Article February 12, 1921 Issue

Old Age Overcome

KATHRINE JONES

To those who have settled down with the fatalistic acceptance of old-age beliefs, Christian Science comes with the glad assurance that the stagnation and loss of normal faculties that are considered an accompaniment of advanced years can be overcome here and now. Not God, but simply so-called material law, has pronounced man old, and if God does not decree that man shall age, become inactive, and die, then nothing can. It is as absurd to gauge a man's usefulness by the number of his years as it would be to do so by the number of pounds he weighs. Helpers are needed, and who cares how old his helper is? Would it have made any difference to the man who "fell among thieves" if the good Samaritan had been a hundred years old? So, let all the men and women in the world who feel that they are being shoved by mortal belief into a corner of loneliness and inactivity declare with the understanding of infinite Love that they will no longer be old.

Man's abilities are spiritual, indestructible, and unlimited always, and should be understood as such. The lethargy of mortal mind will struggle against the true idea and try to mesmerize and kill it. The argument, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," may try to discourage any effort for reformatory thinking, but the influence of this false argument can be overcome by the understanding of the simple proverb, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." The mere act of making an effort in a right direction is so life-giving that those who are making an effort might almost be called the living, and those who are not making one the dead. But violent action must not be mistaken for vigorous thinking; no sudden outward act, no animal will power has any part in this new, sweet vision of the spiritual man's infinite possibilities. It is the power of divine Love that animates and frees, and regeneration is the effect of turning to divine Love for life.

To him whose life up to the present may have seemed a sad series of mistakes, who cries, "Oh, if I could only go somewhere where no one knows me and make a new start!" Christian Science says: "You can always have a fresh start with God. All that God knows about you is beautiful, and God knows all that there is to know." As one gains a little understanding of this infinite, tender Love, and turns with a repentant heart to that divine purity which is God, and begins to reject wrong thoughts as neither his nor his brother's, he will find the true Friend, who loves him, and identifies him with good.

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