p. 10 | RESPECT FOR THE AGED by M. C. DuBois

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 10, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 28.

RESPECT FOR THE AGED.

By M. C. DuBois

Not long since I read the following beautiful little story, which I wish to repeat. A private letter from a lady who was spending some time among the peasants of Tyrol said:—

“The morning after our arrival we were awakened by the sound of violin and flutes under the window, and hurrying down, found the little house adorned as for a feast—garlands over the door and wreathing a high chair which was set in state.

“The table was already covered with gifts brought by the young people whose music we had heard.

“The whole neighborhood were kinsfolks, and these gifts came from uncles, aunts, and cousins in every far-off degree. They were very simple, for the donors are poor—knitted gloves, a shawl, baskets of flowers, jars of fruit, loaves of bread, but upon all some little message of love was pinned. ‘Is there a bride in this house?’ I asked my landlady.

“‘Ach nein!’ she said. ‘We do not make such doings for our young people. It is the grandmother’s birthday.’

“The grandmother, in her spectacles, white apron, and high velvet cap, was a queen all day, sitting in state to receive visits, and deal out slices from a loaf of sweet bread to each who came. I could not but remember certain grandmothers at home, just as much loved as she, probably, but whose dull sad lives were never brightened by such tokens as these, and I thought we could learn much from these poor mountaineers.”

Yes, indeed. Let us each learn a lesson from this peasant custom. In this age of rush and hurry, we are apt to forget these delicate tender attentions to the aged. If their general wants are supplied, we feel our duty is done. We leave the old folks to entertain themselves. We may think because grandpa and grandma are old, they care for naught outside their room. This, I think, is a mistake. True, the great, busy, outside world is fast fading from their view. They are, in a certain sense, no longer a part of it. They no longer stand upon life’s busy highway. They can not take their place in life’s hardest battles. No, they are now on the retired list, as it were; but do not for a moment think they have lost all interest in the great outside world.

This is a thoughtless age, too. The old people are often crowded and pushed aside. Too often they are neglected and treated with cold indifference, and made to feel they are a burden in the home, the church, the community. This ought not so to be. The aged should command our heartfelt sympathy, our tenderest care. We should treat them with kindness and love, and see that every want is supplied, so far as in us lies, not only physical but intellectual and spiritual also.

I once knew a man who made no profession of religion, who opened his fine home to prayer-meetings, that his aged father, nearly one hundred years old, might enjoy the society of the praying people in that community.

Old people often experience a loneliness the young are strangers to. Especially is this the case if the partner of early life is gone, and the aged husband or wife is left alone. Perhaps not one friend of their early life is left with whom they may speak of events which transpired in their younger days; and a feeling of loneliness comes over them which can be realized only by those who have experienced it. Their eyes may have become dim, so that it is hard for them to read; their hands palsied, so that they can no longer work; their feet feeble, so they can not walk. True, such may sit in an easy chair in a warm corner; but unless something is also done to interest their mind, or their social wants are met, they will experience many lonely hours, much heart-hunger and yearning for companionship. Right here is where so many fail in their care of old people, having provided for their physical wants, some feel their whole duty is done.

Such provisions are right, and should be made to the extent of one’s means; but their temporal comforts are not all they need. If the aged ones are under your own roof, or in the home of your childhood, visit them as often as possible. Tell them of victories won for the truth of the Master. Tell bits of cheery news; speak of God’s loving-kindness over all; carry some little token of love to lay in their hands. Bring all the sunshine you can into their lives. If you are out, away from the dear old folks, write to them often, bright, cheering letters. Let them know you do not forget them. It will help to brighten their life wonderfully. Treat the aged, wherever you meet them, with tenderness and respect, whether they are your kin or not.

I know full well that all old people are not saints. Some are hard to get along with, are unreasonable and selfish, the same as are younger people. Nevertheless treat them with kind consideration. Love is more effectual than coldness and neglect. Treat them as you will wish you had, when called to render an account unto God.

Grand Ledge, Mich. MRS. M. C. DuBois.