OLD AGE by Eliza H. Morton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 16, 1878

OLD AGE.

By Eliza H. Morton

The child desires to be a man, and the man longs to be a child. Why is this? The answer is found in the fact that future life looks pleasant and full of ungathered joy to the inexperienced eyes of youth, but as time marches on, care, trouble, sorrow, and death wring the heart with anguish and cause the head to throb with pain; then the man yearns for the free, joyous days of youth and would fain travel backwards over the road of life.

Old age is not earnestly desired; for it is heart-wearied and tempest-torn, and its shadow falls upon the grave. White locks, dim eyes, and trembling limbs are not welcome visitors; yet time rolls on, and the solemn march of years is the onward tread of old age.

This mortal frame is subject to decay, but the heart can be kept always young. The fountain of sympathy and happiness need not be chilled by the hand of time, and old age can be “clearer than the noonday.” The aged have reason to rejoice, for old age is not forever. There is a time coming when the righteous will return to the days of their youth, the faded cheek will glow with health, the wrinkled flesh become fair and fresh, the dimmed eye sparkle with new luster, and the whole frame glow and thrill with immortal beauty and vigor.

O man in the evening of life, take courage! “Thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s,” and the life to come will never grow old. ELIZA H. MORTON.

Allen’s Corner, Me.