SERMON XXI.

RESPECT DUE TO OLD AGE.

To inspire man with regard for his fellow man, was unquestionably one of the principal purposes, which the coming of Jesus upon earth, the whole tenour of his life, and his death for all men, were designed to accomplish:-regard between man and man, one of the most natural and necessary consequences of genuine Christianity. God sent him, whom we reverence as his Son, for whom, to whom? for all, and to all, that bear the name of man. His birth was a joy, a benefit, which should be unto all people. Jesus lived, not in partial affection for his nation and country, but in affection for the whole race of his brethren. "Go ye into all the world," teach all the heathen, invite all to share in the enjoyment of my blessings. His blood flowed at Golgotha for the sins of the whole world. He saw that the Jew despised the Heathen and held him to be unclean. To him he was not unclean. The belief of the Centurion at Capernaum, or of the

Samaritan woman, received his approbation, as well as the belief of the Jew. He saw that the Jew despised the Heathen: but he caused light to be spread abroad from Judah over the globe; Jews became benefactors to the heathen, and are therefore honoured unto this day by all Christendom, which has been instructed by Jews. He saw that the high despised the low: but he preached the gospel to the poor, that they too might be enlightened, and participate in the universal benefit. He places a child in the midst of his disciples, and recommends to them the warmest regard for the rising generation. The true Christian must feel regard towards all mankind. To him all are brothers, children of his Father, the redeemed of his Redeemer, companions in his conflict, fellow heirs of his heaven. The unchristian man only can despise Lazarus because he is poor, or Peter, because he fell. The Christian sees in the heathen, in the beggar, in the deeply fallen sinner, the image of his God. He sees it more developed in one than in another, but he sees in all the image of his God. And when I respect all those, whom God has raised with me to the dignity of man, can I then overlook you, must I not especially distinguish you above all who are worthy of my respect, ye, whose weakness deserves my forbearance, whose experience my attention, whose services my gratitude, and whose near impending exaltation merits my most serious re

gards; ye aged men, who have numbered many years, and undergone many sorrows, who have performed much, and have drawn near to the accomplishment of the best hopes? regard, my brethren, for every man, especially for every old man, in a greater degree for the good, in a less for the bad; but, regard for every one. May the meditation of this hour awaken it in us all! May we not in vain

promise attention to God in silent prayer!

PROVERBS Xvi. 31.

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

THESE words do not require a minute explanation. They demand our reverence for the aged members of our kind, particularly for those who walk in the way of righteousness; those, who by their integrity, their wisdom in life, and the sum of their well-employed powers soar high above the levity and inexperience of youth. Our text for this day will remind us that we owe respect to old age. We owe it on account of its infirmities, its experience, its services, and the near fulfilment of its hopes.

There is evidently a twofold respect,—a respect for that strength and dignity, before which we bow in reverence, and a respect for that weakness, which we approach with caution and wariness, for fear of

doing it an injury. This careful regard we owe to children. Their frame is tender, their health a fragile vessel, their innocence, alas! so easily misled, their yet open heart so easily ruined by pernicious impressions. Old age has much resemblance to childhood. Man declines as gradually as he grew up, till he becomes helpless in body, perhaps in mind also, as he was in the first days of life. The old man has just as little power to protect himself. His body is so susceptible, that the slightest assault can throw him to the ground. Should not that induce me to treat the aged with forbearing regard? If I offend a man of middle age, he will take care that I do not go too far: he has courage, he has strength, he resists me. But the old man has only his tears to oppose to the youth that grieves him. None but a villain attacks such an one, who is not able to defend himself. And who amongst us would be the villain to injure defenceless age? The mind also of the old man is more irritable, more sensitive bodily weakness and the feeling of increasing infirmities may be the cause of this. Every offensive word, every little slight, every invasion of his property and rights, grieves the old twice as much as the youth and the active man. He looks upon it as an attack, which is the more boldly made upon him, on account of his presumed weakness. The youth has his pleasures, the man his business, which soon divert his thoughts. The