opening of all, which cast a colouring over his path, and gave a bias to his proceedings; with it are connected the energies of his youth, the achievements of his manhood, the success which has accompanied him, the reverses which have befallen him, the domestic trials which he has experienced, or the domestic happiness which he has enjoyed. But the reality of the scene has passed away. The place where the scene was enacted shall know it no more. Monumental memorials speak mournfully to him of early friendships and connections, and remind him that a similar tablet will soon be the parting memorial of himself to others. Time continues to evolve fresh objects of pursuit, fresh modes of enjoyment, and thereby to introduce new habits of thinking and of acting. With this altered scene he can neither sympathize nor act. A sense of this inability depresses his spirits, may possibly sour his temper, and leads to the inward feeling that all things are out of course.

These traits of mental infirmity, developing. themselves in language nearly allied to com.

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plaint, meet not unfrequently with an abrupt and disdainful rebuff, and inflict a wound upon those feelings from which old age, encompassed with increasing inabilities, ought to be shielded.

With what sympathizing compassion does charity cast her eye upon the object before her-old age ;-bodily and mentally, a wreck of what has been, receding from this life into an unchangeable eternity! The days are come wherein nature says, "I have no pleasure in them." The irremovable inability of joining, as heretofore, in scenes of lawful amusement, and in pursuits of active employment, charity intimates to be a part of that providential plan which is intended to wean from an attachment to this life, and to attract towards that which is unearthly and spiritual. But while she endeavours to keep heaven in view, she casts a ray of sunshine over the sphere which remains to old age upon earth; she suggests that if the capabilites of old age are narrowed, the wants are comparatively few, and those wants she liberally supplies. Old age begins to feel that the value of Christian love was never

so nearly brought home as now. A gracious providence is thankfully acknowledged; a Scriptural promise is felt to be fulfilled: "And even to hoar hairs, I am with thee." Light is sprung up out of darkness. Infirmities are daily felt. But Christian love, although she cannot restore strength, nor remove pain, can help towards the cultivation of habitual submission, and thus fit the shoulder to the yoke, and allay fretful irritation, and by this relief, imbue with a spirit to endure. The querulous complaint, which at times may be heard, interrupts not the continued assiduities of charity; and a feeling is by degrees produced in the mind of the sufferer, that all is done, which circumstances admit. Confidence in God's mercy and power is encouraged by the Scriptural promise that " they who trust in the Lord shall want no manner of thing which is good." These are the appliances of charity, to alleviate the infirmities and pains of old age.

Another prevalent feature of old age, is a monotony of thought on the trials which

encompass that stage of life. The cases are comparatively rare in which this train of thought is surmounted by brighter visions. The active employment of the household scene; the merriment of youth; the interruptions of children, disturb quietude, and aggravate the feelings. These exhibitions of the family scene can seldom be avoided; and the only way of relief, is to give to the thoughts a higher and more consoling direction. The resources of this life would entirely fail; for the impression of the past is as "vanity and vexation of spirit."

The remedy applied by charity, is the direct application of the blessings of the gospel of peace. The pardon offered to repentant sinners, the complete justification by the blood and righteousness of Christ, which faith may appropriate, the grace to help in every time of need, the privilege and duty of prayer, and the assurance of an answer, these are the remedies applied to raise old age above itself, and to infuse a spirit of resignation, and cheerfulness, and joy in the Holy Ghost, where

dissatisfaction, and murmuring, and depression may have prevailed. The sufferer is assured that sympathy is at hand, and that "in all our afflictions, Christ is afflicted, and that the angel of His presence comforts us." In numberless instances, old age is revivified. The blessings of another world are brought near; the spirit within anticipates them. The conquest is gained; and the song of grateful triumph breaks forth, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen : for the things which are seen, are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal."

Obstinacy, or a blind adherence to certain opinions and pursuits, with a determination not to review the grounds of that adherence, is another feature of fallen humanity. It is a feature, on many accounts, calculated to perplex and irritate others; it presents an imperfect exhibition of the rational man; it is continually accompanied with a resolute