Length of life a recognition of family goodness.
Notice that the welfare of the family and the welfare of the state are indissolubly connected. The expression, "children's children" is literally, "and see thou sons to thy sons." "Long life crowns all temporal favors." Solomon says that "children's children are the crown of old men." "The good man is glad that a pious stock is likely to be continued; he rejoices in the belief that other homes as happy as his own will be built up, wherein altars to the glory of God shall smoke with the morning and evening sacrifice. This promise implies long life, and that life rendered happy by its being continued in our offspring. It is one token of the immortality of man that he derives joy from extending his life in the lives of his descendants."
I. LENGTH OF LIFE IS BUT A WEARINESS UNDER SOME CONDITIONS. In itself there is no special good in long life. When a man has done his work, he is ready for his work under the next set of conditions. Bunyan may picture a "Land of Beulah," but the years of retirement, after business life is over, are seldom an unmixed and unqualified joy. The "Preacher's" description of painful, wearying old age is often realized. Godless old age, with its crushing burden of youthful sins, is a miserable business; and even the godly man finds the waiting years wearily weighted with pain and suffering. And prolonged life is especially weary when a man outlives all his family and friends; and, after having been wrapped about, all his life, with family love, is dependent on strangers. It is one joy of family life that this seldom happens when a man has his quiver full of children.
II. LENGTH OF LIFE IS BUT A BLESSING UNDER SOME CONDITIONS. There is nothing more beautiful in social life than reverent, honored, upright old age. The value of old men's influence on us is suggested by that pathetic interest we have in their lovely white hair. Let man but keep healthy, and quick-minded to the changing interests of the passing age, and prolonged life can be nothing but a joy to him. Under the same conditions, his continuance is nothing but a joy and blessing to his family, who make him the center which holds them all in a loving and mutually helpful unity. And under the same conditions, old men are nothing but a blessing to the state, which is kept steady by the conservative goodness of its aged members.—R.T.