The Delta independent., 1907-07-19
now TO ENJOY OLD AGE
NUMBER TWO
BY c. C. States.

l believe as some of US grow old we
lose much enjoyment by sort Of shut
ting ourselves up within ourselves and
dwelling on our infirmaties. thinking
we are no good in the world.
Several years ago when my boys
were attending the university we lived
in Boulder and the young people of our
church there asked my advice about or
ganizing literary society. l told them
properly managed l thought it fine
thing. recall nothing of those days
more restful than on returning home
from series of meetings to attend
their literary and be young once more.
believe if we old people desire to en-
joy old age we need to get among the
young people occasionally and cultivate
their association. don't mean by this
that we should make ourselves silly;
but what is more restful than, when
the mind is overcharged with any line
of work, to have an occasional let up
and have the mind diverted from the
usual channel?
Last fall as the long evenings came
and we were too far away to get to
town to attend the usual lectures, we
decided that we must have something
to help pass the long evenings, so we
got together and organized literary
society, taking up the study of Shakes
peare and holding our meetings once
week. While there were only few
who united, still we occasionally held
public meetings and we never lacked
all we could accommodate. know this
little diversion helped some Of US older
ones to. in way, forget our afiirmaties
and did US good.
have often thought of the Psalmist
entreating the Lord not to forsake him
when he should grow old, when his
strength failed him. presume David
saw that most of the old people around
him were unhappy, and that unhappy
traits of character increased especially
with age. II people are naturally close
and covetous they will be more SO as
they reach old age: if impatient, fret
full and jealous they will be much more
so as age increases. 1t is hard for US
to admit that our mental strength is
failing and so we are in danger Of TAX
ing care which belongs to our children
+ On the other hand, l believe much
unhappiness comes to old people by the
mistaken kindness of their children in
watching them and saying: ''You must
not do that, you are getting too old for
such work. One of the most valu-
able things an old person can have Is .
clear and active mind and that can only
be kept by constant use. Take any
| member of the human body and not
have it in use and it in time becomes
incapable Of doing its best. So it is
with the mind. We all admire Glad
stone. who served his country as prime
minister at the advanced age of eighty.
Why was he able to do this? 1t was be-
cause of his grit and determination not
too give up. His many years in hand
ling perplexing questions made his
counsel valuable to his country. 1t is
just so today with old people, whether
in national or church matters, their ex-
perience is valuable, and. while the
younger people will have to carry the
heavier burdens, still the counsel of
older ones will be of great service.
To enjoy old age We need to be care
full about worrying. We have all seen
old people who appeared to have COM
potency of this world, and yet worry
ing for fear they might come to want.
In this way they make themselves un-
happy through fear that they may
come to want. This is all a great mis-
take for l believe our last days might
IL l. lx,.>..:.4