Ministering to the Aged by MRS. J. C. BROWER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 3, 1907

Ministering to the Aged.

By MRS. J. C. BROWER

MRS. J. C. BROWER

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these . . . ye have done it unto me.”

In a little Seventh-day Adventist church in one of our Central States, the church-members were, at one time, in considerable perplexity concerning their duty in caring for an aged and infirm sister. For years she had lived among them a godly, humble life; but now, widowed, childless, and poor, she sat at their gate, as it were, begging the crumbs.

At last the home of a man and his wife was opened for her. They were young and able to work, but were, like herself, childless and poor. With her advent into the home the morning and evening worship became seasons of revival and blessing. In the morning, though suffering from a severe fracture of the wrist, she arose with praises to God upon her lips. During the day, after finishing her allotted mite in the household duties, it was her delight to read aloud from, “Life Sketches” or “Rise and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists,” to the other members of the family, as they worked. And with tears of joy, or expressions of pleasure, she would relate some of her own experiences in the message, which, for over forty years, she had believed and loved. At other times, as she sat, fresh from the bath, in her clean, oft-mended clothes, rocking and knitting in the sunny sitting-room, there seemed to be holy influences nigh as she hummed some soul-stirring hymn. To some of those who ministered, the memory of these occasions is almost hallowed, and they can truly say, “The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.”

In another home one of our ministers, aged and alone, found a welcome. And only in the world to come, when results are made known, will he ever know the blessing and peace his godly life, his wise counsel, and his seasons of prayer alone with God, brought into the life of at least one inmate of that home.

It is worth while, friends, to minister to the aged. We must exercise sympathy, forbearance, and self-sacrificing love, but is it not for our highest good to develop such traits of character? The presence of their attending angels brings health, peace, and joy into the home. Thus, while ministering to others, we receive a double ministry.

Arecibo, Porto Rico.