Editorial June 27, 1936 Issue

No Age Limit

George Shaw Cook

We read in Psalms, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." This verse sets forth the generally accepted belief that the tenure of mortal existence, or at any rate its usefulness, is limited to a period of about "threescore years and ten." This belief has, however, been proved untrue in the individual experience of many.

Not to mention the asserted longevity of the antediluvians, including Methuselah, the historical part of the Old Testament records many instances of longevity accompanied by health, vigor, and accomplishment. For example, "When Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." His career of usefulness and service to the one God continued long after he had rounded out one hundred years of human experience. Moses was forty when he fled from Egypt to the desert of Midian, eighty when at God's command he became the leader of the children of Israel, and one hundred and twenty when his leadership was finished. And it is recorded of him that at this advanced age "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated."

In modern times, to mention only a few, we find that Victor Hugo, William Ewart Gladstone, and Thomas A. Edison were active octogenarians. Oliver Wendell Holmes remained active as a member of the Supreme Court of the United States until he was past ninety. Clara Barton, who continued her useful activity beyond fourscore years, said, "Let your life be counted by the mile-stones of achievement and not by the timepiece of years." Mary Baker Eddy established The Christian Science Monitor when she was eighty-seven, and continued her personal leadership of the Christian Science movement until she was in her ninetieth year.

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"Rich toward God"
June 27, 1936
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