A Word to Aged Pilgrims
By E. Hilliard
THE aged pilgrim whose faith has been in daily exercise along the journey of life, is better prepared to meet trials and temptations than are those who begin the Christian life in advanced years. But the latter class can thank God and take courage when they remember the cheering promise, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” The outward man may become feeble; but living faith connects the inward man with divine power, and the spiritual life is renewed. The deterioration of the mental powers may weaken the memory; but the Lord has promised in the hour of trial, through the aid of the Comforter—the Holy Spirit—to bring all things whatsoever He has said, to our remembrance. John 14: 26. He knows our weakness. He remembers that our frames are but dust. He sees the feeble step, from which the elasticity of youth has disappeared; and He pities the trembling form. But He also knows His power to strengthen, and His wisdom to guide. He brought the greatest test upon Abraham when his form was bowed with the weight of years. The patriarch was told to offer his only son upon the altar of burnt offerings. Isaac was his great dependence in the affairs of life, and the father’s affection was centered in him. Abraham fully understood the heart-piercing command to offer his beloved boy for a burnt offering. He could not plead an acceptable substitute for implicit obedience. The demand was imperative. The faith of the aged pilgrim responded to the infinite call, and all ended well. Because of that father’s fidelity, careworn and aged Christians of subsequent generations have been encouraged to trust in the patriarch’s God. Not only Abraham was tested in advanced life, but the apostle Peter experienced his severest test when old. Christ said to him: “When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake He, signifying by what death he should glorify God.” John 21: 18, 19. When enfeebled with age, the apostle Peter was taken to the cross, and, it is affirmed, was248crucified with his head downward. This was by his own request. He declared himself unworthy to suffer in the same posture as did his Lord, because of his denial of Him at the crucifixion. As the eyes dim with age, and the form totters with the burden of years, the feeble ones should lean more heavily upon the divine arm that supported the patriarch Abraham and the apostle Peter, and with David pray to God, “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.”