p. 14 | HOME AND FIRESIDE by J. N. Loughborough

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 13, 1912

HOME AND FIRESIDE

By J. N. Loughborough

Young Old Age

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Ps. 90:10.

HE first part of this text was verified in David's life, as he reached the threescore and ten mark; for "David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years." 2 Sam. 5:4. He experienced, also, in the continuance of his life beyond seventy, the statement of the last part of this scripture: "Now King David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat." 1 Kings 1:1.

Some Long-Lived Ancients

When we examine the Bible record of men's lives, even in the same period of the world's history, we note quite a difference in their ages. When Jacob was asked by Pharaoh, "How old art thou?" he replied, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage." Gen. 47:8, 9. This is apparent from the record of their demise. "These are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years [175]." Gen. 25:7. "And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years [180]." Gen. 35:28. Of him it was said he was "old and full of days." Verse 29. "And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years." Gen. 47:28. The last seventeen years of peace added to his life.

Looking still further down the stream of time, we have other remarkable cases of longevity. "And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." Deut. 34:7. "Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old." Joshua 24:29. And Caleb, when he made application for the privilege of taking possession of his inheritance, said: "I am this day fourscore and five years old [85]. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now." Joshua 14:10, 11.

Wonderfully Made

David, when speaking of the Lord's doings, said, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Ps. 139:14. One celebrated writer of the past century, contemplating the same, said, of the life of mankind, it was wonderful that "a harp of a thousand strings should keep in tune so long." The actual appearance of age in individuals is not always indicated by the number of years they have lived. David said, "Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days." Ps. 55:23. This shows that the manner of one's life has a great bearing on the length of the same. Physicians tell us that "age in reality is not indicated by the number of years that a man has lived, but in the condition of his blood-vessels, and his thyroid gland, and his liver. A man at sixty may be younger than one at forty if his arteries are soft and his thyroid gland working properly."

— George Thomason, M.D., lecture at Boston, Massachusetts, November 16, 1911.

To Those Advancing in Years

This statement shows the importance, to those advancing in years, of taking a reasonable amount of daily physical exercise, to promote blood circulation and prevent the arteries from too rapid shrinkage. Elderly persons who conclude that their days are about numbered, and who sit in the chimney-corner inactive and melancholy, do not long survive such treatment of their bodies. Not only is it well to favor an active life, but as has been well expressed, "It is a grand thing to grow old gracefully." That is, to maintain a cheerful, hopeful, calm state of mind. As expressed by another: "Sickness of the mind prevails everywhere. Nine tenths of the diseases from which men suffer have their foundation here. Perhaps some living home trouble is like a canker eating to the very soul, and weakening the life forces."

— Mrs. E. G. White, in "Testimonies," No. 32.

Again, "God is our refuge in sickness as in health; but many do not leave their cases with Him; they encourage weakness and disease by worrying about themselves."

— Ibid.

Pastor John N. Loughborough, 80 years young, and still in the service

Solomon must have thought of the bearing of the mind upon the bodily condition when he wrote, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Prov. 16:24. And, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Prov. 17:22. With this we may couple some of the grand instruction given through the prophet Isaiah and the apostle Paul. "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." Isa. 30:15. "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6, 7. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19.

There is a heart that feels, a hand we can not see. We have always been provided for, and we shall always be.

The Effect of Worry

It is truthfully said, "It is worry that kills, instead of work." "The continual worry is wearing out the life forces. Our Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke of bondage. He invites them to accept of His yoke. He says, 'My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.' Worry is blind, and can not discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. 'No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.'"

— "Healthful Living," page 43. When trials come, do not worry about them, but rather sing:

Afflictions may press me, they can not destroy; One glimpse of His love turns them all into joy. And the bitterest tears, if He smile but on them, Like dew in the sunshine, grow diamond and gem.

We will note one more case of longevity. It is that of Barzillai, who met David on his return from the rebellion of Absalom. "Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim [see 2 Sam. 17:27]; for he was a very great man." King David invited him to come with him to Jerusalem, and eat the rest of his life at the king's table. Barzillai replied: "I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women?" 2 Sam. 19:32, 35.

Now Fourscore

Like Barzillai I can say, "I am this day [January 26, 1912] fourscore years old." But I do not say, as did he, that sight, taste, and hearing have failed; but, thank the Lord, He has preserved these faculties for me. With peace, joy, and quiet trust in the Lord, I still follow the lines of health culture that tend to longevity. On January 22 Dr. Thomason declared that my arteries are "still soft." It is a joy to me, in this interesting time of the rapid spread of the third angel's message, which I have now proclaimed for nearly sixty years, to have strength still to take some humble part in the work.