ADDRESS TO THE AGED READER. PERHAPS no apology is necessary for the publication of this volume, except it be for the writer himself, who shares with you the infirmities incident to the last stages of human life. The several pieces which are here introduced were originally composed for his personal use, and are the offspring of leisure hours from more active and public duties. They were dictated by the perusal of those parts of the sacred Scriptures in which the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort has been pleased to record the history, conflicts, preservation, and final departure of many of his aged people. In the course of more than twelve years these papers have so much accumulated as to create an impression that their publication might contribute to the improvement and consolation of those whose feeble steps are hastening down the vale of years; especially as among the multitude of volumes annually published, not one of this description has been known to have issued from the American press. The subjects have no bearing upon any particular religious denomination; disputed points in theology have been avoided, and the plain truth, as it is revealed in the Scriptures, has been the only source from whence he has addressed himself to the hopes, the fears, the conflicts, the duties, and the prospects of the reader. The subjects are presumed to contain an agreeable variety, and some of them are calculated to elevate the depression which is too common in old age. The whole is devoutly intended to glorify ALMIGHTY GOD, exalt the DIVINE REDEEMER, and teach the aged reader the great importance of his being refreshed by the influences of the HOLY SPIRIT in the use of his Bible, so that he may be directed in his duties, supported under his infirmities, and the more happily excited to finish his course with joy! Having passed beyond the ordinary age of man, the writer is not unwilling to confess, that in composing these papers, he has been materially aided by his personal experience of those infirmities which are the frequent attendants on old age; otherwise he would have deemed himself incompetent to the undertaking. At the same time he humbly acknowledges his gratitude to the God and Father of mercies, for protracting his life to so late a period, and reserving to him that degree of mental energy by which he has been continued in the performance of his public duties, and enabled to see the completion of this volume. He therefore ardently prays that the Lord may condescend, in some humble measure, to bless the following pages to the instruction, comfort, and animation of his readers, and especially to the glory of his own grace, 'Tis THINE the labours of the pen to bless ; Swain. CONTENTS. 20 47 59 71 - Improper Dispositions frequently attributed to the aged, con- trasted with their opposite Virtues 213 225 |