" Also

cease to do their work, "because they are few." those that look out at the windows," the optic nerves, which receive impressions through the medium of the different humours of the eye, "are darkened;" the humours becoming thick, flat, and turbid, are no longer capable of transmitting objects in that clear and distinct manner as formerly, so that the aged are as one that looketh out of a window in a dark night. "Then the doors are shut in the streets;" difficulties and obstructions attend all the passages of the body; and because "the sound of the grinding is low," because the teeth are either lost or rendered unserviceable, indigestion is induced with all its train of attending evils. The young and healthy sleep soundly, but the aged sleep with difficulty, and "rise up at the voice of the bird;" they slumber rather than sleep, and the chirping of a sparrow is sufficient to awake them. "The daughters of music are brought low;" the voice, that wonderful instrument, almost endless in the strength and variety of its tones, becomes feeble and tremulous; the spirits too, being less active than once they were, and the hearing dull, they are less affected by the powers of harmony, and merriment and pleasure are no more. Old age being inactive and helpless becomes "afraid of that which is high;" the steep and slippery path is viewed with apprehension because of feebleness, and when they walk out "fears" are "in the way," lest they should meet with some danger which they have neither strength to repel, nor agility to escape. The vigour of manhood has been superseded by feebleness, decrepitude, and imbecility; and these excite apprehension and terror at the appearance of difficulty or danger. Then "the almond tree" falls off. The hair begins to change, first grey, then white, and, like the almond tree, withers and falls away. Even the " grasshopper "becomes "a burden." The legs, once light and nimble to leap as the legs of that insect, and which used with ease to bear the burden of the

whole body, now become feeble and unable to sustain their own weight. And when the faculties thus fail, even "the desire fails." Persons thus advanced in age no longer delight in those things which formerly yielded enjoyment, and which are highly grateful and entertaining to others. The busy scenes of life are viewed as troublesome and oppressive, -the pursuits of gaiety and pleasure cease to interest,—the powers of enjoyment are paralyzed,-even conversation becomes wearisome. Such are the physical evils which come upon the aged, and prepare the way for the last and greatest evil, when "man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets."

Rarely is the decay of the human faculties a solitary affliction; in its train there are many other calamities, which greatly increase the feelings of desertion and desolation with which it is often connected. It is usually embittered by the recollection of many distressing bereavements. How bitter to the aged is the recollection that most of the friends and companions of their youth have been removed by the hand of death. One and another has been called away, until they are left almost solitary and alone in the midst of a new world; and of the multitudes with whom they have mingled in the journey of life, scarcely any remain to console them in their declining years, or to accompany them in the last stage of their journey. Their partners in the gay sports of childhood, and in the active pursuits of business, have gone to their long home. When their engaging appearance and amiable manners arise to their recollection, their heart is saddened by the thought that their beauty is consumed in the grave, and that to the world their accomplishments are lost for ever. Few are left to whom they can talk of the mercies or of the trials of former years. A new race has gradually risen up around them, by whom they are regarded with little interest, and with whom they have but little sympathy. The same sun

which shone upon them in the days of their youth still sheds its rays around them, but how different is its influence on their languid feelings and on their freezing blood. The same spring returns which in their early days renovated the face of nature, but how different does its influence appear to their dim eye, and amidst the sad impressions of their own decay. On many a scene once esteemed lovely and interesting they are disposed to write, "the glory is departed," for none appears decked with the charms which youthful fancy beheld in it.

How utterly forsaken and destitute are some of the aged: the loss of children to some, and the undutifulness of children to others, are calamities of the severest nature. Bitter is the pang which wrings the heart, when, instead of realizing the fond anticipations of earlier days, and receiving from a numerous family those kind, prompt, and affectionate attentions which mitigate the pains and soothe the sorrows of declining years, the aged see their children successively torn away by the relentless hand of death, until that hand has written them childless, nor left so much as one to minister to their wants, to smooth their dying pillow, or to close their eyes when they shall have finished their course. Or, what is still more painful to endure, when the aged see their children become perverse, ungrateful, and rebellious, and in the eager pursuit of low and degrading pleasures, or from a base and inhuman selfishness leave them to solitude, neglect, and suffering.

Poverty is a frequent accompaniment of old age. Heavy is the affliction when the decay of natural strength is associated with a diminution or an actual withdrawment of the necessary supplies of life; when the want of food and raiment is connected with the conviction, the painful conviction, that there is no power to labour for them as in days that are past. And how soon does neglect fall to the lot of him who hath waxed poor. Harrowing must be the conviction to a right

hearted man, that he is felt and complained of as a burden, and that the supply he is compelled by necessity to receive is given to him with reluctance. Seldom in such case do the soft tones of affection reach his ear; far more frequently is it assailed by the language of cold insensibility, or of stern reproach. Sad, indeed, is the condition of him who has to endure in his latter days the pressure of pain and multiplying infirmities, and, with the recollection of better days pressing upon his mind, has to struggle with poverty, neglect, and ingratitude. Such a termination of the journey of life, when viewed apart from religion, is cheerless and melancholy. Religion, which is the best companion of youth, is the only effectual support of the aged. It is that alone which can solve the difficulties that perplex the mind, when human life is viewed apart from a future state, and from the light which scripture supplies; and it is that alone which can remove the gloom and despondency so generally experienced when the aged are left to struggle with infirmity and desolation. How many by the hopes and influences of the ever blessed gospel have been rendered, not only patient and resigned, but even joyful. Their " hoary head" has been a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. Amidst the pressure of circumstances peculiarly discouraging they have exhibited a settled tranquillity of mind, a firm and unshaken confidence in God; a cheerful submission to the circumstances of their condition, not less beneficial to themselves than instructive to others. Suffer me, then, to place before the aged reader the duties and consolations which peculiarly belong to this advanced period of life. The foundation of all must be laid in those great principles of religion, "repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." Until then, you cannot possess a christian character, nor can you experience the supports and consolations connected with it. To all men, of every age, no enquiry can be so interesting and important as

that which relates to the grounds of their faith and hope in God, and of their expectation of future happiness. Many cherish a persuasion of their spiritual safety whose hope is a fearful delusion,-a dangerous presumption,—and has no sanction whatsoever in the word of God. To the aged, however, ready as they are, in the ordinary course of nature, to sink into the grave, it is of the greatest consequence that they should, without a moment's delay, solemnly and faithfully ask their own heart, whether they have repented of their sins, and believed in Christ with their hearts unto righteousness. Can you, my aged friend, look back upon the long period which divine forbearance has permitted you to live, and not perceive that you have been guilty of innumerable omissions and neglects of duty; of innumerable acts of positive transgression, in thought, word, and deed, against the divine majesty; and that your sins have been attended by many aggravating circumstances? Have you not impressed upon your mind the recollection of mercies abused, opportunities lost, talents misapplied, ordinances neglected, and warnings slighted; and do not these call for deep humiliation and heartfelt sorrow? True humility and contrition of spirit will lead you with much earnestness to implore the divine forgive. ness, and to rest your hope of obtaining it exclusively upon the atonement and mediation of the Redeemer. Remember that if you are a stranger to Christ, your saving acquaintance with him must be now or never. Every step brings you nearer not only to the grave but to the eternal gulf. Your present position is one unspeakably fearful, and its aspect can only be changed by an immediate, hearty, and unreserved application to the blood of sprinkling.

Mercy yet waits to be gracious; and it must be criminal and foolish in the highest degree, to delay for one moment the acceptance of its offers. You may be afraid to attempt this from fear and despair; but you thus question the sincerity