The Abbeville Banner

Old Age.—It is pleasant to look upon those whom old age has furrowed with many years. They tell us of lives well spent, when in addition to years the ruddyness of health still lingers, loth to depart, upon the shrunken cheeks.

Old age is the Alpine height of life, from which the soul looks down through the long vista of the past upon deeds that have added to the happiness of the race.

The good man who has seen the sun rise and set upon his generation, and who is ready with patriarch hand to bless the world, and smiling, bid it good night forever, is a noble monument to look at.

Rarely do men of turbulent souls live that period when they can say we have embraced Old Age; and are thence prepared to go willingly to the silent chambers of the dead, there to prepare themselves for that journey into the unknown regions of eternity which all must take.

Only the good grow old. It is only they who, loving truth—who, having rested confidingly upon lofty assurances and holy purposes, gradually pass from stage to stage in Life's great journey—enjoy what may be truly called a "sweet old age"—an age that is full of honor and glory.

We all respect the aged. No one, however uncouth his nature, but feels in the presence of the snow-crowned patriarch as if there were something of Heaven near unto him. Such a one knows that one life at least has been well spent—that a soldier, full of honor, has retired from the battle of the world, and is now calmly awaiting the hour when he shall be summoned to his reward; and that, when he does depart, there are those who will not soon forget his place even in the narrow circle in which for the last time he saw the sun, so typical of his career, go down forever.

Remarking upon sweet old age, a writer has well said, "God sometimes give to man guiltless and holy second childhood, in which the soul becomes childlike, not childish—and the faculties, in full fruit and ripeness, are mellow, without sign of decay. This is that fought-for land of Beulah, where they who have travelled manfully the Christian way, abide awhile, to show the world a perfect manhood. Life, with its battles and its sorrows, lies far behind them; the soul has thrown off its armor, and sits in an evening undress of calm and holy leisure. Thrice blessed the family that numbers among it one of those not yet ascended saints! Gentle are they and tolerant, and apt to play with little children, easy to be pleased with little pleasures."