The Disillusionment of Political Life
Disillusionment sums up Lord Rosebery's experience of political life. Speaking at a banquet given in honor of his son, he said: “My son is, I think, twenty-six. He has probably the opinions I entertained at twenty-six. He has all the generous enthusiasm, high faith, noble ardor, and belief in the accomplishment of much good by legislation which prevail at the age of twenty-six. I hope he may long retain those characteristics, but reverse those figures. At sixty-two you have seen many illusions disappear; your hope and belief in the power of legislation to effect much are apt to shrink, and your politics partake rather of autumn than spring.” It is a saddening experience to realize that life and its opportunities are almost passed away, and that one has spent his energies to little real profit. But every plan that does not look beyond the present life, will end thus in disappointment. “The world passeth away, and the desire thereof.” Unless we lay hold of eternal life in the years granted us, our days will be spent to little purpose.—The Present Truth.