We live in a time when there seems to be a tendency to discount old age. Some men of business are saying, “Let us retire from business at sixty, and give place to younger men.” Among the artisans a voice has said, “At forty-five crowd him out, and let another take his place.” Even in the church of Jesus Christ gray hairs are sometimes discounted, and some say, “At fifty let the man in the pulpit give place to a younger man.”
Now, old age, as it comes in the order of God, is a beautiful and majestic thing. The very shadows that dim life make it more beautiful if the peace of God encircles it. It stands for the wiser counsel of God among men. Most of Jehovah’s mighty prophets wore the visage of age. Years voice wisdom. So I come to say a word for the old people to-day. Wherever I go, I see them. Their bent form, wrinkled brow, gray hair, appear on the street, in the office, in the church, and in the home.
Let us note some things that have been done by old men:—
At seventy-five Abraham was called of God to go into a strange land and begin a new dispensation of faith. At eighty Moses was called to deliver a nation from bondage, and through him at eighty-one God gave the world the best law ever put upon record—the ten commandments. At seventy-eight Joshua became the successor of Moses, and led Israel into the promised land. Isaiah prophesied until he was eighty and eight years old. Simeon and Anna worshiped regularly in the temple after they were eighty, saw Christ there, and sang songs that we yet sing. St. John, at more than ninety, had visions of the King in his glory, and wrote for the learning of all nations.
Yes, God has a work for old people to do, and he has said that the hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness. God has put a premium on old age. Let us not despise it.
Most of us are too sensitive on the matter of age. The great master-roll of famous men looked not at years, but at work, and made their mark. They went on improving opportunities, using their strength in good service, and God made them great.
The ministry of age has more of heaven in it because there are more degrees of growth, more fillings of the spirit, more mellowings of love, more of the voicing of the word and Spirit of God.
Old people are a blessing to any community. Their large experience, their knowledge of days and years and of affairs give them a wisdom that is of more value than money.
Some things old people can not do so well as young people. They can not walk on ice so well, but they choose more readily a safer place to walk. They can not see so well for hand and foot, but they calculate results better. When a man reaches forty-five or fifty, his eyesight begins to fail him, and time must be taken to put on glasses; and then the focus is not that of a younger eye; at this point a younger man, other things being equal, will pass him, and therefore the employer will give the young man preference. When physical action and endurance are at a premium, youth always wins. But where counsel, wisdom in organizing and guiding, steady purpose, and deliberate aim are at a premium, age wins.
For soul work there is not a better qualification than age and experience. Old people are a conservative force which makes society more safe, institutions more stable, and life more secure. God makes no mistake in saying to youth, “Honor thy father and thy mother.”
Old people remind us that we, too, shall grow old, and the infirmities of age will be ours. If we disrespect old age, we shall soon come under the frown and scornful lip. Our own sins will find us out. The child that dishonors father and mother will be dishonored. The youth that is kind to the old will be attended by good angels.
And old people are a link uniting us to heaven. He who is the Ancient of days, the first and the last, whose hairs are as wool, as white as snow, and his eyes a flame of fire, is in heaven, and he is King of saints. Our mothers worship him. Our fathers bow to him. Through the prayers of the old we are helped. They are between us and God, and when they pray, we are blessed. And no one looks out and up and prays quite so much as the old pilgrims. No one leans so hard on the Everlasting Arms. No other is quite so intimate with the King on the throne.
Without the old people this world would lack all the wisdom that comes with age and experience; its better counsel would be lacking; its riper fruitage would be lost, and this life would be .