And

example, and thought it worthy of imitation. aged and beloved christians-who may feel a cons ness of the wisdom and piety which you have aco in your trials and difficulties through life-you s furnish to the young and rising generation, an eviden your resignation and fortitude in every calamity. must be unto them advisers and friends. But do not them the little joys and pastimes to which their yout title them. Weary them not with contrasts betwee present and former times; nor deprecate the want of rality in one, and extol the virtues of the other. Reme that society may undergo many changes without al hav Do not think, because you being for the worse. all taste for amusement, that they must necessarily take of a similar disposition. Censure them not to verely for every trivial offence; but make allow for their thoughtlessness and inexperience. Thus, will obtain their confidence and affection, and when yo summoned to the enjoyment of unmingled happines yond the grave, they will separate from you with t their prayers will accompany you to the throne o Eternal; and you will still continue to live in their

Almighty Father! to me thy will is unknown. I
not tell when it may please thee to call me away; wh
or not until I am trem

in the strength of my years,
with the infirmities of age.

Always will I be prepa

and if my life should be prolonged, I will endeavo

THE ART OF REACHING AN OLD AG

There are but few men who do not wish to liv old age. To be sure, there are some exceptions, bu these, although they apparently evince but little death, are willing to defer the moment of dissolu the latest possible period. When they grow old, th not acknowledge their gradual decay, and often fanc they still possess the strength and ardor of youth.

The love of life is a primary law of our nature operates upon all created beings the same. There are ever, some instances to the contrary; men who grow of existence from various causes; and suffer their mi become disordered and confused in a thousand dif ways; some through despair and fanaticism; othe account of bodily infirmities, or disappointment in the cipation of renown; some one thing, and some ano but all attributable to a species of mental delirium. E deliberate and long premeditated suicide has its origin diseased and phrenzied brain.

In all ages there has been many wise maxims in rel to the art of prolonging life. The prevailing and en sing desire to keep death as far in the distance as poss has led men into the most absurd and ridiculous ha

HOURS OF DEVOTION.

LD AGE.

sh to live to an tions, but even ut little fear of

of dissolution to

w old, they will
ften fancy that
outh.

r nature; and
here are, how.
ho grow weary
their minds to
sand different

sm; others on
t in the anti-

me another;
um. Even a
s origin in a

s in relation

and engrose as possible,

159

That simple and invaluable precept-to be temperate in all
things, they entirely overlook, and have recourse to some
secret and infallible nostrum, that probably, has acquired a
reputation for the certain cure of every malady peculiar
to the human race. But all precautions are useless that
are not in conformity with the plain and unerring dictates
of nature and common sense. And even then we have no
certainty of realizing our hopes; although we need not
diminish them by intemperance and debauchery. Man,
like a plant, has a certain duration allotted to him, beyond
which he can never pass; and if he would not prematurely
decay, he must avoid all excesses in early life.

Why do we desire so eagerly to prolong our existence? Is it that we believe there is any contentment or happiness in old age? Look at the men who are stricken in years, and observe how they struggle with their infirmities; how they have fallen a burthen to themselves and others. Their sense of enjoyment is deadened, and the world has no longer for them any charms. In what does their pleasures consist? They love to recount the delights of their youth, and think that then every thing was infinitely better than at present. They are gloomy and desponding; and there is nothing which does not appear to them unpleasing or irksome. There may be some of a contrary disposition; but it is seldom that we find old persons possessing that warmth of feeling, that generous love, or that indulgence to the faults of others which were heretofore peculiar to them. All this, however, is entirely owing to

years, but thought not of preparing themselves f fulness and tranquility. He, therefore, who wish long, should faithfully consider how he may liv In the wane of life, we are deprived of so many of joy that sparkled and shed a lustre upon our yo we must devise some other means, whereby th brium of our happiness can be preserved. With our old age would only be a scene of constant tro vexation.

Happy is the man;" says Solomon, "that find dom. Length of days is in her right hand; her left hand riches and honor. Her ways a of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." E wisdom is only to be derived from pure and unde ligion-religion that purifies the soul, and takes av terrors of death-religion that makes us contente and inspires us with the hope of a glorious existen after.

Should I be permitted to reach an old age, it wil own fault if I am unhappy. I will not desire one out endeavouring to avoid the other. To the first fore, all my efforts shall tend, nor can I begin my p tions too soon. We sow in the spring what we ex harvest in the autumn. We will never want if frugal in the days of plenty.

Contentment in old age, depends not upon th alone, but also upon the proper management and co of the body. It is the foundation upon which ris structure of human happiness. The preservation.