
form age and concludes that almost
everything depends on the physical,
mental and moral qualities-some men
being already old at so years, and
others bright, alert and not past their
usefulness at 80 years.
Too many people enter in life in the
vigor of manhood or the flush of wo-
manhood with the foregOne conclusion
that they are to brace themselves up
for an agonizing struggle, a strenuous
grapple, with the world and the worlds
concerns, until the end comes, and they
drop in harness. Martha, Martha,
thou art careful and troubled about
many things" An abiding trust in
the Creator, and an unquestioning
faith that he made life a good thing,
which he will wisely and mercifully
order to His own glory and to the good
Of His creatures, not only fOrtify the
heart and elevate the soul for the duties
and responsibilities of every condition
of man but preserves physical health
and, like a we'll cared for piece Of DEL
icate machinery, carry the body On to
a great age, comparatively sound and
unharmed.
An intelligent opoimism and a
determination not to worry are the
true eliXirs of life.
Then let the wide world wag as it
will,
Well be gay and happy still
AS Ella Wheeler Wilcox wrote:
Laugh and the world laughs with
you;
Weep and it passes you by
| know mother in Israel" who is
nearly 80 years old, who reads and
knits and receives her children, grand
children and great grandchildren
around the family hearthstone; who
l. ooI0o
down to sleep, putting her aged little
form into the arms of her Lord trust
fully, and rises early inthe morning
blessing Him. [ have known and been
close by this woman for more than
half a century, and I am certain that
l never heard her utter a complaint
(though much rain has fallen into
her christian life); I never heard her
speak bitterly, or uncharitably of even
the lowliest of humankind
Providence and fortune seem to
shape mems lives, and to direct their
growth and development, according to
the work which they have to do in
this world. Alexander the Great;
Hannibal; Caesar; Tamerlane; Gusta-
vus Adolphus, the Lion or North
Charles XII Of Sweden; Napoleon,
sprang into the arena, full-armed and
panoplied, like Pallas from the brow
of mighty Jove; they conquered worlds
in their prime and passed off the stage
almost before their heads were gray.
On the other hand, Dandola, the
great DOge of Venice carried the sword
OF the warrior and the conqueror un-
til he had long passed four score years;
John Sobieski, king of Poland, and de-
liverer Of Vienna from the Turks, led
his army to battle from a litter to
which he was chained down by old age
and infirmity; Luxembourg, the great
marshal Of Louis XIV of France, won
more than one battle from the Prince
of Orange when he was an old man;
Schomberg was killed at the battle of
the Boyne, full of laurel-crowned years.
the trusted general of William III. of
England; Mahomet II, Sultan Of the
Turks found life not long enough for
his victories and his conquests. It
was this terrible warrior, who, amid
the broken walls, fallen temples and
ruins of Constantinople, mused:
''The spider hath woven in it's web In
her palaces.
And the owl hath sung its watch
note
In the towers of Afrasiab."
Now and then some prominent man
in public life falls by the way, or we
hear of another who has retired from
responsible post to recuperate-just
as Elihu Root, Secretary of State, has |
been doing health stunts on the farm
OF Muldoon, the well-known trainer. |
TOO much brain work." NERVOUS |
are the verdicts of the |
public. and yet the history of legis- |
atlon state-craft, diplomacy, and other |