“AND even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” (Isa. 46:44And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (Isaiah 46:4).) Would the reader like to witness a bright example of how grace sustains the believer, when the strength and vigor of youth have given place to the weakness and infirmities of old age? Then come with me, and I will introduce you to old Hannah.
She lives in the first of a row of old-fashioned almshouses. We prefer to call in the evening, when Hannah will be found quite alone. As the curtain is only partially drawn across the tiny old-fashioned window, we will take a peep before entering the house. By the flickering fire-light from the tiny grate we can just discern a small, round table, standing near the hearth, in the poorly furnished room. Upon the table lies a large-print Testament.
There is also a candlestick, holding an unlighted half-penny candle. But where is Hannah? Look again, and you will see a little crouching figure, kneeling between the chair and the fire. That is Hannah. We open the door without knocking, with a cheery “Good evening.”
“Oh! this is my friend, come to see me,” says Hannah, as she slowly rises. She can add no more now, because the inrushing of the night air, as we opened her door, has brought on a violent fit of coughing.
Meanwhile we draw up our chairs to the round table, upon which we lay our Bibles, for she will probably wish to hear several chapters before we leave.
As soon as she has finished coughing, Hannah reaches forward, and taking the candle from the candlestick, seeks to light it in true primitive fashion, by placing the wick against the burning coals. But her handshakes so much, that she only succeeds in melting the grease; so gently taking the candle from her, we light it and put it back in the candlestick.
After inquiring as to her welfare and state of health, we open the Bible, and select some suitable portion to read, whilst Hannah, leaning forward in her chair, with both elbows resting upon the round table, and her two small wrinkled hands supporting her head, eagerly listens to the word of God.
As we seek to point out the force and beauty of some passage, for her special benefit, she now and again repeats her favorite expression, “There now, isn’t that nice?” for Hannah has a keen relish for choice morsels, and she will reflect upon what she has heard after we have left her.
It may be, that the portion read has recalled to her some of her early experiences, when she was still young, both in years and in faith. And as she tells her story, in her plain, unvarnished, simple way, a stranger perceives how bright and lively is that faith, which has strengthened with her years. Who would have thought that that little, feeble and withered frame contained a heart so happy and joyful? But Hannah delights to testify that the God of her youth is the God of her old age, and that He, who saved her from her sins, becomes more and more precious to her as her years increase.
Old and feeble as she had become, it is still her delight to serve her only Master and Lord. She is the peacemaker of the little community wherein she resides, and her heart is still young, yearning after those who have not peace with God.
Each almshouse has two occupants, and Hannah’s companion is older than herself, but much more vigorous. Since they have been living together, the Lord has used the old Christian as His chosen instrument, in blessing to her companion’s soul. The very aged woman who will presently come in is Hannah’s own daughter in the faith, the child of her old age. How Hannah’s heart rejoices, as she thanks God for His saving grace, and for this great mercy!
As thy years increase, dear child of God, art thou inclined to pray with the Psalmist, “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth”? Remember, He who loves His own who are in the world, loves them unto the end. He will not fail nor forsake thee, He will be with thee in thy troubles. “Wait on the Lord, and He will strengthen thy heart.” A. J.