-the grief that
er affections were
deceiving and ly.
uickly away, and
nt? And yet, you
n atom of her no-
hose lusts, are all
, her friends, one
youth, manifested
hose by whom she
ued with the spirit
1 now become her
quisitions of God.
ostle, "careth for
oly both in body
eth for the things

husband." The

more circumscrib e world; therefore

about the truths of

id pious exercises, ation of her devo

humane actions,

equire her assist ght create a dis

nows how to ob

the same oppor tial to avoid the ves by light and

on every occa

sion of the opposite sex; who surrender themselves to the gaieties and dissipations of life; and become notorious for their bigotry and prejudice, as if there was nothing else, more worthy, to engage their attention.

The unmarried female, who is advanced in years, if she would lead an exemplary life, will care only for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and mind. And in order to this, she will throw aside every foible. She will not be extravagant in her dress, nor propagate malicious or slanderous reports of others. She will be meek in

spirit, and like the poor widow, cheerfully cast her mite into the treasury. As far as her circumstances will permit, she will be charitable to the poor, without ostentation. The happiness of others will be her greatest care and concern. She will be as a guardian angel to the young and inexperienced, whose love and confidence she has obtained, and who may profit by her instructions. She will advise, comfort, assist, and in every way contribute to the welfare of her friends, and thus she will be prepared to enter into the joys of her Lord.

A serene, virtuous old age, is the ultimate desire heart. For the attainment of this are all our ca anxieties. Behold, at last, the old and venerable m is resting after the toils of a wearisome life. He i reaper in the evening, who leans upon his sheaf, a veys the wide field in which he has been pleasantly ed. His bodily strength is worn away; but still his and experience is of infinite value. His children su him with delight. When they were helpless he su them. Now they are busy in endeavouring to les troubles, whatever they may be, and to reward him parental kindness. The blooming girl and highyouth may be objects of admiration; but the silver of the old and decrepit man will inspire a feeling of rence that was before a stranger to our bosoms. T however humble, kings and princes have deligh do honor. Every where he receives a certain de respect; a deference which seems to be only due to his years.

The aged man looks back through the vista d which he has passed, as upon a varied and almost unr bered dream. He sees the storms which he buffeted manhood; and beyond them, the pleasing delights He forgets not the friends or associ

earlier years.

ate desire of every all our cares and nerable man, who life. He is like a This sheaf, and surpleasantly engag ut still his wisdom children surround lpless he supported uring to lessen his reward him for his and high-minded at the silvery locks a feeling of reve bosoms. To him, have delighted to certain degree of only due to one of

his youth, who now are slumbering in the quiet grave.
Like them his race will soon be at an end. Eternity seems
to be opening at his feet. The morning of his existence,
with all its glories, has passed away; the sun of life has
set, and every bright and radient hue is fading into a dim
and shadowy light, which darkness will soon envelope.
The dawn of an immortality bursts upon his view, and he
looks forward with ineffable rapture to the appointed time,
when his ransomed spirit will be numbered with the just
made perfect.

Every period of life has its joys. The burthen of years,
some have said, is wearisome and oppressive. To him
who is wicked and debased, it may be so; but far other-
wise to the christian. We have seen the father, old and
infirm, happy in the embrace of his children, even in the
depth of poverty. We too have seen the noble and weal-
thy in all their splendor and magnificence, who were full
of misery and despair. Old age says one, is weak and
imbecile. It is true, that the body may be worn out with
the labor of years; but there is an increase of strength
and power imparted to the mind. The fire and the im-
petuosity of youth, enervates the spirit more than all
other causes combined. The old as well as the young, inay
be dull, spiritless and ill-humoured; but it is entirely their
own fault.
The former may be gloomy, quarrelsome,
distrustful and avaricious; but these are the vicious incli-
nations and habits of early life, which have been encourag-
ed and matured in after years.

Men who are dissatisfied with their lot in the cams

1

ment of their career-men who suffer themselves t away with vanity and pride, will in old age, be inv peevish and fretful. If they have not accustomed selves to look with reverence upon those who are down with the weight of years; if they have not r their study to promote the happiness of their fellow they will finally experience the same want of attenti solicitude themselves.

It is a foolish but common belief, that old age, be so virtuous or honorable, is rendered miserable from stant apprehension of death, which necessarily m near at hand. Thus, in our short-sighted wisdom abuse the goodness and providence of God. How fe the number who pass the meridian of life. In the of all their hopes and expectations, they are suddenly off. The man of fourscore may outlive them all. we are all subject to the same doubt-the same uncer ty.

Why shouldst thou believe that the hope of a long will increase the happiness of thy youth? Here the dom of God is eminently displayed. He has diffused p and tranquility in the minds of the aged. Between t and the grave he has interposed a veil, so that they only contemplate a life of eternal glory. As their per tions are weakened, they think less of the things of earth. Their strength passes imperceptibly away; t grow more and more feeble; and at last their existenc terminated, like the rays of a dim and expiring lamp. are gone; but they felt not the terror-the agony, wh

emselves to be led ge, be invariably accustomed themse who are bowed have not made it heir fellow beings, ant of attention and

old age, be it ever serable from a conecessarily must be ghted wisdom, we

-od. How few are life. In the midst y are suddenly cut e them all. Then e same uncertain

ope of a long life

? Here the wishas diffused peace Between them

So that they can As their percep things of the ly away; they

eir existence is Lamp. They

startled them so fearfully in the days of their infancy or man-
hood. They would rather exclaim, with Simeon of old:
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, ac-
cording to thy word." Therefore, thou shouldst love and
venerate those who are sunken in years; and forget not
the divine command: “Thou shall rise up before the hoary
head, and honor the face of the old man.' They have
underwent severe toil-they have performed many good
actions; and now they deserve comfort and rest. Be then
to them kind, indulgent and forbearing. They will remain
with us but a short time: and who is so cruel as to grieve
them in the last moments of their existence?
Who is so

destitute of feeling as not to soothe their sorrows or light-
en the burthen of their afflictions?

Our veneration for old age is still holier and more praise-
worthy when it is manifested for relations or parents. We
thereby render the gratitude which we owe; we give back
the love which we have already received. He who refuses
the respect which is due to aged parents, or despises them
now they can no longer be of any service to him, is a mon-
ster in human shape, and justly the abhorrence of man-
kind.

Do not despise the aged; for one day thou mayest grow feeble thyself, and thy own locks be silvered with the touch of time. Then it will be like balm to thy spirit to receive that kindness and attention which thou hast shown to others. It will console thee to be a recipient of the indulgences of thy children. It will be to thee an inexpres

sible delight to find that they have followed the good