ANOTHER thing about old age, of which we become increasingly conscious with the passing of the years, is ITS LIMITATIONS.
You are no longer equal to the tasks which once you undertook with ease. The eye may be dim, the ear dull, the breath short, the heart faint, the hand unsteady, and the golden bowl of life almost broken. And because these things are in contrast with the long day of usefulness which you enjoyed, you are inclined to be despondent; you feel that you are a burden to others, and that you are in their way. Dr. Robert Horton, who, in the zenith of his power, could hold the multitudes spellbound by the magic of his eloquence, suffered in his later years from this very feeling. Churches did not want his services, publishers did not want his manuscripts, people did not ask for his counsel.
“Yet if we accept our lot with a quiet patience, not chafing against it, we may find that it is not without its compensations. Indeed, acceptance itself may bring peace. I was talking the other day with a friend about a man whose failing health had compelled him, with much reluctance, to resign an important charge. He began to mend from the day he made up his mind that he could go on no longer. The same holds good where no question of bodily health is involved. A man discovers one day that his mind has lost its old elasticity; that it is no longer equal to the tasks laid upon it; and that those who came after him are being preferred before him. Fretful impatience cannot alter the facts, although it may murder his own peace of mind. Let him accept them as the will of God for him; then all the bitterness goes."
You remember Madam Guyon's wonderful words?
“Thou sweet beloved will of God,
My anchor ground, my fortress hill,
My spirit's silent, fair abode,
In Thee I hide me, and am still.
“Within this place of certain good,
Love evermore expands her wings,
Or nestling in Thy perfect choice,
Abides content with what it brings.
“O lightest burden, sweetest yoke!
It lifts, it bears my happy soul,
It giveth wings to this poor heart;
My freedom is Thy grand control.
“Upon God's will I lay me down,
As child upon its mother's breast;
No silken couch, nor softest bed,
Could ever give me such deep rest.
“Thy wonderful, grand will, my God,
With triumph now I make it mine;
And faith shall cry a joyous ' Yes'
To every dear command of Thine."
There is one other thing I would touch on now, because I find many old comrades—men and women—distressed by it, and that is, failure of memory. Although they have been readers of the Bible all their lives, they frequently find it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to recall the sacred words which they love so well. For such I am going to quote from a widely read magazine, words which have a distinct message of cheer. Dr. White, the editor of The King's Business, tells how, as a young preacher, he received one morning a message saying: “Father Junkins is dying, and he wants to see you, Pastor." The dying man was 87 years of age, and the outstanding Christian of the village. With fear and trembling God's servant went to the old man, praying as he did so: “O God give me a message for this dying saint." When he entered the sick chamber, the dear aged believer said: “Oh, Pastor, I am dying. For years I have been feasting on the promises of God; but this morning when I woke up I could not remember one of them. What shall I do?" "Then," said the Doctor, "God gave me an answer, on which, after visiting the bedsides of scores of dying saints during forty years, I cannot improve. I said to him: 'Father Junkins, do you think that God will forget any of His promises?’ I shall always remember the sweet smile that came over the face of the old saint as he looked up at me. ‘Praise God,' he said, 'that is wonderful. He will remember them, won't He?’ Promise after promise was quoted to him, and presently he said: ‘I'm tired. I'll just fall asleep and trust Him to remember His precious promises to me.' In a few hours he had gone Home to be with the Promiser."
Listen to some words of One Who never forgets. Of the past He says of His people: “I took them by the hand” (Heb. 8:99Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (Hebrews 8:9)); of the present: “I the Lord will hold thine hand” (Isa. 42:66I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; (Isaiah 42:6)); and of the future: “I will never, never, let go your hand” (Heb. 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5), Weymouth). And listen, too, to one of those beautiful poems with which my old friend, James Danson Smith, has enriched the Church and the people of God:
“When from my life the old-time joys have vanished—
Treasures, once mine, I may no longer claim,
This truth may feed my hungry heart, and famished—
Lord, Thou REMAINEST Thou art still the same!
"When streams have dried, those streams of glad refreshing—
Friendships so blest, so pure, so rich, so free;
When sun-kissed skies give place to clouds depressing-
Lord, THOU REMAINEST, still my heart hath THEE.
“When strength hath failed, and feet, now worn and weary,
On gladsome errands may no longer go,
Why should I sigh, or let the days be dreary?
Lord, THOU REMAINEST Couldst Thou more bestow?
"Thus through life's days—whoe'er or what may fail me—
Friends, friendships, joys—in small or great degree—
Songs may be mine-no sadness need assail me,
Since, THOU REMAINEST, and my heart hath THEE."
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."